"Treasures of Cruising the World" with Bill & Mary Ann: Report # 41 Sydney, Australia February 10, 2016 Wednesday Sunny & 83 degrees Part #1 of 2 80 Pictures

Sent: Wednesday, February 10, 2016 11:26:31 AM
Subject: Report # 41 Sydney, Australia February 10, 2016 Wednesday Sunny & 83 degrees Part #1 of 2 80 Pictures

Report # 41 Sydney, Australia February 10, 2016 Wednesday Sunny & 83 degrees Part # 1 of 2 80 Pictures

We woke up to find the Amsterdam already through the headlands and into the Sydney Harbour very early this morning. The good thing was that today was going to be a beautiful sunny one, but the downside was that the ship was not docking in Circular Quay. Nope, another ship was there already, and we had to go to the White Bay Terminal instead. Bummer. Don't get us wrong, we are thrilled to be here in this fabulous city, but being docked so far away from downtown will cut into the actual time we really spend here.

The local Port Authority did provide complimentary shuttles that began running at 9am to 11:30pm. The first three buses filled up quickly, then took off into the early morning traffic jam. Then there was a wait, as the guests lined up. Local fellows handed out bus tickets, 28 at a time. By the time we walked to the line, we were given bus three tickets. That could be an hour at this rate. Thanks to a number of folks that did not wish to wait, and pay $10 each for a one way ferry ride to Circular Quay, we moved up to group two. Finally a bus came back, and we were able to get on bus one. By the way, there was no cutting in line, because without that ticket, you were turned away. A few did try, and were politely told to go back to the terminal and get a number.

The 30 minute ride took us over the modern Anzac Bridge, past the Fish Market, Darling Harbour, and eventually to The Rocks at Circular Quay. That is when we spotted the Dawn Princess tied up in "our spot". She is a 4 star vessel, built in 1997 and is 77,499 gross tons. Obviously, it is too big to fit under the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The ship holds from 1950 to 2250 passengers, and is described as a large cruise ship with warm decor for the mature-aged cruiser. It has been dedicated to sailing in this area for the Aussie crowd. We have sailed on this ship on their Mexican run out of San Francisco several years ago. We did a "dog" cruise on her. Really a trip with 35 dogs and their blind handlers. Interesting. Our fondest memory was that they had a pizzeria restaurant that was excellent.

Anyway, our plan for today was to make our way over to Darling Harbour. Every time we have come to Sydney, we took a free bus from Circular Quay to Paddy's Market. Well, that was gone, so we would be in for a good hike uphill. Walking to Pitt Street Mall was fine, even though it was crowded. Sydney is such a big city, reminding us a lot of San Francisco where we grew up. Only bigger and more people. Judging from the number of stores, it is a shopper's paradise. Impossible to see it all.

By the time we got to Market Street, we turned right, and found we were on track to the Pyrmont Bridge and the start of Darling Harbour. The cafes were full of morning folks eating breakfast and downing coffee. This harbor has 60 restaurants and 21 bars, as well as museums, theaters, and a children's playground. By the time we reached Cockle Bay at the end, we found much of the area was under construction. The entire outside of the Chinese Garden of Friendship was fenced off and torn up as they are enlarging it. This is a peaceful place with flowing waterfalls, exotic plants, and meandering flowing pathways. A new convention center is taking shape near here, and it should be completed by the end of this year.

We made it to Paddy's Market and Market City on the second and third floor of the complex. Old Paddy's Market is more like a flea market where they sell food, fashion, and fake designer labels. There are thousands of Aussie souvenirs to be found for cheap, cheap, cheap. Got lucky and found a needed swimsuit, and another singing bird in a cage. Battery-operated of course. It will be fun hanging it over the window garden.

We went to Market City, and walked through there for a while. One place we like to visit is the food side of Paddy's. There is a meat and fish section, as well as the freshest produce that can be found in Sydney. The place was full of local early morning shoppers. We did notice that the prices were high in comparison to shopping where we live.

Heading back to the harbor, we checked out the menus at every café along the way. As usual, we ended up at the Hard Rock Café in the Harbourside Shopping Center. On the way inside, we were stopped by a local who was giving tourists a shopping pass that gave discounts. It was good for 15% off at the Hard Rock. Would have been nice if it worked at the store, where we bought t-shirts, but it did qualify for a 10% discount for the café. Maybe we can save it for Hard Rock Singapore.

Sure was nice to find that their haystack chicken salad was back on the menu. Most all of the Hard Rocks have taken that popular salad off of their menus. Two ice cold beers really hit the spot, because it was hot outside today. An hour must have flown by, and we needed to continue on. Staying on this side of the water, we walked to the Maritime Museum and took lots of photos of the boats and ships in the harbor.

Crossing over the pedestrian Pyrmont Bridge, we were back where we had started. Still had lots to see and do. It's always a treat to make a pass through the Queen Victoria Building, a restored Romanesque-built structure. It was completed in 1898 as a monument to the reigning monarch, and has been revived today as a high-end mall. Great place for a high tea, or light lunch.

We made a mandatory stop at Woolworth's, a local supermarket with just about everything. We replenished some room snacks, and added two packages of Tim Tams, a favorite Aussie treat. Loaded up, we made our way through Pitt Street Mall, now even more crowded.

Back at Circular Quay, we bought a cup of ice cream, rum raisin, to share. Sitting at the end of the harbor across from the iconic Opera House, we relaxed while watching a local guitarist singing for change. The ferry traffic never ceases to amaze us, since this area is always hopping. Disappointed, we did not see a digeridoo player this time. Maybe tomorrow.

The shuttle was waiting at the corner, and we were the last to board. The shuttle passed by Barangaroo, the newest and hottest massive urban waterfront renewal. Eventually, three towers of apartments or condos will be built with 90 retailers and 60 more restaurants. They have already planted over 75,000 native trees and shrubs on this harborfront. Actually, this is where we alternately docked over the years. But those facilities are long gone.

Perfect timing, we got back to the ship by 4pm. Also the perfect time to download all of the photos of the day. And catch up on composing reports for the day. We wandered up to deck nine to get some sun before it went down. Since we have not been in the Crows Nest since the beginning of the cruise, we slipped in there for a minute. We ran right into Allan and Sandra (Alsas on CC). They were here for a short visit, but will be getting onboard in HK for the rest of the trip. Sure was nice to see them, even if it was a brief visit.

Dinnertime found all of us present. We thought perhaps Bonnie and Paul would have walked their legs off, but they pretty much did the same amount of walking as we did. We had pre-ordered the vegetarian egg rolls, and they were delicious. Even better, was the entrée of the rack of pork, a tender well-done grilled chop smothered with a most delicious BBQ sauce. Three of us got lucky and ordered it. Green jello was our choice of dessert, since all of the courses were good tonight.

Today ends the first segment. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 147 folks will be getting off of the ship tomorrow morning, and another group of about the same size will board. Among them are the big wigs from Seattle's HAL office, as well as the head of the Carnival Corporation. This will be the start of the Mariner Days, which will last until Cairns, when the group goes back. The total distance traveled on this cruise so far is 11,066 nautical miles or 12,726 statute miles. We have lots more to go……………..

Bill & Mary Ann

White Bay Cruise Terminal…..a long way from everywhere