We arrived back in Sydney on Boxing day and went out for some dinner and drinks to an Irish Bar! Yes seemingly you can escape Ireland but everywhere you go there is a little bit of Ireland following you.

The shopping area of the city was very busy due to the sales. I am keeping myself away from the shops until we go to America - then I will shop shop shop!!

The following day (Tuesday 27th) we done the city sightseeing tour bus which was very good and we also got to see Bondi beach! It was a little cloudy so there were not very many people on the beach but it still looked very nice. The area is very commercialised and Paul thinks it is just like Scarborough! We were very naughty today and went to the Guylian Chocolate cafe for very yummy dessert and possibly the best hot chocolate ever!!! We done lots of sightseeing today and ended the day with a lovely meal and cocktails at the Blackbird café in Darling Harbour.

We were wanting to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge but what we didn't realise was how busy this time of year is. On the Wednesday morning we went there hoping to climb it but all time slots were filled until next week!! It was also very expensive - $238 which is €210 or £176 each but we would have paid this as I really wanted to do it. So as a consolation we walked across the bridge and climbed up the Nylon look out - it was only 200 steps but the view was really good and it taught us a lot about the building of the bridge. Paul liked the fact that the bridge was designed in Middlesbrough and I was proud of the fact that so many Scottish stone masons were brought over to utilise their expertise in building the granite columns.

Later that day we done some light shopping and went for a lovely bottle of wine and watched the world go by. That night we went to the Star City casino complex. We had one of the fanciest and most expensive meals so far on our honeymoon. The restaurant was called Black and specialised in Steak - but don't worry they served Chicken! The wine list was on an ipad - yes an ipad - can you believe that?!! We ordered a bottle of Zinfandel - it was quite reasonable considering the cost of some of the wines. They brought us some delicious warm brioche with butter and black salt. Now this was fantastic and my new mission when I get back is to find black salt! Paul had lamb and I had corn fed chicken. It was all delicious and the wine was really lovely too. For dessert we had the chocolate bombe which was full of drama as the waiter poured hot chocolate sauce over the chocolate shell until it all fell apart. It was quite divine! It was an expensive meal but we really enjoyed it. Afterwards we went into the casino and lost $15 on the slot machines but we won $85 on roulette! That helped to pay for the meal!

On the Thursday we had a bit of a lie in before checking out of our hotel in Sydney city centre. We then went to Taronga Zoo. This was quite an adventure as you have to get the ferry to the zoo. Again this was very busy but we had a great time seeing all the Australian native animals as well as the chimps (who were in full swing of the mating season!). I loved the Koalas and we got to see them at feeding time which was awesome. We also got to see some Kangaroos doing their famous hop! Our method of transport back to the ferry was a cable car which gives you a birds eye view of the zoo. It was really good and not as scary as I thought it would be!

Once back in Sydney we had an Italian meal in the Rocks area before collecting our luggage and going to our hotel near the hotel. Now this is a really good hotel and Paul must have told them that we are on our honeymoon as I am currently sipping Champagne and strawberries whilst writing this!

Tomorrow morning we fly to Auckland and I can't wait to see Sally and John.