G'day mate!!!

Well I have been here for over a week now and I have visited the city, the opera house, the bridge, the beaches, the mardi gras (gay carnival) and the blue mountains. I'm currently staying my friend's house, Jules, who has been brilliant.

SYDNEY

My first impressions of Sydney weren't too good. I was very tired from New Zeland and emotionally drained from saying my goodbyes. It didn't really help sleeping at Auckland Airport the night before.... My journey from the airport was straight forward and I dumped my bags at a lock up so I could orientate myself around the city. The first 3 hostels I wanted to stay at were full so I stayed at a YHA, which are normally noisey and expensive. I was also shocked to find it raining, yep, it was grey and wet and for just good measure, there was thunder and lightening too... I bought myself a new sim card for my phone, got a nice meal at a thai restaurant for 4 quid, went to the cinema and went to bed early.....

The next day was 200% better. The sun was shining, I got in touch with my friend Jules, (whom I met in Canada) and I went sight seeing. I walked around the Bontanical Gardens, saw lots of wired and wonderful plants, birds and even a spider! I always like to go the bontanical gardens and parks because they are always so peaceful. There were many active people in the parks, running, biking, roller blading, skate-boarding, playing football/rugby and some were having personal training sessions. I enjoyed walking around the Opera House and running up the steps and doing a 'Rocky' impression. I could see people walking up the bridge and I seriously considered doing it but the $180 put me off.

It was brilliant catching up with Jules. She lives in a beach suberb of Sydney called Coogee. The beach is really nice with good waves too. We went out to a place called 'Fiveo's'. Most things on the menu were five dollers. The following day when Jules went to work, I walked the coastal track to Bondi Beach, where the beautiful people hang out, (seeing is beleiving!). The track passes through Clovelly Bay, Bronte and Tamarama beach. The beaches are beautiful and the water is actually warm!!!

I met up with my dutch friend Kirsten, whom I met in New Zeland. She is my hiking partner and we always have a good laugh. I was pleased to meet up again. We went to the Mardi Gras (gay carnival). My favourite afternoon sight was a 'grandad' wearing nothing but his leather thong and peircings. (Nice....)

Jules has been very kind and has turned her home into a hostel, putting up both me and Kirsten. She's an amazing person. We have had such a laugh exchanging stories of horror hostels, from people having sex in the shared dorms to people peeing in the beds. I'm so glad I have not experienced this. My stories are of people snoring loudly or smelling badly and I'm not shy of telling them so!

BLUE MOUNTAINS - KATOOMBA

Kirsten and I went to Katoomba in the blue mounatains. Kirsten went for the day and I spent a couple of nights there. Katoomba is a 2hr train journey from the city. When we arrived, it was covered in spooky thick fog. We could see b***** all but it didn't stop us enjoying ourselves. We walked around Echo Point, the Three sisters, down the Giants Staircase and into the Jamison Valley. Even in the mist, it is hard not to appreciate the altitude, the eculyptus haze, the rugged crags, the sheer cliffs and staggering waterfalls. We also went on the scenic railway. It's perhaps the shortest and steepest train ride in the world. The ride has a hair-rasing 45 degree incline and no seat belts. The Katoomba Falls were beautiful, we asked a couple a to take picutres of both of us. The pictures have turned out really well. Normally, (I have learnt) when you ask someone to take a picture, more often than not  it comes out crap......

BLUE MOUNTAINS - WENTWORTH FALLS

My first night at the cold comfort hostel was quiet if not lonely. I had a 10  bed dorm all to myself. I felt like a squatter, it was very barren. I took a mattress from another bed to make mine more comfortable. It was like the princess and the pea. (perhaps not). The next morning I went for a day trip to Wentworth Falls. I walked along the Darwin track through native bush to the spectactualar Wentworth Falls. I then took the undercliff track to the Valley of the Waters. This track decended steeply through temperate rainforest and past the most incredible waterfalls I have ever seen. What makes the falls so special is that you are up close and personal to them. They fill all your senses. (see the photos). When I returned, I had an early tea and went to the cinema. I spoke with a dutch guy called Cid, we found it amusing that it seemed we were the only people there....

I'm now in my last 24 hrs in Sydney, tomorrow morning I fly to Aires Rock. I'm really excited because it is one place I have always wanted to visit. (another dream come true!).

So until next time, take care as always

Love Annie. xxx