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Hi Sheila and Bruce how are you all in the old country. I am in Oz at a place called Bright le Sands beach - bit rough really but only accommodation I could find close to Sydney.
Back to just before I left Christchurch (really wish I was back there). I went to the beach on Wednesday and could not believe the length of it - it went on for miles and miles without any body on it, except a few surfers - nice to look at - and a couple of dog walkers. I got there on the bus which was full of mis-fits - some very funny shapes and most of them shoeless - not sure what that is all about. Had a very nice lunch at the library and then went walkabout on the beach - also went native - no shoes.
Thursday booked a wine tasting tour of four vineyards - wonderful - tasted some really good stuff and some not so good stuff but by the fourth vineyard I didn't care what I was drinking. The others on the tour seemed very stiff at first but by the end of the tour they all became very nice people - I was the only English, two from Hawaii, three from Norway, two from Auckland and a young guy from St Maarten in the Caribbean - dark skinned with green eyes - spooky.
Friday I left NZ - very sad to go I had an amazing time there and would really love to go back - can definitely recommend it to anyone. They only have 4 1/2 million people over both islands - they have lots and lots of space.
Landed in Sydney Friday afternoon - immediately went to information to get accommodation for the night - i d tried a few places whilst in Christchurch and they had no availability but no-one said it was because of Mardi Gras. There was absolutely no accommodation in the city that wasn't very very expensive and nothing in suburbs either - in the end I just had to bite the bullet and get a hotel in the city for one night and then move out of Brighton for Saturday and Sunday night - I'm in a Novotel. When I got to Sydney airport I noticed that most people were wearing pink but didn t really give it a second thought.
I booked the shuttle bus into the city from the airport which was full so the bus driver - Vietnamese Boat person - got out two emergency chairs like the ones you buy at the services on the motorway - two for 4.99 - and the one that Jon - Mr Lover Lover got his hand stuck in - propped one at the back and one at the front - weird. Big notice in mini bus - NO MUST RIDE IN THIS BUS WITHOUT A SEAT BELT.
Walked down to Darling Harbour and Sydney Harbour once I checked in - was amazed at the Opera House and Sydney Harbour bridge - walked back to hotel well after midnight - felt really safe. Saturday - I d met an English couple whilst waiting for mini-bus and they invited me to meet them for coffee at their hotel the Shangri La - unbelievable I think they felt sorry for me. We spent the day together and they bought me my lunch at a very famous fish restaurant overlooking Sydney Harbour.
Saturday night was the parade - had a brilliant access point and have taken some great photos - really good atmosphere - never seen so many pink people in all my life not even on Canal Street. Had to get the train to Brighton late at night - everything okay but a very strange experience.
Decided to go to the Blue Mountains tomorrow and spend a few days away from the coast - it is very very hot and humid here - not complain though would want your weather.
Love to you all XXXXXXXXXXX
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