AUSTRALIA DAY FIFTEEN 3/17/19 “Robert’s Last Day”

No, I didn’t die last night but I did still feel awful starting out the day. They say that you shouldn’t let the weather determine how you feel but I felt awful and it was pouring in Sydney. Today was our last day in the city and I wasn’t going to let the rain dampen my spirits (sorry for the pun). But I will admit traveling is very exhausting and I will welcome a return home. I need to get back to work so I can get some rest.

Last night we had a lovely dinner at a restaurant called Fratelli Paradiso (12-16 Challis Ave, Potts Point NSW 2011). We met my sister-in-law, Fayla’s cousin Samena, her husband, Sam, and Samena’s 97 year old mother, Zara, for dinner. It was a delightful evening even though I felt awful. They are a wonderful couple and we also had dinner with them (and four of Fayla’s friends) when we were in Melbourne. After dinner we took a short ride to their apartment which overlooks the Botanical Gardens. You can also see the Sydney Harbor and the Opera House from the rooftop.

Today we took a walk with most of our group in spite of it raining very heavily. We saw a few sights but I wasn’t very interested because I didn’t feel well. Our guide then announced that, true to his word, he would escort us over the Sydney Harbor bridge. I couldn’t help but think what had to be thinking, “I will escort any of you across the bridge if you are stupid enough to want to do so, in this pouring rain”. Of course he is much too nice to say that (but nothing can stop him from thinking it). I, of course, my hands at my side. Only a few people lifted their hands but much to my disappointment Patrice was one of them so I said I would go as well. The guide looked at me and gave me a look that seemed to say, I thought you were a smart guy. Mob mentality seemed to rule and I think everyone decided to “give it a go” (Did I really say that? I think I might have been here too long).

So, it was off to the bridge we went. Luckily we took the train to the opposite side of the bay and only had to cross one direction. When we got onto the bridge it was raining very heavily. I got soaked. For some reason my previous fatigue had lifted and the virus was no longer an issue. It was just the rain and wind that were the problems. One of the beautiful things about walking across the bridge is to see the Opera House from a unique vantage point. This is what it looked like today.

After this trek many of our warriors went back to the hotel. Patrice and I went on to the Opera House and exchanged our 2:45 pm tickets for the 1:00 pm show. This was Patrice’s idea and turned out to be a stroke of genius. Not only did we not have to wait around for an extra couple of hours, we got much better seats (in the 4th row). As you might recall from yesterday we were going to see a kids concert with the orchestra playing Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition”. Prior to the concert they had a kids area where a musician demonstrated a variety of brass instruments and taught the children some interesting information. The concert was superb. In addition to the music they had a mime who pantomimed the concert. It was great being in this very special venue.

After the concert we headed back to the hotel to dry off. Tonight we have our farewell dinner with the group. I must admit being as ornery as I am I usually find at least one or two people in a group to dislike but this travel party has proven me wrong. Everyone has been very considerate of each others time and no one has been exceptionally obnoxious (except for me, of course). Our tour guide, Darrin, has been exceptional. He is very knowledgeable but even more important he makes sure every traveler’s needs are met and he is very flexible regarding the agenda. If something comes up that interests the group we are on our way.

There have been things on the trip that have not been to my liking, for example the flies in Uluru and Alice Springs (actually all of Alice Springs) but overall this has been an excellent experience and I look forward to returning to Australia. But next on our agenda is New York. So if you are sick of hearing from me now, just wait, next Saturday I will be messaging you again.

I hope you continue to subscribe and comment on my blog but if you don’t I can only say what I have learned from so many Aussies, “No worries, mate”.