Sun 29th Dec - Fri 3rd Jan 2014 (Week 14)

Sun 29th Dec - Flew out of Papeete at 8am on a 6hr flight to Auckland. Managed to watch 2 films, and have a good meal, so not too bad. 3 hour layover in Auckland where we bought 2 bottles of alcohol for the New Years period as we've heard horror stories about how pricey everything is in Australia now. Another 3hr flight from Auckland to Sydney, finally arriving at 6pm on 29th, after leaving Papeete at 8am on 28th ! But it is so nice to be back in Australia - everything is so much easier when you speak the language, and everyone seems super friendly and happy ! Even just going through baggage check they were asking us where we've come from, was it nice, what are we doing for New Years etc. Caught the airport train to Circular Quay and walked 10mins to the amazing Sydney Harbour YHA. Its so big, modern, and clean and has all the facilities you'd expect of a big YHA - and best of all - our room has a direct view of the harbour bridge and the Opera House ! It was worth staying up until 2am back in April to book the room ! Did a quick shop and drooled over all the things we'd missed like Cherry Ripe and vegemite, and different sorts of chocolates, and bought a few reduced Christmas things - like Mince Pies !

Mon 30th - Had the first lie-in in what seems like weeks - until 8:30am ! Leisurely breakfast in the hostel and headed out to do some shopping at 11am. Went to Broadway shopping centre and it was a little larger than I expected and we were there until 4pm which was hideous as I hate shopping ! But we did get a few new clothes and some needed toiletries but I think we were just enjoying seeing western products again so spent far too long shopping. Found an amazing restaurant in China Town for a late lunch at 4:30pm and had Nasi Lemak and Pad Thai with a mango juice and cold milo - heaven ! Dumped our shopping back in the room, then headed out again to do a recognisance on best viewing spots for the fireworks tomorrow night ! My original idea was to view them from Mrs Macquaries Point - to see both the bridge and Opera House, but once we were there, we realised there were very few perfect viewing spots as there were so many trees, and so many areas that were already closed for other functions. Plus people were already there with tents etc to camp out, and the security guard told us there is a queue from 7am for the gates to open at 10am, and once they reach the 17,000 people capacity, they shut the gardens - normally at midday ! So disappointingly, we decided we didn't want to get up at 5am, to queue from 7am and be there for 17 hours just waiting - plus it seems a shame to waste our amazing view from our room. Stayed out until 9pm wandering around the Botanic Gardens, Opera House, Circular Quay and The Rocks and enjoying the holiday vibe and seeing all the busy pubs and restaurants. We really like Sydney - such a lovely relaxed place, everyone happy and helpful, pure blue sky, nice weather, and beautiful buildings. I could live here !

Tues 31st - NEW YEARS EVE !!! Another leisurely start and headed out at 11:30am. Caught the free bus down to the Chinese Garden of Friendship and spent a relaxing hour wandering around the beautiful gardens - just like the ones we saw in Suzhou in China - beautiful pavilions, waterfall, lake, bamboo, all serene and peaceful. Then wandered around Darling Harbour, enjoying the sun and the atmosphere of the build-up to New Years Eve. Brandon thinks we spotted the cricketer Michael Vaughan, Gary/Gaz from Geordie Shores and Brooke Evers (Oz DJ/model) - and all were apparently in Sydney, so might well have been. Walked around China Town, had some food, did some more shopping, then got back to our room at 6pm - just in time for the aerobatic display over the bridge and opera house. Spent the evening in the room watching all the various displays of boats, planes and fireworks, before the grand finale at midnight. We actually had a brilliant view from our room, and were glad we hadn't camped out all day with the 1.6 million other people or pay the £100 to see it from the roof - just one floor up ! The display was very impressive, but it only lasted about 10 minutes, and then all the build-up and excitement was over for another year.

Wed 1st 2014 - We both skyped home this morning to wish everyone a Happy New Year as they were all celebrating the last few hours of 2013. It was a once-in-a-lifetime thing to be in Sydney for New Years and with the view we got, but also quite sad seeing everyone at home having parties and celebrating without us ! Caught the bus over to Bondi beach at 1pm, wandered along the beach and couldn't believe how busy it was seeing as it was a cloudy day, but it is a public holiday, so all the locals are probably making the most of the day off ! Did the 5.5km coastal walk over to Coogee, passing Tamarama, Bronte Beach, Waverley Cemetery, Clovelly Beach and Gordons Bay, and finished the afternoon off with fish & chips on the beach !

Thurs 2nd - Quite a grey and cloudy day so spent some time researching our time in the Thai Islands and booking accommodation. Walked around to Government House in the afternoon which is a beautiful old English style mansion with stunning landscaped gardens. So much of Sydney is like the UK - lots of old-style beautiful buildings, like Government House, the Town Hall, Queen Victoria Building etc, and everything seems to take its name from somewhere in the UK as well. To be expected I suppose, but its just like a more relaxed, happier, sunnier England ! Had an amazing dinner in Malacca Straits - Phad Thai, Beef Massaman, roti, and Tiger beer - amazing !

Fri 3rd - Posted a parcel of souvenirs and things we no longer need home which cost $80 for 4kg !! Spent a nice few hours wandering around The Rocks area, looking in the Rocks Discovery Museum which was all about the early settlement and life in those times, then wandered under the bridge and around the wharf. Caught the free bus down to walk around Hyde Park to see the ANZAC war memorial, St Marys Cathedral and the Hyde Park Barracks Museum. Also had a quick look around the Art Gallery of NSW then walked through the Royal Botanic Garden, past the Opera House and back to the hostel. We both really like Sydney and will be sad to leave tomorrow.