'Hold me in your arms, don't let me go.. I want to stay forever'

DAY 20 -

Narrowly missing out on an earlier bus to Palm beach ought to have made me really furious (on account of stepping off one stop too soon on the previous) but all it took was an orange and poppy seed muffin for me to find solace in. The beachside suburb is a mere 40km away from the heart of the big city but riding the L90 bus is the longest commuter route in Sydney so it takes substantially longer than it would in car. 

Immediately upon arrival, Palm beach weaves you into its web of heavenly radiance. Fans of the second longest running Australian drama 'Home and Away' will recognise the beach instantly. Bondi's partial prettiness doesn't hold a CRUMB to Palmy, which is basically a dream haven in comparison. 

I haven't watched Home and Away for close to a decade so it wasn't quite as cool as going on the Neighbours tour but still I have no snide comments for the viewers who love it worldwide. It was still awesome to see the exterior filming locations from when I was younger and did tune in on a regular basis. To the H & A addicts, who have not been -  GET YOUR BUTT OUT THERE!!  

Chilling in the nonexistent Summer Bay on a beautiful, Aussie autumnal day was splendorous. The infernal sun ablaze like an angry little furnace in the sky so not wearing a sunhat was a titanic mistake. Guess who made a starring cameo in my day trip? Only my new friend Carolyn!! I'd mentioned that I may head down there that day and bumped into her in the loos, not even realising it was her at first! I'm always dazed when I come to face to face with someone I know when I'm not expecting to see them in the same place as me! Nice to have her company as always :) 

♥HEARTING HOME AND AWAY'S NECK OF THE WOODS♥ - Seriously, if you haven't heard of this show, what are you? A caveman/woman/person?? Roving all over this slice of paradise with my pal, checked off the last item on my Sydney wish list. We were able to walk right up to many spots where they actually film without having to take the official tour. Many photo opp stops are to be had at: Alf Stewart's surf club and kiosk, the walkway they use down to the beach, the lighthouse and the Barrenjoey Boathouse and pier which is the diner they use for exterior H & A shots. 

Dining at the Diner has to be done. There were too many fish dishes on the poshly priced menu for my liking so I opted for 2 meals: a mammoth bowl of chunky chips with aioli sauce (despite vowing NO MORE CHIPS IN AUSTRALIA!!) and a deluxe leaf salad. Accompanied with a mango smoothie, in a novelty milk bottle as per the really pretty waiter's recommendation. I wasn't too impressed with it for the exotic sweetness didn't quench my thirst. Nor, could I  finish my filling food in the fear that I'd smite my stomach. 

Other than the Blue Mountains, *this* golden-sanded, jewel is my fave part of Sydney (some of New South Wales is dead to me) and rightly so. It is more peaceful as it is not overcrowded and overlooks a splendiferous bay where you can take a ride on a seaplane, should that take your fancy. The singular flaw of Palm Beach was our run-in with a scary-looking spider, minding its own biscuits as it was hanging loose over a hedge. Carolyn walked right into its web and her momentary frantic panic to free herself was something I wish I had Vined so I could loop its hilarity :D Sorry Cazza xx

BEACHBUMMERS - After much sunshine basking and paddling, naturally I was more freckly and burnt before daybreak even with lashings of lotion. Shoot! We had some 'gifted' pectorally perfect, uber bronzed lifeguards and swimmers to eye up on this occasion. And I mean like crazy enamourably hot!!! *Call the police and the fireman!* Gosh darn, I missed the chance to be hilarious and re-enact Baywatch with an unattended, lifeguard surfboard. Alas, no filming took place while we were there (not that I'd have known the characters nowadays) but it mattered not a jot as we aren't the sort of cheese balls that went solely to see the soap actors.

It is impossible not to be seduced by the charming, fictitious village of Summer Bay which the rich and famous of 'Straya frequent. I'm a woman in love with it! Note - you will bring back half the beach on your body if you've gone in the water as the wet sand coarsely clings to your skin. It took some aggressive shower scrubbing to remove!!  

At sundown, I avoided the hostel goons getting drunk ON goon but was accosted by a Chilean, sweaty senor. WHY are these the types compelled to converse with me flirtatiously? NO NO NO NO NO, it is not cool beans to hit on a single female and refuse to release her for your own delight. Ughhhhh and MEH to these jerks!! 

Catch ya on the flippy flip, starfishies xx