Australia!!

So now I have some more time to update this.

We arrived in Brisbane on Thursday afternoon and finally left the smells of the Solomon Islands behind. It was quite strange being back in civilisation again. We headed straight down to the Gold Coast, to Surfers Paradise. So up Friday morning and managed to do some laundry - it was amazing to have clean clothes again. 4 weeks without a washing machine is a long time and it is nice to have cloths not ridden with sweat! It is also quite nice being able to walk somewhere without wiping my forehead of sweat every 20 seconds!
So Surfers is typical Aussie holiday resort, and very tacky etc but completely what we needed after the Solomons. Had our first normal dinner of pizza and some good wine. Friday we got up, and were so excited about the shops, decided we needed to spend some moeny and buy some cloths! Haha as if I need more but I treated myelf to a third, fourth birthday present! I bought a hoodie, which was so much cheaper tha the UK, and it turns out I need it! Sydney is cold!!!!
Anyway, we shopped in the morning, and then did the only thing we really could do, and had a surf lesson! We got driven up the coast a bit to a secluded beach (so not many people could laugh at us!). Our two instructors were awesome, and said they would get us all standing by the end of the lesson. And guess what?!?!?! They did. We all got standing and we even have some mean photos to prove it!! So that was 2 hours of pure fun, and definitely want to give it another go, and improve on my surf poses too!
We went down to Broadbeach in the evening, after some viatnemese food. Food was amazing but it has had its revenge on Matt and me as we haven't been feeling very well all day. Anna, the one who's meant to have the weak stomach, is absolutely fine and just laughing at us! lol.
Anyway so we went out for a few drinks and made it until about midnight before giving up completely!
We were up at 0600 this morning (although I was awake at 5 not feeling very happy) and we got the train back up to Brisbane airport to catch our flights to Sydney. Only an hours flight so we were in Sydney and all hostled up by 1300. I am doing the true backpacker style and sharing an 8 bed female dorm so I don't cramp the couple's style!
Even though we were knackered we went for a wonder around Sydney. I had the map first and got us well and truly lost, but we found a nice little harbour and park. I then handed the map to Anna, and she managed to take us to the Botanical Gardens. Here you can see the most amazing view of the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. It feels so surreal to be here, but I am loving it. Unfortunately it is quite a lot colder down here so the jeans and hoodie has been dug out of the rucksack and the shorts are being hidden away ; ( Oh well, lets hope the tan lasts a while.....
We're having a chilled night tonight due to our long day but plan to hit Sydney in style tomorrow. There;s a food/wine festival on just around the corner tomorrow, so I'm sure we may wonder around there for a while. We have until Monday afternoon before flying to NZ so can see most of the city hopefully.
I really really like Australia, despite the current British weather. I wonder if the British Army wants to send me here instead......!
Anyway I feel I may have rambled enough. I hope this has kept you attached to the screen..... so will write more in NZ!
Lots of love
Kylie xxx