Back on the road again after a very long time in the addictive city of Sydney. Far too much fun was had and hideous amounts of flow slipped through my fingers. On the few occasions I was able to drag myself away from the beach and bars, I did manage to do most the usual touristy things. The highlights were: seeing and prodding koala’s (and all the other cool Aussie animals like Kangaroo’s, wombats, platypus etc); the weekend I spent with my Aussie friends Bushwacker Rob and the lovely Emma who spoilt me rotten and gave me a fab tour of the north coast which included a visit to Summer Bay (Palm Beach), the Home and Away location; and also the weekend spent in the Blue Mountains de-toxing, walking and relaxing. Well it was relaxing until I went on the steepest railway (literally vertical!) in the world.

Oh, and there was so many other great things I did and saw I just don’t know where to begin and I don’t want to bore you! But the Australian Day fireworks in Darling harbour were a bit special too.

I’m now in the City of Sails, the host of America’s cup, Yep Auckland. Known as the windy city and yesterday we found out why! You may have noticed I am no longer in Australia but plans changed and I decided to pop over to do the north island of New Zealand while it is still summer as it is all about the big outdoors. It also means that when I return to Sydney at the beginning of March I will hit what has got to be known as one of the biggest street parties – Sydney Mardi Gras! Should be an experience. But then I really do need to drag myself away from the place and actually see a bit of Australia.

After I tackle Australia I will head back over to NZ but this time to do the south island during ski season! I have also graduated from backpackerdom and hostelling to staying with friends and getting about by car – bliss. Little things like no bed bugs are a luxury to me!

The last couple of days have been spent running around doing Auckland and surrounds, I can feel that I am going to like NZ a lot, loads of outdoorsy stuff. The other night Kiwi Kerry my friend, took, me to a water park consisting of thermal pools. We started off in the adult pools where there’s a big screen for movies while you soak but this was far too civilised and the water slides called out to us. It was here that we met some new friends – two twelve year old Maori girls who were more bossy than me if you can believe that. They bullied us into going on all the really scary slides telling us that they were gentler than the last. We screamed for NZ!

The girls were really funny girls who were far too grown up for their own good, telling us that on weekends they were strippers and drag queens!!! We don’t think they fully understand what they were saying as it turned out they just like playing dressing up. However, we really warmed to them when they thought we were 16 years old, but then again maybe they were making reference to the age I acted! Hmmmm…

Now heading up north today to see the Sheriff twins (friends from home) and very excited.