Day 1

First blog entry, lets see what happens...trying to catch up from last week because only just got the time to sit down for a bit and update the world!

Ended up checking my guitar in because it was the easiest way, and Dom had to apply for a new Visa because STA hadn't put his through, then ate Mum's sandwich which was immense. After a bloody 22 hour flight, we arrived in Sydney at 6 Sydney time and it's bloody raining, but its all good because I'm half way around the world. Had a couple of bevs on the plane, 2 meals from London to Dubai (think it was chicken curry then some continental breakfast). The plane was actually massive, Boeing 737 or something, shed loads of films on it, and PONG. Now when your on a 22 hour flight, PONG is the best invention in the world, especially when you can play other people on the whole plane. Tried watching a couple films but fell asleep, think I got 2 hours sleep from London which wasn't too bad. Ended up checking my guitar in because it was the easiest way, and Dom had to apply for a new

Arrived in Dubai about 8 in the morning Dubai time and it was 29 degrees :-O what a joke - Dubai is basically desert...that's it! The first thing we noticed from was the worlds tallest building, managed to get a quality shot of it from the plane. The beaches and sea in Dubai looked seriously gorgeous, I will be there one day definately. Only in Dubai for an hour so checked out the duty free and got 2 litres of vodka for 18 pound which we were buzzing off. I started to get a bit worried though because none of my cards would work in the cash machines so I though I was screwed but realised it was because the money was in a different account which was easily sortable.

From Dubai to Sydney (longest part of the journey) we got 3 meals and one snack. Now this is what wound me up, they had the choice of either spinach or chicken wraps, but the bloody chicken tikka ones ran out as soon as they got to me, livid I was, absolutely livid. Watched a cheeky bit of Harry Potter, played pong, had a couple of hours sleep but nothing great. We all had to lean on each others shoulders to get a good kotch on. The plane was even bigger, a double bloody decker. We walked through first class on the way to our seats and it was ridiculous.

Anyway, we landed in Sydney at 6 in the morning. WHen we got to the airport, and got a taxi over to Wake Up hostel, which I werent buzzing off because I knew it would be expensive, 45 bucks. The money over here is amazing, its plastic, waterproof and see through - will bring back a 5 doller note. Traffic was terrible and we were all shattered from the flight but finally got to Wake Up. At first, we were shocked of the prices for the dorm, 32 bucks, because we all though it was about 18, but that was actually pounds not dollers, so we went down the road to check out a couple more but they were no cheaper, YHA was 38 I think, so ended up staying in Wake Up, got a bit of banter from the guy at the till but good laugh - apparantly the bar downstairs is the place to be on a Wednesday.

The first thing I noticed was the amount of females that are actually in this place, I reckon about a 8:1 ratio of hot, tanned girls to every one boy haha. Our room wasn't ready so had to jam about in the communual area, which was nice, loads of cushions everywhere and a massive tv, weren't that busy though. Went in to the kitchen and necked a load of tap water after asking some bird if it was safe, which wasn't a good idea I think but will talk about that later. Room was ready about 10 AM, walked in and met our first two room mates - 2 English girls, can't remember there names, been travelling for couple months and off to South America tomorrow. (I honestly thought they wouldn't do mixed sex dorms but they obviously do. We spoke to them for a bit anyway then thought it would be best to go out a explore instead of sleeping to try and cure the jet lag.

We tore off one of the maps that they give out and made our way up to Sydney Harbour. Sydney is a crazy place, amazing, but crazy. Everythings in blocks over here like America, and the traffic lights make crazy noises when you cross. Bit of a treck up to the harbour so we went through a few parks, saw the Sydney sky tower, went through the Botanic gardens and then saw the Opera House. It was amazing, probably one of the best sights you could ever see, with the Harbour Bridge in the background, beautiful sunny day, smooth water around it...great! Loads of people go jogging around that area, don't blame them to be honest.

We walked up to the Opera House any way and jammed about there for a bit, apparantly it was a pretty cold day for Sydney but I still ended up sun bathing on the steps of the Opera House for a bit. After marvelling in the immenseness of what we were actually doing, we walked down to Circular Quay, kind of like the good tourist bit, spoke to some crazy street performer, and then sat and watched a stunt man guy. After seeing him bike around while juggling a chainsaw and balancing on a bike, he dragged us 3 in and 2 other guys to help him out. First of all, we all lied down in the street, and he balanced on a bike that was going round us while juggling knives, then we had to hold a pole for him, while he balanced on top of this 10 feet pole, on the handlebars on a bike, while eating an apple then juggling knives and fire. He kept on going on about getting people to pay him money and there was actually a massive crowd. I'm not gonna lie, it was pretty scary just sitting there holding it, we could have killed him lol.

After this madness, we came back to the hostel and havd a couple hours sleep and got the vodka going. We limited ourselves massively on spending money for the food and I spent 5 bucks on a pot noodle kinda thing and two cuppa soups which I had for dinner and lunch the next day - buzzing :-D. After munching and showering, we went back to the 8 man dorm, and all the people that were in there the night before were jamming there just saying bye to everyone as there going up to Byron (about 7 girls and 1 boy, can't remember there names at all). After they found out I had the guitar they made me play a song while I was jamming on my bunk while they were all on the floor, and then signed my guitar (exactly what I wanted to happen haha, quite a few people are doing the same thing out here) and then left. The only people that stayed were two birmingham birds (Ruth and Rachel Farrington) who were up for a sesh so we got the 50% voddy on the go and had a couple with coke. For some reason there were bunny ears in our room so we ended up wearing them.

We went down to the Side Bar (bar in the basement) after a few drinks and feeling merry and there was a banging band on - it was packed. They were simply playing covers, one song that absolutely smashed it - U2 With Or Without You - epic. It was just weird to think that we were in Sydney raving it out. We were all raving it out loving it, the DJ came on after the band and smashed it - good remixes. We ended up just meeting so many people, everyones in the same boat so it's kool and just wanna have a good laugh. Drank two/three schooners (like pints but smaller, about 375ml I think), about 5 bucks which I thought was pretty expensive for Tooheys but hey.

After a raving sesh at Side Bar and a bit of mingling in the garden, we met a couple German Bayern Munich fans who were getting ready for the man u (a lot of friendly rowdy banter) who we said we'd meet later. Us 3, Ruth and Rachel thought it would be a good idea to go down to Sydney Harbour for a kotch about 3 in the morning but decided that was too far, so went to Darling Harbour (about 10 mins away). It was amazing, apparantly Lady Gaga performed near there that night. Seriously, just a great atmosphere, not many people there but we were just sitting there with our feet in the water with skyscrapers all around us, drinking the voddy, took a shed load of photo's was immense - not even cold. We also met a bunch of chinese students who were drunk, one stupidly drunk (Jason) who provided many jokes and was just a genuine laugh. Can't remember a great deal of the night, need to take notes next time as that seems to be the hardest part of the day to remember.

After that, staggered back to the hostel. Chris and Dom went onto try and find the Germans for the game at Cheers bar but were unsuccessful so ended up going back to the room for our first sleep in about 48 hours - ready for a kotch tomorrow.