Sydney

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Sydney at last!

Well I've dropped the day numbers now, because I've lost count, and I'm sure I've missed some, but I reckon we've been away now about 57 days. I wonder what Captain Cook felt like, scratching away with his quill pen while trying to steer a sailing ship through the rough seas. At least he didn't have to pay these extortionate internet charges.

So, Thursday, 29 January, (shouldn't this be a golf day?) the alarm was set for 4.45 a.m. to allow us to be on deck as we arrived in the famous Sydney harbour. The Diamond Princess crept in silently, as though trying not to wake the sleeping city. It was well worth the early wake-up; as we slipped into our berth in Circular Quay, between the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, I felt as if I had been there before.
The happiness at our arrival in a city we had always wanted to visit was tinged with some sadness as we knew it was the end of our voyage, the end of being waited on hand and foot (yes I know Phyl gets that at home), the end of the free food all prepared for us, the end of some interesting friendships. After numerous photographs, we had breakfast, then said our goodbyes and left the ship, to start our next adventure, exploring Sydney. At least it was the end of US dollars for the time being. Aussie dollars are a bit more friendly.

We jumped in a cab and asked for the Holiday Inn. The driver said "Oh, you mean the one at the bottom of these steps?" We turned to our right and saw the top of our hotel, about 50 yards away, on the street below. Well, the luggage was all loaded in the boot by then, so after the shortest taxi ride in history we were safely installed in our hotel, from where we were able to hang out of our window and watch the rest of the passengers getting off (sorry, disembarking!)

We were quite shattered after our early start, and should probably have grabbed some sleep but our excitement got the better of us and we set off and made a beeline for the Opera House for yet more photos. While we were there the temptation proved too great, and I found myself in the Box Office booking tickets for Madame Butterfly, the same night. Well we were only going to be in Sydney for four nights, and though it's not our normal style to rush round like a crazed tourist, we thought we'd grab the opportunity to see an opera both of us had wanted to see.

So after a quick trip round the Botanical Gardens on a train (no trespassing in Government buildings this time), a look at a Koolibar Tree, some grub (sorry, tucker) in a good pub near the hotel, some more tennis on the telly, we were back at the Opera House, washed and scrubbed up ready for the evening performance. A fabulous performance, really moving, even the interval was exciting, watching scores of Flying Foxes swooping down amidst the gathering dusk. I wonder if they knew when they scheduled Madame Butterfly, set in Nagasaki, that the Diamond Princess, built in Nagasaki, would be leaving the port during the performance. We came out of the theatre to se the empty space were our ship had been. A fitting end to a long but perfect day.

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Comments

[Linda Ott]

Don' worry about the cost of the internet John, (you can afford it) we'll have a collection for you and Phyl when you get back - just keep the bloggs coming they make entertaining reading!!!! Look forward meeting up for lunch when you get back.