I felt it was incumbent on me not to sleep through our dramatic sunrise arrival at Sydney, through the Sydney Heads, where we would anchor within an approximately 15 minute transfer to the Opera House side of Circular Quay.  I awoke at 05.50 hrs and, unable to get back to sleep, slipped on some shorts and a t-shirt.  Yes, it was an effort, but that effort was well worth it.

I was due to meet friends from a previous voyage at around lunchtime, as well as a couple on the current voyage.  We would walk on a well thought out circular route, which took in sights and views I almost certainly otherwise would not have seen, including Darling Harbour.   I continue to like Sydney and am happy to be extending my stay here by a further two nights.  We were taken to lunch, outside where a magnificent sun belted out its heat remorselessly.  There seems to be a vibrancy in many of the places visited on this voyage, perhaps in the U.K. cities also, whose skylines seem to change daily. However, I don’t think it snows much in Abu Dhabi!

Right now (around 20.56 hrs), I am relaxing in the Kings Court Buffet.  Tomorrow night, I shall be in a hotel, having to do many more things for myself.  However, a break from ship routine will be welcome, as I make my way first, from Sydney to Melbourne by train, then to Adelaide, and finally, flying to Perth, where, after catching the train to Fremantle, I shall (hopefully) rejoin the ship. 

Completed the following morning.

Much of what I saw today is probably no older than five years old, built on former abandoned dockside. 

All too soon, the convivial meet-up was drawing rapidly to an end, as three of us boarded the tender back to the ship after our various goodbyes and hopes that we would get together in the future.

This morning, Sunday 12th March, I had a “last breakfast” at around 9.15 in the Britannia Restaurant. Apart from two plain small pancakes, I had my usual diabetic and diet friendly breakfast of porridge, sliced banana, hot milk, fruit salad, and three coffees.  I was fast asleep when, at 7am, I was awakened by the ship-wide broadcast regarding Australia’s bio-security regulations, which, as far as I can make out, are just the same as previously, but emphasised more frequently, and at every port of call, as well as on the stateroom T.V., channel 23!  I am glad to be not leaving the mainland for the next nine days. 

I vacated the ship shortly after 11.00 hrs and took a taxi to the Rydges Central Hotel, my “home” for the next two nights.  I suppose I could return to the ship if I really needed to.  My cabin remains paid for, and most of my possessions remain there.  It took me an hour or slightly longer to settle into my second floor room with a tiny balcony from where one can admire the “view.” I wrote a little more of this blog before eventually venturing out to get my bearings. Central Station is (for me with luggage) a ten minute walk. and I shall need to have my train times confirmed tomorrow.

I shall continue writing later today.  Many thanks for reading, David, 14.01 hrs in the Station Buffet at Central Station, Sydney, Sunday, 12/3/23.

Published 13th March 2023 Sorry for the delay!

O