Getting up at 2:45am wasn’t too bad with the only tasks still on the ‘to do list’ to finish, were turning off the water at the mains (an insurance requirement) and switching off the power. Easy enough. We were camped out on the kerbside a few minutes before the 3:30am pick up time and the Super Shuttle arrived just after. For once, the other four pick-ups on the way to the airport were ready. Cost - $61NZ. Then Paula told me that the next door neighbours booked a limo for $70…
We’d grabbed an Air NZ on line deal for a ‘Works de Luxe’ package. For round about the usual economy price, we had a premium check in; were allowed 2 x 23kg checked in pieces of luggage (though we only had 2 at 22kg and one at 10kg anyway); the speedy immigration process; lounge access – meaning free coffee/drink/food. Well worth it. For the first time, I noticed that Air NZ had cider in their fridge, but much as I like the occasional drop, I think a 5am swig was probably out of character. We also had three seats between us on the aircraft.
As is normal with Air NZ (well, normal for us) an easy three and a quarter hour’s flight on a 767, landing on time in sunny Sydney at 8:30am. As my passport is the old type (pre-chip), we had to queue behind a plane load of Chinese, rather than use the “Smart gate”.
Easy taxi pick up but rush hour of course. The taxi to the Ibis Hotel at Darling Harbour was $55 (compared to others we spoke to later who arrived nearer midday, when the taxi fare was $38). We presume this was because of higher tolls during rush hour.
We’d stayed here last year and had paid for a Harbour view and also immediate access to the room. As we were checking in, Ray & Mirella from the 2011 cruise were in the lobby, so straight away, we were back amongst cruising friends.
The receptionist was brilliant and asked us if we wanted a high floor or a lower floor. We opted for the high floor and found ourselves on the top floor. Level ten. Not exactly high these days, but the same view of Darling Harbour as last year. As Ray remarked (that is Mirella’s Ray), the rooms are a good practice for the ship as they are about the same size as the cabins. Only the bathroom is larger - and there is no balcony.
We were ready for some fresh air (hotel windows don’t open these days), so we headed out to the adjacent Harbourside shopping centre/food-court and as last year, enjoyed a really fresh slice of pizza. Sorry, no pic…
A wander around in the fresh air before heading back to try and catch up on a bit of shut eye.
Later, another walk around the harbour, where they were doing a trial run of a dancing water’s display, which is (a small) part of the Sydney’s ‘Vivid’ celebration of music, light and ideas.
We’d planned to meet Jo & Garry about 6:30, but then Paula had a text. Now how about this for a coincidence? According to the message, it was from Julie A in Auckland, saying “Garry is running a bit late”. Now Julie had made it very clear that she really, really, wanted to come with us, so you can imagine what was going through our minds. It transpired that Julie A’s old mobile number was the same as Jo’s - but Paula hadn’t input the +64 for NZ! So, if Julie A is reading this, ay you please send us an email with your correct number?
Thankfully, despite the horrendous traffic, Jo and Garry were still with us before 7pm. We walked just 50m down the road and decided to give a new Greek restaurant, Agean Blu, a go, rather than pick one of the waterside eateries. What a great choice that turned out to be. We opted for a dinner for 4 and with Jo’s guidance (she is of Greek descent…) we were able to select 3 or 4 entrees and 3 or 4 starters (I can’t remember which) and a couple of mains and these came out steadily rather than in a rush. What an excellent meal that turned out to be. We were so rapt with the food, (and the company!) we forgot to take any pics of the food Shame. Great service too and it was fairly quiet with just three tables occupied.
We said a sad farewell to our cruise buddies, but we are really looking forward to cruising with them yet again, next year.
Thursday
The time shift of two hours and the lack of sleep yesterday was of course messing around our sleep patterns, but we managed to head for the restaurant at the same time as Mirella and Ray for a good buffet breakfast. A first for me was finding a DiY pancake machine! I can think of one or two male family members who would really enjoy that option. A pleasant natter before heading out to catch the HoHo bus (Hop On, Hop Off) at the nearby Maritime Museum. A short wait, an extremely pleasant driver and a 24 hour ticket for $30AUD each (which includes the second, Bondi Beach loop).
Travelling in autumn sunshine on an open topped double decker really is one of our favourite ways to travel and we are huge fans of the system in most cities.
We hopped off in the centre of town – on George St - and after a wander around, headed for the Westfield Tower. Although the main food-court is about level 5, it was very busy as it was about 12:15, so as on previous visits, we headed for Cafelucca in the basement, for a coffee and a chicken Turkish sandwich. Beware though, even a canned soft drink is $4, so the coffee is the better value.
Back on the bus, opposite the Town Hall. A small grizzle here. Most places, the HoHo bus notices at bus stops were very prominent, but we couldn’t see this one at all until on the bus – which stopped about 30 metres past where we were standing – we noticed one small very faded sign on a lamp post.
We finally hopped off again, exactly 4 hours after hopping on and once again headed into Harbourside. I had an ulterior motive. There is a race car simulator set up which claims to have most tracks and a good variety of cars and it was $30 for 15 minutes. I opted for an E Type Jaguar and my selected track was - Hampton Downs! That won’t mean much to some, but it is now our new local track and is about to have about $25m spent on it by the new owner, Tony Quinn.
Apart from a sequential gearbox (the lever moves either forwards or backwards), it was surprisingly realistic though it took a lap or two to get used to it. The computer’s automatic 1st lap during set up was 1:40 seconds so I wasn’t too disappointed with most of my laps around 1:31 to 1:33. As my fastest lap for real in the Marcos, (which is a bit slower than an E Type), is about 1:25. It wasn’t too bad.
At 5pm we headed for the Pyrmont Hotel for the traditional pre-cruise get together from our Cruise Critic roll call – the “Seafarers”.
As usual, it was ‘Happy Hour’ until 6pm, so a pint of cider which would normally be a hefty $10AUD, was $5.
Once again I had an excellent Thai green chicken curry and Paula had the chicken schnitzel with salad and chips and what was supposed to be a mushroom sauce.
Good to be able to catch up with a few regulars as well as put faces to a few more names.
A good venue but it can be a bit noisy – and smoky.
Back at the Ibis, we had a hot drink in the foyer before heading back to the room all ready for the cruise tomorrow. The Scheduled departure time is about 5pm, before the ‘Vivid’ harbour light display starts, so probably for the first time, we are hoping that the departure is delayed, though the weather forecast is less than promising.
wish we were with you ...
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