Well here i am, safe and sound. Sydney is great - very vibrant - everything i'd heard and imagined. Can't help thinking it's everything Wellington would love to be!

I've checked into Billabong Gardens backpackers in Newtown and it's lovely - swimming pool and a cat called Pebbles and a dog called Mofo. I'm in a dorm with 5 others but have certainly staked my claim to one corner of the room with all my endless gear. (Lugging it all around Auckland to the airport at 3.30am this morning was delightful!). Think i better have ANOTHER clear out....

The weather was glorious this morning - it's ace to be back in me flip-flops! - and despite being totally shattered from no sleep last night, i dumped my stuff and set off into town. It was great walking around Darling Harbour, The Rocks and other waterfront areas. The bridge really is beautiful. I soon found myself sheltering under the eaves of the Opera House in a torrential downpour however. A Sydney winter? I believe so - apparently it's rained all week. Marvellous.

So lovely Paul (who i met in Paihia) lives here at the moment and we're off for breakfast in the morning - can't wait to catch up with me old drinking buddy.

Not entirely sure what i'm going to do or where i'm going to go in the near future but the answers and ideas will present themselves soon no doubt!

x