Sydney

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Today was hotter and sunnier than yesterday. I had no energy for it. I don't know if I'm just too old or if it is part of PD's loss of body temperature regulation but I can't cope in the heat these days. So, also we both had a lack of enthusiasm as we've done everything in and around Sydney that we ever thought to do. There were a lot of signs out during our walk yesterday regarding Chinese New Year or as they were calling it Lunar New Year. This would be a good place to comment on the societal sea change that has taken place in both New Zealand and Australia since our time here in 2017. Then there we heard a lot of angry and fearful rants about an invasion of Asians and their wealth and the detriment on the locals. This time around they are embracing the Asian influx and the change in direction it is exerting from a British colonial heritage to stepping into their places in the Asian Pacific Rim. It has been rather an astounding change. Anyway, we thought we'd focus today on the Rocks since we hadn't spent anytime there since our 2006 visit. There was a Lunar Market scheduled all day after 10am today. Clay wanted to go early and leave early. I had promised him I'd do haircuts on the balcony this afternoon while we sat still in Sydney Harbor. We didn't leave as early as he'd wanted. Since today is Saturday, he wanted to eat breakfast ashore very early at Pancakes on the Rocks. I balked at that. First the last time we were in Adelaide, Australia we went to an ice cream on chocolate pancakes place for breakfast and it ruined me for the day. Also, his stated desire for the Lunar Street Markets was the dumpling tents. I thought overdoing breakfast would ruin the 10am or so start of Asian street food. We had a normal breakfast in Marketplace onboard.

We arrived right after the tents and stalls opened and walked for blocks. It was good. We shared some dumplings but didn't quite make a meal of it. On the walk back to the tender we stopped at Pancakes on the Rocks to finish any idea of lunch onboard. Clay had Thai Chicken Crepes that were very spicy. I had The Ultimate Crepes and Clay helped me finish them as his dessert. They were a perfect balance of flavors and Clay only wished for a 2nd scoop of ice cream, 1 scoop per crepe. I concurred.

We gave each other $90K haircuts in Sydney Harbor! Perhaps history's most scenic haircuts with clippers by amateurs. We got that operation in off the balcony shortly before the first of the afternoon rain storms arrived.

We set sail this evening at 6pm for a night and another day and night sail to reach Hobart. We will be there for a day and a half with an overnight docked there. That should be good. We only have a short excursion booked in Hobart. We would probably benefit from some extra research and planning for the use of our time there. We stayed in town and used public transportation last visit. We'll see. We have agreed to take a pass on MONA. We'll see if we can hold out against all the hype. If we wanted to go we should have gone last visit in 2017 when it was still free. Anyway. We may designate some of that time as laundry in case we run into rough sailing crossing the Bight later.

We have 6 pm reservations for Umi Uma tonight. That may be my favorite restaurant onboard. We sail at 6pm so I guess we won't expect much of a sailaway view or experience. Sailing into Sydney Harbor is world class though as you sail straight at what looks like solid sheer rock cliffs. Then through a gap and a sharp left turn and there you are. I guess not so dramatic leaving anyway.

Fingers crossed for smooth seas!

The captain came over the loudspeakers as we prepare to sail from Sydney to announce that when we re-enter the Tasman Sea heading south for Hobart, Tasmania that we'll encounter 10 foot swells and over 30 knot head winds. Combined with the fact that we need to average about 20 knots to arrive on schedule, we'll have some rough riding ahead. He advised everyone to hold on to something as we move about the ship. It at least stayed smooth until dinner was over. We had another excellent meal in Umi Uma tonight.

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