Shark Island — I'll Be Ready in Five Minutes

In a most fortuitous turn of events, Ali and I both found ourselves with a day off in the middle of the week. Not daring to let it go to waste, we got to work gameplanning. A beach day at Redleaf and the McIvers baths made the short list, but up on top was kayaking to Shark Island. After careful research on the exact distance I'd have to paddle, as well as some deliberation about whether my little arms even have biceps in them, it was decided I could do it! We packed our bags and said goodbye to this precious little thing...

Stepped outside and were greeted with the sun in our face. Can you tell we were excited??

First stop was to hit up Rose Bay for some picnic supplies. 1. Because, cute. 2. We hadn't yet ruled out the possibility of being stranded and far be it for me to be stuck on an island without some spicy salami or humus. Rose Bay was the absolute cutest! Little sidewalk cafes and shops all drenched in sunshine. And really, any little shop with "General Store" in the name really gets my heart fluttering...

My favorite flowers are anything in the orangey/coral family so I had to snap these babies...

Leave it to Ali and I to find a little artisanal chocolate shop... The man running the show was the sweetest thing and chatted us about San Francisco! Ali and I each chose a treat, the place was just too irresistible...

Back on our merry way we went, stopping every few seconds to marvel at the view and the fact that we live here??? Still feels surreal...

We finally come across this little path that leads us down to the beach...

A few paces on the sand and we arrived at Point Piper Kayaks!

Suited up and off we went!

I was way too nervous to let go of the paddle, let alone come near my phone for a pic... I mean just look at that nervous smile...

Ali did though! Little pro that she is... Once you paddle out of the marina, you are met with a stunning view of the Sydney harbor... We were right in the thick of it!

I hardened up for the sake of a few selfies...

45 minutes later, we were pulling the kayak ashore.

We climbed out and went exploring, only to find that we had the whole island to ourselves!!!

Have you ever been the only person on an island?! Would have been kinda scary except we had this as our view...

We refueled on our humus, salami, and olives, and then had to race back. We had a deadline to make to return the kayak and I seriously felt like I was paddling for the olympics... or my life. I've never been so happy to be back on shore, if only to give my arms a rest...

I couldn't do anything more strenuous than lie down, but Ali went to go test the water...

When I was finally able to move again, we walked back to Bondi, strongly motivated by Messina. Messina is the best ice cream in the entire world. A casual 5 minute walk from our house. Firmly armed with 2 extra strength lactaid pills, we walked up to the counter and tried every flavor available...