we made it, after an uncomfortable nights sleep on the freezing cold train we made it to sydney an hour late. our hostel was just round the corner so didnt take long to find and checked in to our room which was in a railway carriage next to the platform, the hostel joined the railway station in a big warehouse. it was very nice thou and this time we had a bed in our carrige rather than a seat. went out and got some breakfast then went for a little walk round the town but ended up getting some food shopping and heading back to the hostel as we were too tired. so spent the afternoon reading and writing journals, before having dinner and going to bed.

today we went for a walk round darling harbour which was really nice and pretty, ended up by the bridge and went for a walk along it and looked down at the opera house which is not one building as we thought but 3 individual ones. then we went and had a drink and lunch by a big woman made out of peaches. then we went to the opera house and did a tour and decided that we should see an opera while we were here so bought some tickets to see cinderella which was on in 2 hours so had to run back to the hostel via the underground as it was too far to walk in a short time. quickly cooked dinner and got changed into our poshest clothes, ben with crag hopper shorts and shirt with tevas and me in the new dress and flip flops so we thought we looked ok then hurried back to the opera house where we walked up the steps and found lots of people in suits and best dresses all looking like they were at a wedding drinking shampagne so we sneaked in a bit embarassed and drank the free water before going to the cheap seats at the back. the opera was actually realy good and sung in italian but had english subtitles so we could laugh along.

today we didnt do much just looked around a market and chilled out. thought it was chinese new year so went for a walk in the evening but nothing was happening turned out it was happening tomorrow with a parade. so we had a hot chocolate and sat in the harbour which was all lit up and pretty.

today we got up and missed the start of the parade but caught most of it with lots of chinese people prancing around and being loud, then we watched them dance on stage and then went back in to china town where we watched mad people be dragons and dance and jump around on poles, then we followed the big dragon go in and out of the shops and set off loads of bangers, think it was meant to be good luck. and that was our sunday afternoon spent.

now monday 11th february and we were off to the blue mountains, up early we got the train there and then on a bus that dropped us off at the good places, did a lot of walking and went on a ride up the worlds steepest railway which was horrible it was really scary and had felt like you were gonna fall off your seat. glad to be off that we went and saw the 3 sisters and other waterfalls. then got back on the bus and then the train back to sydney.

today was chores day. spent it by the pool at the hostel. the plan was to do washing, sort out the rest of our trip in oz, finish diaries and burn cds. all that got done was washing and sorting out the trip. exhausted we went and got chinese takeout for dinner after a hard days work.

today we went to bondi beach, basically it was rubbish it wasnt sunny and it was windy so we walked round the beach a little and did a little shopping then had lunch and came back to town where it got hot so got more food then watched neighbours and had our left over chinese for dinner as usual we ordered too much.

valentines day today and we got up early to go and meet up with mark where he was docking today in sydney harbour. so met him at the harbour and went for a walk around showing him all the sights of sydney, before we were going to walk up the bridge. got to put on some lovely jump suits and had to clip everything on to our suits as they were worried about anything falling on to the cars, even had to take out hair clips!!! got our radios and headphones which ben informed me were really good as they vibrate against your cheak bones wow!! then we started our little walk. the worst bit was getting to the bridge as you had to duck under bits of metal, and walk along a narrow walkway above the road, then we climbed up lots of ladders and got to the arch of the bridge which we walked up and was really good, finalyl had a nice sunny day aswell so we could see everything. got to the top and had some photos taken but turned out you had to pay the earth to get them printed so we didnt bother with that. took ages to do the climb about 3 hours, so after we finished mark had to get back on the ship and we went out and bought dinner as we couldnt be bothered to cook.

today we were leaving sydney for byron bay, our train left at 4 so we went to paddys market and bought lots of food for the journey and also bought a didgeridoo which fits nicely in my backpack. then we had lunch and made sandwiches before getting on our train this time we were prepared with trousers extra jumpers and socks. got our seats and then a very loud school group got on and didnt want to be quiet as that is really uncool and they liked to run up and down the train. so we finally got some sleep about 11 and then we had to get off at 3:30 to get the bus connection to byron bay.

on the bus now and 4 greek people decided it would be fun to talk loudly all the way to byron bay so that was really nice as we wanted to sleep and couldnt. arriving at byron bay at around 6 in the morning it wasnt much fun and after going the wrong way up the road we found the hostel and had to wait 45 minutes till the reception opened. then we dumped our bags and went for a walk along the beach which was really nice with no one about part form a few crazy surfers. then it decided to rain so we went to a cafe and got some breakfast. then we headed to the supermarket and then back to the hostel and waited till we could check in. then it was lunchtime and time to hit the beach as it was now sunny. so got our togs and suncream and headed down by this time the waves had got really big so ben went in with a boogy board and caught some waves, and i stayed in the foamy bit as they were huge. chilled on the beach for the afternoon and then went back for a shower and then out to get pizza as the kitchen was a bit rubbish at the hostel. spent the evening playing cards and drinking with some people we met earlier.

today was sunny again so back to the beach where they were having lifeguard competitions and the waves were big again so went to jump them this time feeling brave. left about 3 ish to shower and pack up everything. then went and had dinner in the pub which was really good and then back to watch a bit of tele then off to the bus station to catch our bus to brisbane which left at 8 and luckily only took 2 hours.