Hi Guys,

As you can see I am now in Canberra and fast approaching the end of my Australian leg of my world tour. Here is a summary of my past week....

On Tuesday as we had such a hectic Easter weekend and Manny, who by the end of it had driven almost 1500kms in just 4 days, was understandably knackered. We decided it was best all round to have a nice chilled out and relaxing day at home. It was great!

The next day, as I had expressed interest in a game of golf, Manny set up a game against 2 of his mates. What I did not realize was that his two mates play regularly and are at a handicap of 8 (still have no idea what that is, but I know it is bloody good). So there I was with my 'Happy Gilmore-like 121 score against Manny's 93 and his friends 85 and 87 respectively. It was fair to say it was not a fair match although a very enjoyable game. Although having said that I did have one atrocious tee shot which hovered about a foot above the ground, just over a small pond (right by the tee) and into a group of ducks. I actually hit one duck and to my absolute horror I thought I killed it, or worse still was going to have to put the poor thing out if its misery. To my huge relieve after about 2 very long minutes the duck managed to get back onto its feet and hobbled away!

The next day, I was surprisingly stiff. I say that as we hired golf carts, so I was understandably baffled at how this was at all possible. Still we had another relaxing morning before we met Angie on her lunch break for a quick bite and a bit of shopping, before I cooked them both dinner later that evening. Well, the good news was that my food was edible and not burnt! Its a start at least.

Friday was an awesome day and a day that I was very much looking forward to. I started off with a bit of shopping in the city, whereby I walked miles. Later on that evening we all went to see 'Collingwood Vs Richmond', my first AFL experience. Having never seen the game I was intrigued, and it turned out to be a blinder of a match. We were supporting Collingwood who started the game pretty badly, trailing Richmond 52-26 at half time! I naively thought that we would not get back into the game, with such a big gap, surely it was not possible! Well, I don't know what the Collingwood coach said at half time but it seemed to do the trick. They came out all guns blazing and managed to come in on the 3rd quarter at 76-76, which meant an amazing 50 points in just 30 minutes. With Richmond firmly on the back foot and the roar of the Collingwood fans increasing as the minutes passed the final quarter and the final whistle blew, with Collingwood coming out on top at 115-90. It really was a blinding match and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I will almost certainly be keeping tabs on Collingwood in the future.

The next day it was Manny's turn to play. His side were playing a side who were supposedly a higher standard than them, but they thrashed them! It was another great game to watch and Manny, who was captaining the side played superb. Later on that evening to celebrate Manny's win and as it was my last night with Manny and Ang, we all went to the local Vietnamese restaurant. It was delicious, and easily the best Vietnamese I have had since leaving Vietnam. Come to think of it, I think it was my first!!!!

On Sunday I got up early to start my journey to Canberra. I was due to get a bus-train and another bus. I eventually arrived around 6pm in Canberra, thoroughly exhausted.

Yesterday, I once again got up early for my first full days sightseeing in Canberra. I made my way to the big lake at the city centre. I fully intended to spend the day cycling around the 28km track around the lake. I managed this with surprising ease, even finding time to fit in a stop at the Australia Museum, for a spot of culture and the National Gallery, which housed the most bizarre collection of art I have ever seen. Oh yes, amongst other things I saw countless, scribbles, doodles, splodges of paint, a line, not forgetting my personal favourite, the 'Blank Canvas', quite literally a blank canvas, mounted on the wall. I found it all highly amusing!

Which leaves me onto today, well I once again got out of my pit early! I could no longer lay in as my
once empty dorm was no full and particularly smelly! Single sex dorms are never a good idea... Anyway, I set off to climb up Mount Ainslie (827m above sea level). The views from the top were spectacular and I was able to spot all the famous landmarks and the surrounding scenery. This afternoon, I did a little shopping! Canberra surprisingly has good shopping!

Anyway, that's enough from me. Tomorrow I am making my way to Sydney Airport to fly home! I decided that I could not miss my brothers wedding, so I am literally going home for just over a week before making my way back to Sydney and onto New zealand! I will be cream crackered, but it will be worth it.

I hope everyone reading this is well.

Take Care,
Jon