We're in Sydney- yaaaaaaaaaaaaaay! The journey to get here from Alice wasn't fun, 3000km driven in 3 days with not a thing to see on the way. Straight dusty roads, the odd curly wurly thing (mini tornados that you get in the outback), and a few roos. It was all worth it in the end though.

My friend Cloughy and his girlfriend Petra kindly let us stay for the first few days til we found our feet. Cue the start of the drinking that seems to have continued unabaited since getting here. I wanted to buy our usual cheap wine (3 quid for 4 litres!), but Cloughy wouldn't let me and I bought the first nice bottle of wine I've had in a long time.

We moved into a hostel, have been here for the last 3 weeks, and are very ready to move, which is lucky as a mate we met in Cairns, Seranie, is renting us her room whilst she's away for 3 weeks. It's in a really great part of Sydney, Darling Harbour, so looking forward to it. Seranie has showed us some of the nice local bars and her flatmate Trin seems really cool so looking forward to it.

We've not done loads of the touristy stuff yet to be honest. Seem to have just seen the night life. We're waiting for the Jones' to arrive (can't wait to see you guys!). Have seen the beautiful harbour though, although the opera house looked like it needed a lick of paint to me! Since we've got here the weather hasn't been brilliant, warm but not really sunny (except on the days we've been busy), so not had too much chance to check out the beaches yet. Fingers crossed for this weekend.

Had a few good nights out, including a 60's, 70's and 80's party and Cloughy and Petra's, which there are some funny photos of when we get round to uploading them. Krys made a great 80's tennis star, complete with porno tash, and I did the whole 60's thing. Very funny also, Cloughy had to shave his chest after putting some kind of superglue on his chest hair wig to attach it- have all the ingrowing hairs worked their way out yet Clough?! (sorry, couldn't resist sharing with people).

It's really not feeling all that Christmassy here. It's warm and it's just not right! Also, they don't seem as hyped about it here as they get at home. Oh, mum and James, I've posted your pressies, but only this week so not sure they'll get there in time- sorry! I was so organised with your birthdays as well!!

We're loving Sydney though and thinking of extending our time here by a week or two. Everyone is so friendly, they really do have barbies all the time and it's so sociable. I really want to stay forever, but need my family and friends here- so any volunteers let me know- you'll love it. Maybe we should stay here instead of Fiji since the military have just taken over in a coup- maybe not the best time to be flying there when the Aussie government is recommending against all travel to the region. It's bloodless at the moment, but the military have announced they'll do everything necessary to stay in power so we may have to rethink our plans for the last part of our trip! First Bankok now Fiji- I think trouble is following us.

Hope all at home is well and you're all excited about the hols!

Lots of love,

Toni and Krys xx