Sydney

Sydney, Sydney, Sydney. It's a great place. It's easy to get around and there is lots to do and see. However, after Asia, I can't quite get my head around how much everything costs! As such, I've done little except stroll around (in the rain no less!) and get drunk with some 20 something girls from my dorm room. I would say they led me astray, but I'm not sure who was doing the leading - me or them. I then had the pleasure of meeting Helen (of the LCA) and her husband Paul who are on their honeymoon here. In celebration of our meeting we frequented several drinking establishments where, after the initial pain of the first glass, I easily - nay readily - consumed several white wine booze type drinks. Oopps. How did that happen? Oh well, it's heightened my resolve to make NZ a truly wholesome affair from start to finish.

Helen and I waving the LCA flag

I can't help spend many a moment comparing OZ to Asia, which is bad. The cost aside, it's nice to be able to put loo roll in the toilet again, not run the risk or seeing dogs ready for cooking (or just cooked) and it's novel to know that drinking the water is not going to give me some kind of strange growth or make me glow in the dark... However, I miss the food (despite thinking I was getting fed up with fried food) the sights and sounds and the people. Everything here seems a bit 'brash', although this is odd as the senses were really overwhelmed on many an occassion in Asia. I really will have to return there as soon as I'm able - I suspect that Thailand will be one of those places I yearn to return to more than once or twice.

So, after the obligatory photos of Sydney Harbour Bridge and the opera house, I leave for Christchurch today. My timing is a little skewed as today is Australia Day and everybody is out and about having fun! Oh well, c'est la vie.