Aloha,

Good evening from Aussie land. I've had a couple of really good days so let me share them with you...

Yesterday was quite an amusing day! As I hadn't been to sleep the night before, and I literally mean, I didn't go to sleep - stayed up all night, watched the sunset and then carried on another day. Walked down to the Opera House through the Botanical Gardens and enjoyed the morning light.

Then I went back to the hostel and woke Marie up at 8 - she was so confused that I hadn't gone to bed, it was very funny. Went and met Auntie Deb, Uncle Chris, Nana and Anne-Marie down at Circular Quay - I was so excited I was actually running. And we went over to Tornga Zoo which was very big and had an amazing view over the city.

After the zoo I was completely shattered so we went back to the botanical gardens to meet the guys from our hostel (we'd all stayed up all night, playing stupid games, going to mcdonalds - gotta love 24 hour mackers...and basically just messing about) and we all tried to have a little sleep - by this point I was overtired and didn't sleep at all.

Then we went back to Circular Quay and caught a ferry to Manly, it was a very pretty journey at dusk. So nice. I'd woken up at this point. We went and met the fam for a gorgeous meal in a Thai Restaurant :) the tastiest meal ever!!!! Caught the ferry back which was the most amazing journey because Nana had had a touch too much to drink....like Nana, like Granddaughter.

As soon as we got back to the hostel I literally stumbled into bed and fell straight to sleep before my head had even hit the pillow.

We overslept today - not surprising really. It was alright though we met the family down at the Quay and split up. Marie and Chris went to drop the bags and go to the art galley, whilst me, Deb and Nana went to the New South Wales Gallery (again) to see the Terracotta Army exhibition, it was awesome, I loved it.

Then we walked to the Sydney Sky Tower and went up to the top. It has 360 degree views of the city and today was the first time the sun has properly been out in nearly a week so it was beautiful. The city is so surrounded by water which makes it so lovely.

After we'd done the tower, we left the fam and Marie and I went to meet the girls we met in Byron and we went for coffee, it was lovely to catch up but kinda sad to leave them because we're not going to see them for ages but they think they're gonna travel Europe next summer so maybe then.

We went back and changed and then caught the train out to Turramurra where Marie's friend Vaanie came out to pick us up and took us to her house (Marie met Vaanie in Nepal - she's lovely) Her mum is Indian and made us the best meal - once again we've been completely spoiled. We're staying out here tonight and then catching the train back in tomorrow :)

Basically loving Sydney and will be sad to leave, this is the first place where I feel really settled like I could live and work here quite happily. We've met some amazing people here! But looking forward to the rest of the trip...only one week left :(

Will shout soon! Big love to all <3

Chloe x