Well, it's almost seamail. We arrive in Sydney a week ahead of our expected embarkation on the Mariner next Monday the 19th. DH has a bad cold and I had two root canals last week, but still having a great time. Weather in Sydney is gorgeous...in the mid 70's and sunny. Apparently last week it was cold and rainy, so we lucked out. Should be this way until we get on board. Since we have been to Sydney before, we did some different things this time, such as ferry to Manly Beach, ferry to Taronga Zoo and Bondi Explorer bus to Watsons Bay and Bondi Beach. All were fantastic.Tomorrow we head to the Blue Mountains for a few days, then down the coast to Wollongong before coming back to the Park Hyatt on Sunday. We get on board on Monday and depart on Tuesday. Sorry we will miss Jim & Pat on this trip. Will try to keep up some seamail. Can't wait to get back on the Mariner. This will be our third time and our sixth cruise with Regent. Lucky us! Linda & Larry

Love hearing from you and hope you'll continue seamail! Wishing Larry a quick recovery from cold so you can enjoy the rest!

Looking forward to seeing your seamail!

Masaki

Keep the sun in the sky - we're spending a week in Sydney after we get off the ship. We look forward to the continuing sea mail from the Mariner.
Jim

oops! had to move it to S'pore to Sydney thread.

Greetings from Port Douglas! We too board Mariner on Monday, and are now in North Queensland after three glorious days in Sydney. I hope you had a chance to view the sculpture show along the beachwalk between Tamarama and Bondi Beaches, LRM! I am sorry to say it closes the 18th, just before you leave Mariner, Jim.

Two all day reef snorkel trips and a day in the rainforest before we leave the Sheraton Mirage and fly back to Sydney to board Mariner on the 19th.

Best to all of you, and looking forward to meeting you, LRM!

Are any of you getting off in Auckland going to have time to stop by the Sky City Hotel and meet some of us "LAMB'ERS" waiting to get on the ship?

Well, our ship has come in! Literally! Unlike the stalk that David had (great, btw), we were fortunate to have experienced it live. We first saw the Mariner just after six this morning from our Opera House View room at the Park Hyatt. What a great view and wonderful sight to see the Mariner (who compared to all the ferry boats we've seen come and go into Circular Quay is HUGE). She parked right next to the Overseas Passenger Terminal right next to our hotel and so convenient to everything around the harbor, such as Circular Quay (where all the ferry boats, trains and busses run out of), restaurants and of course the Opera House. Can't wait to board her this afternoon. We should have a great view of the Opera House (again) from our suite.

We came back to Sydney yesterday afternoon from our four day trek to the Blue Mountains (about two hours west of Sydney) and to Wollongong down the coast about two hours from Sydney. We are really excited about getting on the Mariner, this being our third cruise on her (having also been on the PG, the Diamond and the Voyager). I don't know if Jim & Pat saw us wave from the Hyatt (we were in our bathrobes sitting on our balcony). We wish them a wonderful week here in Sydney. Weather should be beautiful (with a chance of showers Wed evening). Will report later on after getting on the ship. Linda & Larry

Linda and Larry, I hope you will be able to report when you are on the ship, I would love to hear details of weather, etc. See you in a few weeks!

Linda & Larry,
Bon Voyage!!Thanks for your report. Your trip sounds terrific, so far. I look forward to your SeaMail! Hope you can continue the Mariner reports!

Sailaway from Sydney last evening was perfect. The weather was gorgeous, the drinks flowed, the Harbour Bridge and Opera House glowed and the band played on! What a beautiful sight. We did a half-day excursion yesterday afternoon to the Koala Park Sanctuary, which was nice. Lots of koalas and kangeroos and cockatoos, oh my! Had a wonderful meal on Monday night at La Veranda, which was "Australian Roadhouse". Lots of comfort food (meat loaf and chicken breast), which was nice after the exotic meals in Sydney. Last night we both had a wonderful Japanese Steak Stir-fry in CR. Very good. No shows or listening to music last night. Sorry to report that we don't play games or trivia, so this report won't be as exciting as past ones. We are at sea today as we head to Melbourne. The weather is overcast (first overcast day since we arrived in Sydney a week ago Monday). Linda will do a few treatments at the Spa and Larry will just relax. Formal night and Captain's reception this evening. Will report later. Linda & Larry

Linda and Larry, your Sydney sailaway would probably make me misty, it sounds perfect!

Sounds wonderful Linda and Larry! That is a memorable sail away!!! Love your sea mail - Joanna