As of Feb 12th, I had been travelling around the globe for a year. Pretty scary thought, not been home or seen my family, there has been times when Ive though, what am I doing and why am I doing this, and felt like going home, but just keep going, and I will be for the next few months, having so much fun, never want this trip to end.

Well Im still on OZ, not for long, heading to New Zealand on March 4th, dont really want to leave OZ, after 11 months, its become a new home, but definitely plan to return.

Moved in to another new flat, as we had problems with the last one, this one is really nice just behind Darling Harbour. Still have a great view and all the facilities, is a bit pricey though, but couldnt be bothered with the hassle of searching for a place, just took the first decent thing I found. Still working, finish on Friday, which I'm looking forward to.

Headed to the Blue Mountains, at the end of January with my friend Ally spent 3 days there, over the Holiday weekend, went on some bush walks, saw a funnel webs nest and a brown snake - no one got bit. Also these birds that are only spotted in the Blue Mountains 3 times a year got really good pic. Also went to the Jenolan Caves, these world heritage listed Limestone caves, pretty impressive, they have a part in it called the Cathedral, where the acoustics are really good, few opera singers and choirs have sung in there, so I just had to give my lungs a workout. We stayed in the YHA in Katoomba, was all right - just another hostel.

Saw the sunset at the 3 sisters, well on the second night, as someone, fell asleep and completely missed it. Went to check out the notorious nightlife in Katoomba. The Katoomba RSL what a place, might have the cheapest beer in town, but was full, of emm, real people, almost headed straight back to Sydney. Also went to a few other bars, pretty annoyed that they closed at 11, only place that stayed open, charged about $5 a drink. Also went to the Kangaroo place, Ally wanted a pic so he tries to get close to one, hes about 2 feet a way, I get him and the kangaroo in the pic. My turn I edge close to the kangaroo, closer, closer, right beside it with my hand it, it sniffs it, as he goes to take the pic it hops away, I was so gutted. Got a pic with a dead one sniffing my hand in a museum the next day. Bit of interesting Trivia for you, did you know that when a Koala is born it is the size of a BEE!

What else have I been up to, had a very interesting night out in Manly, no buses back to the city, so 4 of us fell asleep at the bus stop, before been woken by someone, then having to pay loads for a taxi.

Its my 22nd birthday on Wednesday, after last year horrendous fiasco in Bangkok (no beer on my 21st), I've planned ahead, had a rooftop BBQ yesterday at my place, with 10 people. We had kangaroo steaks, really nice, also we got too much beer; we were on the roof for about 8 hours and didnt finish it. I still have 30 tooheys new and 2 litres on wine left. Although we did go to the pub about midnight last night for beer, not sure why. Wednesday will just get completely drunk, in the city. Sat night we are going to the greyhound racing, should be a god laugh; see how much I can win.

Final Loop of OZ

Hello people, well Im supposed to be in NZ, just now, but after pleading with the woman at STA, and half the worlds airlines, I managed to stay in OZ a little longer.

Yeah so last time I wrote it was coming up to m birthday. Well I was 22, on Feb 26th, old eh! I hear it was pretty good, don't remember a thing; bad experience with double JD's drinking them like water and Black Sambuka. Was completely spaced out at Circular Quay, although somehow managed to persuade everyone to go to the club Home, only place I ended up was home. Passed out on my bed, next thing remember was walking up at 6.40, panicking cause, id be late for work. Sat on the sofa for about 30 mins completely spaced out. Passed out and turned up for work 3 hours late, the wed night was supposed to be quiet, sat was supposed to be the big night. On the Saturday went to Bondi beach for the last time, will miss it. In the evening went to Greyhound racing, although some people (u know who u are) went to Mardi Gras instead. Dogs were pretty good, not one of us won anything though. Was a really good laugh and got completely pissed (again). In the city and spent about 2 hrs looking for a bar.

Last night in Sydney was pretty good went for drinks after work and met up with few friends in the city. Was a bit depressing saying goodbye to them all, been like a mini 'family' for the last 5 months - will see you all soon though.

Left Sydney and headed down to Canberra on the OZ experience with my mate Ally. Stopped off at a few places of interest on the way. First was Botany Bay - Captain Cook's first landing spot. Then stopped off at Huksison saw about 12 dolphins playing around in the sea, was pretty close, was going to swim out to the, but couldn't be assed. Also passed the Snowy Mountains didnt see any snow though. Stopped in Canberra, saw the Parliament building, Capital Hill, etc. We wanted to spend a few days there, called OZ exp. was only 1 space on the next bus out, so as I had to move pretty fast, Ally stayed I caught the bus the next morn. Canberra nightlife is pretty sh*t, managed to get a few beers though.

Next place we headed to was Gelatipity, stopped off at the Cann River for lunch, saw loads of Pelicans, flying around. We spent the night on a farm - Karronda Park. Pretty good. 16 of us in this log cabin. Cost $40 for the package, which was accommodation, the climbing wall (hilarious) a 4 course dinner (far too much food) and 3-course breakfast. After dinner and a quite a few beers, we went spotlighting. About 20 of us in the back of this van, which has a cage over it - felt like a slave. It zooms around the countryside, over all theses bumps, trying to hold on with one hand and a bottle of wine in the other. Saw a few kangaroos. HIT IT, was my response when we saw them. Back at the cabin, sat up till about 4am, drinking, playing cards. Next morning we had to leave at 8am. First stop we went for some wine tasting, although feeling horrendous, I couldn't spoil the party. There were 11 wines to taste. Some people were just taking a sip and throwing it away. A few others and me downed the lot, and bought a bottle for the journey to Melbourne.

Was going to go straight to Melbourne, but as the Grand Prix was the next day, accommodation was very pricey. I stopped off at Philip Island. Place seemed a bit backwards to me (well all of OZ is). Had to stay in a tent, interesting experience, was sharing with a few Canadians, pretty good laugh. The thing Philip Island is famous for is a nob. Yeah the nobbies, these rocks and Seal Island, and the Penguins. At sunset I saw about 5000 little penguins coming out of the sea, running up the sand and hills to their nests, was an interesting experience.

Left Philip Island as it was boring me. Headed to Melbourne, at first didnt like it, reminded me of Glasgow/Bangkok. But explored the city a bit more, seemed really nice. Went to some concert in the park. Went to St Kilda to meet Ronald and Julia who I shared a house with in Sydney. They said take the tram, its quick only 20 mins. I walk 2 hours later I get there. Went to the pub where the neighbours night was, didnt see the 'stars' as they where in a different room, but the did serve Tenants though. Next day headed along the Great Ocean Road, was great cruising along there in a red convertible, with this blonde, listening to the beach boys, (actually I was in a bus). Stopped off at all the interesting places. Bells Beach from the film Point Break, 12 Apostles, London Bridge. Did a rain forest walk spotted a few koalas.

Flew up to Cairns on the 13th. Was nice been back there, but it was in the wet season, was pissing down, a cyclone was about to hit, and there was an outbreak of Dengue Fever, nice! Headed to the bus station, stuck my bag in a locker, drowned myself in mozzie spray, and headed to the rainforest. Took the sky rail up to Karanda. Was chatting to this English couple, who were on their dream holiday - minus cyclone. Karunda was a bit boring, just faffed around the markets, and got a pic with a Koala, awww. Took the scenic train back to Cairns, didnt see anything scenic as I fell asleep. Back in Cairns had some food at the world famous Woolshed, and got pissed. Headed to the bus station, got the 1am bus to Airlie Beach.

10 hours later arrived in Airlie Beach, headed to the Backpackers by the Bay hostel. Without a doubt best hostel Ive stayed, anyone going to Airlie stay there. Had a few beers at the hostel bar, was this nutter from Thailand doing a fire show. Then he had this dream machine, few people went on. I had a go; he said I was really into it. You sit there, put these glasses on, close your eyes the glasses have these flashing lights, you see all this stuff through you're eyelids. Feels like you are asleep, but you hear and aware of everything around you - hard to explain.

Next day did a cruise of the Whitsunday Islands. First stop was Hook Island, did some snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef. They recommend wearing stinger suits. Everyone else did, I thought id save $7 and risk it. Although in the ocean any time anything touched me I crapped it. Also went to the under water observatory - crap. Next stop was lunch, really nice seafood. Next stop was Whithaven Beach, probably one of the best Ive seen. After that was off to Long Island, just sat on the beach drinking some bizarre cocktails. Then fed these parakeets things. About 6 of them on my arms and head. Headed back to Airlie, on the boat the crew said my fav words "free wine" not many people drank, so I sat up the back with these Ozzies and the crew drinking it.

Back in Airlie, got pissed at the bar, and went for a few beers afterward with Dean and some other guy. Just sitting it the bar realised it was 10.20pm, had to say bye, run back 10 mins to the hostel, and run to the bus station with half my body weight attached to my bag, did make the bus thou. Driver wouldnt let me watch the movie, after pleading with him, still no. Walking back to my seat this guy at the back is like here mate. I walk up, he had one of those portable DVD's with screen, Im like WTF, anyway, sat there watching minority report and signs, and drinking my JD.

Arrived in Hervey Bay - Crap. Did do dome horse riding whish was good. Went to Fraser Island, which was also crap, so no point describing it.

If you haven't fallen asleep yet, my next stop was Byron Bay, very hippy place. Went Hand gliding off Cape Byron, was amazing, I hear quite a few swear words emerged from me. Walked up to the lighthouse, saw loads of bottlenose dolphins. Stood on Australia's most easterly point, saw the full moon rise, b4 anyone else in OZ. Went downhill mountain biking, really good, pretty muddy though, but did swim under some water falls. Last night in Byron sat on the beach drinking, and then there was a massive thunderstorm, completely pissing it down. As we were a bit pissed we didnt run for cover instead, went swimming in the sea.

Next stop was Brisbane, stayed in Tinbillys, pretty good. Meals where amazing, got discounts on food and beer in the bar below if you stayed in the hostel, so had a pretty cheap night last night.

Flew back to Sydney this morning, although, went to the Domestic instead of the International terminal, just made the flight before it closed. Arrived back in Sydney, checked into the YeeHA, booked my OZ and Fiji tours, really looking forward to doing those.

Went out this afternoon with friends from work, got really pissed, met up with Luci, Abbie and Rich in the city for a few beers.

Im out of Australia tomorrow (for real this time) going to Christchurch. Really going to miss OZ, been a great year here, dont want to leave