The fabulous city of Sydney

I have spent the past couple of weeks staying in and around Sydney - a cool, cool city. I love it! There's so much to see & do that I can see me spending another couple of weeks here when I fly back in from New Zealand next March/April. So far I have, in no particular order:

* Spent a day sightseeing - taking in all the tourist 'must do's i.e. The Rocks, Sydney Harbour Bridge (it's HUUUUUUGE), Circular Quay, the Opera House, the Botanic Gardens & Centrepoint Tower

* Walked the coastline from Coogee to Bondi Beach - which was not at all how I'd pictured it, but cool nonetheless.

* Been shopping in Paddy's Market, where I purchased 3 new spangly hair bobbles for the princely sum of $1

* Met up with Becky & Rich (from back home) in Cruise Bar in The Rocks - a very lush establishment which somehow failed to prevent my backpacking scummy self from gatecrashing the premises!

* Been to Carols in The Domain - a freebie Christmas concert which was totally fab (despite the fact that we didn't know ANY of the famous Australians who were taking part). It went on for a good three hours & ended with a big firework display. Groovy!

* Caught up with an old school friend who I hadn't seen in 12 years!

* Wandered around the Chinese Garden of Friendship in Darling Harbour - a tres pretty garden full of waterfalls, lakes, sculptures, temples & whatnot. Most serene.

* Spent Xmas in Newcastle with my friend Belinda's family (along with Belinda & Steve) who very much helped lessen the trauma of my first ever Xmas away from home.

* Been wine tasting in the Hunter Valley where we got to try Old Decanter, a 21yr old port, which was quite yummy but WAY too sweet for my liking!

* Watched Star Wars: Attack of the Clones at the open-air cinema in Centennial Park. Much fun (despite the fact that the bats in the trees above kept pooping on our heads!!)

* Seen Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. I believe a lot of the filming was done in New Zealand, which is where I'm headed in February. It looks stunning. How excited am I?! Oh, and the film was cool as well.

And then last, but not least, there was New Year's Eve! Following a day for BBQs & drinking we spent the evening (along with thousands of others) in the Botanic Gardens at Macquaries Point - from where you have a superb view of the Harbour Bridge & Opera House. Sadly the 9:00 family fireworks could not go ahead, due to strong winds (apparently), but the midnight firework display more than made up for it. I'd been looking forward to the night for weeks, & fortunately my expectations were well & truly exceeded. Hurrah! A grand start to the year.