Other trip days
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Christchurch Morning Shopping and Hagley Park
EMPTY DAY-this was the day that seemed to have nothing in the itenary. Wake-up call as usual. Breakfast with the omelet guy. Had some free time in the morning since the flight was not until the afternoon, so set out to find the two remaining souvenir shops next to the cathedral. Found a liquor store where I bought the wine for Maggie and George. Got the last NZ souvenirs from the shops next to the cathedral. Walked back to Hagley Park and took pictures. A very tame duck was following the Kwut.
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Christchurch to Sydney Flight
Went back to the hotel, and the tour group was gathered in the lobby of the Crowne Plaza. The public B was snob with a lavoratory inside of the stall. Bus picked us up for the trip to the airport at 12:30 PM. This was the last trip for driver Les to Christchurch International Airport. There was a long wait for the flight, so I spent the remaining NZ dollar bills on a birds book. The Kwut succeeded in using the phone card and was able to call M. There was a last minute gate change from 26 to 27.Got on flight Qantas QA46 but had a crummy inside seat. Jann was hassled by Qantas because of overweight luggage. Flight finally took off but due to clouds, did not see Mt. Cook. The flight was mostly over the Tasman Sea so there was not much to see during the flight. Ate the “fish” instead of the “beef” (Qantas doesn’t use fancy names). Unlike Air Tahiti that had all metal utensils, the Aussies gave you a plastic knife and metal fork and spoon. Watched the movie “Alfie” on the flight (lots of filler). Land sighted as we neared Sydney. Filled out the entry form for Australia before landing at Sydney International Airport. The Aussie passport control was much faster than Tahiti or NZ. Claimed baggage. Declared food and wood carving to customs. Aussie customs X-rayed the baggage.
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Sydney Arrival
Met Sydney driver Kerry Gilbert. Drove from the airport (south of Sydney) to downtown Sydney. The driver showed us the Circular Quay (Aussies pronounce as “kee”) with shopping and restaurants. Arrived at the Sofitel Wentworth hotel. Nose-in-the-air rooms with a safe in the room. Went down to change $500 US to Australian using travelers checks. Put stuff in the safe and took a taxi to Circular Quay.
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Sydney Evening in Circular Quay and The Rocks
Walked from the Circular Quay to the Opera House (at the southern end) but all of the waterfront restaurants were packed. Walked back around to the north end of the Circular Quay, over to an area beneath the approach to the Harbour bridge called The Rocks. Managed to find a small pizzaria called Amo Roma. Shared the pizza of the day (Kangaroo filet) with the Kwut. After dinner we found a souvenir shop, but the dupe wanted to close at 9 PM so we got nothing there. Walked back to the Circular Quay and saw some musicians performing along the waterfront. Got IK at Royal Copenhagen, better than NZ IK (sorry Peter). Going back near the taxi stand, we saw a souvenir shop, still open!!! I bought a Sydney poster. Finally walked back up hill to the hotel, entered from the car park side on Bligh Street and up the escalator to the lobby.
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