Sydney was our final stop in Australia. It seemed crazy that we had reached that part of the trip already and that we were at the airport, AGAIN. We worked out (whilst on a plane) that we would have been on 27 aeroplanes over the duration of our trip, and had been on 5 in the last 7 days alone! My ears pop daily.

However we were excited for Sydney, our friend Sharon (a teacher from Woodcote) had moved there in September and was meeting us from the airport.

We arrived late at night and after dumping our stuff at the hostel, were whisked away to a club. Here we enjoyed downing shots of something nasty, knocking back vodka redbulls, laughing at people drunker than ourselves and trying to hear each other speak over banging tunes blud. I expected nothing less Miss Jones.

Day 2 we woke to the sight of MacDonald's wrappers and smudgy stamps on our hands from the previous evening's antics. We decided to blow away the cob webs and check out the Opera house.

It was cold in Sydney. Jumper, scarf and possibly gloves cold. But the sky was blue and the sun was shining, it felt like one of those gorgeous October days. We strolled through the botanic gardens, along the harbour and visited the modern art gallery, which Nic loved! His favourite being a collection of twigs! I know what someone's getting for Christmas….

The Opera house is a lot smaller than I thought it would be, still cool though.

We ended up at a place called 'The rocks', it had a really cool Brighton vibe going on, cobbled streets, markets, live performers and pubs, lots and lots of pubs. This would be our base for the afternoon.

The following day, with the help of Sharon and some friends we found the 'secret beach' of Sydney. Milk beach was a white sand bay hidden in the suburbs with incredible views of the city. It was a lovely way to spend the day, finishing up with some proper British fish and chips, yummy.

Our hostel was situated in an area called Kings Cross. It's a popular place for travellers hosting an array of bars, clubs, food outlets and strip joints, many, many strip joints. The red light district of the city if you like. It was a charming place and perfect location for Nic to watch the last day of the football season. Something he'd been looking forward to, talking about NON-STOP and eagerly awaiting since August last year! Arsenal came 3rd, Nic was happy, I was happy. No more football, until the Euros starts anyway.

On our 4th and final day, not only in Sydney but Australia, we headed to the wildlife centre. I'm a tiny bit in love with Koalas and HAD to cuddle one before we left the country. I was SO excited, and then SO disappointed as it turns out it is illegal to hold a koala in the state of New South Wales L rubbish. It can kill them 'apparently'. We went in any way and that's when I met him, the cutest, chubbiest thing I have ever seen in my life. His name was Sherman, he was a wombat. My love for Sherman may now eclipse my love for koalas… maybe.

A lady giving a talk on koalas told us some new interesting facts:

1) 1) Contrary to common belief the eucalyptus they eat does NOT make them drunk or stoned. It is poisonous and takes all there energy to digest. ????????

2) 2) When the babies are born they have to spend the first few weeks of their life eating only there mummy's poop or 'pap' as they call it to build the anti-body they need to eat the poisonous eucalyptus. Tasty.

3) 3) Koalas must have between 18 and 20 hours sleep a day. NEVER wake a sleeping Koala.

4) 4) They are relatives of my new friend Sherman.

5) 5) They are not bears.

6) 6) They 100% DO have chlamydia…. You have to wonder where that started from. She said trees, we're not convinced.

In the evening we shared a farewell Mexican meal with Sharon and looked back over our last few days in Sydney. It's such a brilliant city. My favourite place in Oz without a doubt and I will defiantly return.

Packing our back packs again we wondered what New Zealand had in store for us. Winter is setting in there and I have nothing but flip flops and bikinis. It's going to be a cold few weeks.

Flip flops and Frost bite

Katie, Nic and Sherman xxx

p.s. I did not at any point try and kidnap Sherman.