sorry for the long delay in updating the blog!

Our journey in Oz started in Adelaide, where we arrived to rain and fairly cold weather (compared to Fiji). Everyone had told us there was nothing in Adleaide was we were determined to make the most of our LONG time here and it turned out to be great.

Whilst here we all agreed to explore the area separately, as i had to wait for my bro to arrive from Carins on 9th March. So Sue and Marilyn will have to fill you in on their adventures!!!!

So we checked into the 'geeky' YHA Hostel which turned out to be the best one we have ever stayed in, it was a luxury palace. The first night Erin and I decided to partake in the 'Bingo and Games' evening where we made lots of friends from all nations (try playing bingo with germans, french, japanese, norwegian, swedish and having to explain it at every stage) We finished the evening with a delightful game of pictionary which proved to be even more difficult but hilarious at the same time.

The next day the 'bingo gang' decided to try out the Oval Cricket Ground, where we certainly made up the numbers, as there were only 2 locals in attendance. Drinking for some started at 10:30am (yes i was FORCED to drink a pint) so everyone was pissed by lunchtime. Had a great day and we dont like cricket, we love it!!! Bring on the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 2 weeks!

The next day we headed for the Fringe Fesitval which is similar to the Edinburgh festival with comedians, fairground and other entertainers. Trust our luck, the day we picked to go was the KIDS DAY, so we ended up dancing like gecko's round the park entertaining all the kids, would you believe after all the excitement...the group of us ended up in an English pub, drinking yet more beer. In the evening we all fancied heading back to the festival to watch live bands etc but unfort after seeing there was quite a large entrance fee and us all being travellers we decided to go to a traditional aussie pub and spend our money on drink. However, this was a saturday night and Erin and I had all but dressed up in our beach flip flops, fleeces and combats, we REALLY fitted in a treat, with the girls with belts for skirts and massive high heels. Great night though.

Nath then arrived in Adelaide so 5 of us went on a hike around the town in search of the old F1 track and Ayrton Senna's memorial, we nearly thought we werent going to make it as the temperatures had risen dramatically, as had the moaning and sweating levels!! But we successfully made it in the end and whilst the track was amazing i really dont think Senna would have been impressed with his memorial, which was the size of a postage stamp!! Poor guy! That night we all went out... yes again...to the Woolshed bar, no not quite the same place as in Cairns but we sure danced the night away in this local bar.

The next day 7 of us headed to lap up the sun on Glenelg beach. All being over 24,we decided to build sandcastles and mess around on the beach, which was a great laugh. Erin, the sun lover couldnt keep out of the sea but kept one eye on the water as apparently there had been recent shark spotting on this beach.

At was at this point we decided to book all of our trips and stop drinking...although our first trip was to the Barossa Valley for a days wine tasting..what a great day. We were all drunk by 11:30am, having starting at Jacobs Creek then visiting 3 more vineyards by 12. The day was nicely finished with a gorgeous kangaroo barbeque, which was delicious. The group then decided to carry on the fun and head into the town in the evening.

It was then time to head to Kangaroo Island for 2 days. This trip was fab and luckily we landed Australia's best tour guide, who although he was called Clancy we nicknamed him Skippy, he was absolutely nuts, yes more crazy than me!!! The first day was spent spotting kangaroos, koala's and watching sealions lazy in the sun on the beach, yeah i was tempted to get my towel out and join them. Next activity was sandboarding, which was great fun, although i think Erin may beg to differ as she fell off and rolled down the dune, hurting her hand and has a scar to prove it. We then arrived at our '5*' acc which turned out to be a shack in the middle of nowhere which housed Australia's fifth most poisonous snake, the black tiger. At this point Skippy was not jumping for joy and was actually looking as petrified as we all were. He attempted to catch it by chasing it with a kitchen knife but obviously that didnt work and we were in for a sleepless night with the snake for company....arrggggghhhhh!!!!!

The next day we went on a long trek in the scorching heat to a secluded beach which was amazing. All in all a fantastic trip and one to remember.

Our next trip was along the Great Ocean Road to Mebourne. Unfort wasnt too great but that didnt stop the 22 of us having a great time. We had lots of Irish on board which def made the trip a great crack. Along the way we saw the major rock formations along the coast, London Bridge, not quite the same as the one over the Thames, 12 apostles and we also did another long hike to see an impressive waterfall. The guide wasnt so great although Nath and him hit it off, he was mad on football but for some strange reason he had a hate for English girls, dont worry he didnt fit my criteria anyway!!!! lol

Once we arrived in Melbourne all of us decided to spend Paddy's day together and celebrate in true Irish style. There was plenty of Guiness drank and we all got very drunk and were given free t-shirts as a momento of the night. Definately the best Paddy's day the 3 of us have ever had.

As we had planned for 2 weeks in Melbourne as agreed that we needed to fit in Ayres Rock asap, so headed to Alcie Springs the day after we booked it. We flew to Alice and have just spent the last 3 days seeing Ayres Rock and Kata Tjuta, whic was absolutely amazing wathcing the sunrise and sunset over the beautiful rock. At first when we arrived on this trip we werent convinced by the group but by night 2 we were all singing to Tina Turner 'Simply the best' at the tops of of our voices and having such a laugh. But the best bit of all was our tour guide looked the spit of JESUS!! The last day we were given the option to either do the base walk or climb the rock. Jesus had told us that 35 people had died climbing it which did put us off originally but Nath and I decided to brave it on our own and climb the 'bad boy'. With Erin and the rest of the group doing the base walk! Ez and two other girls did it in record time and stormed it in an hour and a half. The climb was pretty scary and hard work and coming down was definaltely the worst bit but it was a great achievement to say we both did it. One of the best parts of the trip was sleeping under the stars in swags, yes that means no facilities and no tents, just a sleeping bag on the floor but we survived and loved this amazing experience in the outback.

Last night the group once again decided we needed to end the trip with a night out in the local bar in Alice, what a bar this was, dont think we will be going back but nevertheless we all had a great night and the final song of the night was our requested ' Tina Turner' which was sang to Jesus!

Today we are all suffering, mine being my sore thighs and killing ankle, Nath's being a sore head from all the beer!!! We are now flying back to Melbourne tomorrow in time for the Grand Prix and Erin cant wait for the Neighbours tour next week, where she will get to meet her ideal man... KK (yes thats Karl Kennedy)

Will update you all again soon.

Love Soph, Ez and Nathxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx