Due to popular demand, here's our first week in sydney...

First full day, obviously, we head for the beach, none other than Bondi itself will do to really introduce us to sydneys coast line, and it did not disappoint! However, I did make the mistake of going with debbies 'fool proof plan' of how to find the right bus to get there, and agreed to follow a group of 'beachy looking people'...this was a mistake. And we end up walking for miles through the botanical gardens instead! We made the most,(as we couldn't find an exit!) and looked at pretty plants then the bats (debbie quote 'they look like ginger teddy bears wrapped in a black sack!') and quickly backed out of the rain forest walk at the sight of a giant red spider! Find Bondi, and have a pizza served by a hot boy from surrey. Have a sunbathe and a swim (avoiding the sharks!). We headed back to the centre and celebrated Ashcherrelles birthday with a lovely meal out,(and are pleased to discover that many restaurants are 'byo'.) As we arrived back at the hostel, a group of swedish boys convinbce us it's a good idea to head for world bar, and have a long island cocktail in a teapot, amazing!

Wednesday- Its a bit cloudy, so we take a walk to Darling Harbour and go to the aquarium. Its full of freaky sea creatures and scary sharks that could seriously make you think twice about heading into the ocean without some serious protection! Interesting stuff though. Evening is a time to meet up with Ash and Harri again for some home cooked chilli and a movie.

Another hot day can only mean another beach day. This time, we find the bus without any adventure, and arrive ready with a tasty picnic at Watsons bay. Its a beautiful area with a great beach (Camp Cove) and the south head heritage trail that provides some awesome views of the city, and some interesting history(1843 fortifications). It also has pervey look out points over the nudest beach Lady Bay, random!

For the weekend we stay with Ash and Harri at their lovely flat in Ultimo. The Friday we go for wine and dancing at the Ivy (very nice!), then head back in the direction of Watsons Bay to Vaucluse House. It a beautiful 19th century harbour estate, with lovely gardens and then a small bay just in front. To finish the week we enter into the most insane competition I have ever ever attempted...The boat race.

The rules are simple, 2 people per inflatable raft, with paddles, but the idea is to break them! So we have 9 on a floatng zoo, i'm talking octopus, crocodiles, dolphins and a ghecko(can't spell it). It's at Manly beach and all for a cancer research charity so it seems like the best idea. It wasn't! The waves are over our heads and they come with paddling pools and maniacs to take you right out and under the water. 20 seconds of madness and half the competitors limp away with their ambition of reaching the other shore torn away (along with our bunny ears!). Mental.

That brings us up to date. Off to New Zealand on Friday for 5 weeks, and really can't wait,

Lots of love, Lucy and Debbie