SYDNEY DAY TWO

Our ship, The Viking Sky, stayed the night in the Sydney Harbour.  Staying multiple nights in a port, so far, has been a little unusual on this voyage.  Lots to see in beautiful Sydney and we needed more time to explore!

Today our exploration took us on a Ferry ride around the harbor.  (Is it Harbor or Harbour?  I’ve seen it both ways! Potato, Potato, Tomato, Tomato….). I was a little disappointed with this excursion because most of the views we saw from the ferry had already been viewed from our ship when we entered the harbor!  At least this time around, we had narrative to go along with our sights! We also had snacks!

Going under the bridge, referred by locals as the “coat hanger bridge”

Beautiful view of the Sydney Opera House

Admiralty House is the Sydney residence of the Governor-General and one of the most historic and important residences on Sydney Harbour.

After our Tour Ferry (Starship Sydney) arrived back to the dock, we waited for another ferry that would take us to shore.  We decide it would be a fun afternoon to stroll along the boardwalk, have lunch, shop and go to the botanical gardens.

First stop - LUNCH!  We ate at a little cafe overlooking the harbor.  We shared a fish and chips which we were told is very popular here in Australia because of Aussies’ ties to England.  Speaking of Fish and Chips, my local historian, Mark, wanted me to mention that Australia’s colonization was very much tied to America because of the American Revolution.  It is a well known fact that England sent its convicts to the un-inhabited Australia and it became a penal colony. However, it is not widely known why they started sending them there.  Before the war, the Brits sent their convicts to Virginia and Georgia in the United States.  When the war began, they had to find another place to send them.  Because they already had claims to Australia it only made sense to create a new penal colony there.  Thus, Australia became inhabited with British convicts besides the Aboriginals who were already there.  So there you go…..!

We shopped! I bought a few things at the UGG Shoppe and Mark bought a new hat!

“Hey Mate!”

We were also fascinated by this Mime!  He became my new best friend!  Ha!  We gave him a tip and he gave me his card with a saying that I really like.  Something to keep in mind as my life goes forward:

“Be silly, be honest, be kind.”

Last stop this afternoon was the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.  It was wonderful!  Huge trees, flowers and beautiful buildings.  Perfect way to finish a lovely day!  Enjoy the photos!

That’s me under the gigantic tree!  Look how small I look!

This is the Government House: residence and office of the Governor of New South Wales.

We didn’t stay at the Botanical Garden for very long because we wanted to make sure we made the next ferry back to the ship.  The. I king Sky left port soon after we got back.  The crew surprised us with a festive “Send Off Ceremony” complete with a seafood appetizer display, cocktails and music!

It was a HAPPY ending to a HAPPY day!

Our Welcoming Committee!