When we left Surfers paradise we travelled on to Byron Bay, but as we were travelling went for a 'Rainforest walk', Michelle again was not feeling at one with nature and I do have to agree, I prefer my nature in a pot which has been sterlised and researched so I can put it on my face. (Im sure I will love all the camping in the later part of my tour....I have heard you need a fly net - attractive!) So on this walk we saw a natural cave and bridge, now again its not what I expected (I imagined the animals of farthing wood had came and made a lovely natural wood bridge for all the tourists) as you could just look at it, but not go near it - nice photo though....

So it was back on the bus and off to Byron Bay. We rocked up at a caravan site - it was so cool, our cabin had a bright yellow toilet! It was hillarious! We then went shopping and I bought a new beach outfit - Im proud that it was the first time I have purchased something that wasnt a necessisty like food or internet, so I got a pink bikni and a beacjh playsuit - pink and stripy! Its billabong - very Oz.

I couldnt wait to start surfing so I did a surf lesson our second day in Byron, which was quite amusing! There were jellyfish so we got a little freaked out, and I only stood up once, the dancer in me wants to point my feet but that majorly unbalances me so I make it difficult for myself, but in a few days I have 2 days of surfing so hopefully I will be riding the waves with the best of them.

Following surfing we were shattered so Laura and I went for a dip in the pool at the caravan site. There I was minding my own business having a splash around when 3 ducks came into the water with me. I may have been slightly dramatic given that it was a large pool but I jumped out and insisted Laura get rid of them before I got back in. I was not amused, it was hot but surely there was a more approriate place for them to go. We then had a lovely BBQ before heading out for a few drinkies and then it was an early night as it was a hour journey to Sydney the next day.

So 5:30am we were on a bus travelling to Sydney. I slept for the first 4 hours and then we stopped for a break. They had the most delicious pie shop I have ever been in, I couldnt resist a cheeky chicken pie (even thought it was 10am, we have technically been up for 5 hours so no judging please!) Oh and a butterfly cake from the bakery-which wasnt so delicious. I did make a mistake with the cake - I imagined the ones my granny makes. Light, fluffy, the right mix of being sweet but not too sweet - but it wasnt like that. It was nice, but not that good.

Back on the bus we watched meet the parents, discussed our future travel plans and I got all worried about 5 days on my own in Sydney - the whole trip has just flown by and then we were suddenly there. We could see the bridge - que more 'wooing' on the bus. We went to a look out in Sydney and got a first few snaps of us and the bridge/opera house before we had our final group shot. Now I wasnt satisfied with one of us just standing there so we insisted our little group of 5 and Rusty and Kate spelt out 'topdeck' (the name of the tour company) using cheerleading language and had a photo by the bus! Then something I am so amazed by happened - Rusty reverse parallel parked the bus into a tight stop at a busy Sydney street in one go. Im seeing it as a wonder of the world! I thought my Dad was a good driver, but I dont think he could have done that!!! Wowsa, he got a huge cheer from us all when he had done it! Then it was on to the hostel for our Sydney adventure to start.

When we had checked in, the hostel had a nice bar outside where we went while some of the group were waiting for their pick ups and I achieved one of my trips aims - I met someone called Brad!!! He works for topdeck, and should have been our driver (Im so pleased he wasnt, I asked him and he would not have been able to reverse parallel park a bus). I had mentioned that was one thing I was looking for in Sydney, to meet someone called Brad, to Katie and she brought him to meet me! Woohoo!

So that was it - the 'Island Suntanner, 14 day Topdeck trip' was over. I have been sat chuckling to myself about everything which occured throughout and its been a hoot and a half. I really have made some friends for life, and I cant wait to meet up with them. Thankfully my 4 favourite chums (Michelle, Laura, Karen and Amy) from the trip are all in Sydney for a few days so we are going to stick together and see the sights.

The following day it was time for my Bridge Climb at dawn. It was truely amazing. The sight from the top is spectacular, and I got a great photo of me at the top! Although it was a 3.45am start for me, it was definately worth it! I had the best time ever! Then it was back to the hostel to meet the girls and it was time for the tourist bus of Syndey and Bondi. It rained while we were there, but typical Brits, we put up a brolly and stayed at the top. We saw the main sights, a coca cola sign which is heritage listed and some very shiney buildings (american express one deserves a particular mention). It brightened up by the time we got to Bondi beach and so we watched the surfers and went shopping (ok, I bought another 2 pairs of shorts but they are completely needed-yes they are both pink). Then it was back on the bus as we had a very exciting night - I went to an opera at the opera house! Oh yes, I was there sitting proud watching Carmen. Before we got there I fell asleep on the bus on the way back - it had been a long day! and then we got changed and wandered down to the Opera House, stopping on the way for me to have a double esspresso from Starbucks! We got our tickets and then went for a spot of dinner at the restuarant inside the opera house, had a couple of glasses of bubbly each and then moseyed on over to the bar. I loved watching the outfits, there were some spectacular sights, and some interesting ones. I thought I was under dressed but someone had socks and sandals on - I mean come on, get real.

After the first half at the interval Amy bought a bottle of pink bubbly for us all to share as she had just found out she has passed some exams and won a prize! It was a really lovely way to end an excellent day. The ioera was good, I liked the sparkly costumes at the day and they had a realy life (very shiny, glossy coated) horse that curtseyed (sorry I cant spell that word!) at the end. I really enjoyed the performance, if I am honest I didnt really like the story and dont think I would see another opera, but still it was an amazing experience - I loved all the posh chuckling that the audience did, that made me giggle (even though I didnt really know what was so funny - just not my humour but I joined in anyway!).

After the opera we stepped back into the real world as it was Sydneys 2011 mardis gras! It was very interesting seeing all the outfits as we walked back into the city, some were pretty interesting and others were just bizzare and there was police everywhere so it was quite an eventful walk! But we stopped at a bar and had one drink then I was ready for bed - it was 12.30am and I was shattered!

This brings me onto today, Sunday, day 2 in Sydney and we had to say goodbye to laura who is travelling home but before she went we had a good fry up in the hostel and then went for a walk and sit in hyde park - not a patch on the one in London, but still it was hyde park. After that Amy and I went to the Ian Thorpe swimming pool for a swim, sauna and steam - exactly what we needed - more relaxation!

The next few days are jam packed so i will write again soon. Thanks for all the emails and messages, I am getting them but I havent had a chance to reply to all of them!

xxxx