Yey! its back to civilisation. We were lucky enough to have some friends in Manly (a beach suburb of Sydney) who have lent us their house for Christmas/New Year while they are away in New Zealand. Manly is beautiful, a small ferry ride from Circular Quay, passing the Opera House and the majority of the harbour.
The house is a godsend, since prices for a bunk in Sydney around Christmas/New Year can be over $100 a night and a minimum of 10 nights, so for the 2 of us to stay - it would be around $2000. Thats money we just didn't have - so it was perfect that Flick and Dave let us stay. We are sharing the house with Flicks Uncle and Aunt who are very nice, and are very much enjoying not sleeping in the car.
So we have visited Manly Beach, the Opera House, Botanical Gardens, the shops of Pitt and George streets, Darling Harbour and Daves old house within the first few days of our stay. The weather has been very nice - usually a bit colder in the mornings but by midafternoon it sets at around the late 20's early 30's (sorry! wehave heard the news in the UK of Snow Snow Snow). We have also collected our Japanese rail passes so we are all set for our final country. Its coming up to Christmas now - so we wish all you a very Merry Christmas and will update before New Year.