The Good, The Bad, The Ugly and the Fabulous.

I'm not actually sure when i became 'involved' with Bondi Beach. It certainly wasn't love at first sight. In fact it actually irritated me. I had heard so many good reviews before moving to Sydney that i made sure it was one of my first stops when i arrived in January 2008. Our first date didn't start well. I took the bus from Hyde Park excited that i was going to 'world famous' Bondi Beach. I got off the bus on Campbell Parade just by the surf shops and with a sharp in take of breath prepared myself to be wowed as i took it all in.........

Right then.

I mean it was good looking i guess but not Brad Pitt gorgeous. More sort of Russell Crow good looking. There were heaps of people. Brits and Irish mostly, with a splattering of loud Americans. Where were the locals? Where were those beautiful Bondi boys and girls with their tanned torso's, fabulously laid back style juggling their surf boards and lattes? The shops were also not good. It reminded me of one of those tacky seaside resorts you used to see on TV where the fat families all stroll down a promenade eating ice cream and wearing hats and t.shirts that say 'Kiss me quick' or other such stupid phrases that are not funny.

I just didn't get it.

Even the nightlife pretty much sucked. The Beach Road Hotel that was raved about in all Bondi guides was average, Ravesis's was possibly the most overrated place i had ever been and was filled with wankers. What was all the fuss about?

I decided to end our relationship and just be friends.

This seemed to work better for us. We needed time to get to know each other. So over time i went for a few friendly drinks and breakfast's, made additional friends who knew the good places to go and i soon started to see Bondi in a different light. It started to get to me and i thought maybe we could have a future after all.

Behind the tacky tourism, the backpackers, the pretentious people, the trendy people and beautiful people there is something very magical. You can feel it when you walk around. You can see it on people's faces and it can get to you. Very soon you want to be part of it. To be part of this exclusive little club where only the lucky are fortunate to be invited. I soon made it my home.

I now live in North Bondi and i am pleased to report that we are getting on very well. In fact i think i might have fallen in love after all. This blog will be an insiders guide the Bondi Beach, the good, the bad, the ugly and the fabulous.