18/1/06 First day in sydney just wanted to chill so woke up late and had breakfast! After breakfast decided to explore Bondi Junction which is where we were staying. Found Westfields, which is the Oz equivalent to Bluewater, but by hek it was massive, N u would be in heaven! I spent so much time shopping that I didn't notice the time and it was dinner time and Binita and I had decided to cook Julia and Rod dinner so we hurried back! As the Australian Open was on we watched that before going to bed! 19/1/06 Got up early and headed into town on the train, they r like American trains, you know double deckers, it was funky! We thought we would see a bit of tthe cultural side of the ciy so we went to the New South Wales Art Gallery which had really amazing aboriginal artwork! We then went on2 have lunch in The Domain which is the park where hey have all the Sydney Festival Music on! We then went into the Royal Botanical Gardens and found interesting things which can be seen in my pics! We then walked around the harbour and up past the Sydney Opera House. We were now heading towards our bridge climb which was at twilight but we got a bit hungry s usual so stopped at a small cafe in The Rocks area of Sydney, which is supposedly famous (never heard of it)!! After we took another long walk to the bridge climb. We checked in and then we had to do the safety stuff and also have a practice climb. After we headed up the bridge, it was a bit windy! The walk was long but not to tiring! As we reached the top we could see the ccity starting to light up and we had our pics taken! Then we stayed yp the top for bt 30mins as the sun set and the city skyline looked een more amaing, definitely think this was the best time to go up, best of both worlds! We got home abt 11pm, long day! 20/1/06 The plan was to go to the Northern Beaches, which is where the surf is the best but when we got to Circular Quays to take the ferry it was nearly 1pm and wasn't worth going! We then decided to go to the posh part of the harbour by ferry called Darling Habour/Cockle Bay. On the way we stopped at Luna Park and looked around and then went on the ferris wheel to get some decent shots of the bridge ad opera house. We walked around Darling Harbour/Cockle Bay and it was pretty had some lunch and then headed back to Bondi. Went out to a local Japanese, which is really big in Oz and the food was good. 21/1/06 Julia an dRod were heading off to Melbourne forr the Austailian Open so we had the plae to ourselves for the weekend so we chilled a bit in the morning and then headed down to Circular Quays to take the ferry to Taranga Zoo. We took the bus up to the entrance as there was a really long queue for the cable car. The zoo was like any other zoo but we were lucky to get the chance to see snow leopard cubs even if it was only for a minute. However, we did she a tasmanian devil which wouldn't stop running around, it was funny! After we took the cable car back down to the ferry terminal and headed back to Circular Quays. e went back to Bondi had some dinner and then headed back out to check out Symphony in The Domain. When we got there it was packed there was no room to sit so we took some pictures and then headed to look for some ice cream. Binita thought aas there was a plae called central maybe we should check it out! Well put it this way, there was no one there! We then headed to Circular Quays as we knew that would be busy. When we got there we got our lovely italiaan ice cream from Gelatissimo and then walked over to the opera house. They had set up a large screen there to watch the Austrailian Open so we sat on the steps and watched Federer for the first set and then headed off home to watch the rest as Binita was tired. Ofourse, Federer won! 22/1/06 Today we decided to go to Bondi Beach so we got up relatively late and got ready to go to the beach. We caught the bus and when we arrived at the beach it was very hot and very packed. We sat on the beach tanning ourselves for a while and then headed for lunch. We had a nice italian bbut we thought as we were stuffed it wold be better to go home. When we got back we went and jumped in the pool before getting ready to go to the cinema. It was so lovely and refreshing. We then headed off to the Entertainemnt Quarter where we watched Narnia, it was amazing. When we got back caught up with Julia nad Rod about there time in Melbourne, theysaid it was amaing and then we went to bed as tomorrow was going ot be a long day! 23/1/06 This mornin was an early starrt because we had to be at Circular Quays by 7.55am to catch our bus to the Blue Mountains and Jenola Caves. Our guide was so enthusiastic about Sydney and Australia but he was really good. About 1.5 hours outside Sydney we stopped at the Blue Mountains where we got to see the Three Sisters, which was beautiful and then we drove round to where we could get on the steepest railway in the world and go into the valley. It was really steep, we were virtually standing but it was a really short ride! we did a small trek in the valley and then headed back up in the cable car. We then headed to the Jenola Caves where we had lunch and then took an 1.5hour walk through the cves, it was just like Cheddar Caves, with loads of stalagmites and stalagtites! On the way back we stopped at a place caled Blackheath which had amzing views of the mountains. As we were leaving a random dog ran out and ran straight into the side of the bus but he was fine it was really wierd. When we got back we had dinner and crashed out because we were so tired. 24/1/06 We had brunch and then headed off to the city to climb one of the pylons which is on the end of the harbour bridge. We were given a free ticket with our bridge climb and it is the history of the bridge. We clibed 200 steps to get to the top and it was a beautiful view of the city and got some nice pictures. After we headed to Pitt Street which is the Sydney version of London's Oxford Street, but believe me it was nothing like it (mayb I'm being too biased)!!! We then went home had pizza and chilled and watched a movie before going to bed! 25/1/06 We were supposed to head to Many today (again) but it was pissing it down so we decided to go to the cinema again but this time we went to watch Memoirs of a Geisha which was really good. As the next day was Binita's birhtday and Australia Day everyone had the day off so we decided to go out in the city and see watch the people of Sydney did! We went to Darling Harbour and went to a place called Darling Harbour Hotel. It was really good cos we got to sit outside can u imagine being in a bar/club and being able to sit outside in the middle of January, how lucky was I!!! 26/1/06 Birthday girls day so we decided to have a chilled day, Rod made us all pancakes and then we chilled at the flat. In the afternoon we heade towards Darling Harbour where we walked around for a bit and then found a place to sit on the harbour edge to watch the festivities. It was different but really busy and the fireworks were wicked. 27/1/06 This mornign we decided to go with Julia to Manly as the weather was really good. we decided to drive with me navigating, don't worry I got us there in one piece!!! When we got there the water looked amazing, with loads of waves. We had luch and then headed to the beach to sunbathe and then before leaving Julia and I headed into the water for a bit, the current was strong and it was cool being in the water as it was so hot. We actually even saw a live jelly fish, but we didn't get stung don't worry! When we got back I finished packing as it was our last night in Sydney and we were heading to New Zeland the next day so we had dinner at the flat and watched the men's semi final and headed to bed.