Welcome to my paradise/my home! Bondi Beach

The Basics

Bondi Beach is located in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney and is about 7 km from the center of the city.  Getting there via public transport will take you about 45 minutes and is kind of a pain in the ass but worth the journey.  In addition to having an amazing beach to lie on during the day, there is always something special going on in addition to the numerous attractions and things to do in the area.  Read my blog “The Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk: Gorgeous Views and Spectacular Beaches,” which is a must while in the area.

Lexy and I loving us some Bondi on a gorgeous day!

Beach Life

I can’t tell you how impressed I am with Australia’s beaches.  I’m normally quite a beach snob and I haven’t been to many that impress me other than the Caribbean: not California, not the Mediterranean, and definitely not the beaches on the East Coast of the US.  Australia’s beaches impress me in all aspects and Bondi is one of them.  The sand is unbelievably soft and cleared of seaweed, while the water is refreshing and doesn’t leave you gasping for air, and the beautiful people that inhabit Bondi don’t hurt the situation one bit.  Bondi Beach is less than a 5 minutes walk from my apartment and I have to admit I’ve been pretty much every day since I moved to this area.  Tanning has been my part-time job and damn have I excelled at it.  The beach is about a kilometer long, which is a little over a half mile, and has 3 main areas.  The north of the beach is usually where it’s the most calm and safest to swim, which is indicated by the yellow and red flags.  The south of the beach is quite dangerous due to the waves and rip current and is usually where you can find the surfers catching some waves.  From experience I would recommend to be super careful and definitely swim between the flags.  The currents are super strong and are very easy to get caught in, especially if you’re hungover, so be careful.  Be sure to check signs for warnings regarding jellyfish or any other dangerous aspects.  Also don’t be shocked to see beach goers showing some skin since many women lay out topless to optimize their tan as guys try and show off their bods by wearing extremely small shorts or Speedos!

A beautiful view of North Bondi!

And a beautiful view of South Bondi!

A rare moment on Bondi with no one around! So peaceful!

Where to Enjoy Some Drinks

The scene in Bondi is super laid back regardless of it being day or night.  Instead of pretentious clubs with everyone dressed to the 9′s and dropping a lot of money, Bondi’s just about being carefree and enjoying some drinks with friends.  It’s amazing to go to a local bar in sandals and a casual outfit and not look like an outcast.  I love the laid back vibe of the local bars and it’s a nice change of pace from getting all dolled up and making the trek to the city.  Beach Road Hotel is my “local” as its just down the street from me and has a great beer garden in the back that’s perfect on a sunny afternoon.  Ravesi’s has a nice vibe but be sure to get their early because their lock-out is usually around 11.  Hotel Bondi is typically the last resort pub and what I like to call the “Black Hole,” but is open late and there are always some characters present.  The Swiss Grand Hotel has 2 bars to offer, White Revolver is good on certain nights, mainly Wednesdays, while Cream Tangerine is ideal for weekend day drinking with a great view.  Bar Bondi or BB’s, Bungabar, and The Bavarian Bier Cafe are also laid back places to get a few drinks and something to munch on.  Most bars do close early in Bondi so if you want a late night I suggest you head to King’s Cross to keep the party going.

Irene and I @ Hotel Bondi!

Bondi Hotel & Swiss Grand right on Campbell Parade

Although Bondi Beach happens to attract a lot of tourists, it still manages to keep its charm of a small beach town in Australia.  I would definitely recommend taking some time to escape the city and come out to enjoy the beach and have a real laid back Aussie day!  Check out my Flickr account for heaps of pictures of Bondi focusing on the beaches, the people and the local hot spots!  Please let me know if you have any questions since I’m kind of an expert about the area!

Coffs Harbour

The airport at Coffs was one of the smallest I have ever been in and I loved it, the simplicity of an airport usually sets the tone for the city.  We picked up the flatmates car, which thankfully hadn’t been towed, and headed straight to the beach at Coffs Harbour.  After laying out for a few hours we went to the Yacht Club, which is one of the main restaurants/bars in the area, and met some of Pete’s friends for some drinks and dinner.  I tried VB, Victoria Bitter, for the first time and can’t lie, I enjoyed it.  I’m still shocked by how much beer I’m drinking down here but I’m learning to appreciate it.  The next morning we headed to the beach again at Coffs Harbour to lay out, take a quick swim and then left for South West Rocks.

One of the beaches in Coffs Harbour

Myself enjoying the beautiful beach in Coffs Harbour

South West Rocks

After a short hour drive and a quick lunch in Nambucca, which wasn’t the classiest place I’ve been, we arrived in South West Rocks.  Although there is negative cell phone service in the area, I loved it here because it was so relaxing and everyone was beyond friendly.  My friend Tim was with his family and family friends camping right by the beach at the Arakoon campsite, which is located by the Trial Bay Gaol, yes that’s “jail.”  The camping here was not quite roughing it due to the electricity provided to power their kitchen supplies and of course their televisions to watch their beloved cricket, which I’m still completely lost on the rules.  I didn’t stay the night on the campsite but after seeing what amenities are available I think I may consider it in the future.  I spent a lot of time with the group just drinking beers, going to the beach, and exchanging hilarious stories.  It was great to be around a fun laid back family since I really miss mine.  There really isn’t much to do here but relax on the beach, take in the amazing wildlife, and enjoy some quality time with friends over a good meal and just a ‘few’ drinks.

Trial Bay at dusk- Super warm and calm little cove!

Enjoying a nice "Cold" beer in Trial Bay

Within moments of arriving at the campsite I sighted my first local wildlife, which was very exciting.  It was a huge kangaroo just chilling and munching on some grass.  They are very tame animals but you need not to get too close because they are very strong and will kick your ass.  I got some pictures with him, like the tourist I am, and we continued on a little wildlife excursion.  We came across a family of roos, with little joey’s/babies that were so cute.  I also fed a kookaburra, which I have on video, so check that out.  Later on we took some beers to the cliffs and sat as we saw a fever of stingrays, literally hundreds, sea turtles, and enjoyed the gorgeous views of the coastline.  The not so pleasant side of Aussie wildlife would have the be the abundance of flies, which is worst the farther north you are, also mosquitoes, cockroaches, other beetles, and spiders….to name a few.

My first up close and personal shot with a Kangaroo!

A great place to see some sea life & enjoy the view in South West Rocks!

Journey Home

After 3 days and nights of doing absolutely nothing but tanning, eating, and drinking, it was time to head home.  The drive wasn’t the most pleasant due to my slight hangover from the over indulgence of alcohol the previous day and night.  The highlight of the trip home was me experiencing my first meat pie.  We stopped at the World Famous Fredo Pies in Frederickton and I was crazy about my Steak Diane meat pie.  I’m definitely hooked now, but am scared that most will not meet my expectations since my first was one of the best.  This place also had meat pies made out of kangaroo, emu, crocodile, and hundreds more.  After the pit stop we continued the drive home, which ended up taking about 8 hours, 3 hours too long, due to accidents and random set backs.  I had a great mini-vacation up the coast and am so happy I decided to go before getting tied down here in Sydney.  Check out my pics on Flickr from my trip!  Everyone please leave feedback and any questions you may have!

The Fearsome Foursome enjoying our gorgeous beach!

Accommodation

The girls and I stayed at the Park Royal, which was pretty nice and we got upgraded to the 2 bedroom suite with a balcony and hot tub at check in, so we couldn’t complain! Yet another example of Ballin’ on a Budget in my travels!  The best decision I made for the group was to book a hotel that was all-inclusive.  This means all your food, drinks and room amenities were included in the price of the package.  Of course the food wasn’t great and a buffet isn’t exactly my idea of “fine dining” but when you’re on spring break your main concern is getting some food in your stomach to soak up all that alcohol.  Also the booze isn’t exactly top shelf, but once again it’s spring break and everyone has the same goal in common, whether you’re sipping Grey Goose or vodka out of a plastic bottle.

Lexy and I enjoying some day drinking @ The Park Royal!

Pre drinking in the hotel lobby with the girls!

Location Location Location

Location is very important aspect of your trip and varies depending on what your priorities are while in Cancun.  Our priority was a nice hotel on a nice beach and we hit the jackpot.  Make sure to read reviews about the hotels and beaches since there was a bad hurricane a few years ago many were destroyed and in poor condition. We were about 15 minutes by car from downtown, or a cheap taxi ride, which is where all the clubs are located.  We spent our days nursing our hangovers on the beach and not spending a dime while taking full advantage of the all-inclusive aspect at the bar and restaurants.  Some people want to be in the middle of the party 24/7 and for that I would recommend the Oasis Cancun.

Not too shabby of a view from our balcony!

Party Party

Obviously most people head to spring break for the insane clubs and ridiculous parties they throw.  There really is nothing like spring break in Cancun, trust me.  We were lucky enough to have promoters come to our hotel, which I’m sure most do, and let us in on some deals for the party scene in Cancun.  For about $20-40 each we were transported to the given club and received free entry and bottles at table for the group from our hotel.  This was amazing because it was much cheaper and we had a great group of crazy randoms at our hotel to hit the clubs with.  Also having a table at these clubs is great because they are so packed, it’s hard to really enjoy yourself.  Some of my favorites were The City, Daddy O’s, The Bulldog, Daddy Rock, and the world famous Coco Bongo.  All these clubs are located within walking distance in the downtown area along with tons of other bars and clubs.  Also check out the concert schedules in Cancun before planning your nights because they tend to have a lot of big performers such as Tiesto, Akon, etc., this time of year.  One more tip: the clubs get SO hot inside, so dress accordingly and prepare to get a lil sweaty while dancing your booty off!

One of my favorite clubs The City - Yes it was like 4 stories!

Hope this was helpful to either persuade you to hit up Cancun for Spring Break this year or help you plan your trip.  Please respond with any questions or your favorite Spring Break destination! Don’t forget to be safe down in Cancun, it is still MEXICO!   Also check out my Flickr account for a lot more pics of Spring Break fun!!

Loving me some St Maarten

Dutch Side vs. French Side

As I said the two sides of this island are very different and it really depends on what you’re looking to do while on the island.  The Dutch side is where I prefer to stay because it’s just easier for those that want to be able to relax in one area and not have to hassle with a car.  The best area for this is Maho due to it’s proximity to some great beaches, shopping, amazing restaurants, bars, and clubs.  My favorite restaurant in Maho is definitely Bajatzu, but there are others great ones such as Soprano’s and Bamboo Bernies.  The main hotel in the area is The Sonesta Maho Beach Resort and Casino and it’s right on the beach and super nice.  Another positive to staying on the Dutch side is that the plugs and voltage is in sync with America.  On the French side you have to worry about using converters and making sure you have the right adapters in order to use your electronics.  Also the national currency on the Dutch Side is the American Dollar, compared to the French side using the Euro.  The French side is also very nice, with gorgeous beaches, different cuisine, and a bit more laid back attitude.  There is a great mall in Marigot and is much more upscale compared to the Dutch shopping area, Philipsburg.  It’s quite easy to get around this small island if you rent a car, take the local buses, or hitchhike! I would only recommend the hitchhiking angle during the day, but most locals are super friendly and willing to help you out!

Enjoying some delicious sushi at Bamboo Bernie's with a great view of Maho

Beaches

Orient Bay on the French side is absolutely gorgeous and lined with tons of upscale bars and restaurants such as Waikiki and Kontiki.  These bars also have beach parties at night which are ridiculously fun, just prepare yourself for the mosquitoes because they will eat you alive! Locals claim that the best beach on the island is Happy Bay.  It’s a quick 25 minute walk over the hill but the hike is worth it when you see the breathtaking secluded beach.  One plus of the beaches on the French side is that tops are optional and many people do take advantage of this, but more times than not those people are ones we all wish would just keep them on.

Gorgeous Waikiki in Orient Bay

On the Dutch side there are also some great beaches.  My favorite is Mullet Bay because it’s super laid back, walking distance from Maho, and it’s not quite a “scene” as the beaches in Orient tend to be.  Also right in Maho there is Maho Beach which is nice, as long as you don’t mind the occasional roar of an airplane above you.  Dawn Beach is also pleasant, which is where the brand new Westin Hotel is located.  There are also many other beaches on the island for you to explore.  Below is a map of the beaches, bays, coves and cities of the island of St Maarten.

Where to Enjoy Some Cocktails and Party

St Maarten has some amazing places to sit back, relax and have yourself some amazing cocktails, notice the plural.  The attire is quite laid back for most the bars and clubs, but some clubs will deny you if you roll in looking like a beach bum.  Sunset Beach Bar is world famous due to it’s proximity to the airport and there isn’t anything quite like having a nice drink while feeling the blast of the planes overhead.  It’s right on the beach and they have great drink specials and of course a marvelous view.  Another place you have to  go to in Maho is Sopranos Piano Bar for some great drinks and amazing live music.  My absolute favorite club in St Maarten and one of my favorites worldwide is Bliss Nightclub.  The club, which is also a restaurant, is open air and located right on the water with amazing DJ’s and a great atmosphere. Tantra is another great club in the area and is above the Casino Royale.  For after hours everyone heads to The Platinum Room, which yes is a strip club, but it’s the only thing open super late and is always a lot of fun!

Lina, Dana and I enjoying ourselves at Bliss

Hope this was helpful for those of you that are planning a trip to St Maarten or I have managed to influence a few of you to take the trip to enjoy paradise in the Caribbean! Please comment with any questions or other things you might be interested in about this fabulous island! Also check out my Flickr account for more pictures!

A view of my daily routine while living in Málaga

Málaga & Andalucia

Málaga is located on the southern tip of Spain and is the second largest city in the region of Andalucia.  As I said in my entry about Barcelona, all 5 regions are very different from their culture to the language spoken.  Fortunately they speak “Spanish Spanish” here, but unfortunately I later learned that it’s the hardest place in the World to learn Spanish.  This is due to the locals “accent” aka they speak with a bit of a lisp and ridiculously fast.  Although most of the locals don’t speak English they are super friendly and helpful, and this is also great for those trying to learn Spanish. The lifestyle in Andalucia is extremely laid back and this is one of the things that made me fall in love with this sunny region of Spain.

City Center

Málaga is actually a very important port city but has much more to offer tourists due to it’s rich history.  A Phonecian Fort, which was later taken over by the Romans, and a Moorish Castle overlook the city.  In the city center there is an enormous cathedral, and also famous painter Pablo Picasso was born here and you are able to visit his actual house and a great museum as well.  Aside from sight seeing and enjoying the Spanish culture there is great shopping, tons of charming tapas bars and good nightlife in the city.

A view of Málaga from the highest point in the city

Nightlife

Málaga’s nightlife isn’t quite on the same scale as larger Spanish cities like Madrid and Barcelona but is still a lot of fun.  I would recommend just wandering around the main center and plazas to check out some smaller bars before heading to the clubs around 2.  Some of my favorites included Shamrock, which serve delicious €5 liter sized Mojitos and also loved few Irish Pups such as Morrisey’s and Celtic Druid’s.  The clubs in Málaga are quite small but make up for it with their amazing djs, wide range of music, and amazing drink specials.  Some great clubs to check out are White, Cool, Opium, Sala Wenge, Sala Mancola, El Barco, Santa Trinida, and Liceo.  For the latest parties in Málaga add NightParty Malaga on Facebook.  *Just a little tip, most clubs don’t provide toilet paper due to the old plumbing, so be sure to bring some or you’re SOL.

Enjoying my cheap liter mojito...yummm

Pedregalejo

Don’t worry it took me a month of living here to pronounce what area of Málaga I lived in correctly, but Pedregalejo is a small fishing village just 15 minutes east by bus from the city center.  I lived in a great apartment, across from my school and one street from the beach, I couldn’t have been happier.  The beaches here are much better than the main beach in the city called Malgaleta.  Also the area is super laid back and has a bunch of great little seafood and tapas restaurants right on the boardwalk.  Definitely take the bus and check out this area for a relaxing day at the beach and some fresh seafood that’s cooked on the beach.

Sarah from France, Paige from Texas and I enjoying a nice late dinner on the boardwalk

Other Cities on the “Costa del Sol”

For many people Málaga is just a stop before heading to nearby cities on this beautiful coast.  Many tourists head to Benalmadena and Torremolinos for their crazy parties and beautiful beaches.  Also Marbella is a short 45 minute bus ride and is absolutely gorgeous.  If you make it there be sure to check out Puerto Banus, which is a must see.  It consists of a gorgeous harbor with ridiculous yachts and very nice but expensive restaurants.

Yup this picture pretty much sums up Puerto Banus

Hope this helped those of you that are interested in traveling to the south of Spain to enjoy their amazing beaches and laid back lifestyle.  I would really recommend Málaga to those of you that want to study abroad and get a true “Spanish” experience.  Let me know if you have any questions about the area or about my adventures while living there! Also look at my pictures on Flickr for a better idea of what life in Málaga is like!

One of the reasons I love Barcelona so much is because of the range of things to do in the city. Below are some of my favorite sites and things to do in the city.

Renting bikes in Barceloneta and riding up the boardwalk is a lot of fun, especially after a few cocktails!

If you’re there in the summer you have to enjoy the beaches at Barceloneta.  This was part of my daily routine while living here. After class we would grab some food/wine/vodka and head to the beach for a day of topless tanning! For a more enjoyable dining experience there are some great seafood restaurants along the boardwalk down by the beach, but be wary they tend to be quite pricey since it is a touristy area.

Stroll down Las Ramblas and try to take it all in. It’s walkway through the center of the city filled with street performers, hotels, restaurants, shopping, and even pet shops.  Be aware of the pickpockets here, as they are the worst in the city Also  make sure to stop off at the Boqueria Market and enjoy some great fresh fruit and other interesting Spanish delicacies.

Please explore the works of famous Spanish Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí.

The girls and I at Gaudi's Park Guell with an amazing view of Barcelona!

√Park Güell is a must! Located at the top of the city, this park gives you a great view of all of Barcelona.

√His famous cathedral, La Sagrada Família is also something you must see.  The size and Gothic detail of this church is absolutely breathtaking.  It is still a work in progress and is suppose to be done in 2026, which will mark the 100 year death of Gaudi.

√Also along Paseo de Gracia, check out two housing units he built.  Batlló house & the “Pedrera” aka Casa Mila. The details of these buildings are impeccable and he even designed the furniture inside the apartments.

The "Magic Fountain Show" @ Montjuic!

Check out the amazing views from Monjuïc and all the sites the huge mountain has to offer.  Make sure to experience the “Magic Fountain” show at night, click the link for times and how to get up there.

Delectable Tapas!

Enjoy some local tapas and amazing cuisine down by Port Vell. Don’t leave Barcelona without experiencing patatas bravas, fried potatoes with a spicy aioli, they’re pretty much to die for! Also in this picture is Sangria de Cava, which is Sangria made with Cava, Spanish Champagne. Pretty much my favorite beverage produced by Spain so don’t miss it!

There are obviously hundreds of other things to do and see in this city! I wanted to keep it to the basics for first time visitors.  Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like more suggestions to make your time in Barcelona a great experience!