If one is on the water it should be consider Sea Mail...hence the new topic.
Monday in Sydney…I do wish I had the descriptive powers of Diane or Andi but I don’t. Met Lee yesterday morning in the hotel lobby and off we went on a whirlwind tour of many parts of the city. I let her pick the itinerary. First stop was the end of the hotel’s drive to give me my 1st peek of the Harbor Bridge. Naturally it was a Kodak moment, but so would the view in any direction of all the people milling about. It was gorgeous weather and I felt like the entire city had come out to this plaza to greet me. (Those of you who have met me know I tend to talk to anyone. I got the feeling this isn’t done down here). Next was a purchase for the Manley Ferry and off we went. Kodak moments in every direction - Opera House, full view of the Harbor Bridge etc. Naturally I wanted all photos to be just me with each landmark but everyone else on our little deck had the same idea. Several pictures later, some with the landmarks, some with strangers I set down to enjoy the trip to Manley and its Beach. Lee had to sit across from me while my seat mate enjoyed his ride while “sleeping one off.” I assured her people do this in all cities of the world and not to worry. So she continued her commentary while I enjoyed every bit of the city. We even passed the area where the Navigator will sail out to sea when we start the cruising part of our adventure. Arrived in Manley and walked down to the beach. Reminded me a lot of Santa Monica, just different stores. Found a lovely bench with a full view of the water, sunbathers and tourists. Lee goes off while I take in all the atmosphere of people and views and soon she returns with a wonderful fish and chips lunch. Of course, the birds soon recognize what we were doing so we had a lot of company for lunch. I had enjoyed watching these birds with the other picnickers, but it’s not as enjoyable when it is your food they are after. And yes, I had a bird take half my potato scallop right out of my hand. Lee has a picture of me with said bird. Unfortunately he is in the hover position or the actual snatch and grab would have been recorded for all time. (I do hope I can remember how to get these photos onto my computer today. I do know how to post if I can get them over here.) After lunch we took the ferry back across the harbor, rode the bus over to a shopping area for my necessary purchases and did a small amount of walking, mainly through The Victoria Building. It must have been an office building years ago but is now full of high end shops with a 3-4 story Xmas tree already set up in the hallway. Impossible to get a photo of it…but believe me it was gorgeous. Took the bus back to the hotel and rested in the bar lounge area of the hotel until Lee’s husband picked us up for “tea.” I had just made the comment to her that no one in Sydney seems to drive red or blue cars, when into the hotel drive comes this fire engine red car. Well, guess who the driver was……..Lee’s husband. So in we climb and off we go to The Rocks area. Ended up having “tea” in Australia’s oldest hotel, The Lord Nelson. By then, tea consisted of a small toddy and our second meal of fish and chips. It was wonderful and the atmosphere of this old building even better. My perfect hostess and her beloved returned me to the hotel, tired but having had the most marvelous day. One……never to be forgotten.
And to top it off, the luggage arrived. All of this probably doesn’t sound like much, but I thought it was perfect. I hope someday to be able to return the favor to Lee, but I doubt that Houston can ever equal, much less top the day. I now plan to rest until I hear from Beth and Crystal. Have no idea what is planned for this day.