Happy Australia Day!!!

Yesterday we celebrated Australia Day... since this is my first time celebrating this incredible country we decided to make it a 100% Aussie day. Complete with all the all-Australian activities we could think of (could squeeze into one day)... here are the highlights.


Our day started at 8:00 a.m., we woke up early to hit Bondi Beach to try to beat the crowds... however, there were already hundreds of people with their blow up Havaianas preparing for the Havaiana 2011 Thong Challenge (most blow up Havaiana flip flops in one place...) by the time we arrived. We somehow managed to find a 2x2 square of sand to park our bags and eat an all-Aussie sausage (don't think I can ever go back to an American hot-dog) and had a lovely swim in the ocean.

We left the beach just as the heat wave hit...Stephanie and I changed into our race attire and we drove down to Warwick Race course, to watch our friend's horse (Togha) race. We had a lovely buffet lunch, lots of champagne and learned about race betting. We had a fantastic day despite loosing $50 :-( we unfortunately only had one win that day...

Togha walking pre-race

Watching the race close up from the owner's enclosure

(the power of the horses racing by is incredible... the ground literally vibrates)

After the races ended around 5:30, we headed back to Sydney and to Seven Shillings Beach (next to Redleafe)...a quiet bay beach offering spectacular views of the city. We had a late evening swim and made new friends playing Bocce.

After the sun set, I headed to The Golden Sheafe to check out Daryl Braithwaite (a legendary Australian performer). Check out this video... probably his most famous song... the crowd went CRAZY. The energy was incredible!

Daryl Braithwaite

I could not have imagined a more perfect day to celebrate this incredible country which (for the time being) I proudly call HOME :-)

Bikram Yoga

I couldn't help but share my new discovery...Bikram Yoga (a.k.a. hot yoga).

I have been practicing (however irregularly) for the past month and half, however today I finally had a breakthrough. I was able to get through the entire series of poses and breathing exercises and had that amazing...AHA! moment those devoted to the practice always talk about....so I thought I'd do a little prophesying...try it. Seriously...it's incredibly demanding physically and is one of the best ways to clear your mind and actually RELAX.

For those living in Sydney, I recommend trying Bikram Yoga in Darlinghurst. You can find their schedule and other helpful first timer tips here...http://www.bikramyoga.net.au/. They have two spacious studios, great teachers (I've practiced with a few of them and so far...no complaints) and a bargain 10 day trial pass (only $17).