Hi All,

Last day in Sydney today and I've had a fantastic time. Sydney is an awesome place, there's loads to do and it's the first place I've been to that I really think I could live in. The main reason being the pub closest to my hostel is the New South Wales sponsor of the Manchester United supporters club! Shame about the result yesterday but I'm slowly getting over it...just.

Got a mad overnight bus to Sydney, arrived in Canberra at stoopid o'clock in the morning and spent the day there. Went to Old and New Parliament House and a few museums. It was a nice place but VERY quiet, glad I didn't waste a night of accomodation there as I went to Sydney that night!

Anyway, been busy since I got here, caught up with Lara from NZ, had a not so classy night out which involved a 4AM hunt for McDonalds (We found it mum!). We were good the next day though, did some sightseeing and cooked a nice dinner! We visited the Sydney Aquarium, found Nemo and hid from some sharks...All good really! We also (As we were lazy) took the monorail around the city which was a great way to get my bearings and figure out how the hell to get around the city!

I've been up to the harbour bridge and opera house which were pretty spectacular, still pinching myself that I'm actually here! It all seems surreal to me still, I guess it's a good thing that I'm not complacent about it all yet! I took a trip to Manly (V nice beach, thanks for the tip Deb) and spent lots of money on tat at Paddy's Market (Think Wembley Market but MUCH bigger!) ...and yes, I bought a boomerang!!

My fave place so far though (No, not the pub) was the Sydney Fish Market...YUM is all I can say. (Again, thanks for the tip Deb...you're like my personal tour guide even though you're not here) It was HUGE, took me hours to find but was well worth it. Made the best, healthiest dinner of the last 3 months after a visit to it! So between Man Utd and fish, sun and beaches I could be VERY happy here!!

I went on a day trip to the Blue Mountains yesterday which were STUNNING. They get a blue haze over them from the Eucalyptus vapour (Hence the name) and we spent a day walking around the sights around the National Park which was HUGE. Our driver took us to a "Secret Spot" where we disturbed a couple who were having a romantic picnic, I don't think they were impressd when 20 rowdy backpackers interrupted them! But the view was amazing. We also saw the Three Sisters (Big rock formation) but the place was overrun with tourists taking pics and it wasn't as amazing as the secret spot was, it was much too busy!

Anyway that's all from Sydney, heading to Bondi for the day today to do some star spotting! Then onto Coff's Harbour (And the Big Banana!) on the night bus this evening.

Hope all is well,

Sel

xxx