G'Day All

So we arrived safely in Sydney and it was cold, only 6 degress and we felt it after Singapore. We made our way through customs easily and got stamped up for our year in Oz. We arrived at the Hilton Hotel at 6.30am so had to wait for a while to check in, we then were told this was as we were having a complimentry upgrade and we were on the 39th floor. The room is fantastic with great views and we even have electric blinds - how cool. The Hilton is great and we have a lovely pool/spa/gym (the biggest in a hotel in Oz) and the bars are great. The Zeta Bar is very cool and apprarenlty is where they held the aftershow party for the MTV Awards last year. Anyway enough about the hotel. Go onto the hilton sydney website if you like, to see for yourselves.

Sydney is simply amazing, we caught a couple of hours sleep and then spent the afternoon wandering about and getting our bearings. We went to Hyde Park and saw the Anzac Memorial. We were then shattered and decided to wait for the next day for the Big Sights when feeling a bit better. We woke up to much warmer climates and thought 23 degrees was a lot better for sight seeing. Our first stop was Darling Harbour, a little harbour/tourist area to the west of the main City, we had a wander and looked at the Boats which had arrived for the International Boat Show, it's a lovely little place with lots of museums and touristy things to do. Then we decided it was time to go and see the Big Ones. KT was actually quite nervous it's that moment when you know you're going to see something that you think is going to be amazing and you don't want to be let down - but we weren't. You do get butterflies when you see the Opera House for the 1st (and maybe the 2nd Time) and spent a couple of minutes thinking are we really here??? After we had had a good mooch around we decided to head for the Botanical Gardens as apparently there was a place called Mrs Macquaries Chair which had really good views. So off we trotted only to be met on the way by some widlife. The Cockatoos were nice, the Bats (see photos) not so nice and KT spent the time hiding behind Matt. On from there we looked at Macquarie Street and the lovely old buildings. Then headed back to the Hotel for a swim and to get ready for the evening.

We decided to check out the Marble Bar in the hotel and see the live Jazz Band, afetrwards we went to a local pub for a few and on returning to the hotel thought it would be a good idea to gate crash the party going on in the Zeta Bar, well, as we stepped out of the lift we were met by 3 Bouncers holding down some poor bloke who had had a few too many. Matt was trying to give the Bouncer a drink as he looked a bit worn out and KT started talking to a man who turned out to be the Head of Food & Beverage for the Hilton Hotels OZ. Well he was quite embarrased we had witnessed such a scene ( a usual Sat night in Norwich for us) and gave us his card and told us to return to the bar another night where we would be looked after - we are going tonight and will let you know if we get anything. The Arctic Monkeys are playing in Sydney tonight so KT is camping out in the Hotel Lobby just incase they are staying at our Hotel.

We spent the next morning having a leisurely breakfast down near Circular Quay before heading off on the ferry to Manly, the views were great from the Ferry and Manly was a bit of a welcome relief from the hustle and bussle of Singapore/Sydney. It's a really sweet Beach town and we had an icecream and wandered around for a couple of hours. On returning to Sydney we decided it was time to walk the Bridge (on the lower level). Ok we're wimps but it's well expensive to climb over the top. Getting to the lower level was a hike in itself, but was a good feeling thinking 'we're climbing over sydney harbour bridge'. So afterwards we did some more walking and headed off to China Town - it's in all honesty another China Town I think maybe would have been better at night but we have run out of nights, although there was a great market called 'Paddys' which had lots of weird and wonderful stuff that had fallen off the back of lorries we think. After a quick bite at Darling Harbour we went for a look in the Queen Victoria Building another Shopping Mall, but this one is really lovely inside and out. Oh and we met a very special person inside (see photos). On arriving back in the room the Hotel had very kindly left us some Champagne and Strawberries and apparently it's because we are VIPs - of course. Only thing is tonight is our last night and after nearly two weeks of luxury hotels how will we cope with anything less - we could be home by Xmas if the $'s run out. (No we will embrace the camping and like it).

We have walked miles, seen more than you can type about and had a great time in Sydney. We leave tomorrow to see the Blue Mountains but as it's supposed to be 10 degrees colder than here not sure if we will hang around long. We will be in Brisbane by next weekend so will update everyone again around then. Oh and tonight (almost forgot) we are being very sophisticated and going to the Opera House to see 'Near to Heaven:Elgars 1st Symphony, just for the experience. We'll let you know all about it soon.

Very much wishing you are all here, and having a fantastic time.

M & K xxxxxxxxx