It's Bondi Day

...and I don't mean the tree. Oh, wait, that's bonzai.

Today I start my Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour to Bondi Beach and around Sydney. But before I started that, I came here to Tom n Toms for a flat white and to Skype Mom. They don't have coffee here; instead they call it a flat white and it is coffee made with milk instead of water. I don't generally drink coffee because I don't like it, but this was better. I still prefer lattes though and I'll stick with those.

Mom and I talked face-to-face and also instant messaged, all from half way around the world. Mom's getting to be quite the techie. While I was talking to her I took my computer out onto the street so she could see the nice weather here in Sydney. I think I made her jealous. Skype isn't the best communicator though – it’s jerky, there is a delay and we were always cutting out. A couple times the line was even dropped, but no worries, we were able to call each other immediately again. I decided to also start instant messaging so we could talk and read at the same time. Dad came home from Tim Hortons while Mom was talking to me so he rushed in to talk too. I don't think he was too interested in it though because he just put his face down so I could see him and said "Hi Dear" and walked away. That's OK though; I know he isn't much of a computer buff. Either that or he doesn't miss me yet! What, how could he not miss ME!! He's probably glad to get rid of me for a month (ha ha).

I better get on my way now to catch my bus. It's a rough life ...

I boarded the double-decker bus at Darling Harbour (Daahling Haahbaah - as in ahhh - is how they pronounce it). I’m on the top next to the leaves on the trees. This is great! First stop – The Rocks. Time to shop. I walked into an authentic Australian clothing shop and quickly found a pair of boots I like – Brand name “See you Downunder” and the Downunder is upside down underneath and words “See You”. I’m not sure you can visualize that, but I may go back and buy them and you can see for yourself. I can’t even wrap my head around the fact that they wear boots here. I just settled for a cute little T-shirt number and bought a lottery ticket, actually 14 plays for $9. The jackpot is $15 million.

Boarding the bus again now for the next stop, but I’ve already seen the next stop and the next. We just passed a Ferrari and Maserati car dealership. I had to go in and record the showroom because we just don't get that in Edmonton. The air smelled like it was imported. The next stop looks interesting - King's Cross. It is an area of Sydney known for its shops, and at night becomes the "Red Light District". The first thing I saw when I got off the bus was a prostitute, or I assumed she was. It is the first place that I don't feel completely comfortable, but I don't think it's dangerous, but I wouldn't want to be here at night. I don't think I'll stay here long. I think I’ll transfer to the Bondi Beach Hop-On Hop-Off bus as I am currently on the Sydney Hop On-Hop Off bus.

I’m on the bus again, but headed for Bondi Beach this time. The weather is perfect for a day at the beach. Oh look, I’m there. Bondi Beach is gorgeous and there are hundreds of women and men sitting on their surf boards waiting for the perfect wave to ride in on. I’m walking along the beach doing lots of recording. I love my new camera. I use it as a recording device too so I don’t forget things I want to add to my blog. I can hear the envy in your voices now. Why does she get to be over there walking barefoot on a beach and we’re stuck here in Canada with snow? Whaaat! I just saw a 60-year-old man with a six pack and I’m not talking beer. I guess that’s what you get when you surf every day. I took a walk to the point and got some great coverage of water splashing high against the rocks.

Did you know that I’m a superstar? Let me tell you how I became one. I noticed a lady taking a picture of all of her friends and I asked if they would like a picture of all of them together. She thought that was very nice of me so she called me a superstar.

Eeeew – a tiny spider just fell onto my keyboard. I didn’t even know they came that small. It must be fried in the circuitry by now because it went under my space bar. I don’t think it’s poisonous though. Can you believe I’m typing this on the beach while I’m waiting for the next bus? I feel like a techno geek! All I need now is Australian citizenship. Gotta go, the bus is here… As the bus winds its way back to where I started I am trying to type, but not having much success – too bumpy. I’m taking the train to Olympic Park to check out the action there and use the computers there.

I’m at SOP now and using the computers. One of the stilt men approached me to give me a cheap drink coupon for the party happening up here later. I think maybe I’ll go if I can manage to get out of here before midnight. This video is taking forever to upload. I want to share my videos with you, but they take so long to upload. I think I'll have to make my recordings much shorter in the future.