Ok well I have finaly made it to the iconic Sydney. It does feel like a bit of a mile stone for me as everything seemed to be leading up to getting to Sydney for the festivities. I arrived on the 23rd Dec and driving into the city was amazing. I sudenly became quite emotional as we drove down into the city over the Harbour Brifge with the Sydney Opera house singing beeming out to us in the distance. A bit soppy I know but this city is something else. I always said that I hate the hussle and bussle of cities but this one seems to be an exception for some reason. We arrive after a 6hr exhausting trip but find the energy to ditch the good old backpack and head out to explore. We venture out and walk through the peacfull Boutanical gardens and round the corner to the stunning Opera House. Then onward into the busy city centre to check out some of the shops and paddys market. Back to the hostel, which is realy nice for a much needed good nights sleep.

Its Christmas Eve and today was spent wondering the city again. The weather is amazing and we get the food from the supermarket for our christmas BBQ. That evening we book onto a christmas eve party boat that sails ot around the harbour. There were the usual chavs on board feeling the need to hammer the drainks, if only they would have taken a dive over board, that would have made my christmas. The cruise was good and had a great time with Rach, mandi, Julian and Dom. After the boat trip we headed out to an after party in a club and yes I did drink a little bit to much but it is christmas. after all!

Christmas Day!! Woo hoo. I wake up to a glorious day of sunshine and Rachael comes over and we cook up a breakfast. Then time to grab the swimmers and beach towel and head down to the beach. It aint very often that you han say that on a christams day!! sorry about the pants weather at home, if I could send some of this sunshine your way for Christmas I would. A few of us (Rach, Mandi, Julian, Dom, Jamie, Ester and Emma) Take the bus to Bondi Beach. We settle ourselves in the park and start to cook up a storm on the BBQ. Our Christams dinner consisted of Beaf Burgers, Sausage, Prawns (chuck another prawn on the barbi) Salad and of course the fetive chocolate log. We went into the sea and I think I would have sunk if I had gone out too far as I was that full! The beach was packed with people celebrating and we also saw some action from the bondi beach rescue team which made Rachael very happy as she follows the program almost religiously back at home (What a geek). Back to Sydney that eve to wind down. All in all a pretty cool christmas day.

Boxing day was a slow start and we headed to the circular que to watch a boat race. However something went wrong along the line with communication as we sat there for half an hour with no sign of boats only to discover that to boat race was happening down the other end of the harbour. (how stupid) We headed to an area called the Rocks which is were the earliest settelers of Sydney came so it is very nice and a bit oldy worldy. They had a fabulous market on and had to restrain myself from byeing allkinds of cool stuff. A trip then to the Gallery of contempery art which was strange to say the least but thats art for you. It was Doms birthday today so we celebrated that by drinking round at his hostel with the best chocolate mud cake that I have ever had. We did atemp to head out to some clubs however had a slight problem of getting in as the majority of us were too drunk. They are quite strict in the cities with this and if you look too drunk they dont let you in to places. You may also have difficulty in byeing shots and double measures too in some establishments also. It doesnt stop people getting legless however.

So that leads me to today. We are getting a city travel pass to use the busses, underground and ferry. My legs are ready to drop off with all the walking that is required to explore the city. Going to go back to Bondi to try some surfing there and then have tickets to a Jazz performance in the Opera House, how exciting! Will let you know how it goes. A very Merry christmas to everyone and lots and lots of love. xxxxx