So, our stop-over between 'West' and 'East'. It was to serve up two things - St Paddy's Day and Ireland v England in the Six Nations. Neither happened. Primarily because we hammered our budget on $10 pints! Sydney was not cheap!!!

First day, sun shinning, and we hit the beach! After a wee tour of a few beaches we hit Bondi - really lovely with lots of activitty going on. We went for a swim (after I complained bitterly about having to 'slather up' again). The sea and waves were fun, if not a little colder than we expected - it was just like Waterfoot Orla! But after getting caught in the current I had enough. Plus it was time for Icecream!

Our plan was to go for a drink that night but having our own room for the first time in a while we decided on a 5min nap at 6pm... 5am the next morning I'm up and doing the washing! It was also St Paddy's Day so after a quick 10K (trying desperately in vain to combat the beer culture we have slipped into), it was party time. We didn't do much until meeting a friend, Nic, from home who moved out just 5 weeks ago. After several beers, wine and food we had had enough and went back to the hostel, disapointed at the anti-climax (it was mid-week after all).

Friday had us (actually, me!) a fry. We went to the Sydney Opera house and walked to Potts Point (stopping for a Harry's Pie en route!). Seein Nic got us thinking about a move. While we both preferred BA, it would be easy for us to move here - Sky (FOX) have offices I know people have transferred to the UK from, and Kim's Phd stood with no transfer or language requirements. Only thing is, there isn't enough of a draw. This was confirmed when we met two ex-Pats from Cork, who had just been to Riverdance! I was wearing my Ireland top (Orla got me for my birthday, first time I wire it, had five offers for it in one night!). We ghad a good shindig, screw the budget! I even reinacted my World (well, West Belfast)-famous Michael Flatley impersonation from my cousins' wedding, to similar amusement (tho no frilly pink shirt). After adopting an 18yr old Gertman and many budget-bursting pints we landed home at 5.30am! Good Times.

Next day was late and slow! We stayed in bed watching a documentary about training guide dogs. It was amazing. They don't habve enought trainers so they use well-behaved convicts to help out. I see the old use of Australia is working well. But these dogs were amazing, they learn 1000's of commands from openning doord, fetching the phone and up-righting fallen wheelchair users to save people's lives. All in 24months! I've been working on Kim for 10yrs for the simple command of 'Get me a beer' and I ain't nowhere close to breaking the petulant retorts I get. But I'll keep trying.

We went to the trendy Rcks area and the Bridge Museum (pic above is a web pic, see our own album soon!) After our culture-fest we kept with that trend - going to a food hall and getting KFC! The point tho is that we had it al-fresco in Darling Harbour while watching Kim's favourite show - a pyrotechnic display! Still struggling with timezones and late nights, there was just enough left in the tank for some more icecream. (I'm gonna have to do imeprsonations of Forest Gump when I get back!)

And so, thats Sydney. Time just to squeeze in some popcorn at the flicks before setting off for Bangkok and then on to Hanoi! And so begins our South East Asia leg!