A walk along the beach

I have finally ventured outside of Sydney proper and visited the coastline. A few days ago, myself and two other residents (Michelle and Sarah) took a leisurely stroll down the "coastal path" of Sydney, walking all the way from Bondi beach to Clovelly beach. Outside of the tame waters of the harbor, I hadn't been near the ocean since arriving in Australia so I was excited to lay eyes on waves and a beachline.
We set out to the Wahroonga train station around 11 o'clock, beckoned by a cloudless sky and warm(ish) weather. Michelle was quickly instated as the unofficial tour guide as she was the only Aussie out of the three of us (Sarah and I both being Americans), and we were off. Our only hitch: Michelle hadn't been to the Great Coastal Walk, as it's called, since childhood. So we hopped on the train hoping that her childhood recollections would resurface accurately and we'd manage to get there in a timely manner. Thankfully, one train switch and a bus ride later, we were deposited along the sandy coastline of Bondi (pronounced BON-die not BON-dee).
Before making the 2+ kilo hike, we wandered through the mini street market next to the bus station and then grabbed a quick lunch at a fish and chips joint (where I promptly lost my sunglasses). There's nothing like fresh fish salted and deep-fried to order and eaten while overlooking the ocean. Make no mistake, I will be back.
Nourished and cameras at the ready, we began our march along Bondi's boardwalk. The coastline alternates between small cliffs and beaches with the beach often tucked up into the shoreline and bordered by cliffs on both sides. The coastline is also fairly rocky and the waves crash beautifully against the massive boulders. We took our time, stopping often to take pictures and cheer on the surfers dotting the water while wishing for warmer weather so we could brave the water, too. Standing there on the little cliffs overlooking the ocean, watching the surfers skim effortlessly over the water and the waves racing in from the ocean and slamming mercilessly into the rocks, made me stop for a moment and think----of The Little Mermaid. (That is actually the first thing I thought of. Disney, look what you've done!)
Honestly, though, what exactly is it that makes one want to wax poetic when encountering the ocean? It must have something to do with the sheer size of it. Miles and miles of blue-green waves rippling towards an endless horizon. It somehow flings your own insignificance directly into your face while simultaneously creating an indelible sense of awe and wonder. The deafening waves and battering winds may cause anxiety or fear, even, while the gentle lap of the waves against the beach or a sinking sun reflected across the surface can bring such peace. It is certainly a place of beautiful contradictions. Perhaps one day I'll be able to afford the six-digit price tag on a house by the sea and have the luxury of looking at it for as long as I wish.
Until then, please check out the photos I took on our trek. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!
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