The build up to Christmas was a bit surreal for me this year. It spun me out to see inflatable snowmen, neon skiing Santas and plastic holly among the summer flowers and 40 degree heat. I suppose old habits and traditions die hard, but it seems incongruous - though endearing - to eat a roast dinner and hot pudding when it's baking outside. I'm told that people are increasingly opting for more Australian customs: in the stationery shop, there was a section marked "Australian cards" featuring koalas and surfers alongside the usual ones. A lot people have seafood barbecues on Christmas day and spend time on the beach or by the pool. Incidentally, there's apparently an effort to "Australianise" Easter as well, by having an Easter Bilby instead of Bunny, since rabbits are an introduced pest here.

It was my first Christmas away from my family - every year I've always gone to stay at my aunt and uncle's home in England, with my cousins, grandparents, parents and brother and sister. Last year, I flew from New York to London for three days and it was worth it because it's great to see everyone and have wonderful food and hear my Grandpa's interesting stories. I wondered whether it would be strange this year to be away, but with the different weather and time-zone and everything, it didn't seem too much like Christmas to me anyway.

I spent Christmas day with Erica and her husband Kev's family, north of Manly. Kev's parents, Ivy and John, are from Uganda originally, but are of Goan ancestry, so we had gorgeous Indian food as well as delicious salads and desserts. It was nice to meet everyone and see Derek's house, which was airy and modern, with an amazing view from the deck built into the hillside above the house. They're a very musical family, and I enjoyed hearing them sing and play guitars and drums.

Erica gave me a ride back to Bondi, where I was staying at Jen's house, and I went to a party at Shay and Kerryanne's place. There were loads of other backpackers and it was good to have a mince pie and vodka.

I left the house in Erko this morning and now have to find somewhere to stay for the night. I can't believe how much stuff I've managed to amass in five months and I'm going to leave a ton at the office and decide what to do with it when I return to Sydney in April. It's postponing the inevitable choice: chucking it, sending it home or carting it around with me. I love travelling, but I'm not entirely looking forward to living out of a manky old rucksack and living in shared dorms for months. I've lived a pretty charmed life for the past couple of months, staying in a great house by myself with all the mod cons like a dishwasher, washing machine, dryer and widescreen cable television. Still, ya gotta bite the bullet at some point, and I'm excited about seeing the country. Comfort and cleanliness are a small price to pay!