Leslie and I decided that we were going to spend the day in Kings Cross. The travel book that I brought along with me has a few sections dedicated to the different areas on the outskirts of Sydney, along with morning/afternoon walks that you can do in them. We make our way out the door and stop at the Friendly Store, it’s actual name, to get a few bottles of water for what we can already tell will be another hot day. After making our purchase and asking the counter lady how much the bus was going to be, we just took it yesterday and still don’t remember, she starts to tell us about single tickets, multi tickets, etc. One would swear that we were presented with the question of what the meaning of life is. We went back and forth providing reasons why we should or shouldn’t get a day pass, weekly pass, etc. We finally decided on the single ride and made our way out the door pleasantly surprised that the lady at the Friendly Store was actually friendly, which Leslie got to experience more of since she had to go back in the store due to forgetting her bus ticket on the counter. Ha!
We caught the bus to Bondi Junction again so we could take the City Rail to Kings Cross. We ended up taking the 360 this time in lieu of the 378, and unlike the counter lady at the Friendly Store, the bus driver was anything but friendly. He needs to get over whatever his deal is.
Beginning at the El Alamein Fountain, as the book suggests, we make our way down Macleay Street, which becomes the red light district at night, and made our way down Greenknowe Avenue and then Ithaca Road. Ithaca Road leaded us to Beare Park, where we had a great view of another area of the Harbour and a bunch of sail boats and yachts that were hanging out. Making our way back up Ithaca Road and turning onto Billyard Avenue, we passed the Del Rio, which is one of a few Californian Spanish Mission buildings that are in the area. After passing the Del Rio, the Elizabeth Bay House was the next stop (http://www.hht.net.au/museums/ebh). Leslie didn’t want to go in, so she stayed outside and explored a little bit while I went inside to walk around the house, which is now a museum. It was a nice, with the exception of the Cellars. I didn’t stay in them long since no one else was down there and I was a little spooked. Don’t laugh. You would have been too.
I met back up with Leslie and we had a quick laugh over my quick exit from the Cellars and then continued our walking tour of the ‘hood, which now has us going up some steps back up to Macleay Street. The next stop on the walk is lunch at Yellow Bistro. It was delicious. We had the potato gnocchi and an iced chocolate. Our server was great, and it turned out to be his first day on the job. We would have had no idea. After pegging us as tourists, due to the guide book, shorts, t-shirt, and backpack, we struck up a conversation. It turns out that he will be going on his first trip to the US soon. After a quick chat and payment of the bill, he offers up some advice on what we should do in the area, but it turns out that we already did it. Ha! Thanks anyway, and have a great trip to DC and New York when you go.
We continue the rest of our walk, get lost, and question the person who wrote this little walking tour that we are on. Why would they send tourists down a back alley way of parking garages? The rest of the walk isn’t going to go by much anyway, so we skip to the end and head to Bourbon for an end of tour drink that the book suggests before heading back to Bronte via City Rail and bus.
Back in Bronte, we meet Des, who is one of Rob’s friends from University. I was impressed by the fact that she knew so much about us and what we had done on our trip thus far, but this was the first time she was showing face. She asks if Leslie and I want to go for a swim. We both say no, but offer to take the walk with her. A quick walk to Des does not translate into a quick walk for others. The three of us walked down to Clovelly Beach where Des swam and Leslie and I lounged, before Les subsequently fell asleep on the concrete. After a brief swim, Des was ready to go back to the apartment, much to the relief of Leslie and I. We were both a little worried that we weren’t going to be able to be cleaned and ready in time for the party.
Showered and dress, it’s time for the housewarming party to start. Throughout the night we meet Whitey (hilarious), David (Whitey’s husband), Charlie (the happiest baby in the world), Becky (who also has a Vespa), and Angeline (who says she can get us behind the scenes at the zoo when we go), amongst many others. Everyone at the party was nice, heard of our arrival, was nice to meet, and had plenty of suggestions of what we should do while we are here. It’s now about one in the morning and people are gone, but those that matter remain with beers in hand. Myself, Leslie, Rob, Jen, and our new BFF Des are now on the patio and have begun our boys versus girls Catch Phrase competition. The girls won.
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