New Phone Number

Got a Simcard sorted, so my new number is +61 420785818. Its a vodafone prepay, which only seems to cost 25c (about 10p) to send a text to a UK number.

Not having much luck finding a flat, so have booked into a different hostel, the "Jolly Swagman!", for a couple of nights. It will be an experience as it's in Kings Cross. Got a private dorm this time which will be good. Been organising bank account and things too, but it is not easy without a permanent address.

Got a day pass for the monorail today, which was pretty good. Central Sydney seems pretty easy to navigate so could really have walked anywhere but its nice not to have to! Went to the Powerhouse Museum which is a science/technology museum - would highly recommend it, although slightly ran out of time.

There was a day trip to the Home and Away set today from the hostel - didn't do it as I don't think I would know it if I saw it! Might go to the beach at some point though, it seems to just be a random beach in Sydney.

Photos

Got LOADS of photos uploaded. Click here. Julie has also uploaded some of her better ones, which are here.

Did the City Sightseeing (open top) bus tour yesterday. Went to Side Bar (In our hostel) and Scubars (in the YHA) at night. This morning we went to a weekend market at The Rocks, lots of Craft things. Thinking about going to the Cinema tonight. Then need to start looking for Flat, Bank Account, Job, Sim Card etc!

Australia Day

Was Australia Day yesterday - incredible weather at least 30 degrees. Had lots of suncream on and still got a bit burnt. Went to Sydney Harbour and sat outside the Opera House. Got a good view of The Harbour Bridge. There were lots of activities on, flyovers by the RAAF, Tall Ships display, etc. Went to Darling Harbour in the Evening for the Fireworks, it was amazing, best I've ever seen. Got lots of Photos so will try and get them on my flickr account shortly.

Hostel is going fine, going to start looking for a flat shortly. Planning to do the Sightseeing tour on the open top bus today, possibly get out to Bondi Beach.

Sydney

Made it to Sydney! Looks like a nice city. Arrived at 6am this morning. Plane was fine enough, very boring! Got a train in from the airport to the central station. Found our way to the hostel, now just waiting to get into the room. Looks very nice - it's the "Wake up! Hostel"

Glad we made it out of Bangkok alive, the roads there were just hellish. Got a taxi back to the airport and it was only 300Bahts (around 4 quid) when the taxi in from the Airport was 1200 Bahts (about 13 quid). Think they see the tourists coming! Went to the Grand Palace the one day, it was nice but it was a really hot day and couldn't stay out in the sun too long.

Sydney wasn't very dry this morning but I think it is looking better now. Australia Day tomorrow so thinking about going down to Darling Harbour to watch the fireworks.

Keep the comments coming! I'm going to see if I can change it so that you don't need a google account to comment.

Bangkok

Arrived in Bangkok yesterday - quite a place! It's the year 2550 out here! Taxi in from the Airport was an experience - driver couldn't really speak english and tried to give a running commentary on the trip. Then he was expecting a tip and I just gave him 20Bahts (about 30p), which he didn't seem to appreciate. I didn't really have the value of the notes sussed at that point!

Hotel is really nice (Pantip Court), we've got a two bedroom suite with a balcony. Right beside a shopping centre with Boots, Starbucks etc. All the stuff in Boots is FAR cheaper here than at home, e.g. Soltan Sun Cream is under two pounds. Went to a Supermarket and got some supplies for Breakfast.

Went to the Pantip Cafe in the Hotel for tea, it was about 3 quid for Fillet steak and buffet of Starters and Puddings - as much as you can eat!

Got the Underground to the centre this morning, it is exactly the same as the Singapore one, and uses RFID for tickets aswell. Had to change and get the "Skytrain" which is a monorail type thing - it was a bit more dodgy.

Just about to go to a shopping mall with 500 shops so will see what bargains I can find! Hoping to get to the Grand Palace tomorrow then we're off to Sydney on Wednesday.

Singapore

Finally made it to an Internet Cafe! At the airport ready to depart Singapore. It was excellent. Incredibly clean city - cleaners seem to be everywhere the whole time. Hostel was nice, near to Underground station which was handy. Brief Roundup of what we did:

Day 1
Went to Sentosa Island on a monorail to the Underwater World and Dolphin Lagoon. There were incredible thunderstorms so the dolphin show was cancelled. Also went to some of the shopping Malls - Vivo City was particularly good. The number of shopping malls here is just unbelievable.

Day 2
Went back to Sentosa Island, on cable cars this time, as it was really hot so we went to the beach. Went down to Orchard Road to look around there, it was good - very flash. Also went to Suntec City and the Fountain of Wealth.

Day 3
Went to the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari. It was pretty good, night safari in particular. Saw an elephant show which was particularly good. The mini-bus out was a bit ropey and weaved inbetween all the traffic but we made it.

Just seen a Playstation 3 for 400 quid - tempting! Airport is very big. Bangkok in a few hours, I'm told it is a 'space age' airport so hopefully we'll manage!

London

Made it to London, wind caused some problems! Been sightseeing yesterday, went to Madame Tussauds, Big Ben, Downing St, Trafalgar Square, etc. Went to the Cinema at Leicster Square to see Happy Feet - wasn't very good! Travelodge is fine, quite central. We've got the Tube sussed so its really handy. Been to the BBC TV Centre today and did a tour - saw "Eggheads" being recorded and the Paul O'Grady Show.

Been Shopping on oxford St this afernoon and planning to do the City Sightseeing Tour if we get time. Also going to see a BBC Show tonight called "The Watercooler"

Flight tomorrow leaves at 10pm so we have a day to fill. It is a 12 hour flight on Quantas so plan to start taking asprins today to prevent DVT!

6 Days to go!

I was down in Edinburgh for New Year this year and only got back yesterday. Had a great time, photos are on flickr. Been packing since I got home and now have almost filled my suitcase and still got plenty more to go in!

I've also been working on getting my website set up - see it here.

Been looking at things to do in London next week, annoyingly the London Eye is closed for maintenance.

Must keep packing! Will start to use this properly when we get away.