Some mountains they were!!!

Well, we've now been in Sydney for 4 days and had quite a bizare trip here...

After leaving Melbourne, we decided to take a scenic route to Canberra via some mountains and rivers. Well, after hitting the snowy mountain highway, the name wasn't lying! We actually hit snow, real snow. Going from fairly sunny and warm Melbourne to 2 inch snowy mountains was definately a bit surreal, then to hit sunny Canberra the next day. The strangest thing is flicking through my photos on my camera and seeing shorts one day and big jackets the next!

Canberra was a quick sightseeing city. Everyone told us not to bother going as it's basically just the political hub of Australia with not much else to do but we were passing so we popped in! I must say, it's not exactly Sydney or Melbourne but is quite a pretty city with some lovely lakes. The war memorial exhibition was by far the best attraction and we spent a good few hours in there. We also did a tour of the parliament house which was pretty interesting. One rather amusing fact we learnt was the reason for the kangaroo and emu emblem for the Australian crest. Both those animals cannot walk backwards and Australia wants to present itself as a country only moving forwards. Apparently, the tail of a kangaroo would get in the way if it walked backwards and emus have back-to-front knee caps! I thought it was interesting anyway!

So now we're in Sydney. The hostel we're staying in is really nice, walking distance to the centre but away from all the bars so we get good sleep. Of course we've looked at the Opera House and walked along the Harbour Bridge as well as a stroll through the Royal Botanical Gardens and a peek at some of the galleries. We initially wanted to climb the Harbour Bridge only to find out that it is $179 per person, just to walk up some steep steps (it's not really a climb as such). Well, we couldn't spare all that money for a good view so we just crossed the bridge and still got a postcard photo!

Sydney is quite expensive, probably the most expensive place so far but I guess that's comparable to London. We have found a mega cheap place to eat and drink though called 'The Gaff'. We went there last night and got free bangers and mash dinner and 2 free drinks each from a voucher we found. However, the wine I got given for free was quite vile and I held my nose while I drank it!! We decided to head to Kings Cross as it was Saturday night and we thought there would be a good atmosphere and lots of bars. We were wrong. Kings Cross was just full of betting places, strip clubs and fast food joints. Unless we were looking in the wrong place, we didn't find a bar, just sleazy pubs/betting places. Well, I'm glad I had a look! Actually the suburb we're staying in, Surrey Hills, has lots of mellow bars and some cool pubs so it's a better night out on our doorstep!

Well today we're heading up to Bondi beach. You could argue that it is one of the most famous beaches in the world so it'll be good to see it although I have been warned that it might not be as nice as I imagine. The locals never go there as it's just full of tourists and not the nicest beach but we'll have a look!

Anyway, we're leaving Australia in 7 1/2 weeks and the budget is getting quite tight with everything we want to fit in. Yesterday we booked a Whitsunday Islands sailing trip which I'm really excited about. It's a national park with about 70 beautiful islands in it which you sail round for 3 days and sleep on the only island with facilities. Can't wait!

Well, the sunny beach is calling so I better go and make the most of it! Will be in touch soon:)