So this was the biggy… 26th of January….Australia Day!! A day when the nation goes out to celebrate their history and solidarity…. or more often than not, to get drunk and party.
After the previous nights escapades when Naomi had her bag (although just saying ‘bag’ is rather an understatement considering what was in it) stolen we weren’t feeling too festive when we awoke. The weather was also pretty overcast so we didn’t have the glorious Australian sunshine to brighten our moods. After a couple of hours of moping around and getting ourselves together we decided to catch the bus down to Coogee beach as a couple of Dan’s mates were heading down there later on in the afternoon.
After alighting from the bus and strolling down the ocean front we passed the Coogee Bay Hotel which looked pretty happening. Besides the throng of party goers sporting Ozzy flags and tattoos, there was also some sort of bikini show going on. Naturally Dan and I weren’t interested in this and would have preferred a quiet English style pub tucked away down some back street, but Naomi was insistent that we go and check it out. We tried to walk on but she overpowered us and dragged us in.. if only we’d not partaken in those Jagermeistershots the night before. We passed a couple of hours drinking and talkingby which time the sun had decided to bless us with it’s presence so so we went and sat down by the beach for a bit with a couple of beers. It then turned out that drinking wasn’t allowed on Coogee that day due to trouble in the past, so we strolled on round the coast to the next beach where we were told it was ok to take beers.
By the time we had sat and watched the world go by… with a little bot of afternoon dozing, it was getting pretty late, so we continued the coastal walk over to Bronte beach and caught the bus back into the city. After popping into China Town (I swear I’ve eaten there almost every day since getting here!) for a delicious and spicy Szechuan combination, we joined the crowds of people heading down to Darling Harbour for the evenings main event. Now anyone who has experienced Australia Day will tell you that no matter what town or city you are in, the evening always finishes with an amazing display of fireworks. This year didn’t disappoint and together with the obligatory FIZZES! and BANGS! there were choir singers, boats sailing round the harbour and didgeridoo’s!
By the time the display was over, we were absolutely shattered so had a leisurely stroll back before grabbing a relatively early night. The photo today was taken by Naomi (again on the iPhone, didn’t want to risk taking the 5D out on Australia Day) down at Clovelly beach.
