Hey everyone, sorry we haven't updated for a while (Brian). With Charlie coming out to see Luce we've been doing most things separately and just couldn't be bothered really!

We arrived in Sydney early in the morning after our lovely flight watching lots of films (Juno's good) and headed to our hostel Cooee. The hostels pretty nice and they organise things for every night, found it a bit clicky though in terms of the travellers working who stay there. We're staying in Kingscross which is the red light district and it's full of 'smackheads' and prostitutes and strippers! But also lots of backpackers and nice bars.

It's nice to be back in an english speaking country, the prices aren't so nice though!

On our first proper day in Sydney, we went our separate ways and did the same thing but backwards!! We headed to Darling harbour and Vik spotted the PWC building straight away, which seems to have had some of its lights catch fire. Caught a ferry round to circular quay passing under the harbour bridge giving great views of the Opera House! Really beautiful. We wandered around the Rocks at Circular Quay, the original part of the city where they took the convicts back in the day. It wasn't as great as we all expected though. We then decided to get a ferry over to Manley, a surf beach half an hour away. Charlie and Lucy got lovely lunch here at a seaside restaurant. The beaches here are amazing, really clean sands and clear water. There's lots of pretty little coves too! None of us have managed to do any swimming yet though unfortunately.

The next day Luce's friend from work, Chris, joined us and the 5 of us headed to the notorious Bondai beach! We all had mixed opinions on the beach, it is really beautiful but we're not sure why it is as famous as it is. There's so many beaches in Oz that are just as nice an dthe surf didn't look that amazing while we were there! We tried to sunbathe but the wind was blowing the sand all over us so it was hard work! We headed to a bar overlooking the sea for a drink instead.=)

Chris left us for Melbourne that night. Charlie and Luce went for a buffet in the casino with Chaz's mate Brendan, it was all types of food. Seafood, pizza, asian...everything! And all for about 13 quid! Vik and Rach decided to head out to 'The Gaff' with the hostel where there was an hour of free drink and drinking competitions. It's a typical Brit type place, but like being in Magaluf or somewhere like that with all the drinking games! Rach bumped in to one of the girls she knows from Creigiau! How strange, half way across the world.

On Saturday Luce and Chaz headed to Paddington to see where Fred would be living and to Surry Hills to visit the market. Luce got herself a nice little necklace at a bargain price! Meanwhile Vik and Rach were also shopping! In Paddy's market just by Darling Harbour. Vik managed to find herself a gorgeous bikini at an excellent price, just 10$! Vik and Rach then headed to China town for some lunch before meeting Luce. We were all going to go to Brendans for a bbq but things didn't work out so the three of us decided to get a train to Liverpool! It wasn't a very nice place at all, a waste of 5$! We also got called 'f***in skanks' as we didnt want to give somebody money for a train, that was nice. We took some pictures with the sign and headed back to the centre for some free dinner at the Gaff! We stayed out for a bit, Rach and Vic walked Lucy home before heading back to the hostel. Only to find out the next day that the key reception gave her for her room didn't work and banging constantly for ages did not wake the receptionist up. It did however wake up 2 kind girls who let her sleep on the spare bed in their room! Thankfully.

The next day Luce and Chaz were flying to Melbourne (Rach and Vik to follow on Monday) so we said our farewelss (for now). Vik and Rach got up nice and early and jumped(well stepped) on a train to Katoomba, home of the Blue Mountains. They bought a ticket for a hop on hop off bus which run around a circuit in the mountains, stopping at various scenic spots. They planned to get off and do an hour walk between two of the spots but timed things badly and didn't have time to do it before the last bus, and it's a long walk back to the train station! Instead they jumped of at 'Echo Point', an excellent viewing spot for the famous Three Sisters. They really were fantastic! After grabbing a quick lunch (only 5$ for a baguette and drink, bargain!) they headed to the scenic train. Its the steepest incline train in the world, and runs form the top of the mountain to the valley. It felt like you were going to fall out, was quite scary! After wandering around the valley for a while they got the cable car back to the top. While waiting for the train station back to Sydney they grabbed some amazing cup cakes! mmmm.

Mmmm Pad thai (SJ10 SH34)

......on to Melbourne.