Sunday morning we awoke at 5.30am in order to be ready for the 6.30am Skybus to the airport. We checked in with no problems and had a McDonalds breakfast of orange juice and Raisin toast before our flight left on time at 9.15am. Sarah slept a bit of the way whilst Laura was just too excited about meeting her mum! We landed on time at 10.35am and got a taxi direct to our Sydney Central hostel. Unfortunately we were too early to check in so we dumped our bags in the locker room, quickly got changed and speed marched upto Jaynes Hotel (Laura attempting to run the last leg, once she had spotted her mum waiting outside!) weighed down with our bags of stuff that we were hoping she would take home for us!

After an emotional re-union and a chocolate/xmas present and card opening session (as well as a hair straightening sesh for Laura - woo!) we headed out for lunch. We walked along Pitt Street through the CBD to Circular Quay and the Rocks. We had a sandwich (Turkey and Cranberry!) and some much craved quiche (for Sarah) then wandered around the weekend market, even being remembered by the woman at the chocolate store from our visit the previous week. After this we headed to the Opera House for some photos and then armed with ice lollies we took a stroll through the Botanical Gardens before making our way back to Jaynes luxurious hotel for a much needed rest and a cuppa. The three of us quickly fell asleep on the massive bed!

After freshening up we headed down to Darling Harbour for a bite to eat and a cocktail! En-route we called in at our hostel to check in - only to find out bags missing from the locker room - argh! - An idiot behind the reception desk made us believe they had been stolen - even thought they were chained together and weighed over 20kg's each! Luckily Laura saw that they were being stored behind the reception desk - but our hearts were well and truely in our mouths for a while and we needed that cocktail even more!

With our hearts still racing we headed onto the harbourfront and quickly spied a nice looking bar with a balcony providing great people-watching views! We enjoyed some fruity cocktails then food a gorgeous seafood restaurant where we indulged in Barramundi (Sarah), Mixed Seafood Bouillabaise (Laura) and Spaghetti with King Prawns (Jayne). By the time we had devoured the lot it was nearly midnight so we headed back with Jayne for a coffee before retiring back to our hostel and collapsing into a deep sleep!

On New Years Eve it was an early start, both up around 7.00am, Laura getting ready uber-quick and heading straight upto her mums hotel to straighten her hair and then walk upto West Circular Quay to save a good spot for the evenings festivities, although the area wasn't busy and we were left wondering if we had the right day! Kel, Stace and Sarah soon followed with Kel and Stace 'holding the fort' whilst the three of us completed a tour of Sydney Opera House. The building and architecture was awe-inspiring and we were lucky enough to be the last group allowed into the main concert hall that day. After finishing the hour long tour, we enjoyed a juice at the sidewalk cafe, enjoying the stunning harbour views before heading back to 'base camp' to give Kel and Stace a break.

In the afternoon, Jayne and Laura went onto the thrilling Jet Cruiser around the harbour, luring you into a false sense of security it starts quite slow and nice and very informative before the fun starts!!! The boat sped around the harbour, twisting and turning and they got absolutely drenched, but couldn't take the grins of their faces despite looking like drowned rats! After this it was back to the others to dry off and then we, once again, left Kel and Stace saving our space whilst we went for lunch - sandwiches for Laura and Jayne and a hot dog for Sarah. Sarah returned to base camp whilst Jayne and Laura got supplies of drinks and crisps and, of course, chocolate! By this time it was 3.30pm and time for Jayne to return to her hotel to get ready for her harbour cruise that evening (lucky lady!). Laura and Kelly walked her back to the hotel, Stacey held fort and Sarah went up the Observatory Tower at the Harbour Bridge, taking in stunning views and learning more about the history and building of the bridge.

When everybody returned to the spread of towels, the area was really busy, Kel and Stace headed for food and then it was time to enjoy the atmosphere! Apart from the fact that we and many people around us had camped out since 9.00am, many people were turning up late and just standing infront of us or trying to move our stuff to sit down - luckily we were having none of it and we were awestruck at the 9.00pm first lot of fireworks. Then 2008 was welcomed with the most enormous bang and we didn't know where to look as fireworks were going off all over the city - it was an amazing sight (especially as all the boats in the harbour were all illuminated too) and the perfect end to a great day. The atmosphere was electric and it is something we will never forget. After the 20 minute midnight firework spectacle had finished it was time to say farewell to Kelly and Stacey and then we took a stroll back to our hostel along with the rest of Sydney's population, stopping briefly at Jaynes hotel to wish her Happy New Year. Then for the second night running we slumped into bed - this time with big smiles on our faces!

This morning we rose bright and early and caught the 7.30am bus to the airport, where we had to queue for an hour to check in (baggage system had failed!). Our flight left slightly late but was comfortable and we enjoyed a Ham, Brie and Pickle sandwich before falling asleep (only waking to the crew asking if there was a doctor on board! - luckily it didn't seem too serious!). We arrived in Alice Springs on time and took our free bus to Annies Place hostel where we chilled out in the baking heat for the afternoon - absolutely cream crackered! Yet another early start planned for tomorrow as we embark on a 3 day safari to Ayers Rock - We can't wait!