Thoughts in Transit

January & December 2024

Recommendations:

Food:

• Totti’s: Italian!! SO good!
• Raw Bar: Japanese food on Bondi!
• Depot: our FAV spot for brunch!!! Must go here!! On Bondi!
• Harry’s: Right across from Depot! Amazing brunch as well!
• Shuk: another brunch and coffee place! SO good!
• Fruitologist: The best Acai bowls we had while in Sydney!
• Salty’s: Great place on Bondi for snacks and drinks! MUST try their cauliflower bites!
• Fishbowl: A bowl place on Bondi! So good and so many options, fast and quick!

Coffee:

• Cali Press: The strawberry matcha here is SO good, must try!
• Birichina Cafe: we went here everyday for iced lattes!
• Gertrude and Alice Cafe Bookstore: Great Berry Matcha! Also so many book options and great place to study!

Things to do:

• Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk
• Swim ay Ice Bergs Pool
• Jervis Bay day trip to see Kangaroos
• Gordan’s Bay to tan and swim!
• Visit Palm Beach
• Camp Cove Beach
• Run along Bondi Beach

We’ve had the incredible opportunity to visit Australia twice this past year—once in January and again in December. Our dear friend Stephanie, who moved to Sydney after graduating from Texas A&M, graciously hosted us during both trips, helping us cut down on accommodation costs. We first met Stephanie while working at Mamaka Bowls in College Station. She was a senior when Megan and I were freshmen, and from our very first conversation during a shift, I knew she was someone special. Stephanie was effortlessly cool, and I was determined that we had to become friends. She shared stories about her amazing adventures—spending a summer in San Diego, three months in Hawaii during her sophomore year, and a semester studying abroad in Jordan. She was also an avid surfer and solo traveler, often embarking on trips to different countries. It didn’t take long for us to grow close. That first semester of her senior year, Stephanie only had one class, so we had plenty of time to hang out. We spent our days skating on the rooftop of Bed Bath & Beyond, going to the movies, or making trips to Galveston to surf.

When we first arrived in Sydney, Australia, we stayed at Stephanie’s apartment, which was perfectly situated right on Bondi Beach. We didn’t have much planned, but it didn’t take long to realize that Sydney isn’t the kind of place where you need a strict itinerary. For us, it was more about immersing ourselves in the local pace of life.

From the very first morning at Bondi Beach, Megan and I were completely smitten. Australia has a HUGE fitness culture, so by 5AM everyone is on runs, in pilates classes, going surfing, or polar plunging. The beach is packed with fitness goers, which motivated us to wake up early and get after it. After our workouts, we would grab a coffee from a nearby cafe and sit on a bench overlooking the ocean and watch surfers for hours. We would later change into our swimsuits and tan until 4pm.We happily repeated this routine every day of our trip.

During that first visit, we didn’t venture beyond Bondi Beach—it was just too perfect to leave. Why mess with a good thing?

When we returned this December, we made it a point to explore more of Sydney’s iconic spots. Mornings still began the same way—early workouts, coffee, surfer-watching, and tanning—but we added a new layer to our days by hopping on the 333 bus into the city. We visited the Opera House, enjoyed drinks at the Opera Bar, and strolled through Hyde Park. We explored the Junction and wandered around Sydney’s vibrant streets.

As our time came to an end, the same bittersweet feeling crept in, just like it had after our first visit. Sydney isn’t just a place I enjoy vacationing—it’s a place I dream of living. The sense of family, the inspiring environment, and the breathtaking scenery make it truly unforgettable. I’m already counting down the days until I can return.