Switzerland

17-29.05

One last stop before heading back to Florida. Spending some time in Switzerland to see my family and friends, nice stop to slowly go back to reality.

I didn't go around much, like usually when I'm here, spending most of my time catching up with friends and family. This time was a little bit different though, decided to try to see some friends I haven't seen in too long and it was good to see them again. 

I went running a few time and got back to the pool, feels good :). The best part about the pool was annoying the old ladies of the village because I was steeling some of their space (not that I took much of it but...) and they didn't know who I was, can't gossip about someone you don't know ;)

When I went to see my uncle, we did a Via Ferrata. I never done one before and I loved it. Too bad it's not something I can do in FL :(.

I had one of my brilliant idea when I was there too. Instead of going swimming at the pool, why not going to the lake!! I mean it's June but it's kind of warm and sunny, should be ok. The lake in question is at an altitude of 1004m and froze during winter, so let me tell you it was fare from being warm enough to swim in it (at least for me). I did get in the water, fully in, but got out as fast as I got in!!
Maybe one day I'll stop having those kind of idea, but at the same time it might get boring when I stop ;)

The best part of being there for me was seeing my niece. It's crazy how much she grew since I saw her during Christmas time. Loving that little one a lot and had a hard time saying goodbye.

My parent's house

Vanille et Cannelle

My roommate, Bouli

Lac de Joux avec la Dent de Vaullion

Via Ferrata

View from my uncle house, le Creux du Vent in the back ground

Sydney

15-16.06

Back on the train to the city. I'll be spending my last night in Australia in Sydney.

By the time I arrived and checked in at my hostel, it was already noon. I went to the fish market for lunch since I really enjoyed the place the first time I went there.

Next, I didn't really know what to do, the weather not being too good. I ended up going to the AP authorised service centre. It might sound weird, I'm on a work leave and most of the people wouldn't have anything to do with work during that time, but I was curious  about the place. 
I ended up staying there for more than an hour, talking with the manager and one of the employee. I have to admit it was nice to talk about watchmaking with people in the industry again. Made me realized that I missed it a little!!

I was planning on going to see the sunset, but by that time it was raining :(

So, back to my hostel before going out for diner. Since it stopped raining by then, I went for a walk by the Opera House, enjoying the sight of Sydney at night. 

View from my hostel :)

I've been wondering since I saw this who would buy that?!?

And it's already my last day!! My plane leaving at 4:00pm.

I woke up early and watch the sunrise from the rooftop of my hostel, went to a bakery for breakfast and then walk along the arbor. I went to the area with the view on the Opera House and the bridge, realizing that it's been three month since I was there, didn't felt that long ago!!!

And it's already time to go to the airport...

Australia was a blast, I finally been able to visit this beautiful country I have been dreaming of for soo long :)

Blue Mountains

13-14.06

And an other overnight bus!! After spending 12hours on the bus, I'm back to Sydney. Didn't stay long thought, jumped on the train for the Blue Mountains, situated west from Sydney. So after two more hours of traveling I'm finally at destination :)

I'm staying in Katoomba, one of the town around Blue Mountains National Park. It remind me a lot of the European mountain towns. 
The interesting thing in the Blue Mountains is that the towns are on top of the hills, which mean that when you go for a hike you start by going down the valley and finish by going back up. Some people don't like it because of that, having to climb back up at the end making it too challenging, but personally I don't mind it. I like better going up, feel less shock on the body than going down. 

For my first day here, I went to Echo Point where the famous Three Sisters rock formation is located. From there there is a hiking trail going along the cliff,the Prince Henry Cliff Walk, and some going down the valley. Not feeling like going for a big hike after my night in the bus, I opted for the cliff walk and enjoyed the view from up there.

View from Echo Point

Katoomba cascades

Katoomba Falls

Next day I took the train to Wentworth Falls, to go for a hike to the Wentworth falls.
It on the same side of the valley than Echo Point so the view from the top isn't much different, but the falls were impressive. 

Here they have three "level" of trail. One on top of the cilff, Under Cliff track, one half way down, National Pass, and one down in the valley, Wentworth Pass.
I choose to go one way with the one half way down and back using the top one. Wasn't interested on going all the way down, I like better the view from the top ;)

Then back to Katoomba, and I went to Echo Point to watch the sunset. It was nice, but it really hit my that yes, it's winter here, it's getting cold at night!! 
After a nice warm shower to warm me up, spend the evening by the fire at my hostel. Nice quiet evening with some good company, do I really have to leave in the morning??

Chales Darwin Walk

National Pass

Wentworth Falls

Echo Point

Byron Bay

11-12.06

For my first day here, I'm going surfing!!!
It's not my first time, already done it in Hawaii and California, and I couldn't leave Australia without going at least once :)

It was fun, small group with great instructors. They didn't only teach us how to stand on the board, we learn a little about the swell. What are the different factors that makes it happened and what would be the safest for beginner to go surfing on their own. Never had that before, and it was nice to know more about it.

The downside of the day was the weather, soo windy. It's already not so easy to go around with those big surfboard, so with the wind it made it a little bit of a nightmare.

The next morning, I woke up feeling like going for a run, haven't been running for almost two weeks, lazy me... 

Later on, I went for a walk to Cap Byron, with the Lighthouse and the most Easterly point of Australia mainland. I saw some dolphins playing in the waves on the way, never get tired of seeing them :)

The weather was not the best, going from sunny to rain all day, and kind of cold, so I kept myself busy by going shopping. I'm not a big fan of shopping, but when you haven't done it for 5 months and getting tired of always wearing the same clothes, it's nice to buy one or two new things!!

I went to the beach for the sunset, but it was too cloudy actually see the sun setting. There were a lot of people surfing though and I enjoy watching them.
Nice relaxing time before leaving Byron Bay, back on the bus direction Sydney.

Cap Byron

Byron Bay

Sea Eagle