We started our oz experience with getting a train from the airport straight into the postcard world of circular quay in sydney where were greeted by the harbour bridge, opera house, shimmering harbour and hordes of tourists doing much the same thing as us. We gave paul (elina’s bro) a call and he and julie came down to meet us and escort through the botanic gardens we were blown away by the exotic stuff on view: ibises, giant bats, freaky trees etc. Then off to the backpacker’s ghetto of King’s road where everyone called out the always-popular Paul’s name as we passed and “cheersed” him, hoisting there sacs of “goon” skyward. Shortly afterward we bumped into matthew who was on his way to meet us…