Days 1 and 2 of 10 ( 9 nights)

Day 61 of 102 of the whole journey.

Again, I am writing this a day late and begin this entry, having arrived by taxi from the Harbour to the Rydges Central Hotel, thankfully so close to the station, I will not need a taxi tomorrow, unless I oversleep spectacularly!  The view from my room is uninspiring, but the room itself is extremely comfortable. 

Having settled into my hotel and taken my time to become used to my new surroundings, there was still a full afternoon and evening to explore at will. “Should I, I thought to myself, watch Queen Mary 2 set sail for Melbourne?  without me on it?!   Making my way back to Circular Quay was unbelievably simple.  Entrance and exits to/from trains, ferries, buses, and trams is by credit card, which I now believe is the case in London.  The important thing is to remember to check out! I’m not sure what would happen if one forgets to tap out. I hope I don’t find out! 

I tried my card on a ferry to Olympic Park, approximately an hour in each direction.  The ferries run like trains or buses with numerous stops.  I could spend a good two weeks here becoming acquainted with this vibrant and noisy city, where I still find people incredibly friendly, courteous, and helpful.

I didn’t stay long in Olympic Park; I was keen to be back nearer to “home.”    I would discover later that the trains go out there as well and that returning later on would have not been a problem. 

Annoyingly, my phone battery was draining fast and I needed to return to the hotel to at least partially recharge my battery.  I would then return to Circular Quay to wait as my home for the last 60 days disappeared slowly before my very eyes!

Again, my battery was draining fast.  The memory of the magnificent spectacle of QM2 slipping her moorings and turning to her intended direction of travel will have to remain just that, an incredible memory already worth the cost of my “overland” to Fremantle!   Below are several images of Queen Mary 2 on its only call at Sydney this year, as well as a couple of other scenes, including the world-famous Opera House.

After my battery ran out for a second time, just as QM2 was edging away from the quayside with tug assistance, the vessel came up close to where I was watching, just past the Opera House.  Sailing all the way from Southampton was a rare privilege.  To see this vessel so very close as it positioned itself and to wave to those on board was, for me, unique.  At the time, I got talking to Greg, Scott, and Jennie, who, having watched as Ovation of the Seas, departed the day before, returned to their same spot to witness QM2 depart last night. It was thanks to them that I do have pictures of Queen Mary 2 well on its way out of Sydney.  I must send them not only my blog address but also some pictures from on board, later on.

I returned to my hotel with nothing to record my steps challenge for that part of the evening.  No problem!  I would retrace my walk from the Opera before continuing my exploration of Sydney.

This morning, after breakfast in my hotel, I had the bright idea of obtaining my rail ticket for tomorrow. This saves having to report at least 60 minutes before train departure.  I woke up unnaturally early this morning and am thus a little heavy-eyed.  Excuse enough to enjoy an iced coffee, then a cheese toastie, and finally a decaff latte.  This provided an opportunity to catch up on my blog writings.  But now, it’s time to move on and see how the afternoon materialises. 

P&0’s Pacific Adventure is in port today.  If I choose to watch this ship depart later tonight, I shall make sure my battery is charged up.

Many thanks for reading. David, City Extra, Circular Quay, Sydney N.S.W.  13.27 hrs.