Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to meeee, Happy Birthday to me, hip hip horaaaaay. Yes it was my birthday on christmas eve and I know you'll all be shocked by this revelation, yes I was 30, I know I know I look much younger but still how time flys (no comments are necessary in reply!!) Had a lovely day yesterday, Rob spoilt me (as ususal) with flowers and banners and ballons and egg muffins (McMarch style) they were yummy. We then had a manic time running round getting our Vietnam visas and then the heavens opened and we decided to jib the christmas carols on the river and the meal out and stay in and have a home cooked meal and watched Love Actually and our wedding DVD, it was fab!! On Christmas day we went to the Crowne Plaza for christmas dinner and it was just what we needed, we dusted off the posh togs and I even sported some makeup and a put a comb through her hair (not seen very often) and away we went, well it was christmas day!. Rob's mum and dad had kindly offered to pay for the dinner as a christmas present and we made sure we got our moneys worth with me especially downing 5 bucks fizz!! we both couldnt move afterwards and spent the rest of the afternoon, me sleeping and Rob playing playstation (which he hired on the pretence that it was for me to watch the wedding DVD, uum, anyway it kep him quiet for a bit!) Since being in Sydney, we have done loads and most of which are the touristy things. We went to see the Opera House which was amazing and then the harbour bridge. We decided not to do the bridge climb as it was so expensive and did the lookout instead which was $8 and took us up to about half way on the bridge, the view was amazing and we picked a really clear day to do the climb up. Next up was Darling harbour and the momorail. Went to see the Sydney to Hobart yacht race but turned up 2 hours late, still those of you who know Rob will know this is to be expected!!. We consoled Rob by going to the Lord of the Rings exhibition which was good and Rob got a bit carried away with the props!! Then onto the monorail for a bit of a sightseeing tour of the City. After this we had some days chilling and sorting out the visa, nightmare but another story. The one last thing we had wanted to do was to visit Manly, so on the last day before we left, we made it. We took the ferry over late on so we could get some great photos of the harbour bridge and opera house on the way back, we had a great time in Manly, but low and behold, the camera, at the one time we wanted it to take night shots, decided it too was on christmas hols and wouldnt take an 'in focus' shot. Never mind, plenty of postcard shops were around. Just seen the news about the Tusnami disaster and cant believe it, came in to 8 missed calls on the phone and wondered what was going on. I've never even heard of one and so had we been there we'd have stood no chance. Heading off to Bangkok tomorrow and then we fly straight out to Vietnam to pick up the tour through Vietnam and then to Cambodia. This is our first taste of real travelling and we're not sure what we've let ourselves in for, still its better than being in work (sorry couldnt resist) and I'm sure it will be fab. Next time we speak it will be from Vietnam, bet you'd never thought you'd hear of me venturing off there!! Take care everyone, hope you had a great christmas and will have a nice new year Lots of love from Shelley and Rob