Australia Day

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26-Jan-2011
Bondi Beach on Australia day
Australia day is a national holiday of celebrations and apparently the thing to do on Australia Day is BBQ. Around mid-day I headed to Bronte Park with Rach and Yariv to meet their friends. The roads were lined with cars parked for miles and people milling around near the beach entrances. When we reached the park it was chock-a-block full of people. Thanks to friends who had staked out a small patch of grass early in the morning we had somewhere to sit. The only thing we lacked was a BBQ pit. The public ones were so popular people were standing in a queue for about an hour to use it! Eventually a kind neighbour lent us theirs.

Street outside Bronte Park

Bronte Park - Australia Day



After a tasty fill of BBQ some people made space for a game of volley ball and others checked out the beach. Bronte is on the ocean side so has massive waves that come crashing in ferociously! Too rough to swim, but fun to splash around for a while and watch the surfers. One of the great things about Sydney is all the beaches and coastal walks.

Another beach I went to with Rach & Yariv (this one's on the harbour side so no waves!)

Balmoral Park picnic

Coast between Coogee & Marboura


Me and Lynne
I only found out later that the date of Australia day is controversial, since 26 January 1788 is when British proclaimed sovereignty over the eastern seaboard of Australia (not an ideal day of celebration for Aboriginals).

Comments

sly said…
You arrived just at the right time! I think that has happened a lot in your travels--you and Aaron have truly had a charmed trek!
7 April 2011 at 08:28
TomY. said…
Glad to hear things are getting better for you and that can have some fun.
7 April 2011 at 14:28
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