Ready to go

December 15, 2018

We arrived safely in Sydney on the 14th. After checking in to the Four Seasons Hotel, we walked over to the Opera House and then decided to walk around The Rocks (oldest section of Sydney) area and look for a pub to have fish and chips. Upon a couple of recommendations, we found the Australian Hotel. We were surprised to find that all tables were reserved as it was before noon! Well, “it’s Friday afternoon in the summer, mate!” was the answer to our puzzled looks. The bar tender did find a place for us, we enjoyed really good fish and chips and beer, watched cricket on the tvs, and vacated the table before the reservation took effect.

In the evening, Regent held a reception and dinner for the Circumnavigation passengers at the hotel. About half the ship (360 passengers) is doing the complete 36-day trip. Dinner was very good and then the evening got better. Koalas, a wombat, a baby wallaby, a baby boa, and a small crocodile were brought in by zoo keepers. Lots of oohs and aahs and smiles. It was a wonderful taste of what is in store for us on our adventure.

This morning we were up early, looked out our window just in time to see Mariner turning by the Opera House headed toward the pier at Circular Quay. We dressed quickly and walked to the pier to see her come in. Not too many people were out so we had the views to ourselves. It is rare to leave on a ship from right in the middle of Sydney, sailaway should be really beautiful.

We board the ship around noon. This morning we are going to a Christmas market at The Rocks, and will walk to the ship when we are done.


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