Sydney, Monday

We had room service breakfast again today and I had a lovely bowl of fresh fruit salad with yogurt.

After packing and checking out we left our cases at the apartment and headed down to the tower again to see if Oz Trek was working but we had to wait until 10.30 for it so we took a walk around Hyde Park and went into the cathedral. We went back for the ride and it was OK but not Disney standards.

We then went back to our apartments to wait for the shuttle bus to the airport. When it came it took us all around Sydney picking people up and Jon and I were getting really stressed as it was getting late but we made it to the airport on time and went to check in.

The Qantas girl asked to see our tickets out of NZ and we told her we were living there and had to then show our visas. she then asked for Heather's ticket which of course we didn't have but she accepted Heather's visitor's visa in her passport and told us to go to Air New Zealand and get a printout of her ticket or they might not let her back in the country again. We got a copy of the ticket with no problem and it was just as well as we did need it at Auckland.

We had a quick bite to eat and then our flight was called. It was a lovely clear day so I thought we would have a good flight but how wrong was I. It was really, really bumpy and I did not like it at all. Jon and Heather had the meal on the flight, which was much better than the outward flight but I couldn't eat. It was so bumpy they would not serve tea or coffee.

We had a good landing and it felt really good to be back in N Z. After the hustle and noise and all the rushing about of Sydney Auckland was a lovely change and it smelt clean.

The drive home seemed very long in the dark as you can't see where you are but we made it safe and sound by about midnight.

The house was freezing cold when we got in and I was glad to get into bed.

Australia was very nice and I would like to visit again but I think NZ is much nicer and the people are so much friendlier here and have time for you but that could have just been Sydney.