As some of you may know, I've just returned from a weekend in Sydney - yes just popped across the water for a few days sunshine!

I had to enter Australia before a certain date or I would lose my working holiday visa so I got some cheap flights to Sydney (about 150 pounds return) and went to stay with a friend who I met at the start of my trip in LA. She is staying in Coogee Beach which is really beautiful - full of brits but thats cos so many of them don't get the chance to live at the beach back home.

I was only there for 3 days so had to pack a lot in. Saw the Harbour, bridge and Opera House obviously but it really is quite exciting seeing it for the first time, especially with the sunlight reflecting off the water. Planned to do quite a bit of shopping in Sydney but although the shops are mildly better than in NZ, there still wasnt a TopShop in sight! Walked the Coogee to Bondi Coastal walk which has some truly stunning views, you can see the ocean for miles. And the scenery at Bondi beach (i.e. surfers) was pretty stunning too. Went to Glebe Market - Paddington Market is more famous but also more expensive my friend says so went to this one instead which was excellent - fantastic market - got some great bargains here. Only wish they had something like that in Auckland. Went out of course - on Oxford Street and Kings Cross - and basically drank and ate far too much all weekend. But had a really great time and can't wait to go back to Sydney or Australia for that matter. It is very very different to Auckland - the nightlife is much better for a start and its a very bustling city. Although I haven't spent much time in London, Sydney reminded me very much of it. However, I was glad to get back to Auckland and felt like I was home again!

Very tired on way home as not much sleep all wekend at all. On my way to Sydney, I was getting picked up for the airport at 3am but didn't finish work till 9pm following evening so no point going to sleep - just went to the pub instead and got to the airport tired and tipsy! On way back, a friend from work picked me up at the airport and took me straight to work where I had to start my shift for that night. All worth it though and I have loads of duty free to keep me going now!