G'day to you all and welcome to WA! So much to say since we last left you. So enough dilly dallying and lets get on with it.........

We left you in Melbourne awaiting another overnight bus this time to Sydney. The first few days we spent being typical tourists getting over our boring bus ride we leisurely strolled around the harbour took in the sights of the Opera House and Bridge and battled our way through Paddy's market in China Town. Our first afternoon was spent meeting friends we'd met throughout our journey sipping wine and beer in a trendy bar in Darling Harbour, this was the start of things to come. Later we moved on to a few various bars met up with more friends and got our dancing shoes on! It was yet another sleepless night for Amanda but for some reason it was Clare who needed the massage at The Rocks the next day to recover :) (which she highly recommends to anyone visiting that area)...The next day was spent soaking up the sun at the beautiful Botanical gardens where we took a sign which said "walk around this tree forwards then backwards three times whilct making a wish and your wish will come true" quite literally..... as you can imagine we got some very bizarre looks! Amanda's wish didn't come true but surely being pooped on by a resident of the park, a giant fruit bat, was the next best thing! In the evening, nursing a hangover Clare decided to take hair of the dog and keep going, with their new roomies (wink wink nudge nudge) Amanda went to bed for an early night (no wink wink nudge nudge)....

Fully revitalised a day on the beach was called for so we headed for Coogee Beach. Clare enjoyed catching up on her book and soaking in the sun with plenty of sun cream whilst Amanda took the more adventurous option and went body surfing in the rough waves and swimming in the enclosed sea water pool. The beach theme continued as the next day we got the ferry to Manly where we strolled along the beach to secluded shelly bay before hooking up with Lisa and Joe (who we met in Fiji) at their local pubs, bars and curry house.

Our last night in Sydney found us wet and sweaty in Oxford Street's foam party.....well, life's flat without bubbles! and the night was fun, but we can't and won't say any more on that ;)....Several goodbye's and farewells later and we were on yet another bus headed for Newcastle/Maitland. Maitland was home to the Slee family, family friends of the Drakes. On arrival in to their house we were shown to our rooms (fresh linen, double beds, ensuite bathrooms....) were given tea and nibbles by the pool whilst catching up on life, before having a home-cooked dinner with the latest regional wine on offer mmmmmm! The next day in 40 degree heat we stupidly decided to visit an outdoor garden centre/park gardens. We weren't bothered about the native flowers we were more interested in the kids play area and giant nursery rhyme characters. But this inner childhood was soon overcome by a very grown-up and sophisticated visit to Hunter Valley's vineyards and wineries sampling semillon blancs and chardonnays (oooh look at us we're conisseurs!) We cooled off with a dip in the pool and more home-cooked food and more wine - perfect! Taking advantage of time away from hostels we took it easy and settled in to the local way of life. But with another goodbye to come we were on our way to Byron Bay before we knew it.

Byron Bay was just how we remembered....full of hippies and very chilled. We visited Cape Byron and its lighthouse at the most easterly point of Australia and window shopped in the many surfer boutiques and gift shops. Whilst checking out a local band in the buzzing Railway Tavern we got chatting to a couple of locals who are currently working on developing a new township near Byron, they had yet to agree on a name.... so, joking around with us they asked us for our opinion. Knowing its location and being influenced by the Hawaiian leg of our trip, we said that North Shore or North Beach would be a good one. They agreed and said they would put it forward to the boss; thinking no more of it, Amanda later received an email from one of them saying that the name North Beach had been chosen (damn we say we could have been rich!) and to top things off, the guys have promised to name a surf break after us too....THE CL-AM!!.....The night was rounded off with a visit to Cheeky Monkeys bar where we danced on tables and randomly bumped into a guy we had shared a dorm with in Fiji.

And so on to Surfers Paradise where we stayed with Clare's friend Rob for a couple of days. Rob was happy to be our chauffeur, chef and local tour guide throughout our stay in Queensland. He took us to a national park with glowworms, bats and waterfalls, Burleigh Head national park and coastal walk and most importantly an outdoor salsa night! yippee yippee yay yay says Clare...Amanda was just relieved when Jim Beam came along... Clare was also delighted to discover what the whole tea and TimTam fuss was about mmm mmm! for those who don't know she will share when she gets back!

A night was spent in Brisbane where we flew to Alice Springs from. The 40 degree heat didn't stop us heading out to explore the quietness of Alice Springs and take in the view from Anzac Hill. Apart from dinner out and a swim not much happened as an early night was in order ready for our trip to the red centre. Our 5am alarm call got us up in time to catch the sunrise, on a bus and headed for Uluru. The heat was already bringing on the Clare sweats (which is now a largely used term across Australia). Our first stop was Kata Tjuna National Pk (the Olgas) which were absolutely stunning. It is a dual rock formation which is still used by the local aborigines and is classified as a sacred ground where ceremonies still take place. It was hot and Clare's cold got the better of her but she plodded on and made it most of the way but Amanda being the amazing friend that she is struggled through to the end to take photos of the bits Clare could not reach! yes! Now on to Uluru (Ayres Rock) which we took a short guided walk around some of the base and Amanda was impressed to see water in the rock pool, as last time the area was bone-dry and in desperate need of some liquid. We also saw it at sunset with a glass of wine. The colours were amazing (of Uluru not the wine) and the creation stories related to the rock were so interesting and imaginative and the day was finished off in true aborigine style as we watched a local guy painting up his recent creation story at the base of Uluru....magical.

Now we are in Perth we don't have much to say as we have just been catching up on sleep. With a visit to the museum, library and art galleries we feel very cultured. But nothing can compare with some less hush entertainment of a John Butler Trio gig out in the Upper Swan Valley and an amazing Australia Day firework display. Not to mention the bizarre fruitloop house-party we attended.....

Our last two weeks in Oz are going to be spent out of the city soaking up more sunshine by the beach. We are planning to visit Rottnest Island, Fremantle indoor markets and a few night-time entertainment establishments (that let you in in thongs (flip-flops).. bloody country.....so much for their laid-back life-style!) but we will tell you about these in our next blog. But for now we will say 'good-bye' and wish you all a happy pancake day (Clare is so excited!) ta-rah xx