written January 9 – at sea - posted from a Starbucks in Melbourne January 10!
It turns out to cost an arm and a leg to get connected to the net on board this banana boat so I’m going to keep it short until I get ashore and can find an internet café. I’m currently cruising along at 17.5 kph on the Tasman Sea just in sight of the coast of Australia. Sydney was wonderful although the weather turned yesterday and our first night at sea was bumpy. Here’s an excerpt of what I wrote to Manley:

This is a marvelous city with lots to see and the amazing thing is it seems to be all focused around the harbor. They have commuter ferries that you can get on for about $3.00 and the views are incredible. Our first day we walked from our hotel to the Opera House and it was great. The second day was for Catherine’s expedition to the shopping district. They have a couple of “malls” – interior spaces filled with shops but right in the heart of the business district – sort of like the old Arcade in Providence…

…The third day was the best by far. We had arranged for a car and driver for the day and he picked us up at 9am and we went first to a Koala Sanctuary in the suburbs. It was so much fun. We got to pet a koala and look at lots of other interesting animals and birds and then we fed some kangaroos (see the pictures). One kangaroo got right up in my face – an experience I will never forget!!!

…From there we drove to Manly and took the Manly ferry back to Circular Quay where we reunited with our driver and headed further out to a place called Watson’s Bay – home of a famous seafood restaurant called Doyle’s where we had a memorable lunch – the prices were staggering but I’ve seldom enjoyed a meal more. Then we headed to Bondi (pronounced bond-eye) Beach which is deservedly world-famous. It was a very hot day and the beach was completely swarming with people – mostly looking pretty buff – we would have stayed to ogle but we thought John the driver might think it odd. Coming back John drove us through various parts of the city and I got a really good look at some of the local architecture which I’m fascinated by – lots of cast iron railings used as decoration especially in the area known as Paddington.

… Yesterday we checked out of the hotel and were taken on a long bus tour arranged by the cruise line. We got another look at Bondi Beach and some more views of the city and suburbs. Finally we got to the ship and were processed and deposited in our “suite” – it isn’t huge but we have a large balcony with deck chairs and a tub in the bathroom which is extra nice. We had a snack lunch in the Terrace Room and then got unpacked. Then… after short but refreshing naps we went off to the Grand Dining Room for a late dinner. We had a table beside a window which a direct view of the Opera House so we got to watch the lights come on and change as it got darker – pretty much beyond description.

On our last day in Sydney we took a ferry to the Aquarium early enough to beat the holiday crowds and got a glimpse of the cute platypuses and the dugong (which looks like a manatee to me). Catherine was very happy with all the creatures, I could have left after the platypi!

Back at the ship we had our first lifeboat drill. I kept humming “Nearer my God to Thee” which I found vaguely comforting, while thinking of Molly Brown. It was so cold and windy by the time we sailed that it was hard to enjoy our last look at Sydney harbor. But I just kept drinking it all in with my eyes.

I’m going to try uploading a few photos to my Google pictures album but it may not be possible over this onboard connection so stay tuned for more. And now on to Melbourne.

Quick addenda from Melbourne - our tour this morning went up into the "mountains" which gave us some great views. Also had another encounter with native wildlife - birds this time - which I again fed out of my hand! Think Tippy Hedron with cockatoos!! Will write more from Hobart day after tomorrow - loving this trip! MM