He just smilled and gave me a Vegemite sandwich!!

Gday!
It’s a big hello from Sydney. After a 90 minute delay in Christchurch, I got here at around 6pm (local time) last night. The hotel is very nice, and from my room I have a view of Circular Quay. A quick wash and change later, and it was off out. I had a wander round, and as time was pressing went for dinner at a 24 hour café place. The food was nothing special, and I was feeling a bit tired, so went back to the hotel for a quick rest. After a quick change of shoe I was back out and walked down George Street towards a pub called Three Wise Monkeys. To give you an idea of how far I walked my hotel is at 5 George Street, the pub is at 555 George Street. It took about half an hour, and I was more than ready for a drink after that. The pub is set over 3 floors, with the top floor having live music on. It was a good night, and I had more than enough beer. After this I started the long walk back, when I overheard some locals talking to what I now know to be an Austrian. We all got chatting, and they said why don’t we all go to Kings Cross to carry on the entertainment. Me and Bernard (that was his name) followed them in a taxi, and had a quick drink with them. Kings Cross is a real culture shock. Its loud, baudy and actually a bit intimidating if you don’t know what to expect. I ended up drinking with a German called Sebastian, and Tim who was from Devon. I started to feel a little light headed, so stopped drinking, and carried on chatting. I decided at 4.30am that it was probably bedtime, so joined the queue for a taxi. I got chatting to a couple of girls who lived about 3 hours out of Sydney, but were here for the weekend, so jumped in a cab with them. It was so surprising that everyone just introduces themselves and talks away as if you’ve known them all your life. It wouldn’t happen at home would it?
After my very late night, I was up surprisingly at 9.30 for breakfast, and after a read of my book, went out to Circular Quay. At one side of this you have the harbour bridge, and at the other is the opera house, so it was quite a sight to see two icons so close to you. I had a wander round, looking at the little shops, and watching the street theatre. The one guy, whose act was standing on the cross bar of a bike on top of a pole juggling knives was quite aggressive over people giving him some money at the end. I see his point - its his job, and how he makes a living.. However, he offers it to you, asking you to gather round, so should you be obliged to pay?? I think if he wasn’t so pushy, I would have given him something, but as he said “please, please, please give me some money”, I was determined not to. I suppose Im just heartless.
I decided to take a couple of ferry trips after all that excitement. I really wanted to go to the Olympic Park, and as there was a ferry leaving soon, I bought a Daytripper ticket so I could use as many services as I wanted to. The trip took about 45 minutes, and was very pleasant. At the other end, I had to get a bus, but as I needed the toilet, I missed it. After a walk of about 40 minutes I gave up. As it was still in the distance, and went back to the wharf to get another ferry so I could go to Darling Harbour, which I am told is also incredible. Just as we got back to Circular Quay so I could change ferries, the heavens opened up. Thunder, lightning and rivers of water through the streets. I hung around for a bit, but it didn’t stop (still hasn’t), so I came back to the hotel.
Its probably a good thing I did, because my right foot is in agony at the moment. I stubbed my big toe when I got up this morning and bent the nail right back, and then before I went out for the day, I was putting my socks on and ripped the skin under the nail, thinking nothing of it, although I did swear a little bit. When I got back to the hotel, I was limping and upon checking my shoe and peeling my sock away, noticing a rather alarming amount of blood!! So Ive cut the nail right down, and put a plaster on it. It feels better but it’s a little tender to say the least.
Quiet one tonight!! Ive got my bridge climb tomorrow afternoon, so need a clear head and to be in a reasonable condition. Lots more to do and see..
Speak soon
Matt