After a sleep that defies description we had a coffee, or two, a shower, a hearty breakfast and were ready to hit the city again!
We had a rough plan, that if we all felt up to it we would get a day pass and ride the 'Ferry System' to wild and exotic places! All sitting down to rest our weary lower limbs, still tired from yesterday's bridge climbing.
I checked with sister Moe to see if she was up to it but she had other plans. She still had a half day of yesterday's 24 hour transit pass to use and a big friendly interesting city to explore. I never did see her today, I hope she is on board.
The Cutler's and Robin's took off for Manley on the ferry, about a 30 minute ride up to beyond the entrance to Sydney Harbour.
The views as we pulled out were amazing. It seems that everybody here is a tourist, either from some other part of Australia, or somewhere else in the world. Colours, races and languages mix so that you have no idea where you may be in the world. Also, if I never take another picture of the Opera House or The Sydney Harbour Bridge it will be too soon.
In Manley, we did a bit of domestic shopping that never got done yesterday and actually sat and watched the world go by. The beach and water culture in Australia is amazing. Every young person looks like they just got out of their swim suit, has one on or is about to put one on.
After Ozzie-watching we started off again, grabbing a very light bite to eat: we were saving our stomachs for a bit of a treat later in the evening to celebrate our stay in Sydney.
On the ferry on the way back from Manley somebody in the group had an idea that would further utilize the day ticket. We would take the Ferry out to the end of the line and come back on a different Ferry and get off in Darling Harbour for our last meal ashore. After reading the fine print [too late, we were on the ferry] we found out that there was no such trip so we had a trip to the end of the line and then back to Sydney. [I was very happy, my bum was in a chair and my feet were off the floor!] We are not dismayed, so back to the Quay and get on the ferry that does go to Darling Harbour.
Gail wanted to get onto Skype to talk to her son to see how her brother is doing with his struggle in the hospital. Eventually we connected at an internet cafe and she had a very long and serious talk with son Greg.
Eventually we end up at Darling Harbour. This is literally the other side of Sydney, and much more vibrant and exciting than at the Rocks, where we were docked, although possibly a bit touristy and less historic. After looking at every menu along the waterfront, staggered by the high prices, hunger took over and we picked our spot. We declined the Seafood Platter for Two for $132.00. We had settled on a rather down-market arrangement where we were told to find a "table without cutlery and order at the bar". Our table number was chalked on the well-worn boards. #44.
The beer selection was absolutely wonderful and the food that followed was about as good as it gets.
A couple from the ship dropped by and chatted for a while, then they continued their quest for a place that had a good mussel dish on the menu. It is amazing how much food plays a part in our decadent life.
Fellette then took over as tour guide and walked us back to the ship in short order, about a 20 minute walk. We all eventually knew where we were and slowed down to savour our last few minutes in glorious Sydney.
Those ports that we have an 'overnight' in are a great break from the routine that is necessitated by constantly moving around the world. Somehow, a dinner off the ship seems to be a real treat. It is hard to describe.
Doug is taking a day off tomorrow, no regime at all. I am preparing for a full day in Melbourne two days from now with good friends Rod and Lyn, whom we met four years ago on a cruise and spent five weeks with just last October and November in Australia.
PS Moe is indeed on board, Fellette and her sat together at the movie. She finished her transit pass in the morning, came back to the ship, had lunch and took off again. It must be a safe city if Moe feels comfortable prowling on her own.
PPS Believe it or not I woke Fellette up at 11:20 last night as we pulled out of Sydney Harbour, and YES I took some more pictures of that darn Opera House, this time 200 meters off of our balcony, illuminated. [How could one NOT get out of bed for that?]
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