Sydney!!!

So the day/night before we left for Sydney we were treated to a lovely day out at a Hot Springs in the city. We were expecting natural hot springs amongst a forest! We were instead taken to a 5 star facility that is built around the hot springs using the water for baths.We were treated to it by Eddie and his lovely girlfriend and her on came along too (an absolute cutie) two of their friends joined us too. So we lazed from one hot bath to the next and then we were brought in for a buffet lunch. Lovely relaxing way to end our time in China....we thought!

After wed finished up they took us for a traditional 'Beef Hot pot' which I thought was like an English hot pie but its actually a table with a hob that you place a pot of boiling water on and order what you like to put in, for Chinese this includes all sorts of parts of the Cow including tongue, stomach and god knows what else. They also threw in some spuds and veg too which was comforting! The server takes the fresh meat cut so finely and dips it into the boiling water and within seconds its on your plate! So delicious!

But the fun wasn't over Eddy explained how we had to experience 'KTV' before we left. Unsure whether to go he assured us 'We'll aim to leave at 11pm but will be definetly be home by 12. Naively we believed him!

So KTV is a huge building full of private rooms for Karaoke parties its huge here there are all sorts including ones where they offer ladies to join you, they bring in a line of girls known as 'Ducks' and you chose which one you fancy! We were luckily not brought to this type!

We were shown to our room, as soon as we walked in we were buzzing, colourful rooms with mics, stage, tv, ipad for choosing your songs, lights, colourful seats and spirits were lifted higher by the trolley that entered with boxes of corona!

Wasn't long till everyone was up singing and dancing. Eddy then entered a drinking competiton which was being hosted downstairs which he quite rightly won and the prize was more beer!! Sure it was id say about 4 by the time we got home, up in 2 and a half hours! We fell on to the sofas into a deep sleep!

I woke up feeling a bit crap and realised that it was bright! I panicked jumped up, both phones were dead so checked the laptop and it was 6.50, I screamed at Daniel to get up and god knows how but we made it to the airport in time and not leaving anything behind! We were both so worse for wear!

So it was so lovely when we arrived to Sydney to be greeted by John.

We were staying with friends of Daniels, their daughter Julia had stayed with them when she was training in DCU a couple of years ago! She ranked 1st in tennis for Ireland! They are such a interesting family and while we stayed with them we learnt so much! John is from the 'Lost Generation' which is a group of aboriginal kids that were taken form their homes to be integrated into society as they were trying to destroy the culture! He was in a kids home for 8 years before he met his mother again. Him and his family have dedicated their life to protecting the Aboriginal cultures and traditions and have set up a scholarship programme for kids to go to school in Sydney. They do such amazing work.

As we arrived back to their beautiful home just 10 minutes outside of the city John gave us the tour and introduced us to his wife Ros' book she has written about Johns story. I started to read it, sitting there in their house reading this incredible story it as quite surreal and felt quite lucky to be sharing such incredible company!

We then took a stroll around their neighbourhood and found a lovely park called 'Tunks Park' we found a similarity with it to Drumcondra which was comforting!

When we arrived back we were greeted by Ros and Julia and enjoyed a lovely Spag Bol dinner with them.

Ros surprised us with a trip to see 'Calamity Jane' production in a small theatre in Kings Cross (the hip happening area of Sydney) for the following night with her son Tim.

The next day we couldn't get into the city quick enough. We strolled around for hours getting lost but taking it all in, we visited Darling Harbour and saw the spectacular Sydney Opera house! So impressive, and right beside they have beautiful gardens to walk around.

The show that night was incredible. We weren't too sure what to expect but we were blown away. It was such a feel good show and we didn't want it to end! We went for some amazing Fried Chicken too, Tims favourite, aw it was melt in the mouth type stuff! Such a lovely evening and a lovely angle to see the city - through the arts!! (how pretentious, love it ha!)

The next day we had to revisit Kings cross for its Chicken it! We also took the turbulent ferry over to Manly Beach, it was raining but still beautiful!

We enjoyed a beautiful Lamb Roast dinner - hadn't had a dinner like that since weve been away!

John offered to take us on a bit of a sightseeing tour the next day which was very kind. He took us to the Northern Beaches of Sydney where they like to go when the sun is out and he then took us all the way to Palm Beach which is where they shoot Home and Away, the weather still wasn't great so they weren't shooting but was still star struck at seeing it!

As it was Paddys Day myself and Daniel made our way to Surry Hills to an Irish Pub called 'Wild Rover' for a cupla Guinness.

We also walked the route from Coogee to Bondi. Took the bus fromt he city out to Coogee and walked back along the coast towards Bondi Beach. The sun was out so it was a thoroughly enjoyable walk. Dotted with coves all along the way and the graveyard that overlooks the sea.

Bondi was a lot nicer than I expected! It wasn't so busy and everyone was out surfing, being active! Lovely restaurants and shops, really nice vibe to it! Im sure its a different story in the height of summer or on Paddys day!!!

Julia made a beautiful dinner, she really went all out, even driving out to get the right flour and appliances to make her own corn tortillas and churros! Massive respect! We had such a laugh preparing it and it all turned out sooo gooood!!! The churros were incredible, dipped in cinnamon sugar and melted chocolate! #druel

We visited a new development with Julia along the waterfront called the 'Barangaroo' its quite like the Grand Canal Dock area but a lot prettier!!

Visited 'The Rocks' which is the oldest part of the city!

Had a lovely lunch of Sushi with Julia!

On the Monday John offered again very kindly to take us to the Blue Mountains its also the area where his home was a child and so he wanted to show us it. It was incredible as he drove up to where it used to be (its now been torn down only the church remains) as he recounted his memories so vividly and told us stories about the boys there and what they used to get up to. Fascinating stuff!

We visited some beautiful towns tucked up in amongst the mountains on the way and took in the panoramic view of the Three Sisters and surrounding forests. Beautiful day and we could have listened to John all day. He told us a lot about the traditions of the Aboriginal people! Real insightful and inspiring! You want to share these stories, I however could not do them justice!

We made dinner as a thank you to them all! Our favourite. Lasange and wedges and Apple Crumble and (lumpy) custard!!

Our time in Sydney was so short and we would have loved to have stayed longer or see more of Australia in general! They had us dying to visit Tasmania, Whit Sundays, Northern Territory etc. but time is limited and New Zealand is next on the list! We may make it back this way who knows!

Lunar Park