This week, we all wrapped up our first week of classes for block two. I really enjoyed both of my classes and am very excited to learn more about contemporary politics and Australian life and culture. However, the most interesting and captivating experiences from this week certainly came from beaches, specifically Milk Beach and Gordon’s Bay. These were some of the most picturesque and incredible beaches I have ever been to, and being there during the later summer months made it even better.
Milk Beach
To start, I want to talk about Milk Beach. This beach is located towards the tip of a peninsula that overlooks the Sydney skyline. Matt, Dom, and I went to watch the sunset there on Thursday night, and the views were incredible. You could see the entire skyline from the beach, and there were multiple different rocks and ledges where you could get an even further view. Furthermore, the walk along the beach towards the lighthouse was great, and we got to see a few other smaller beaches along the way. Also, there were a ton of bats that were flying around which made the experience even more unique, unlike anything I had ever seen before. It was also super easy to access from our apartment, as the bus took us right there. I want to try some of the restaurants in the area at some point before we leave, as watching the sunset during dinner would be incredible.
Gordon’s Bay
Moving forward, I want to reflect on my experience at Gordon’s Bay, which is a beach located right around the corner from Coogee Beach. This is a unique beach because most people are setting up spots on the rocks as opposed to the sand. It was super cool because everyone could jump into the water straight from their respective rocks, so it made water access much easier. The weather was also perfect that day, as on Saturday it was around 80 degrees. Also, the water temperature was better than some of the other beaches I had been to in Sydney.
Sydney Opera House Tour
Lastly, we had the Sydney Opera House tour on Sunday, which is something I have wanted to do since arriving. It was super cool to see the inside of the Opera House and see the concert hall. I found it interesting that there are over ten thousand different pipes in the organ, and it was interesting to learn about the construction process. We were able to get some great photos and learn more about the deep history of the famous landmark. All in all, it was a great week of exploring, and I am very excited to go to Newcastle this weekend.