Sydney, Australia

Well we were very sorry to leave new zealand absolutely loved it and had the best time so far. But the biggest journey is ahead of us AUSTRALIA!!!! We landed in sydney on 23rd december and were welcomed by the biggest sunshine ever a high of 34 degrees definitely not what we have been used to. Sydney already feeling very big and we both felt slightly claustrophobic. Went to see the opera house and the harbour bridge all lit up on our first night which looked fab.
The next day met up with our very good friends from back at home, Driff, Marie, Ado, Kim, Vicky, Russ, Mike (aka Terry) and Josh. Thought it would feel completely wierd as not seen most of them for at least 6 months but felt like we had never been away from each other.
On xmas eve night met up with two more of our now new friends taffy and nicky and the rest of the gang for teapot cocktails like the ones in queenstown in nz and got rather tipsy a fab night and lots of giggles to get us in the festive mood.
Spent most of our time in sydney lazing around on several beaches from coogee to bondi to shelly to manly. All exceptionally beautiful. Spent xmas day lounging around on bondi beach defintiely the most bizarre xmas so far wierd with all the shops open normal hours and the bus service running a normal service. We tried to make it as festive as possible by putting our santa hats on but with no snow or a roast turkey dinner just didn't feel like xmas at all but a great time was had.
Moved out of our hostel and moved in with Driff and Marie in their hired apartment in Coogee for our last week in sydney, was great to have a bit of luxury and a double room all to ourselves yippee!!
Well we both got over our fears of snorkelling and snorkelled along Shelly beach one of the northern beaches next to manly. Saw lots of cool fish and coral and was amazed how easy it actually was when you don't panic.
Went to see one of our travelling friends Lady Claire whilst in sydney as she was housesitting in Neutral Bay a quiet suburb in sydney which we accessed by ferry and got some amazing views of the bridge and opera house. Had a fab evening of fine wine and yummy food and was great to hear all about her adventures and just to generally catch up.
The best was yet to come New Years Eve. Wow Wow Wow. The gang arrived plus two new friends Jeremy and Jules from perth at Mrs MacQuarie's point (the best view point to see the fireworks on the bridge.) at 12pm and basked in the baking 40 degree heat for twelve hours until we saw the fireworks which was well worth the wait. They were absolutely amazing and definitely worth the around the world trip to see them. Whilst waiting for the fireworks lots of singing was to be had organised by some random english guy who got up in front of the about 25,000 and began doing the mexican wave and making us all sing along and then Jules got herself up to the front for a rendidtion of the lion sleeps tonight! with the help of the british guy and the rest of the crowd. Hilarious and excellent entertainment The best new years eve ever! Hopefully going to catch up with Jules and Jermey whilst we are in Perth.
Spent New Years Day recovering in bed with a hangover and not daring to leave the apartment as it was 45 degrees and extremely humid so spent the beginning of the new year just chilling out a great way to start the beginning of a new year.
Finally on the 3rd January the rain and clouds came and we brits were extremely grateful for a bit of cool weather and out came the opportunity for the shithead (card game) championship and at the end of our time in sydney Lee was crowned the official shithead champion and happy he was not and ecstatic I was especially as he lost against a girl (Marie) sniff that!! (private joke).
Well next stop Perth and again goodbyes to Driff and Marie and the rest of the gang as we all go our seperate ways. We are hoping to get some work and a home for the next 3-4 months to recoupe some money before travelling up and down the West Coast sometime in April. But we have had a memorable and fantastic time in Sydney and look forward to a wonderful 2006. Happy New Year to you all!!!!

Lee and Sonya xx