It took me ages to actually leave Sydney. I'd lived there for 5 1/2 months and had made friends, got to know the city and settled into a routine. I hadn't booked anything or made any plans for travelling - I didn't know where I'd go or even which direction I'd take - which made me feel a bit angsty as it was like I was stepping into the unknown. William generously let me and my mountains of stuff crash at his place and cooked me some lovely dinners while I got my act together.

I spent New Year's Eve with Shay and Kerryanne watching the 21.00 fireworks at the Botanical Gardens and then walking all the way to Rushcutters Bay clutching and swigging bottles of champagne, where we saw the midnight display. We got to see all the fireworks - off the bridge and both sides of the harbour - so it was a fantastic spot. We were a bit let down by the giant disco ball that had been strung up off the bridge and hyped as the big event. Still, it was a good night - spontaneous and cheap: who could ask for more?

I'd planned to get going on New Year's Day, but was a bit hungover and indecisive, so went to the cinema with William instead. Met up with Duncan that night and he asked me to the Australia - Pakistan test match at the SCG the next day. I'd never seen professional cricket live, so I was pretty excited to go along. We were sitting in Yabba's Hill, which is traditionally the beery rowdy area, and it didn't disappoint. I missed most of the wickets because I too busy goggling all the distractions: massive beer snakes, mexican waves, beach balls flying overhead, skolling, and some fights. Brilliant.