Day at Bondi

    We've been to Bondi Beach several times but never just to spend the day.  The kids love to watch a TV show called Bondi Rescue, which documents the events and dramas unfolding for the full time Bondi lifeguards.  They couldn't wait to see which ones of their favorites might be working.  Once there, however, Mia was completely absorbed with her surfing.  Sam wandered the beach watching the life guards and hoping to see a rescue.  The water was incredibly calm though so it was a perfect day for us.

Beach safety is taken very seriously in Australia and there are lifeguards everywhere, especially on a beautiful, weekend day in the summer.  Bondi is notorious for its rips and also for attracting foreign tourists that can't swim and can't read English.  Not that that stops them from going in the water!  The lifeguards in red and yellow are volunteer surf lifesavers, while the professional crew wears blue.

Much to their disappointment, neither of the kids could identify this lifeguard.

People watching at Bondi is especially entertaining.  I'm not very quick with my camera but I managed to snap a few shots that I can put up.

We didn't think it was whale season! 

The southern cross seems to be the tattooo of choice in these parts, but this guy took it a step further.

 It's not unusual for Bondi to have 40,000 people on a  nice day. 

With so little warm summer weather this year, everyone has the same beach plans and Bondi quickly filled up.  After almost 4 hours of surfing, we convinced Mia to leave the waves behind.  We'll head back again before we leave, we hope!