Well, hello Sydney - after 2 days of travel to get here.... Actually it was quite a good thing, as it broke it up.

Early start from Hong Kong, to fly to Singapore, which was fine - except one of my checked bags was rifled during the flight - cheeky b*****s hadn't even bothered to zip it back up!! Fortunately there was absolutely nothing of value in the bag, only clothes, so nothing was stolen. Overnight in a hotel just outside Singapore airport and then another early start to get the flight to Sydney - my, it's good to be back to Business Class - not that any of my economy flights were particularly bad or cramped, it's just nice to be able to stretch my legs.

Landed in Sydney at 8pm, (am now 10 hours ahead of the UK) and my pick up was quite late, but that was okay as my travel agent had neglected to fully complete my Oz visa application, so I got pulled aside - very embarassing!!

Got to my hotel about 10pm. Hotel is in the Rocks area of central Sydney, and is one of those funky boutique hotel types. Honestly, I didn't care, I just wanted a glass of wine and my bed. Went and sat on the little terrace they have and drank my wine and then absolutely crashed. Slept in 'til gone 9am - I think that is the first lie in I've had in weeks - I swear I'm seeing more of the wrong side of 7am on this trip than I ever did any time when I was working for a living!! Who knew?!?

Anyway, lounged around until lunchtime, when I finally dragged my carcass out of bed and took a stroll around the local area, which fairly buzzes at the weekend. Hit the tourist information and have booked a couple of tours for Monday & Tuesday - around Sydney, to the Opera house (which is really close) and up to the Blue Mountains. Going on a walking tour of The Rocks this evening, then will find some nice little pub/bar for dinner and the odd beer I think!!