HOWIE
Sunday, November 19, 2000.

Hey guys! This is Howie checking in to keep you up to date on the ins and outs of the Backstreet Boys Black & Blue World Trek. We've just taken off from Sydney, Australia, where we received an amazing reception from the fans.

I couldn't believe it when we found a black and blue open-topped double decker bus waiting for us at the airport when we touched down. The last couple of times we come to Sydney we had to travel in mini vans so this was something else. It was like those sightseeing tour buses you get in London. The weather was perfect and sitting on the top deck was the perfect place to be cos even though it was humid we had a nice breeze to cool us down. The only bad thing was I lost my hat. I wasn't having too good a hair day so I was really pleased when we got presented with brand new Cougar hats and then I was pretty upset when it got swung off my head by a gust of wind. Ah well...

We drove through the city, chased by a convoy of fans, before pulling up at the North Bondi Surf Lifesaving Club on Bondi Beach. Well at least we were supposed to pull up outside but things didn't run so smoothly. First the bus ploughed straight through a wooden post and then it got grounded. You see we'd put Nick and Kevin at the back to give us more space so... I'm just kidding!

I wish I'd known we were heading onto the beach cos I'd have put on my sandals and shorts. I was wearing a jacket, sweatshirt, smart trousers and boots so I wasn't exactly dressed for the occasion. The surfboards they gave us made up for it mind you, but I could've done without the Speedos that came with'em. Maybe I'll give them to my brother.

The boat trip around Sydney harbour made the whole visit for us cos we don't often get the chance to have a laid back look at the sights. That was the first time we'd seen the Opera House from the water and it was the kind of break we really needed cos most of our stops have been go, go, go.

However the highlight of the day was our performance at Pitt St Mall. It was an overwhelming feeling. The police had blocked off the roads for us and something like 5000 fans were waiting for there. We werenít really sure what kind of response we were going to get cos we hadnít been to Sydney for over 5 years but we neednít have worried. The crowd was massive!

The only strange moment of the trip was when a fan threw a bra onto the stage where we were performing and AJ being AJ put it on. I donít know what was going on there! I told him if it didnít fit Iíd give it to my sister but it actually fitted fine so I think he kept it. I have to say, I havenít actually seen AJ in a bra before and I really donít care to ever again! Still, I'm sure we're going see some even more amazing sights during the remaining legs of our worldwide trip and you'll be the first to know about them.

That's all from me. I'm off to have a word with AJ about his clothes sense!

Bye,

Love Howie.