Jan 4 - Bondi Beach

Moved into the hostel last night for two nights - Lord Wolseley's.   Because I got there so late,  I got the last choice for a bed in the room I am sharing with the other females.  There are two bunk beds,  and the old lady got the top bunk.   Not only that,  I had to make the bed while one of the girls slept in the bottom bunk.  The steps were metal cylinders that rose flat against the bed.   I had no plans to get down until morning,  so I grabbed everything I could possibly want and put it inside my pillowcase.  I also got the last pillow,  and it was pitiful. Lucky I travel with my own blowup pillow that I am used to sleeping on.   Teach me to show up so late.  The hostel is fine with nice people, but it its a 20-25 minute walk to the neat train station and there is nothing but the bar on the first floor anywhere nearby.

This morning i went to Bondi Beach (the 'i' is pronounced long).   Actually that's not quite correct.   I took the train and bus to Bondi, but didn't go to that beach.   The bus let me off in town just before the beach,  and then I walked the path toward Bronte.  Then kept on going to the next beach, turned around, and walked back to the start of Bondi Beach. They are beautiful beaches.   And the walk along the coast great - lots of cliffs, sun, and waves.  I could have done without the ups and downs of the hills.  I'm not sure if the builders did it on purpose,  or because of the landscape.  I think they are just masochists.   Although maybe it's because it is a fitness circuit with stations along the way.  I saw several people jogging and doing the stations, but not me.

I had lunch at a cute restaurant just off the beach.  I had a great salad with rocket, pears, shaved Parmesan cheese, candied nuts, and grilled chicken.  I thought the "rocket" was a typo, but it wasn't.   Anybody know what it is?  I bet Annie B. being a chef does.  Any guesses?  And no cheating with google.

The beaches are a lot like American beaches,  except for the men in speedos and the grannies in bikinis.  I saw a few people surfing,  but I want in the right place at high tide,  so didn't see any great rides (Bondi beach I'd famous for there surfing).  It was fun to ride the buys and train with the surfboards.

Had an early night for me (10 am) due to an early flight to Melbourne tomorrow.