Well good morning Everyone!!
We have officially traveled through time! Yesterday ( I think), we left Honolulu at 1245 on Tuesday, and ten hours later we landed, in Sydney, at 745 on Wedneaday. Amazing! Lol!!! After landing in Syndey, things were a bit odd...first they are super sensitive about this not bringing in anything that will upset the ecosystem, so first a quarantine officer came on board to complete a walkthrough, then we had to sit and wait for five minutes while they sprayed the inside of the cabin and our carryon's to disinfect and kill anything we brought! After the time passed we went through immigration, all good there, but we had to either dispose or submit for quarantine, all food we had, so my peanuts, combos, and nutrageous ended up in the trash...no need for the additional hastle!
We got our luggage, and went through customs where a trained beagle sniffer dog checked out bags for anything we should not have! After all this, they let us in! We grabbed a taxi and got to hotel to crash..thank goodness the time chance technically was only four hours, so we were asleep my midnight. But when we landed we discovered it was pouring...and the rain continues!
So today we got up and headed for breakfast...Mom and Dad were there, so we enjoyed breakfast together, and with the rain, the parents stayed put, but we decided to adventure out into the rain! We hit the convience store and purchased two umbrellas and we were off! We headed toward the water and before we knew it the Sydney Harbor Bridge was on our left and the Opera House was on the right...I could not stop smiling!! I also had a moment where I could have cried...being someplace where most in the US never get to, and I was there...it was quite a moment!
We then walked around the Rocks, which is where the first settlement in Australia was...great little shops and and cafes! We then headed for a warm beverage and a chance to plan out next move. Walkling was a bit out of the question since even with the umbrellas we were very wet! So we decided on a ferry ride over to the aquarium, which was great! We then hit the Wagamama for a late lunch/ early dinner...and it you don't know about Wagamama, it's a fantastic Asian noodle restaurant chain that is impossible to find in the US( just in Boston) ..so when we see it, we eat there! We took the ferry back to Circular Quay (pronounced key)... and arrived back at the hotel just a half hour ago.... So while we are finishing our Thursday here, you will just be starting your Thursday in a few hours... ( it's 410 am for you as I type!)
Tonight we will relax, have a few drinks and maybe hit the indoor Jacuzzi! Tomorrow forecasts more rain ( and the continuing high of 65...sorry everyone...stay cool!!!)... But we are heading to the Opera house for our tour in the morning, and more indoor activities for sure! I will blog everyday since there is free wifi here!
I hope all of you have a great day while we sleep...and a special shout out to Johanna on her birthday...sorry we aren't home, but we will see you in San Fran soon! So make sure to shout out to Johanna since her family is hall way around the world!
Have fun and continued thanks for the thoughts, prayers and following of our blog!!! Love to you all!!
Love
Diana and Stacy
Stacy, you have described exactly why your and Diana's blogs and posts are so special for us to follow!
ReplyDeletePlanes coming from South Africa were sprayed too and I was not comfortable being in that closed atmosphere so I held my breath for as long as I could during the spraying process. Choice of brain damage from lack of oxygen or lung and liver damage from toxic disinfectant? LOL
The first thing about Australia you've taught me is its actual geographic location. I had no idea of its position relative to the equator and to New Zealand (thought NZ was north of AUS = = DUH!) The 65 degrees was a surprise! NZ had snow last week according to a Two Paddocks post on FB.
The Sydney Harbor area is so iconic; I can't wait to see your photos.
I hope the rain stops for the remainder of your time there!
Johanna, I hope you see this comment to read my wishes for a very happy birthday. Enjoy your trip to San Francisco!
Glad you ladies got there safely. I am truly enjoying the blog. Be safe. And Stacy you have quite a way with words.
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