Last days of week off, Sydney/Newcastle

After chilling in Byron bay for the first 4 days of my week off, i headed to Sydney for a few days. I was staying with my second cousin Jacqui, who lives in an apartment 10 minutes from the city centre. For the first night she was away in China so i had the apartment to myself, which was a change from living in a room with 10 people and having to sleep in a bunk bed.
When she got back the next day she showed me around and i spent the day being a tourist and wandering around sydney, going to the harbour bridge, the opera house and sky tower. We also checked out a couple of the many beaches and i went for my first swim in australia in 29 degree heat. It was amazing untill she reminded me about sharks when we were about 300 metres away from the shore.
That evening she showed me round some of the good touristy bars in Sydney the good thing about family is that i didn't have to buy a single drink! (Don't worry mum, i did offer to pay).
The next day was Jacquis works christmas party which was a bbq on on of the beaches. We went with her friend Lizzy who gave me a lift up to Newcastle where i'm staying now. But not before taking a detour to one of sydneys most famous beaches, Bondi beach. The christmas party was really good although it didn't feel christmassy at all and i have learnt that it is not a good idea to go swimming when you are full of free burgers and beer! However, i don't think i have learnt my lesson and will probably be doing the same again at one of the beaches in Newcastle.
Newcastle here is quite similar to the newcastle back home, by that i mean they drink about the same amount. I even found out that this is the only city in OZ where you can't by a shot of spirits because alcohol related violence used to be really high.
Apart from that though its a pretty cool place and the house i'm staying in now is by far the best house i've stayed in so far and we have the choice of 3 different beaches which are about 10 minutes walk away.