Friday We woke after a reasonable night's sleep and after quick showers we drove to the airport and checked in with no problems. Straight through to departures and we had some breakfast. I had a Danish pastry and Jon and Heather had ham and cheese croissants.
Our flight was called and we boarded and left on time. Last time we flew with Pacific Blue was on the flight from Oz to NZ after Thailand last year and it was a terrible flight but this one was fine and very smooth. However, the landing was quite different and we hit the runway with such force we bounced off again and everyone gasped. I think a bit more practice with his landings would not go amiss!!
We decided to take the train from the airport as it was rush hour so the traffic would be bad. It only takes 20 minutes and we were down in Circular Quay. From there it was a five minute walk to our hotel in The Rocks area.
It was only 9.00 by the time we got there so much too early to check in so after leaving our luggage we set off to have our second breakfast of the day. We stopped at a little street cafe in the Rocks and I had ANOTHER Danish pastry and coffee. It was very nice sitting out in the sun.
The Rocks is the lovely old part of Sydney with lots of narrow streets and passage ways with names like Nurses Walk, Surgeons Walk and Suez Canal to name a few. Lots of little shops selling gifts and souvenirs along with the boutiques and galleries. We have never stayed in this area before but we would go there again it was so different to Darling Harbour which is modern and built for the tourist industry.
We then went and caught the free bus to take us to Westfield which is the new shopping mall built around the base of the Sky Tower and was being built when Heather was here last and I wanted to show her how beautiful it is inside and she loved it. We stopped for a drink and went into lots of lovely shops with the Channel shop being Heather's favorite but she couldn't afford anything!
We then walked back to the hotel and checked into out room which was called a junior suite but in actual fact it was a double with a sitting area which had the bed in it for Heather but it was very nice.
It was then out for lunch to a Turkish bar just down the road and we watched the world go by as it was so busy.
Jon and Heather were booked on the 2.30 bridge climb and we went to check them in. They were able to go on an earlier one so I left them to go and get their kit on and I went walking around the base of the bridge and the gardens and took photos of it from every angle. I had been told the time they would be out on the bridge just before 3.00 (it takes an hour to get togs on and all the gear and have a safety talk) so I was watching for them and they did see me and I took photos of them but it was a long way up.
I saw two couples having photos taken all in their wedding outfits and one couple had arrived in a stretch Hummer. I had a few hours to fill so walked around and went to look in the bridge exhibition centre and saw a couple of films about the bridge. Amazingly only 16 men were killed while building it. and although that it a lot when you see how high they were working with no safety equipment it is amazing more were not killed.
I sat in the cafe and had a cup of tea and eventually they came back at 4.30 and after buying some souvenirs from the shop we rushed back to the room and had a quick change before we had to get out to see the lights being switched on at 6.00.
The lights were amazing. I have never seen anything like it in my life. The Opera House was spectacular and to think it is all done with lights. Every hour on the hour they had a Fire Dance display at Campbell's Cove just round the corner on Circular Quay with jets of fire jumping high in the air to music and it lasted four minutes and the heat was very welcome.
We then went to an Italian for dinner which was outside but very nice as we had nice gas heaters to keep us warm.
After dinner we walked around more of the 43 light displays but will have to leave the rest for tomorrow, we were so tired we just had to go to bed we had been up for 21 hours and that was more than enough.
Saturday We had a good night's sleep but were woken with what sounded like elephants coming through the ceiling. But it was time to get up anyway.
We had breakfast in the hotel dinning room which was fine. We then went out to get the ferry to the zoo. It was a nice morning but the sun kept going behind the clouds so a bit cool.
We had a good time at the zoo and noticed that they have done a lot of renovating and are still doing more so it is all looking pretty good. The elephants are the best I think. They have three babies there now and they have such a good time playing.
We got the ferry back and bought some nice mini cupcakes from one of the market stalls on the way back and had a cup of tea and a rest back in the room.
We were off out again just before 6.00 and walked around Circular Quay to the Opera House to get a closer view and also to see the displays around that side. We had to wait for a table for dinner as it was all so busy. We had a nice dinner - Italian again, there are lots of Italians in Oz.
We then set off on a marathon walk all around the displays. The Customs House is the best one and the display there was so clever. At one stage the light effect made the building look like it was actually breathing. They also make it look like it was on fire then filled with sand then water and then made it look really old and cracked before it all fell down - soooo clever.
Heather and I wanted to see them all but Jon had had enough by 10.30 so he went back to the hotel and Heather and I carried on till we had seen them all. We were very tired and must have walked miles but it was so worth it.
Back at the hotel we packed ready to leave on Sunday and then went to bed.
Sunday Well off we go again. Across to the station to get the train to the airport. We had to change trains due to work on the tracks but it is still faster than a taxi.
We checked in and the girl took ages checking our visas and fortunately Jon had a paper copy of Heather's visa or she would not have been allowed to fly!!! So strict UK take note!!!
We went for some breakfast and our flight was due to leave at 11.30 so it would be the only meal we got as Pacific Blue don't give meals as it is a budget airline. We boarded on time but then a passenger was taken ill and had to be off loaded and his luggage found and an ambulance came to take him away not sure what it was but we didn't take off for another 40 minutes so arrived late in Auckland. Although it is only a two hour time difference it makes such a difference. We had more or less lost all of Sunday and we hadn't done anything much! We had 51 hours in Oz!!
Fortunately, the flight and the landing was all good and we got through customs and immigration pretty fast and got the car and started off for home. We stopped on the way and shared a toasted sandwich and a cup of tea as I was so hungry.
We arrived home about 8.00 and picked up a pizza on the way. We were all looking forward to our beds. The house is very quiet without Tot though.
WEATHER
Friday Too dark in Auckland to know what the weather was like. Fine and clear in Sydney then clouded over but not cold.
Saturday Clear, sunny and warm to start then cloud and cooler later.
Sunday Back in Auckland cloudy 17 degrees
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