Summer Land | Australia | Samantha Heather

G'day everyone, its Sam here from Samantha Heather and it's my wonderful pleasure to be here on Abbey's blog to talk about my home. It may not be Summer here right now, but its still beautiful and it's become a part of who I am. So I'm super excited to be introducing you to my home.

Sydney.

It’s the city where I was born, where I grew up and now where I live.

I have left it many times to travel the corners of the globe but the thing about Sydney is, you always come back.

From where I live I am a 20-minute drive north of the beach, a 20-minute drive south of the city and an hour and a half east of the vast Australian mountains. 

Sydney has it all and I’m very lucky and very proud to call it home.

The Coast.

Whether you’re a beach bum or a coastal trekker, Sydney has got you covered. When I feel like having a lazy day, I can get in the car and drive to the beach. It may be to watch the sunrise and read my book, or perhaps in the summer I can enjoy the 35+ degree heat (Celcius) in my swimming costume and my large brimmed hat. Lazy days by the Australian shore are simply heavenly.

 

Then there will be other days where I feel like an adventure. I can drive to the national park and go for a bush walk along the cliff faces of New South Wales. There are no railings or guided paths, there's just the bush, the cliffs and the long drop to the ocean below. It’s exhilarating and it's beautiful. I feel like you haven't lived in Sydney until you've explored the national parks. Its a beauty like no other.

 

The City.

I've said in posts on my blog before, that the Sydney landscape and natural environment has always been my favourite part of where I live, but then I wander back into the city and I start to doubt myself. There is something so special about walking around the Harbour Bridge or under the sails of the Opera House. I become a tourist in my own city, and after living here for over two decades, I think that is saying something.

 

The windy streets and the narrow alleyways hold an array of treasures to be discovered. The Contemporary Art Museum is one of my favourite places to visit because a) it's free and b) inside its doors hold art that cannot be described with words, it must be felt, and I find it truly fascinating.

 

I also love the hustle and bustle of the city. The constant movement. I love standing still in the middle of a crowded pathway and watching the hundreds of people travel past me. Some talking loudly on the phones about a meeting that was supposed to be organised 3 weeks ago and some dancing along to the music playing in their ears. It reminds me how small we are and how big this world is. It's a humbling experience.

The Mountains.

While the city and the coast provide that crisp sea-salt air across your face, the Blue Mountains provide an environment and an experience like nothing else. Half way between the city and the mountains, you can start to feel the air around you changing. It grows colder but it also grows fresher.

 

Then you get there, and the soft mountain air touches your face, and you feel this sensation travel through your body, and you begin to feel at one with the nature around you. You stand at the edge of the cliff and you overlook the hazy blue horizon ahead of you, you close your eyes and take a deep breath in. That moment is truly something out of this world.

 

If you're tired of all the walking around you've been doing so far though, there are other things to do in the mountains other than hike. The local towns are small and friendly and you can always be sure you will find yourself a great feed. And if shopping is more your thing then maybe stay in the city you can always venture through the various antique shops that seem to be on every corner. There is always something to find, a hidden treasure worth millions perhaps?

 

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I could rant about Sydney for hours. As I've grown older, my heart has grown fonder and I'm starting to realise why tourists flock by the thousands to visit this country. I hope I have painted you a clearer picture of my home and why I am proud to live here. If you ever find yourself travelling to the great down under, I would love to show you around. We, Aussies, would be ecstatic to have you!

Thanks for having me Abbey! It's been an absolute blast :)

***(abbey now!) Sam, your country/home is so beyond beautiful and the word pictures you paint us are perfect! oh how i wish this wasn’t so far away! if i ever go to Australia again, i am having coffee with this lady for sure. thank you so much for being a part of this project! i loved every minute of it! also happiest birthday from all your american's over here! i think its safe to say we love you and wish you the best year!