20th-26th March Sydney Got lovely backpackers in Manly 1/2hr ferry ride from Sydney cemtral Quay. Nice distance to get into city or get out of the city after a long day. Fist day here met up with Jackie & Anita they have been travelling down the coast since beginning of March we will spend the next 5 days together then they are off home via Singapore. First Day spent booking our Itinery Bridge Climb, OPera in Opera House, Went for walk up and around Sydney Tower seems we have to do this in all Big cities took there 3 dimensional look at Australia fun but not exiting!! Trip around centre part of the city on the mono Rail this was brilliant opportunity cause it is closing in July for ever. OK nice relaxed day supper in Manly with a few beers to celebrate the girls joining us!! Its just so good to see someone from home..OK Tues Ealry start and we are off to find Marks up turned rowing boat on Bondi beach mmh When we arrive at ferry terminal they are on STRIKE see it happens all over the world we now take the bus which they have laid on as an alternative but of course its rush hour and everyone is on the roads Oh forgotten what this time of day was like, ANyway Bondi was a bit of dissappointment for Mark no rowing boat and not a very large beach to get lost on,Great for surfing though. We went off exploring along beach walk stopping @ Tamarama Beach for a glass or 2 of very nice cold beers ( its these girls leading us a stray anyone would think they were on hols.) and then onto Bronte Beach this was better for everyone Anita had afternoon nap under the plam trees Jackie paddled and laid soaking up the sun whilst Mark and I went for swim in the natural sea water Pool. Girls leave us now for couple of days to find the blue mountains Mark and enjoy more of Sydney, Botanical Gardens with too friendly cockatoos who want to sit on your head if you are silly enough to let them... Olympic Park now that was worth a visit you could just imagine the crowds and activities around you, 24th March The girls are due back today but first we are visiting the Maritme Museum WOW what a place I just love crawling all over the war ship and lucky enough to get inside of Submarine as well Me I should have been a sailor (or maybe I was in my in my previous) Didnt get chance to crawl over the ENDEVOUR cause she was moved to Melbourne for the Games and will return to her new home here after been given to the people of Australia by the British Museum no worries have to come back. NOW back in Sydney we are off to Climb the BRIDGE, 18:35 is our start time we spend 40mins getting rigged out with all our safety stuff and practice drills OK we are outside starting to climb we get out into the open air and YES you guessed it it is pouring with rain not quite gale force but felt very vunerable up there 3 Ladders higher and are now onto the ARCH and the rain is still hammering down we are truning our backs into it like old work horses we stop to gaze over the city and have photos taken WOW its beautiful even in this weather, the weather just adds to our excitement everyone is chatting Jackie & Anita are loving it Mark is our tail end charlie, he is the last person of our group and has to talk with group leader if anyone is having a problem he has taken his role very seriously.!! We are at the top,stop for more photo's the rain is easing off a little. we push back our hats and beanies to make it more of a photo, down the otherside stopping at regular intervals for viewing the city, eventually we are all down, and chattering about our experiences, Get the T shirt and photos and off for a celebration meal and drinkies, we are all on such a high we sat outside a restaurant on the Quay side with the bridge in the back ground the rain has started again but we dont care anymore we have done the bridge and that was what we all had on our list of MUST DO"S Fantatic!!! 25th If you think it couldn't get any better we are off today to the OPERA SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE to see "Madam Butterfly" unfortunately only me and Anita ther were only to seats left and they were in the perfect spot so obviously lots of dosh, Mark and Jackie go off to find something else to do AND THEY DID they got into DUSTY first day opening in Sydney Casino The Lyric so we all had another amazing afternoon.. The Opera so magnificent bad you have lump in throat straight away now I have seen Madam Butterfly 3 times and the third was just THE BEST EVER!!! Calls for a drink I reckon!! another meal and drinks on quayside of Darling Harbour, Which Just leaves the 26th The girls are leaving today everyone is getting packed and we are all being very subdued I have enjoyed their company so much and the week has gone so quickly we spend the morning on the beach Mark and I are off on the boards then its that time and the girals have gone!! Thanks U guys!! Safe Journey. Wont forget this week in a hurry!! Next Stop Blue Mountains!!