One last weekend in Sydney

We had one final weekend in Sydney before jet setting off to India, and it just so happened it was Easter weekend so our lovely hosts, Kiera and Dave, both had an extended long weekend and were able to spend most of it with us! We started the weekend off right with a little Good Friday afternoon backyard BBQ, and since Kiera and Dave have a dream of a backyard it was the perfect spot for it. We feasted of salad, potatoes and seafood (well chicken for Kait and I) and the beer, wine and bubbly pretty much flowed all night. After the sunset we decided to turn this backyard BBQ into a backyard bonfire which we kept going until the wee hours of the morning.  At some point during the evening Kait leaned over to me and said…. “You’re not going to like this but there is a…..”, she didn’t even get to finish telling me that there was a spider on me (I knew what she was about to say) before uncontrollable reaction set it. Unlucky for me, but apparently hilarious for everyone else my uncontrollable reaction was a full body half spasm – half dance looking thing that went on for about 30 seconds. I think at some point I even threw my wine glass half way across the yard (sorry Keeks :) 

Getting ready for the feast

Our amazing hosts 

Relaxing by the fire

On day 2 of our final weekend we had planned to go catch an Aussie rules football match (AFL), but due to some major procrastination at buying tickets in advance and getting to the stadium right before the game there was no longer and seats left together so we decided to forgo the game and do the next best thing – LAWN BOWLING! We headed off to the nearby Bavarian Beer café first so grab some lunch and litre beers and then grabbed a cab for the Paddy Bowls club in Paddington. After filling out our paper work, yes there was paper work involved, our new friend Hamish who works behind the bar got us set up with a round of ciders and a lane. 

Lunch and liters at the cafe

Getting rowdy at the bowls club

Beers at the bowls club

Look out Canada... we are bringing lawn bowling back!

To keep things interesting we decided to play girls against boys. I think until some point we were keeping score but after a few to many rounds of icy cold beers we kind of lost count. Although Dave will swear we had the spot of the day, I really think Kait takes that honor with a between the legs granny shot that thread the needle between 3 of the boys balls and hit the jack out of the way to steal all their points. Now I realize that most of you reading this blog has no idea what that means since no one plays lawn bowling, but just wait until we bring it back to N. America next summer…… then it will all make sense.

Next up we were off to meet up with mine and Kait’s friend from back home in Ottawa, Mikey B! We still hadn’t satisfied Jonny’s need to party back in Kings Cross, so tonight was to be the night.  It’s really hard to describe King’s Cross to anyone who hasn’t been there before, but essentially it is just a long strip of a few blocks that are littered with bars and late night food places, but it really has a vibe all its own. It’s one of those places where it would be common to see people stop to get a drunken tattoo or something along those lines. After a good pre-drink at Mike’s place we headed out to Kings Cross where the night continued again until late into the night. I wish I could give more detail on our night out in the Cross but it’s all a bit foggy.

So excited to see each other!

Reunited and it feels great!

Kings Cross Coke sign.... how you know you are home according to Jonny

When we woke up we were all feeling the effects of the previous day’s events so we made it a lazy Sunday and the girls took in an Teen Mom 2 marathon, hours of good quality entertainment, while the boys didn’t anything else…… but mostly they just napped.

The next day was our last day in Oz (tear) and our last day with Kiera and Dave (double tear) so Kiera kicked off the day by cooking up some delicious pancakes and then we all headed out to Bondi Junction, with the exception of Dave who had to stay home and study.  We ran our last few errands, had one last coffee and stroll along Bondi beach and came home to make one last family dinner before our flight out the next morning. After a 6am wake up call, some hugs and kiss goodbye the 4 of us clown car’ed into a cab off to the Sydney airport where we boarded our flight filled with trepidation and excitement about what’s to come – INDIA.

One last family dinner

Overall I think I am ready to leave Australia. I am so glad that we came. We had an amazing time here marveling at the scenery and catching up with many old friends and family, but something inside both of us still tells us that were ready to leave.  Sure it is partly because Oz can really put a dent in the travel budget, but I think it’s more to do with the fact that it is easy and familiar. It may sound crazy to some, but when we set off on this adventure we were looking to really challenge ourselves and to see and experience things we have never done before, so while it was been such a great trip, I am ready for the complete 180 we are headed for, I am ready for the wildly unfamiliar experiences and culture shock that India is sure to bring us …… well at least I think I am. 

OOO_Talia