Sydney in the Rain

Coming into Sydney before 6 a.m. (Don's picture)

Don's picture

Off the ship by 9 a.m. back in Sydney, Sabbath morning, Feb. 8

The four of us headed on foot to our hotel in Woolloomooloo, a 35 min. walk we were told.  Our luggage went in an Uber with Don and Karen, which made it much easier for our walk.  

We walked thru the botanical gardens with a lot of interesting plants and trees.

Along the way, we got to see St. Mary's Cathedral, inside as well - it was beautiful.

We made it to our hotel in about 2 hours!  We definitely took the scenic route. . . then after recovering for awhile, we headed out on foot to find someplace to eat.  These apartments along the way reminded us of Europe.

Our room had sliding doors out onto a garden area, but the weather was not conducive to sitting out there ever.  At least the rain put out a lot of their fires and we didn't have to wear the masks we took along.

Sun. and Mon. morning we enjoyed the buffet breakfast at our hotel, The Mariners Court.

A sleepy koala bear at the Featherdale Wildlife Park that we went to on a tour Sunday.  Except for the one they used for folks to have their pictures taken with, all of them were asleep.

Susie's picture - you had to pay for these shots, $25 Australian.

I enjoyed feeding the wallabies (PC Susie)

Susie's picture

On the cable car or aerial tram at Scenic World - where we had hoped to see the Blue Mtns.  But the weather was so bad that we couldn't see out the windows at all for any view whatsoever.  The Incline Railway wasn't operating and we weren't able to go onto the Walkway which was closed due to flooding. (Susie's picture)

When we got off the bus, this trash can told the story very well, with all it's ruined umbrellas.  We fought wind and rain all day.  We were thankful the boat company closed down so we didn't have to go on the flooded river boat ride at the end of the tour.  We're waiting to find out how much of a refund we'll get back.  Needless to say, we were all drenched.

This Qantas airbus was more comfortable than any other plane we've been on - the seats actually recline and were comfortable, and it was half empty!  We took it back to LA on Mon. morning, Feb. 10, a 13 hour flight.  We left Sydney at about 12 noon, and arrived in LA at 6:00 a.m. the same day, earlier than when we left!  After a 3.5 layover, we left for Atlanta at 9:30 a.m. and landed about 5 p.m.

Jammed in on the American full flight back to Atlanta

It was heavy low clouds when coming in, and our landing was so hard, that a gasp went up among the passengers. It rained on us all the way back to Collegedale.  Poor Don having to drive that last jaunt after so little sleep en route.  But we all 3 stayed awake to help keep him alert. Now to conquer jet lag. . . Thankful to be home again.