Sydney - Coogee Beach

If you are ever planning to visit Syndey, you should add Coogee Beach to your list to visit, or stay. We had the very best time in Coogee Beach and certainly connecting with family was the very best part, but the beach was a close second. Coogee is a suburb of Syndey and a quick drive or train ride to downtown. Unfortunately, because I now have a bulging disc in my neck, we didn’t spend time downtown except for one quick drive one day where I snapped a picture of the Opera House and the bridge. Fortunately, Coogee Beach provided opportunities for amazing walks that we took together, when I was feeling good, and that George took alone or with his cousin Emil. Our Airbnb was comfortable and only a few blocks from beach, restaurants, shops and pharmacies and so a great location. It is the end of summer in Australia and so we had beautiful weather.

Here are some pictures that we took along the 6.5 mile Coastal Walk which goes from Maroubra to Bondi. Coogee is in the middle and we didn’t walk all at once, but in several different sections.

In Coogee

There are “Baths” all along the way - some are public and some are private and require a small fee.

There are workout stations located all along the path

It was a hot day and the wind felt great and the water is stunning when we walked to Bondi and back.

The sandstone cliffs are so beautiful and interesting and I think George models them nicely :-)

These water filling stations also typically included a spot at the bottom with bowls for dogs

This is on the return from Bondi Beach and you can see part of a huge cemetery in the background. The walkway is well kept and was easy to manage. There are lots of stairs in a few places along the route.

We took so many pictures of dramatically beautiful views like this one. There were often surfers, divers and swimmers along the rocks.

As I said, connecting with family was the absolute best part of staying in Coogee. George’s cousin Emil lives here with his beautiful family. I met Emil on my first visit to Lebanon in 94 and we haven’t seen him since and so it was amazing to catch up with him and to meet his beautiful family - his wife Alyce, his daughter Isabella and his son Michael, along with his mother in law Mona and father in law Rodger. What an amazing family! We also met many of their friends, one of whom is a physiotherapist and worked to alleviate my neck and shoulder pain - Moira was amazing!

George and his cousin Emil out for a sunrise walk

George, Emil and Alyce on one of our first nights in Coogee

Emil, George, Moira and Alyce at a great coffee shop where Emil and Alyce’s daughter Isabella works. This is across the street from Alyce’s gorgeous boutique clothing store called Thyme Clothing.

George and Emil at the beach

George with family and friends - so many people from Douma live here :-). Starting on the left - Emil, Sayed, Victoria, George and George

One of our last evenings in Coogee spent with the loveliest people - Rodger, Alyce, Traci, George, Michael, Emil and Mona

After several trips to the physio, Moira called the local clinic to arrange for a Dr. Appt. and CT scan. It was confirmed that I have a bulging disc but there was not time enough to get an injection before we flew out to Bangkok, but I did get some great pain meds. I have to say that the medical care here was amazing. I was seen quickly with kindness and care and our out of pocket was really no more than what our copays or payments would be after insurance in the states. As I am typing this, I am feeling better and am so grateful for the opportunities to spend time with family and friends. I felt so loved and cared for and couldn’t ask for more.

George and his new friend Harley who kept home company while I was getting treatment

Here are some other pictures of fun things around Coogee!

Mardi Gras Pride celebration in Coogee

Sunrise at Coogee

Sunset at Coogee

Moonrise at Coogee

Drive by of the Opera House

Drive by of the bridge

George for the remainder of the trip since Traci can’t carry ANYTHING now