After dropping off our mobile home, it was back to being spoiled again by Jo's family. Matt was the first to extend his helping hand in Auckland where we had a night's layover. Door to door service with a few Coronas, some delicious banana cake (thanks Martinique), and a much needed comfortable bed, thanks guys. The next morning was as short flight to Sydney, Greg's old stomping grounds. Except this time, instead of staying in Chinatown like the first go around, the red carpet was rolled out to Grae and Mike's apartment in the Rocks overlooking the vast Sydney Harbour. Our first night in town we were treated to dinner by Mike and Minnie at Hurricane's in Bondi Beach where the boys strapped on the bibs and between the four of us we devoured a full cow's worth of the best ribs south of the equator. Apparently we arrived at a good time as Australia Day meant a long weekend and a lively harbour. Just a few days in the country and we found ourselves cruising the harbour on Grae's boat stopping off for lunch in Watson's Bay and a quick swim in Manly Cove. We'd never seen so many boats out in a single day, most donning numerous Australian flags from their masts (Aussies really love their country), even Nicole Kidman's massive yacht was out and about in Australia's most beautiful harbour. We were also treated to some brilliant Australia Day fireworks with a perfect view from Grae's balcony - I could definitely get used to this.

It wouldn't be a Sydney holiday if we didn't spend at least half our time enjoying the numerous beaches with the inherent clear skies, bright sun and fine sand all around the city. A twenty minute ferry ride from Circular Quay landed us at the long stretch of Manly Beach. We weren't there two minutes before a confirmed shark sighting prompted lifeguards to call all swimmers and surfers out of the crystal clear waters. Other than this carnivorous nuisance, it was a perfect day at the beach, sunbathing and wave jumping and shark watching. In search of less crowded beaches, we decided we'd trek the famous Sydney coastal walk starting at Bondi beach and heading south towards Coogee. Tamarama beach was our first stop. Large cliffs on either side of this narrow cove meant that this small piece of beach has all the power of the ocean funnelled into it creating some of the strongest rips that either of us had the privilege of attempting to swim in. It was quite humorous to watch some of the more timid swimmers hang out near the white wash and get pummelled time and time again by the larger waves crashing into them and knocking them 10 feet backwards - I wish I had a video camera. We continued the walk past Bronte and Clovelly beaches then Gordon's Bay before capping off the day with a well deserved Pure Blonde beer while overlooking the waves crashing down on Coogee Beach.

Our final day in Sydney was spent wandering Oxford St. (Sydney's famous shopping area) in Paddington. Window shopping mostly but even a couple of backpackers like us couldn't resist a few purchases. That night we ventured out to a few hot spots on King's Street Wharf just north of Darling harbour. A few martinis later it was time to move on to our next stop, Melbourne.