My first summer in Sydney has been filled with sun, fun and friends. I thought this would be a good time to step back and recap some of the adventures I’ve had. This is what you do in summer:
Take in the sights on Sydney’s many coastal walks
Bondi Beach
Somewhere near Tamarama
Looping back to Bondi
Try out new hobbies
In this case, a buddy convinced me to try orienteering. What is orienteering? Well, basically you get a map, compass, and a list of checkpoints. You have a set timeframe to get as many points as possible. If you don’t return within a few hours of the cutoff time they send out a search party. No joke…
Us battling through the bush
First checkpoint
Our reward for a bit of rock climbing – looking out over Umina
Another checkpoint just in the distance
Team Newbies! Me and Sara
Bush turkey
Taking in the views of Broken Bay and Pearl Beach
Mugging for the camera
Descent back to the water
Slight jog to the finish because we were hungry and getting close to the cutoff time
After hours of jogging and climbing through bushland, a very well earned meal at the finish line.
Go see the Sculptures by the Sea exhibit
For a few weeks every summer artists from all over reveal installation art along the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk. Here are a few of my favourites:
This one was my favourite by far.
Go on hikes to new places
Heading up to the Barrenjoey Lighthouse just north of Palm Beach
After a short hike we made it to the lighthouse.
Looking north
The view over Palm Beach and the Pittwater
Experiencing my first shark alarm at Bondi Beach
That’s right. What was a lazy New Years day at Bondi turned into something a bit more interesting.
Since it was New Year’s Day and seawater cures hangovers, Bondi was packed.
The shark alarm sounds similar to an air raid siren. After about 5 minutes, the thousands in the ocean completely cleared out. We all stood on the shoreline trying to get a glimpse of the shark.
About twenty minutes later we had two news choppers and the Surf Lifesaver chopper scanning for signs of the shark.
You can see the boats scanning the water in the distance.
After not seing any signs of the suspected shark they reopened the beach. Needless to say, people didn’t venture far out for the rest of the afternoon.
News reports later said people out in a boat saw a suspected 2.5m Great White.
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/animals/shark-scare-closes-bondi-beach-20130101-2c3yc.html
Just another interesting day at the beach…
Until next time…
JJ
JJ on the go 
In your pictures from the Bondi Shark Alarm on New Years Day, I’m the surf Lifesaver on the left (with my shirt on). Was wondering if you had any other pics from that day. Want to send them to my family back home so they get an idea of what the day looked like with all the people on the beach and stuff. Cheers!