After a long journey to Sydney we stopped off at Bondi beach and walked around the coast watching the sunset. We then went onto the cafe near the sea and saw many Americans swapping gifts with them.

Finally we arrived at our hotel, after a little settling in we managed to have a good nights rest and ready to greet our first day in Sydney.

We woke early and had the opportunity to see Sydney on a harbour cruise where we met more Americans and Koreans. Afterwards we walked with hundreds of other people to the opening ceremony at Barangaroo near the river. We had lunch and then wandered around meeting new people. Of course the mass then began with an address by the President of Australia and moved onto the actual ceremony with the Archbishop of Australia. This was a moving experience for many of the pilgrims of Brentwood to see so many people sharing the same belief of Christianity. The homily focused on christians not sitting on the fence but commiting themselves to God. The mass then finished and there was a huge festival afterwards with dancing and congas around the area.

Today we had a catechesis lead by Americans and a speech by the Bishop of Western Australia. This again was an experience that he shared with us of his youth. This afternoon we were given the chance of free time to experience the many opportunities on offer at World youth day as I write there is a rock band outside darling harbour playing on the field.

We are looking forward to the Popes arrival tomorrow.