It's about 10 days since I left South East Asia and I miss it already. I would have like to have more time on my last stop there before coming to Australia. My trip is put together so I could have chosen to change my tickets if I wanted, but it would cost, unfortunately.

Full speed ahead!

Melaka was a lovely town, I loved the architecture and the atmosphere was fantastic! I would have loved to have stayed longer, but the flight to Sydney was approaching rapidly. I was there for one night only but still managed to pack in a lot of experiences. When I arrived, I had to find somewhere to stay which proved to be somewhat difficult! I went from place to place but they were all full, as it was the weekend, and there was a massive market. I managed to find a hostel, but it was empty, which was a little strange seeing as all the others were full. I decided not to take it. Its weird being in a large dorm on your own. I ended up at a hostel that I had already visited because, luckily for me, someone had cancelled their reservation.

In the evening, I went to the market and met up with some people I had shared a dorm with in KL. One of them lives in Melaka, so I also met her friends and we went out to dinner Malaysian style which I love! Back home, everyone orders their own meal but here you order a few different dishes and share them all. I am looking forward to trying the concept out at a Danish restaurant, but it means that I need some volunteers to join me. Do you think they will look at us oddly?

Actually she lives right across from the hostel I was staying at so I could leave my things at her house whilst I was out seeing some of the town's history. There was still signs of the time they were a Dutch, Portuguese and British colony which I found fascinating. I think I will go home and read up on the expansion of South East Asia, just to sound like a real nerd! J Afterwards, I was invited to brunch at her house. Again, we had a load of delicious dishes that we all shared. They drove me to the bus station which was some kms north of the centre, which was really nice of them. We walked round trying to find a bus to Singapore. There were a load of hatches where you could buy tickets, and each bus company has its own hatch, then you just have to find out which company has a bus route to Singapore. A local asked where I was going, and when I said "Singapore" he rushed out and stopped a bus that was just leaving so I could get on. It meant I had no ticket, but it wasn't a problem as I just paid the bus driver instead. It meant, though, that I didn't get chance to say a proper goodbye to J and K. I felt really lucky that I managed to get on the bus, as I would otherwise have had to wait a few hours for the next one.

There weren't really a bus station in Singapore, so the various bus companies have different stops, which appeared to be quite random. I walked from the bus stop to the nearest underground and took the train to Chinatown. It was really easy and I got to see some of the town. I love seeing the old architecture against the modern skyscrapers in the background. But I didn't get to see any more, as the next morning I was ill again. It wasn't a good time as I was supposed to check out that day and take the underground to the airport, where I was flying to Sydney early the next morning. I chose therefore to pay for an extra night so I could stay in bed until I had to leave for the airport. During the day I didnt get further than the corner of the next street, where there was a McD. Shame on me, but I had to try to get something down. I felt really bad though and had to go straight back to bed. Luckily I got a little better when I had to leave the hostel and I managed to get on the flight and they

let me into Australia! I was so glad I didn't look too bad, which was probably because the feber had dropped. I felt really lucky because after landing and getting through customs and the first night in Sydney I got worse and the fever was back. So from Wednesday to Friday morning I lay on my sickbed!

Working holiday

Friday morning I had to go to a meeting about working holiday and other relevant things. Luckily I felt much better, so on Friday I applied for a tax-file number, which I have now received, got a bank account set up, and a load of other information. We were a big group and everyone except me got a medicare card. That means that they can get free or very cheap treatment from a doctor anywhere in the country, whereas if I go to a doctor and the insurance doesn't cover it, then I have to pay full price. So why was I the exception? Simply because I am from Denmark and Denmark have no agreement that gives me the right to receive a medicare card. How that came about I have no idea, because all the other Scandinavian countries have, but the fact is, Denmark doesn't and that's that!

I have been in Sydney or surrounding area since I landed in Australia and it was been really good so far. I have spent a lot of time with a girl from Norway who I met at the working holiday meeting. Now I have settled in, its really difficult to get all the small details written down, but apart from all the practical things I had to get sorted, I have of course seen the Opera House, which is much smaller than I had imagined, by the way! Sorry to break it to you, but that was my first thought, and I know I wasn't the only one thinking that. I have also visited the national art gallery, been in the botanical gardens, been to Bondi and Bondi beach, experienced Paddys market, been in Hydepark (where there were loads of brides and grooms having their photographs taken) and the Chinese gardens. It's like an oasis in the middle of town. I went there with the Norwegian girl and we tried on some royal outfits like the ones used in China. It was fun but only afterwards did we discover that we had to pay for it! The man was really nice and said we could just come in and try the outfits. He was really enthusiastic (which was probably the best part of it) and before we knew it we were kitted out in all sorts of things. But he hadn't mentioned the cost, and although it apparently mentioned this in the brochure, he could have mentioned it before we started (it cost more than the entrance to the gardens themselves!)

Apart from sightseeing, I have taken the RSA, which is Responsible Service of Alcohol. If you are going to work in a place that serves alcohol you have to have been on this course, so I thought I may as well take it so I am prepared.

My hostel was on Pitt Street, so it was very central and even though there wasn't free wifi, plugs or lamps by the beds as there had been in Asia, it was really good. The day I decided to go to the botanical gardens and see a little of Sydney, I walked down Pitt Street. At one point, there is like a precinct with a load of shops. There were 2 guys performing there. I love that kind of thing, as there is always a fantastic atmosphere. I really liked their music, so I ended up buying one of their CDs. Maybe it can help them with their career! ;)

I was also at the post office so I could send a few things home, but I discovered it wasnt just a 10 minute job. It took a couple of hours before I had filled in all the necessary forms etc. And it wasn't cheap, so I won't be sending parcels home very often.

Right now, I am in Manly (just north of Sydney) where I have been for the last week, as I am staying with some of my Aunty's friends. It is really sweet of them to let me stay with them whilset I am in the area, especially as it is not cheap here in Australia. The prices are much the same as back home, but then there are things that are even more expensive - for example, I paid almost 8DKK (about 90p) for 2 bananas!

But Manly is beautiful! Gorgeous beaches and a national park right outside the door. There is the most beautiful view, and you can also see Sydney from here! I have been bush-walking and cycled in the national park so I have been a little active too! J Otherwise I have been on the beach, where I was so lucky to see some dolphins swimming by! I actually got a video of it :D Its Spring here now, but it's like good summer days at home, so I imagine when summer comes in December its going to be unbearably hot!

And one last thing - I LOVE LOVE LOVE the old facades and houses from the 1800's are still here alongside all the new buildings!

I have probably forgotten a load of things, and sorry for that. I must post more often so you can hear all the exciting details of my journey :)