Katoomba to Sydney.

Feb 11th.

Sunny 30 degrees.

What a joy to wake up and not to have to travel on somewhere. We had a leisurely breakfast and then walked to Scenic World, a tourist attraction 5 mins walk away.We pay our admission and take a glass bottomed cablecar through the Blue Mountains. We followed a track to the Karoomba Falls to discover we’re almost opposite our campsite from where we had set off!

It seems that there are miles of National Park tracks which the Scenic World attraction cross. We have access to 2 cable cars and a near vertical train ride as part of the paid attraction - which saves a great deal of leg work but you can get the same experience for free without the novelty rides! However after a lengthy downward trail with what seems hundreds of steps we were very happy to take the train back up the mountain!

The famous 3 sisters

The blue mountains - the rainforest goes on for miles...

A

The cable car passing along the mountainside

On the train we met a bunch of New Zealanders celebrating a friends 50th birthday. They all had teeshirts on stating for example - I look 22yrs, I feel 20yrs, I act 15 yrs, I am 52 years.... Graham asked them how old the tee- shirts were - 6 years old? Much hilarity.

They all took the train up and then stayed on to enjoy the ride back! Apparently they’re staying 5 nights in Sydney so we’ll listen out for them tomorrow when we’re there!

 

We had lunch back up at the Cafe and then walked a few more kms along the park trails. Stunning scenery - mountains, rock formations and rainforest vegetation. For such a tourist attraction it was so peaceful off the main tracks.

We took our last opportunity for laundry and a nice sunny evening to dry the clothes before boarding the cruise in Sydney, then early night as up reasonably early to pack our bags ready to hand back the van.

Before dinner we had a visit from the campsite cockatoos - happy to munch on some leftover trail mix.

Feb 12th

Hot, 37 degrees and sunny

Up and off to Sydney, a leisurely drive on main roads.

We approached Sydney via the Anzac Bridge.

 First stop the hotel to drop our suitcases and then on to the Botany Bay area to drop off the van. Botany Road goes on for miles, with the Britz return at the end, close to the airport. After completing the paperwork luckily we spot a couple who look like they are waiting for a taxi, “can we share”, yes say the Swedish couple - we are waiting for an Uber. This is a stroke of luck as the last taxi we got into Sydney cost over $60 (£34). We all get dropped off at the Harbour Bridge which didn’t look too far on the map. Much grumbling from Carol feeling wilted in the heat as we treked through the city trying to get our bearings as to which way to walk to our hotel.

It’s hot in Sydney, 37deg so we break our 40 min walk with lunch in Hyde Park, with a crowd of ibis for company. 

Here’s one striking a pose.

They just appeared, no-one knows where from. After a swim and a rest in the hotel we brave the train system (underground) to get to our rendez-vous for tonight, a meet’n’greet for cruise critic members. We’re early so take in a beer overlooking the Harbour Bridge and Opera House both of which seem smaller than we imagined. A great spot and actually also near the cruise ship terminal. We watch another cruise ship departing sipping our beers. That will be us tomorrow.

The pre cruise meet’n’greet is in a noisy bierkeller, with live yodel band. We meet other cruisers but have to shout to make ourselves heard. Still, we make contact with people of have organised unofficial excursions and also strike up friendships with other cruisers so it was useful.

Views of the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.

View of the  Opera House on the way back to our hotel.

Feb 13th

25deg, half sun

Today is a queue day. After a lie in we take a taxi back to the cruise terminal and join the queues: bag drop queue, registration queue, security queue. There are 2,500 people to process but it’s very efficient and we’re on board for 1pm, about an hour later. We head for the restaurant and enjoy a light seafood lunch with white wine, the service reminds use of the business class lounge - impecceable.

After lunch, walk round the ship and then sunbathing and a few lengths in the pool. Luxury after our campervan. Our cabin feels like luxury after the van even though we have one of the smallest on board! We have a small picture window as we got a bit of an upgrade from an inside to an outside cabin so that’s a bonus.

Then up on deck with a glass of bubbly to watch our departure. From the deck the bridge and Opera house appeared more spectacular. The ship sounded it’s horn and with much waving from shore and ship and we glided out to sea. It kind of brought a lump to the throat to witness such an iconic place in such a way. 

Another lovely meal - - dinner   in  one of the restaurants opting to share a table with an Australian couple Roz and Chris to beat the queue - who proved interesting and good company.

Followed by after dinner drinks in a bar  with Sue and George from Altringham UK  who we had met at the get together the previous evening. Seems this cruising lark is going to be real hard work....