31 December 2018, 01-02 January 2019 - Sydney, Australia

31 December 2018

Monday

Sydney, Australia

We arrive in Sydney about 7:00 am -- passing partygoers camped out along the edges of the harbor -- a good spot to watch the fireworks.  We dock at White Bay Cruise Terminal -- outside the main harbor area. This is not where we originally were told we would be and has been a bone of contention with a number of passengers including the four of us.  However -- security is tight and nobody is allowed to dock in the inner harbor for tonight's festivities.

New Year's Eve is a very big deal in Sydney -- there are flyovers, boat parades through the harbor, and two sets of fireworks:  9:00pm and midnight.    Streets are blocked off and transportation to the harbor area is limited.   There are "vantage point" locations -- some free and some not; some allow alcohol and some do not -- the options are limitless.   We will be on the ship where we can see the fireworks from a distance and have our party on board.   More than a million extra people are expected to be in the city for the celebration. 

It is very warm here -- we have breakfast out on the back deck before taking the shuttle bus to the Central Railroad Station in Sydney.  Because of all the street closings, this station is as far as the shuttle can take us but subways and buses are running from here.   

Pat in the Garden of Friendship - Sydney

Today we walk to the Queen Victoria Building (QVB) by way of Chinatown -- staying away from the very crowded harbor.  In Chinatown -- we spot the "Chinese Friendship Garden" and decide to go in -- charge $6 AUD.   This is a lovely oasis in the city -- the paths wind around sculptures and water features as guests are invited to climb to a pagoda.  This place is all about Yin and Yang -- a philosophy of harmony and balance brought about by the interplay of opposite forces.  It is peaceful, quiet and easy to forget that there is a very large city just outside these walls.

Pat, Colette and Marc in Garden of Friendship.

Moving on -- it is getting warmer but we persevere and make it to the QVB.   A four story Victorian building, built in 1893 and taking up an entire city block.  It is filled with many exclusive shops -- all having sales.    Colette and Marc have a coffee, Phil goes off on his own and I meander around to see what I can find.

Inside Queen Victoria Building - Sydney

I keep seeing great deals on Uggs -- but somehow I just can't bring myself to purchase them when it is 90 degrees outside.   After a quick visit with Colette and Marc as they sip their coffee --- I venture outside.

Phil showcasing Stained Glass Windows in the QVB

I pop into a couple of stores -- and then I spot Woolworth (similar to Wal-Mart) -- I always need a few things so in I go.  I spot the lanolin, a wonderful body crème, which is cheap in Australia.   At the checkout I inquire about where to buy an "Opal" card --- and find out I can purchase it from the cashier.   This is a subway card that one can add money to in $10 increments -- it is the only way you can ride the subway and buses.  Something tells me that Australia makes out with the tourists leaving money on these cards.

Armed with my Opal card -- I take the subway back to the Central Station -- very simple.   As I am making my way to the "Coach" area I spot an Information Office where I get new directions on how to get to Cockatoo Island tomorrow.

As I am making my way across to pick up the shuttle, I happen upon Phil also arriving at the shuttle.   We're back on board in time to have lunch, download some photos and get dressed for our evening festivities.

About 6:00 pm Colette, Marc, Phil and I are in the Living Room -- the lounge at the bow of the ship with a pretty good view of the Sydney Harbor Bridge and hopefully the fireworks.  All of a sudden -- the skies open up and a torrential rainstorm passes through Sydney for 45 minutes.   My heart goes out to the campers.

New Year's Eve from The Living Room onboard Azamara Quest.

After a festive dinner in the Dining Room -- we are just in time to watch the first set of fireworks at 9:00 pm.         True to form Phil and I are back in the cabin by 9:30 pm   I cannot remember the last time we were awake at midnight on New Year's Eve.

Colette and Marc reported that they were awake and Marc actually went up to the Living Room to see the official fireworks at midnight.

It was fun to celebrate stepping into 2019 before anyone else we know.   I always thought that Sydney was the first to celebrate the new year -- but I now know that it is Auckland, which is 2 hours ahead. 

01 January 2019

Tuesday

Sydney, Australia

By 9:30 am the four of us are at Darling Harbor where we board a ferry to Cockatoo Island -- another former prison colony.     

Phil and Marc on the Ferry to Cockatoo Island

It is very hot today so the ferry ride is a pleasant diversion.  When we arrive we see lots of campers leaving -- having stayed overnight for the fireworks.  This island, in addition to holding the ruins of the penal colony, is also a camping site and has "cottages" and other facilities for people to rent.   The views are stunning -- a nice getaway from the city.

Phil on Cockatoo Island by a Beam Bender from the Shipbuilding Era.

Cockatoo Island is under the stewardship of the Sydney Harbor Federation Trust since 2001 and parts of the island are UNESCO World Heritage sites.   In 1839 It became one of the most extreme penal establishments and home to second offenders and those who had their "tickets of leave" cancelled -- also known as "the worst of the worst".   When other penal institutions refused to take these offenders they were sent to Cockatoo island. 

Between 350 and 500 men were crammed into dormitories that were much too small with a daily ration of:  one pound of fresh beef or mutton, twenty ounces of bread and a half pound of vegetables.  The reputation of this facility sent "a thrill of horror through every honest member of society" in Sydney

Phil in the Cookhouse of the Penal Colony on Cockatoo Island.

In 1869 after the prison closed, the buildings were used as an industrial school for girls and then in 1888 as a jail for lighter offenders such as prostitutes, vagrants and drunkards.  Shipbuilding began in 1870 and continued under various ownerships including the Royal Australian Navy.

Pat, Colette, Marc on Cockatoo Island -- see Sydney Harbor Bridge in background.

Map in hand we walk to the prison buildings up a steep hill to the highest point.   The buildings are in tact and available for tourists to wander through with plaques explaining each building's use.   After our pleasant walk we are on the 12:30 pm ferry to Circular Quay near the Rocks section of Sydney.

Lunch is at "Fortune of War" pub, established in 1828 and the oldest pub in Sydney  -- picked by Phil  -- excellent lunch.

Afterwards we split up -- Colette and Marc to the Zoo --- Phil walking around -- and me to the New South Wales State Library (which I visited the last time we were here).

One of the Reading Rooms at the State Library of New South Wales.

This library is amazing with several art galleries and multiple reading rooms.  It is a pleasure to spend time here. (Note: reading room photo is from 2012 since my iPhone battery died).

One project that piqued my interest is:  #NEWSELFWALES.  Photos of New South Wales residents are being collected on Instagram under the above hash tag.   Photos can be uploaded or added through the camera in the library.  I added my photo at the library.

There is a new permanent exhibit called:  "Paintings From the Collection" showcasing 300 of the 1,200 paintings in the library's permanent collection.   Two genres dominate:  landscape studies and portraits of colonial officials and prominent families.

After two hours of air-conditioned bliss at the library -- I brace myself for the heat and walk to Darling Harbor to board the ship's shuttle.

Phil and I have dinner in the buffet after which we go to see the Comedian at 8:15 -- he was not so good so we left.

02 January 2019

Wednesday

Sydney, Australia

Phil and I are up early -- and on the shuttle to Darling Harbor to walk around a bit before our departure at 3:00 pm,

Pat inside the door of Paddy's Market in Haymarket.

We walk through the shopping area --- stopping a couple of times making our way to Haymarket (near Chinatown) for a stop at "Paddy's Market" -- a Sydney icon more than 150 years old.   We don't need anything --- it is just fun to wander the aisles to see all this merchandise.

Phil at Paddy's Market -- Oops!  Looks like he bought something.

A new feature since our last visit is a library for kids while their parents shop.    The sign reads: "Welcome to Paddy's Little Library nook where you'll discover stories wherever you look.  Leave it or take it, but replace what you took, so we can all share in the magic of good books."

Two young readers taking advantage of Paddy's Library.

Sydney is such a wonderful city with so many things to do.

This afternoon we are off to Hobart, Tasmania.

Thanks for Reading.

Pat