sydney2

Mon 31.12.01 (New Years Eve) - We picked up keys from Martin and Catherines Room.

Caught bus into Circular Quay at 6pm. Met up with Michelle Schmucki and her friend, Duncan. He was wearing a kilt! And he's English!! Strange!! We drank a few beers and then got ourselves a decent view of the fireworks over the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. The first fireworks was at 9pm (lasting 10 mins) and another at midnight (lasting 20 mins). The displays were really great. It was great to be here to see it. Afterwards we got a bus back to Coogee and were in bed by 2.30am.

Tues 01.01.02 - Caught taxi to airport at 8am and met Claire's mum, Catherine and her uncle, Martin. Got taxi then to the Royal Hotel in Randwick. We left at 10am to let them sleep off the jetlag. Catherine had brought the Sunday World paper for me. Funny, the silly things you miss about home!! Took them down in the afternonon to Coogee Beach. Paul met up with us.

Wed 02.01 - Spent another day on Coogee Beach after we went shopping in Randwick.

Thurs 03.01 - Walked to Randwick and then all 4 of us went to Circular Quay to see Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Then went for a stroll around Botanic Gardens to Mrs Mcquaries Chair. We had lunch in the Mercantile Bar in the Rocks areas.

In the afternoon we caught a train to the Sydney Aquarium. This was really great. We saw every type of sealife. Seals, eels, sea horse, jellyfish, etc. But the two best things were the manta rays and the sharks. You walk through an underwater tunnel and they are swimming inches away from you. We walked to Catlereagh Street and caught a bus back to Randwick. Went then to meet Paul and Emma in Coach and Horses Bar. A few beers and then we had an early night.

Fri 04.01 - We had lie -in and spent afternoon doing the coastal walk from Coogee Beach to Bondi. At Bronte we met Jim and Maria (couple we met on Fraser Island and Surfers Paradise). Had Fish and Chips for lunch at 3.30pm!!    We lay on beach for a while. Claire and I went into the water. The waves were lethal. In the evening we all met Paul and Emma for a meal at the Duke of Gloucester Bar. We all went back to the Royal Hotel for a drink afterwards. Paul, Martin and I finally went home at 3am.

Sat 05.01 - Woke at 9.30am. Felt very tired and hungover. Paul and Emma gave us a lift to the Britz Depot. Half way there I realised I'd forgot Driving Licence. Finally got there at 12.30am The Campervan was huge 4 berth Merc. I drove it to Randwick and we picked up Catherine and Martin. Paul led me out to the highway as I didnt know my way about. Said our goodbyes and off we went on our three week campervan trip!

Sat 05.01 - Fri 25.01   GO TO CAMPERVAN PAGE

Sat 26.01 (Australia Day) - Today was a National HolidayWent to the Horse Racing in Randwick. Taxi Driver was a Cavan Man. We were putting $5 bets on. Claire won $158.50 on the first race. I won $35, but Martin and Catherine had none. We then went to Darling Harbour. There was a boat parade. A highlight was the bushfire fighting helicopter coming into the harbour and demostrating lifting and dumping water. Impressive. The night ended with a fantastic fireworks and lazer show. Better than the fireworks on New Years Eve.

Sun 27.01 - Went to mass. Priest was cuckoo. Made no sense whatsoever.   Lay on Coogee Bay in afternoon. A fella on a boogie board collided with me. Bust my lip, but wasnt too serious. Went to Cinema to see ord of the Ring but it was sold out. Got tickets for tomorrow night.

Mon 28.01 - Martin and I went to races again, whilst the girls went to the Paddy Markets. martin didnt back a winner to Race 6. I got a winner in the last and win $90. Pizza and then to cinema to see Lord of the Rings. Brilliant, but long.

Tues 29.01 - Spentday pricing return flight to Tasmania. Got cheapest deal and booked them. Were flying 1 hour after Martin and Catherine fly. Booked tour of Blue Mountains and ordered Rod Stewart concert tickets.

Wed 30.01 - Picked up at 8.30 in Circular Quay for Blue Mountains tour. First call was an Outback Farm. Sheepdogs, Tea and Whips. Then it was on to a Wildlife park. Cute Koalas as usual. It was then on to the actual Blue Mountains and the famous Three Sisters Rock Formation.

We went to the steepest railway track in the world and came back up on a cable car. Stopped at a sweete shop on the way back. I founf Double Dips and Sherbet Fountains there. I haven't seen them in hears at home. On the way back into Sydney we stopped outside the Olympic Stadium. Met up with Christina and Martin that night for a drink. Great fun.

Thur 31.01 - Tired. Rained all afternoon. Work on Website. At 7pm caught a bus to Sydney Entertainment Centre for Rod Stewart concert. Martin said hello to someone on bus. I thought he'd gone mad, but it was someone from Tuam, Co Galway who was out in Sydney 11 years. Martin was at his leaving do! Harry is is nickname. They planned to meet at weekend.

We headed on to concert. It was surprisingly good. Martin is a fan, but none of the rest of us were. We were really surprised by how many songs we knew. Out of 26 songs there was only 4 I didnt recognise. Good night had by all.

Fri 01.02 - Pissy Days. Martin and I shopped for CD's. At 7pm met Cathal McCloskey (from Park), Pauraic Lawless (from Cappatagle) and Steve Murphy (Coventry) for a drink. Good Laugh. Steve and I went to club. Bed at 3.30amISH!!!

Sat 02.02 - Everybody went to Manly Beach except for me. I went to beach with Pauraic and got burnt from head to toe! Had a few jugs of beer with Pauraic. Great chat. Then went to hotel. Martin and I went to meet "Harry" at 9pm in the Coach and Horses. Home 5am. Loads too much beer had!!

Sun 03.02 - Got taxi to airport at 3pm. Said our goodbyes. Catherine and Martin got flight at 5pm ish. We got our plane to Hobart at 6.45pm, arriving at 8.45pm. Got bus to Hobart. Booked into Hostel and went straight to bed.