Hello all,

Sorry it has been a long time since we last updated this we have been very busy!! At the moment we are in Surfers Paradise.

During the rest of our stay in Sydney we visited Bondi Beach (10/3), this was just how we imagined nice water, sandy beach and lots of surfers and lifeguards! This is actually where they film Bondi Rescue normally saving backpackers who get caught in the currents, as we laid sunbathing they were there ready on hand with their filming gear but there were no dramas whilst we were there even tho we went in the sea ha! It was brilliant instead of swimming we just rode the waves it was great fun!

Our next trip was to Taronga Zoo (12/3) i know you all dont believe in Zoos but to actually see some of the animals from this country the zoo is the only place and the safest so i am sorry!! It was a very good zoo, we entered via cable car over the animals this was a ride in itself. We also listened to a snake and spider talk where we saw a huntsman, a red back and a funnel web spider along with a diamond python which we stroked the skin was lovely and soft, i wanted to hold it but he wouldn't let us!

If your not a Home and Away fan dont read the next section!! I warn you now!

The next trip was a big one for me (Sarah) our trip to Palm Beach (15/3) where Home and Away is filmed. I was very excited to say the least. On the way we stopped at Coleroy/Fishermans Beach this is where they film the stairs for Martha's flat. Then next onto Palm Beach itself it was just how i imagined. Also here was the surf club where we sat and had an ice cream where the actors sit and eat their dinner in the programme. Michelle and Darren kite surfed here while we sunbathed for the rest of the day. Unforunately as it was a Sat there was no filming taking place :-(

Following this special day Sarah then cooked a BBQ for everyone before setting off back for a night on the town in Coogee to celebrate St Paddys day.

Following a heavy night with Kath and Sally i will spare you the details we spent the day sunbathing at Maroubra (16/3), as we were walking down the beach at the end of the day there was a warning announcement from the lifeguards to say that a huge amount of blue bottle jellyfish had been bought in by the tide. At this moment i was in the ladies and as i returned to Emma outside there were several people running out of the water screaming as they had been stung, running for ice! They will all be ok but we were glad we were not in their shoes!

As our time was nearing the end in Sydney today (17/3) we walked over the Harbour Bridge as we are backpackers and have no money we took the cheaper option of visting the pylon lookout where you also gain a lot of infomation on the history of the bridge. The main contractor on the bridge was actually Dorman Long who are from Middlesbrough so that was quite cool! The views from the top were amazing. After this we met up with Claire a girl that we had previously met in New Zealand and had a catch up whilst sunbathing in the Botanical Gardens. When we got back that night we had a Lebonese take out which i have to say was delicious yum yum!

Following our long stay in Sydney it was time to move on. Today (18/3) we made our way to Byron Bay. This was a long day we got up at 5am and made it to Byron at 9pm. We checked in and had some beans on toast for tea, as En was washing up a guy in the kitchen yelped out to our suprise there was a spider running across the floor a big spider at that! Luckily we think just a huntsman which are not dangerous but we didnt stick around long enought to find out anyway! Follwing a day at the beach we then booked a trip on the Happy Bus the next day to Nimbin! Not sure if any of you have heard of this place but it is well known for its laid back attitude to life following certain substances. Well it certainly was an eye opener as one of the ladies stated in the shop "people don't watch the time in Nimbin". Thats all i will say! I will just add that when me and Em were there we only had Fish and Chips!

After our trip we were due to meet Kath and Sally again as they were also in Byron Bay, our intentions were good we got ready and started having a few drinks in our room of Goon, in other words cheap leathal wine only backpackers drink! Whilst we were getting ready we had the pleasure of another huntsman spider on the room wall we had to cry for help and get a man to come and remove it! Ah! From then on thats about all we remember of the night that wine should be illegal, we were late to meet Kath and then later refused entrance to a bar, i will never be drinking that stuff again the thought of it turns my tummy!

With a hangover that we will never forget the next day we moved onto Surfers Paradise, here we went to the beach and also visited Dreamworld on Easter Sunday a huge theme park which was fantastic. Here me and Em shared a bar of chocolate which was very depressing we cant wait to get home and eat our easter eggs. We are due to go back for a night out in Surfers at the weekend which we are looking forward to.

Following our time at the YHA in Main Beach Paul Ems cousin picked us up where we are staying for a week. His house is amazing lots of rooms we both have our own which is very strange and also has a swimming pool in the garden wohoo!! Its luxury and gorgeous. They also have 2 boxer dogs George and Millie who are adorable.

Today (26th) we went along to the Green Mountains at Lemington National Park and did a tree top walk which was cool. Then we did another bush walk which was really pretty and we actually saw a venomous Red Bellied Black snake. Got a picture of it was cool!! Could have died once again as everyday on this trip we are dicing with death in some way or other!!

Following on from our week in Surfers we are heading North to visit Fraser Island where we are doing a 4 x 4 jeep safari and then onto the Whitsunday Islands for a sailing trip before heading back to Brisbane for our flight to Bali on the 15th April.

Hope this is a big enough update for you all and wont leave it this long next time.

Take Care, big hugs

Sarah and Emma xx