A little taste of home

Spring Break Part II:

I woke up early on Friday to get a work out in before meeting up with my parents. That workout was more than needed after the indulging week in Cairns. Time to get my body back on some sort of a schedule. My parents came to Coogee and we did the infamous walk to Bondi Beach. They absolutely loved it and stopped several times to take pictures. Your parents are only here for so long... so you have to just grin and bear it and be patient and smile for all those pictures they want to take. The weather was spectacular, and the walk did not fail to disappoint. We got smoothies and pear/raspberry bread (my favorite treat) in Bondi and looked out at the gorgeous beach. We took a cab to campus to show my parents uni! They were surprised at how enormous it is and how urban it is. I also showed them my friend's apartment, who lives in the village, so they could see my old stomping grounds. I liked showing them my life so they can envision things when we talk. We ended the night with an AMAZING dinner at Wolfie's Grill in the Rocks with one of my friends. The restaurant was outdoors, with a beautiful view of the harbor and Opera House, and the canopy over it looked like a pirate ship. Best meal of the weekend for sure. Unfortunately, one of my professors scheduled a midterm for the day classes start back up after the break (who does that?!), so I capped the night off with a little study sesh and then fell into bed.

We hit up the Paddington Saturday Market the next morning. We were surprised at how small it was, but the quality was amazing-everything from vintage clothing to spices and breads to paintings. I bought an i-phone case of a view of Coogee Beach so I can always remember my home-away-from-home when I am back in the States. We headed back to Circular Quay for a tour of the Opera House after that. The inside of the Opera House was incredible. We learned the history of the architecture and what all the theaters are used for, etc. The top of the house is actually not all white, but several different shades of million of tiles in a wave-like pattern. It was very surreal being in the inside of such an iconic place. We saw a cute little train in the botanical gardens next door when we exited the opera house, so we decided to hop in for one last tour. The gardens were absolutely beautiful-you easily could have spent a full day there. This was probably my favorite day. I got to cross off several things on my bucket list and enjoyed touring the city with my parents. We had dinner with two of my roommates in Coogee at the Beach Palace, and I studied a little bit more for my midterm. Another excellent day in paradise.

pretty tea stand at the Paddington Markets

up-close view of the top of the opera house

the botanical gardens train ride

I worked out again early Sunday morning before meeting my parents in the city. We hopped on the ferry and headed to Manly Beach! It was a gorgeous Sunday afternoon so it was CROWDED. I have never seen so many people before. Nevertheless, Manly was still a ton of fun. We walked around the shops, had ice cream, and watched the surfers and volleyball players on the beach. We had dinner in Darling Harbor (at a less than delicious place, unfortunately). I can't believe all the places we packed in this weekend! Mom and dad sure got their money's worth in Sydney!

I met them for one last day in the city Monday for an adventure to the Taronga Zoo! Since it was a week day, the ferry was much less crowded. We got to sit outside and enjoy the ride. We got to ride in a really cool sky tram up to the top of the zoo once we got off the ferry. The zoo is kind of on a little island and at the top of a hill-truly gorgeous views. My parents got their first taste of kangaroos and koalas, and I got to see a few things myself I hadn't seen before. The animals were so up-close and personal; it was one of the cooler zoo's I had been to. We had a blast walking around-it was the perfect day. We hit up Starbucks (one of only TWO in all of Sydney) afterwards and then got me a REAL pair of true Australian UGG slippers at the Ugg Store. Apparently the American version is complete crap and they stole the idea from Australia and trademarked it and are selling them for a really expensive price when they really aren't even true UGG's at all... Yet another reason why Australian's think Americans are stupid. Finished the night off with dinner at my favorite Thai restaurant in Coogee, Samui. My dad thought it was fitting to start the trip and end the trip with dinner at the same restaurant. It was very sad to say goodbye, but this should hopefully last me for the remaining two months in Australia! I am so glad they came to visit and hope they have a blast (and not too much rain) up in Cairns for their vacation part 2. Thanks for coming Mom and Dad-love you guys tons!! See you in June back in America! Now let's hope I don't fail that midterm tomorrow....

the lion was SOCLOSE

amazing view from the zoo

11 of the top 15 deadliest snakes in the world are in Australia... slightly terrifying