Beachside Morning Starts

Last night I caught up with a colleague I used to work with several years ago. It was nice to catch up and have a bite to eat. But, after a nap-free day, I piked early and headed up to bed. I stayed at the Novotel and got upgraded to a corner ocean view room. Great views (although the windows could use a clean), but the windows had zero sound resistance. All night long, the sound of the small waves crashing on the beach kept waking me up. Either that or the constant barrage of music from the bar downstairs. Some people love the white noise of waves - it is not for me though. Needless to say, I didn’t sleep well.

Awake at 5:40, I decided to get up and go for a walk. The sun was due to rise at 6:15, and the path along the beach already looked busy with people doing their morning exercise. It was lovely walking along the path, past the rock pools, the harbour, and to the main lighthouse where you can see both city beach and the harbour. I got there just as the sun rose, making perfect timing for a lovely relaxing start to the day. I also love that it’s not even 6:30, it’s 20 degrees, and feels balmy with the humidity. Some days I question my choice to live in the climate of Melbourne (but I love Melbourne for everything else it has going for it, so I overlook its ever-changing weather).

Walking back to the hotel, the runners that started when I set off for my walk were on the way back, but this time many of them had shed their shirts. Maybe beachside living has its perks 😈. I took plenty of photos, many of which were likely of the same things I took photos of last time I walked here years ago. It is a very beautiful part of the world. You have the beach or harbour in the foreground, with the North Wollongong buildings behind it. Further beyond that, you have the escarpment and nature. It’s lovely.

I grab a ginger and orange juice shot from a beach café opposite my hotel - a great start to the day. I follow this up with an açai cup that looks beautiful but is impossible to eat without it going everywhere as the cup was overflowing. I decide to take it back to my room and use a coffee mug to deconstruct it in my room, away from judgy eyes. I’ve got some time before I need to head to the airport for my museum tour, so I take a short nap (or at least try to) to try and give me a bit more energy for what will end up being a long day. After getting dressed and re-packing my almost empty bag, I hop in an Uber, heading for the main event of this trip.もっと詳しく