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[Sydney, New South Wales Escapade with HTC EVO 3D] – Sunrise, Fine Dining, Harley Ride and Surfing at Bondi

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[Sydney, New South Wales Escapade with HTC EVO 3D] - Sunrise, Fine Dining, Harley Ride and Surfing at Bondi - Alvinology

The third day of my Sydney escapade with HTC EVO 3D, hosted by Destination New South Wales, started really early at 5am (2am, Singapore time).

We were up early as we wanted to catch the sunrise at the gorgeous Bondi Beach.

Bondi Beach is a popular 1 km beach in New South Wales, located 7 km east of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of Waverley Council, in the Eastern Suburbs. Bondi, North Bondi and Bondi Junction are neighbouring suburbs.

The beach is popular for surfing, beach volleyball and other sea sports.

When we arrived at Bondi Beach, the sky was still pitch black. Willy quickly scouted for the perfect location to capture the sunrise while Eunice and I leeched off his hard work.

The sky was still dark when we arrived at Bondi Beach
The sky was still dark when we arrived at Bondi Beach
I chose this spot to await sunrise
I chose this spot to await sunrise
Can you spot Eunice in her preferred sunrise position?
Can you spot Eunice in her preferred sunrise position?
Sleepy head
Sleepy head

With our cameras all positioned and ready, we got ourselves comfortably settled as we waited for the sun to rise, enjoying the serenity of the gentle lapping waves and soft sea breeze blowing into our faces.

Gradually, the sky bursted into a spectrum of colours from blue to purple to orange. This was reflected onto the glistering water and sand on Bondi Beach. The view was inexplicably magnificent.

It was worth the while to wake up early for this.

Here’s a 3D video I took of the Bondi sunrise with my HTC EVO 3D:

The magnificent sun rise at Bondi Beach
The magnificent sunrise at Bondi Beach
The sunrise was so beautiful I just had to take multiple shots
The sunrise was so beautiful I just had to take multiple shots
Mr Sun is fully exposed and smiling
Mr Sun is fully exposed and smiling
And the sky was lit
And the sky was lit
Love the sound of the lapping waves
Love the sound of the lapping waves
Even when the sun was barely up, people were already flocking to Bondi Beach
Even when the sun was barely up, people were already flocking to Bondi Beach
We will have our lunch here later in the day
We will have our lunch here later in the day

After sunrise, Eunice, Willy and Duglass took the scenic Bondi to Bronte coast walk. I have done the walk on my previous visit to Bondi with Rachel and hence opted to wait for them in a nice little public shed, catching up a little on my sleep.

Bronte Beach
Bronte Beach
Bronte Park
Bronte Park
Early morning Bondi jogger
Early morning Bondi jogger
Early morning Bondi surfers
Early morning Bondi surfers
A small sculpture
A small sculpture

When we assembled again, it was time for breakfast at Swell Restaurant. Swell is a cafe /restaurant establishment, popular with the Bondi locals.

Swell restaurant
Swell restaurant
Willy and Eunice making friend
Willy and Eunice making friend
We were up since 5am in the morning, but these two look surprisingly fresh!
We were up since 5am in the morning, but these two look surprisingly fresh!

Swell was a great place for people watching. We witnessed many regulars popping in and out for their breakfast, making friendly banters with the staff like old friends. Many brought their pet dogs or their children along.

Pets are allowed at Swell, but only outside
Pets are allowed at Swell, but only outside
Restaurant interior
Restaurant interior

I love the clean, modern restaurant setting, infused with homeliness through the bond forged with the locals.

I ordered a roast pumpkin, fetta and spinach with poached eggs on turkish toast, one of their evergreen signature dish together with their egg benedict which Eunice ordered.

The sweetness of the roast pumpkin blends well with the freshly toasted bread and poached eggs. I thoroughly enjoyed my breakfast, downing it with a glass of juice.

My lovely breakfast
My lovely breakfast
Willy ordered their signature pancake
Willy ordered their signature pancake
Eunice had egg benedict, another of Swell's breakfast favourite
Eunice had egg benedict, another of Swell’s breakfast favourite
Duglass' order
Duglass’ order
Soothing juices
Soothing juices for Willy and I
Cappuccino for Eunice the coffee addict
Cappuccino for Eunice the coffee addict

We also ordered a plate of fresh muesli and fruit salad to share.

Love this bowl of freshly toasted museli
Love this bowl of freshly toasted muesli
Fresh fruit salad
Fresh fruit salad

While Singaporeans love our supper, Sydneysiders love their breakfast just as much, operating on a healthier biological clock, rising early and sleeping early.

After the hearty breakfast, we were treated to a harley tour round Bondi with the Harley-Davidson bikers from the Sydney HOG Chapter.

No, Willy and Duglass are not in trouble, these three are our harley riders
No, Willy and Duglass are not in trouble, these three are our harley riders
We will be riding pillion on these bad boys
We will be riding pillion on these bad boys
Willy's rider posing for us
Willy’s rider posing for us
The attention grabbing skull mask guy
The attention grabbing skull mask guy
The skull guy without his mask is not so scary
The skull guy without his mask is not so scary
Posers...
Posers…
Willy quickly snapping a shot with the HTC EVO 3D before we flag off
Willy quickly snapping a shot with the HTC EVO 3D before we flag off

The bikers are the central of attraction wherever they went. People were always curious about their showy leather jackets and loud, shiny bikes. Eunice’s rider was even wearing a skull mask to add to the bling factor. You just can’t miss these guys on the street!

I find the harley tour an interesting way to get around Sydney for sightseeing, definitely a vastly different experience from the usual tour buses. Friendly strangers will wave at you as you ride past, some would even extend you a hearty smile and greeting.

A video I took while riding pillion:

Riding around Bondi
Riding around Bondi
Phoenix Hotel
Phoenix Hotel
Attention grabbing everywhere we go
Attention grabbing everywhere we go
My biker told me this was where he comes to pick up girls when he was younger
My biker told me this was where he comes to pick up girls when he was younger
We took a short break at this lookout point
We took a short break at this lookout point
Willy chatting with our three harley riders
Willy chatting with our three harley riders
Love this jacket
Love this jacket
I am so unconvincing as a Harley rider....
I am so unconvincing as a Harley rider….
Me with my harley biker
Me with my harley biker
Everyone wants a picture with the skull man
Everyone wants a picture with the skull man

After enjoying our flashy ride around Bondi with the harley dudes, we were headed for our first ever surfing lesson for all three of us.

The weather was a little breezy. Willy, Eunice and I were initially worried about this as we are not used to sports in the cold, coming from tropical Singapore. Duglass assured us that the wet suit would take care of the wind and that once we started exercising, we won’t feel the cold at all. She was right.

Coldness was the least of our concern during our crash course on surfing with the sole surf school operator at Bondi, Let’s Go Surfing Bondi Surf School. Attempting to surf within an hour was more than enough to keep our minds and bodies occupied.

Let's Go Surfing Bondi Surf School
Let’s Go Surfing Bondi Surf School
Surf Conditions: Fully Sick!
Surf Conditions: Fully Sick!
The three of us with our cool surfing coach (all surfing images provided by Let's Go Surfing)
The three of us with our cool surfing coach (all surfing images provided by Let’s Go Surfing)
Learning how to balance on the surfboard (all surfing images provided by Let's Go Surfing)
Learning how to balance on the surfboard

Posers spotted! Posers spotted!

Surfing is really difficult! I have a bad sense of balance due to an inborn Ear-Nose-Throat condition. Balance is of utmost importance in surfing. You need to get yourself onto the surfboard, balancing against the unforgiving waves. For obvious reason, I failed miserably.

We were all exhausted after just trying to ride the waves a few times
We were all exhausted after just trying to ride the waves a few times
Learning to stand
Learning to stand

The surf coach was real patient though. Great guy with a wide smile. In the end, only Willy managed to stand up and ride the wave for a bit while Eunice and I were left hanging in shame. Nonetheless, the experience was great and I would definitely try it again if I revisit Bondi.

Willy Foo was our saving grace from eternal shame
Willy Foo was our saving grace from eternal shame
... till he bumped in Eunice a few seconds later
… till he bumped in Eunice a few seconds later
Parting shot
Parting shot

After our exercises, we were ready for a sumptuous lunch at Iceberg Dining Room and Bar. This restaurant is world famous and is frequented by celebrities. Lovely Laura from Destination New South Wales joined us for lunch.

Eunice and I outside Iceberg with Laura
Eunice and I outside Iceberg with Laura
Iceberg reception area
Iceberg reception area
The beef menu came in a leather bound book
The beef menu came in a leather bound book
Hungry...
Hungry…
My juicy vension steak lunch
My juicy vension steak lunch
Eunice's lunch
Eunice’s lunch
Duglass' lunch which looks real spicy but isn't
Duglass’ lunch which looks real spicy but isn’t

Willy and I ordered the venison steak while Eunice had a baked ocean trout for her main. We also ordered a couple of sides to go around.

“Carne Cruda Battuta di Vitello”
“Carne Cruda Battuta di Vitello” – Raw Dice of Milk Fed Veal, Beaten Until Tender,Pickled Mushrooms, Chives, Pecorino Sardo, Toasted Crostini with Truffle Butter
Steamed Spanner Crab Removed from it’s Shell
Steamed Spanner Crab Removed from it’s Shell
Fresh salad
Fresh salad

The menu at Iceberg is updated frequently. Hence don’t be surprise if you can’t find the items we ordered during your next visit.

Do pop by Iceberg for lunch if you are in Bondi. It isn’t that expensive for fine dining and you get a great view of Bondi while you eat. Moreover, you just might spot a celebrity or two on a lucky day. Definitely an experience worth paying for. 🙂

After Bondi, we were headed back to Sydney city for the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb. Yes, the day was still early. Stay tuned!

FYI: There’s a voting contest going on via the official HTC Escapade website. Vote for your favourite Sydney photos taken by me and stand a chance to win a HTC EVO 3D smart phone for yourself! Triple your chance by voting for a photo each from Willy, Eunice and I!

Useful Links:

H
TC Escapade featuring Willy Foo, Eunice Khong and Alvinology

Day 1 – Quad Biking, Sandboarding and 4WD Ride

Day 2 – Horse Riding, Parasailing and Dolphin Watching

Day 2 – Crave Sydney International Food Festival, Fraser Suites, Sydney by Night

Bondi to Bronte Coast Walk

Sydney HOG Chapter (Harley Bike Tour)

Swell Restaurant

Let’s Go Surfing Bondi Surf School

Iceberg Dining Room and Bar

Destination New South Wales

HTC EVO 3D


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