Taking on Cronulla!

Before coming to Australia I had imagined myself traveling throughout the country quite frequently, and as soon as I got here. I somehow forgot that I would be working practically every day, which doesn't really allow me the time for travel. I was lucky enough to get two days off this week (in a row!) and decided to plan my first trip in Australia.

Cronulla Beach in the early morning

I knew I couldn't go too far since I had to be back Friday night for work early Saturday, so I decided on a cute beach town called Cronulla and booked two nights in a hostel there. Wednesday came, I overpacked (a huge duffel bag) per my usual ways, and headed off to the train station a couple blocks away. I was lucky in how easy it was to get there...Cronulla was the last stop for this train, so all the signs said Cronulla...hard to mess up. I arrived Wednesday night, met some German girls in my room, and called it a night.

The great thing about how early I work is that my body is used to waking up early. Both days I was up by 7 and managed to be on the beach/in town by 8 in the morning. Thursday I spent 12 hours exploring this little beach town and my red skin is the result of all that time in the sun. I can't even describe how peaceful it was sitting on the rocks staring into the sea. The sun had a way of sparkling on the water, it was really really beautiful (trying not to sound too much like a sap). It was seriously so nice though just relaxing, and having time to reflect and think about everything. There's no better feeling than spending some time alone and having your mind wander to the thought, 'I am completely happy where I am in life.'

Beautiful Cronulla Beach

Once it turned about 11 I decided it would be a good time to check out the cute cafes and grab some brunch. This was my first official restaurant style meal eating alone. I'm not going to lie, I was a tad nervous beforehand about people judging, but it was totally fine. The fruit was so fresh and perfect, and I read my book while looking out at the water. All was well, and then I left the restaurant and started wandering around taking in my surroundings. ...Until a man tapped my shoulder looking angry. He yelled at me saying, "YOU FORGOT TO PAY!" I had never been so embarrassed....I just dined and dashed and had an employee chase me down the pavilion to bring me back to the restaurant. I felt like I was doing a walk of shame. I apologized over and over and over and over again telling them my brain is mush (I wonder if they understood that phrase) and that in no way was that my intention. I honestly have never been so embarrassed, especially with the looks the customers in the restaurant were giving me. I was THAT backpacker. From working in food and beverage, I absolutely despise when people try to steal a meal, so in no way was that what I was trying to do! Sometimes I'm seriously such an airhead. To my defense though, every other restaurant/food place I've been to in Sydney you pay at the counter, then they bring you out your food. I've never been brought a bill to the table after eating the meal...guess two months being away from that made me forget normal procedures! At least it's something to laugh about now!

After that hoopla, I went to find somewhere to lay out on the beach. I was on my way to the perfect spot when I heard someone call my name (weird, I had only met three people the night before and knew no one else here). One of the German guys who I had talked to maybe 3 minutes the previous night was waving me over and invited me to lay out with him and his friends. Score, I made a friend! It was nice being invited over, but then everyone talked in German the rest of the day, so I just read my book. The waves at Cronulla Beach were absolutely insane and I was taken out quite a few times. It was also extremely windy on Thursday, which was nice because it kept the beach cool! Sun was super hot, and as mentioned before, I am still recovering from the heat that day lolz I am currently in the peeling process! Overall, it was a wonderful day at the beach!

Relaxing in the park

Then I decided to spoil myself and treat myself to a fancy dinner for one. At this point my phone was on 10% and I needed to charge it so I could keep posting to Snap Story (of course). The only outlet in the restaurant was next to an 8 person table, so I was that annoying customer who took up one of the largest tables...just for myself. This time I didn't feel awkward at all dining alone. My mindset was that people are going to stare, let them I'm happy! The waitress recommended a meal; not quite sure what to choose I agreed, especially when I heard crab meat in pasta. When it came out my jaw dropped. There were literal crab legs on my pasta. The plate also came with a set of tools that you apparently should know how to use to crack open the crab legs and scrape the meat out. I had had no previous experience in using these tools, and am sure was causing quite the scene. The worst part is every time I attempted to crack a leg, you never knew where the parts of the leg would fly! The table was a mess, my hands were a mess, I was a mess. Definitely felt myself being judged, but once again, Whatever I'm on vacation! I'm learning! I ate every last bite on my plate and it was incredible. I still think all that work to get the crab meat out though is terribly overrated. I like the simplicity of crab cakes, all ready for you to eat.

Nothing better than eating fresh
strawberries under palm trees!

After 12 hours in the sun, I headed back to the hostel. So exhausted after being in the sun all day, I fell asleep by 8:30 pm, still in my bathing suit.
Friday, I woke up early and headed into town. Knowing how burnt I was, I planned to avoid laying out on the beach. I walked around all the shops and parks. I bought some fruit at a market and ate strawberries under a palm tree. I went to another park that overlooked the sea and people watched and read my kindle. Had a wonderful, relaxing, peaceful day. There was a bed bug incident in the hostel, but luckily I got away scotch free! Can't say the same for the other girls in my room....red bumps all over their bodies...not too pretty. The owner of the hostel was super friendly and told me about his travels in southeast Asia and couldn't stop raving. He was so nice and helpful and it was great how open he was!

Hopped on the train back, and the vacation was over. Even though it was only a couple of days, it was SO needed. As much as I love Sydney, I needed something new. I hate getting settled into a routine and needed to switch it up a little bit. It was also super nice traveling on my own. It just reinforces for me that I came out here alone, and I can manage things alone. I've been lucky that I've made and been with friends since Day 1 out here, but I don't want to have to rely on that. I want to keep pushing myself into new challenges and experiences. Every little thing I do on my own is another achievement for me, like 'see you can eat alone in a restaurant and not feel embarrassed', or 'you found the hostel all on your own without relying on someone else to do it for you'. Lots of great feelings!

Also side note, I finished my book and it was incredible. Highly recommend it. It's called 'What I was doing while you were Breeding' and its a travel memoir of an American comedy writer (writes for How I Met Your Mother, That 70's show, The Neighbors) who travels on her off time all around the world. She's hilarious and tells about her foreign love affairs, and talks about how she'd rather travel than get married young. This book just reinforced for me there is not a 'right' age in life to do things, just do what makes you happy and the rest will work it self out! No reason to go through life not ecstatic about everything, right?

Now I'm back in the city back to the normal life. I have two days off in a row again this week and may just have myself another adventure! Cheers!

OH ALSO HUGE CONGRATULATIONS TO MY BROTHER PETER AND HIS NOW FIANCE SHERYL ON THE ENGAGEMENT!!!! So excited for you two!!!!

Couldn't resist a palm tree selfie..