Léa St. Arnault

Léa Like Leia

A Quick Note

I am not the best writer. This is a personal blog and collection of travel stories, personal quips, thoughts and ideas.

Most of what you are about to read is very informal, and some very raw (I’m not keen to proofread and edit my work). I’ve never been one for journalling as I don’t always have the patience to sit down and write, but I do often have a never ending thread of thoughts running through my mind. And at the very few times I remember to write anything down, I feel that it barely captures everything that I am thinking of even while typing.

Some items you can peruse may be personal ideas, inspirations, or even troubles that run through my mind that I try to type into my phone while sitting at the beach or walking through the park.

Please be patient and kind.
Hopefully you find something to enjoy :D

Sydney

Bustling Sydney

My friend Alina and i had a very early arrival after taking the overnight bus from Arrawarra. We got to Sydney around 6:30 am, and then proceeded to walk 15 min with our bags to our hostel. Forever grateful whenever hostels are super chill about arriving early but still letting you use the toilets and leave your stuff in the luggage storage room. It definitely makes the early arrival times so much easier to deal with and you don’t have to lug your bags around the city all day.

Over the next few days in Sydney our weather was hit and miss. It would often rain, even if just for a few minutes. Only a few days of sunshine, but overall it was decent. I think rainy season is starting although I don’t want to admit it because I just want the sunshine. I didn’t end up doing quite as much as I thought I would, partially because of weather and partially because I just couldn’t figure out what I wanted to do and when.

Things I didn’t get to doing: Snorkel at Shelley beach, because I fell asleep on Manly beach (a 15 min walk away), try surfing at any of the Sydney beaches (Manly or Bondi) because I was a little intimidated and couldn’t commit, and go to the Blue Mountains because I couldn’t commit to waking up in the morning and go. It is roughly a 2 hour train ride away, which is more than doable, I was just being lazy. Some of these things upset me that I didn’t do, but at the same time i reminded myself that I am in Australia for a year, once I have my own car I can go to the Blue Mountains for more than just a few hours and so many other things! Plus taking it easy after a week of lots of surf, especially the last 4-5 days where I was in the water 2 times a day. Rest is good. Rest is okay. Plus I got to spend more time with my friend Alina which was wonderful.

The good things I did get to do in Sydney! The coastal walk from Bondi Beach to Coogee Beach, took 1h45m, it was a little tiring (mostly because my vans haven’t been the most comfy) but it was gorgeous and I loved seeing the way the rock and cliff edge has been carved out from the ocean and weather over the thousands of years! I also walked to the harbour a few times and saw the Sydney Opera house, it was a little smaller than I thought it would be. We walked the Sydney Harbour bridge one day which gave great views of Sydney CBD. Went to Manly a few times, to chill on the beach but also check out the store Ghanda, and finally found a few pairs of shorts that I really like! We went to the Museum of Contemporary Art, there was some amazing Australian indigenous art that was so detailed and amazing. I like seeing how art and expression can differ between cultures. I checked out a bunch of coffee shops, Sydney was great for coffee! So many shops everywhere, big and small. Some just little shops in the side of the building, but no bigger than what you can see, others larger sit down shops with restaurant vibes. On my last morning I had one of the best breakfasts/meals I had had in Sydney and even Australia. Alina and I also went out to the club one night with a bunch of people from the hostel. I didn’t care much for the DJ so I dipped out by 1 am I think.

Overall I enjoyed Sydney! I did feel crowded and very busy at times, after spending a week at surf camp going to a big city was a big difference. I like my space lol. There is lots do to and enjoy in the city, and I think everyone can find something for themselves.

Sydney Opera House :)

Bondi Beach

Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk

TravelLea StArnaultTravel, Things to do, Australia, Sydney