I was so very lucky to call Bondi “home” for the first two months of my stay in Australia. These days I live in a neat little place much closer to the CBD, and within walking distance to Sydney Harbour and the Opera House. It’s not a short walk by any means, but I could totally go for a run along the harbour footpaths, or around the Botanical Garden in the mornings if I wanted to. (Um, hells yeah I do!).
While I’m really happy about the move and all the things I’m now in much closer proximity to (friends, shopping, more food, even more tourist attractions), unpacking made me a little bit sad. Especially when a bit of sand spilled out of the boxes after I’d started pulling out kitchen appliances. Cue sad face.
I’m really going to miss living in Bondi. 🙁
I’m not sure I fully embraced the laid back, beachy lifestyle as I have yet to go for a surf like many of the locals would do each day. Nor did I have the time or money to lay about on the beach all the time (I wish), but I tried in other ways. These are a few of my favourite things about living in Bondi, and naturally the things I’ll miss the most!
#1: The sand between my toes
Most mornings I would get up and walk the Bondi to Bronte coastal walk to unwind and take in the ocean view. Other mornings I would go for a run in the sand on the beach. It was right there so I had no excuses. Really no downside to this except for the occasional blue bottle that might wash up on shore while you’re running and when you try to gracefully jump over it while also trying not to trip and fall on your face… but you end up splashing into the cold water and then shrieking like a little girl because — WHY IS THE OCEAN SO COLD I THOUGHT I WAS LIVING IN AUSTRALIA?! The bright side to this is it’s still early in the morning so no tourists are out yet, only the locals who ALL STARE AT YOU. Also the other times you can run and not end up in the freezing morning ocean water.
Ocean water temperatures aside, it was also pretty awesome to be able to say, “lets head to the beach after work” on a given day, and actually go through with it.
#2: Yummy fresh food
Heading to the farmer’s market on Saturday mornings to buy fresh fruits and veggies for the week was always a fun experience. And you could buy more than just your groceries. Food stalls often offered coffee, baked goods (but mostly donuts, I swear this country is obsessed with them), and other tasty snacks, as well as blankets for hire so you could spread out on the lawn to enjoy your purchases with your friends. I bought sugar plums from the market once. They were life changing. That line from ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas makes so much sense now.
#3: All the other food (but mostly the gelato)
As is the way of many tourist places, there are heaps of restaurants all around. Feel like Thai food? What about Mexican? Dumplings? Fish n’ chips? Indian? Pretzels? Burgers? BBQ? Sushi? Italian? Healthy salad bars (hahahaha, no)? Check, check, checkaroo. And if you’re craving gelato you’re in luck. There are about eight different gelato places all within the same two-block radius including the super popular, super delicious Gelato Messina.
Some are more expensive than others to be sure, but there were so many options I don’t think I ever ate anything I didn’t like while in Bondi. Unless I made it myself. (Note to self: next time don’t throw an entire can of chipotle peppers on the stove without opening a window first, and certainly don’t eat the aftermath or you might die). I’ve been compiling a list of my favourite restos so hopefully I can share them here soon!
#4: The people that know how to surf
On weekends you could get a flat white (or whatever you wanted, I just happen to like those) for takeaway from one of the many coffee shops and cafes around and take it to the grass along Campbell Parade to sit and watch the surfers do their thang. The best time to go is early in the mornings, because that’s when the really dedicated ones head out, to catch some waves before the tourists and the crowds. That and they are usually really good at what they do.
That’s not to say that any other time isn’t worth going, however. I have some friends that have been learning to surf for a while now and we all agree that the good and bad surfers are equally entertaining to watch.
#5: I know everyone says you should see the graffiti wall at the beach, but…
Ummm, yeah. Let me try something different here: You should most definitely check out the graffiti wall. Selfie sticks not necessary.
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Yes, Bondi is always packed with crowds of tourists, families herding their little rugrats, flocks of activewear-wearing ladies headed to brunch or cocktails (or both), and rowdy backpackers. Yes, the streets are almost always noisy at night. Yes, it’s a crazy long commute to and from the CBD. Yes, it’s a pretty pricey place to live. And above all, yes, I managed to find sand in my things at least once a day. Sometimes despite not having gone to the beach. Once. A. Day. How is that even possible?
I won’t miss the sand I would find at the bottom of my purse when digging for coffee change, but everything else was really a small price to pay to live just a five minute walk from one of the most iconic beach in the world.
Fortunately Bondi is just a short(ish) bus ride away if I ever feel so inclined to head back there one weekend. ‘Til then, I’ll leave you with some of my favourite photos from my time there. Enjoy!
– C
