The lights in the cabin gently merge from one colour to the next. Through the small windows running down the sides of the plane, the sky is displayed in all its colourful brilliance, lit by the dawn of a new day.

It's getting brighter again in the cabin and people are beginning to stir. Soon we are served a continental breakfast and as I eat my croissant and drink my fresh orange juice, I ponder once again what lies ahread of us.

This is my third World Youth Day after Toronto in 2002 and Cologne in 2005. I chuckle a little bit to myself as I recall how chaotic it can be and yet I long to meet my host family for our days in the diocese - a precursor to the week's events where I remember so many highlights from previous trips.

I jump out of my seat before my breakfast tray is collected, hoping to avoid the queue for the toilet with people waiting to brush their teeth. I brush mine and have a quick wash; I am ready for action.

My lap belt buckled once again, I watch the sun reflecting on the water around Sydney's coastline. The onboard cameras chart our descent into Sydney Airport. Let the fun begin!

Our group move successfully through Australian customs and we group up outside to await our transfers. Most of the group have managed to get some sleep during the flight and all seem refreshed.

We travel on two coaches to Toronto where we are due to register. It is a town a few hours drive north of Sydney in the diocese of Maitland and Newcastle. One of the coaches takes a detour into Sydney City Centre to pick up our pilgrim packs which contain our passes and guides for the week's events. This allows us time for a quick tour of the city.

We are shown the Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. "It's much smaller than I imagined," Said Clare Sullivan, a leader within the group. "I feel like I can hold it in my hand."

The call is received that the packs are ready and the coach returns to the World Youth Day central distribution centre. The rucksacks are loaded onto the coach and we set off for Toronto.