Barefoot Island - The Yasawas - Fiji

About a year ago I set off on my own on a journey to the beautiful Yasawa Islands of Fiji. I had just finished 6 months with one company in Sydney, and was about to start a new job. To get myself into a fresh new mindset, I decided there was no time like Fiji time to do so!

My mate Cathy in Bondi used to work with Tourism Fiji as a client, and recommended I concentrate my visit on the Yasawa Islands, a group of stunning islands off to the North West of the main island. She gave me heaps of advice about where to stay and what to do. So I booked it last minute, and next thing I knew, I was on the plane for 3 hours to Nadi.

Upon arriving at Nadi airport, I met another solo traveller, a Welsh girl named Ceri. She was staying in my hostel that night, and then it turned out we had the exact same itinerary for the next week.

The best way to get to the islands is by the Yasawa Flyer, which departs from Port Denarau. I got the Bula Pass which lasts for over a week.

First stop, Barefoot Island.

View of Kuata from the Ferry

A local performing on Kuata.

Barefoot Island, which is Drawaqa Island, is a small resort. I had booked to stay here for two nights. Here you can stay in private Bures (a Fijian wooden hut) on one side of the island or share with four others in bunks on the other side. I chose to stay in the sharing Bure. The island has two prominent beaches Sunrise Beach and Sunset Beach.  

Every Bure has a hammock outside. I used to get up every morning to watch sunrise on them, or would chill in the afternoon.

This was our Bure. It was very basic, and the resort itself was basic. The toilets and showers were outside, so you would need to take a flashlight if you needed to go at night. It was incredible as you would hear the waves at night and then walk outside in the morning and see the beautiful beach in front of you!

The water in Fiji is crystal clear, and we would go snorkelling. Ceri and some lovely girls we met would also go scuba diving. I haven't mustered the courage to try again, after my freak out in the Great Barrier Reef.

The way these resorts work is you have a daily schedule. If you miss the window for breakfast, tough! There are no restaurants on the islands, so you have to buy meal plans on top of your accommodation. There are also lots of activities to do during the day and night. These include swimming with the manta rays, walks, coconut bowling, weaving and learning Fijian.

One of the activities I enjoyed the most was learning some Fijian phrases to help with the rest of my trip and learning how to traditionally weave plates from palm leaves.

The island is also home to Manta Rays, which they strive to protect, research and teach about. We were lucky enough to get to swim with some of them, and I can't describe how wonderful it felt to be swimming with these graceful creatures. They are huge!!!! So you can't miss them.

On our last night we opted to go for a sunset cruise, complete with fresh coconut cocktail. It was lovely and very relaxing. All the stresses from my previous job were melting away.

That night we were treated to a traditional Lovo, a Fijian feast cooked underground. Not unlike the Hangi in New Zealand. I ate mine from the plate I had made earlier and with my hands.

We then also had our first taste of kava, which is a drink made from a root vegetable. Some people can get very intoxicated on this, my tongue went a bit numb. It tastes a bit earthy to begin with, but after a few, you get used to it!

It was time to say goodbye to Barefoot, and all the fun people we had met. Onwards to Blue Lagoon!

Inner West Street Art Walk - Sydney

Back in August 2014 (yes, I know, this is almost a year ago!!) I saw a post on Facebook about a street art walking tour by the page I Love The Inner West. I have followed this page ever since I arrived in Sydney, as I loved the street art I had seen in and around King Street. Nadine (@nemans) explores the Inner West with her mates, seeking out the latest and coolest street art around and share with the I Love the Inner West community. I decided I would get out of the Bondi Bubble, and challenged myself to go. It was possibly the best $25 I have ever spent. #neemansstreetartwalk

We met at St Peters Station, and headed straight towards Mays Lane. On the way we stopped off to see The Gorilla by The Elph (@the_elph). The Elph paints the most powerful and confronting street art I have ever seen, highlighting the issues of what the human race is doing to endangered species. 

Heading down to the Mays Lane Arts Project, where a whole bunch of Aussie and International artists have showcased their talents. The picture below shows Space Monkey (@spacemonkey0666), the blue guy to the bottom left and Adam Atomik (@atomiko), the orange in the top right.

Another prominent wall from The Elph - Cause and Effect with the Orangutans.

Anthony Lister (@anthonylister), is one of my favourite artists in Sydney. You can see his work, pretty much anywhere here, even in Bondi.

I loved how even the pavement was covered in colour.

Nadine took us on a tour all around Inner West, as the tour lasted just over three glorious hours. What I found really cool was that she is mates with all the artists, and is usually one of the first to know about any new art being created.

Below are the Beastman Lips (@bradeastman) above Commune in Erskineville. I walk past these quite a lot, and love the vibrant colours he uses.

Nico Nicoson (@nico_nicoson), another favourite, can be seen all throughout the Inner West. I love his owls, and also the colour palette he uses. Turquoise being my colour of choice.

Below is a collaborative effort, from Beastman, Phibs (@phibs_has_instagram) and Creepy on Simmons Street.

Fintan Magee (@fintan_magee) paints these gorgeous murals.

A collaboration from Nico Nicoson and Jumboist (@jumboist).

An Irish artist called Eoin (@artbyeoin) has also made his mark on Sydney.

Lister's ballerinas light up the walls of Newtown.

Another beauty from Eoin.

And last, but no means least, another of Nico's owls.

The funniest thing is, half of these creations have been painted over, with new amazing art. The scene is always changing. I think I have found a new passion. 

Christmas in July - Blue Mountains - Weekend Away from Sydney

Christmas in July is a tradition all the Brits in Sydney partake in each winter. July in Australia is winter time, and sees groups of friends wearing obligatory Christmas jumpers/onesies, heading for the Blue Mountains to get in on the yuletide action.

Why the Blue Mountains? They are close by to Sydney and as Christmas here is in summer, aka the hottest time of year, the temperature during winter feels more like back home at Christmas time. It can get quite cold in the Blue Mountains, and the thought of curling up to a log fire with some wine after a big meal is very appealing.

We headed up after work on Friday in my housemate's car. You can also get the train to the Blue Mountains for day trips too. One of the girls Cathy had organised the whole thing, the house and all the meals. She had managed to secure a massive house in Blackheath, a town near Leura. There were around thirteen of us altogether. Each meal was prepared by different teams. One of the best meals was breakfast on Saturday morning, Baked Eggs with Chorizo by Ed.

The Three Sisters are perhaps the most famous attraction of the Blue Mountains. They are pretty amazing to look at, but for me, the valley behind adds to how magical this place is. I want to explore some more one day.

We then moved onto another part of the park, where we walked down to an amazing waterfall with an incredible view of the valley. Some cockatoos also joined us.

Back to the house, I helped head chef Cathy prepare the main meal, a full on roast with all the trimmings! The rest of the night continued with party games and dancing.

The next day we left Blackheath behind, spent the early afternoon in Leura and then back to Sydney for work the next day.

Memory
When my family visited Australia back in 2005, we stopped off in Katoomba for a few nights. Back then I remember visiting Scenic World, and our parents having to buy us hats, scarfs, fleeces etc as it was unusually cold and we were not prepared, despite being Scottish! My father still has his beloved fleece. We had stayed in some random hotel, which was like being transported back to the 1970s. I also remember watching the news about the crazy queues and shortages of the new Harry Potter book around the world (the one where Dumbledore dies) and then us walking into the Kmart in Katoomba to a humungous pile of untouched Harry Potter books. It was like heaven!

Double Bay - Sydney - Day by the Bay

A few months ago, a friend called Jenny invited me to come to her flat in Edgecliff, and from there we went for brunch in Double Bay.

Edgecliff has quite a few high rise flats, but when you get up to the 16th floor, you can understand why people live here. The view is incredible! Jenny and her housemates are able to see most of Sydney Harbour, and all the secluded bays.

We then made our way down towards Double Bay. On the walk you come across some beautiful old houses with old trees, which give the place a sense of history. Difficult to come across in such a 'new' country.

We ended up brunching in a local restaurant, Indigo. Jenny got the baked eggs while I had the most delicious fruit salad.

Walking along in Sydney, you always get reminders of where you are. Sometimes, and I know this is cliche, but I have to pinch myself. I still can't believe I live here!

When we got down to bay, we watched as the sun set. Upon doing so, we decided to sneak into the Yacht Club for a drink. To be fair, we didn't realise we had to be members, and no one said anything. We had a glorious view of the Bay and washed it down with some fabulous wine.

Views, brunch and wine - a perfect Saturday in Sydney.