Thursday, March 8,2012 : Arrived Into the Future

The entire plane trip went smoothly and we arrived on time at 8:40AM on Thursday, the 8th of March. Wednesday went into thin air when we crossed the International Date Line somewhere in the Pacific Ocean. I watched at least five movies. "Bridesmaids" was the last one I watched where it still made me laugh so hard even with me trying to cover my mouth from laughing so loud. A couple seated behind us could see what was on my screen and laughed along with me at the crazy bathroom scene. Some Aussies commented at baggage claim to me that I seemed to have a good time on the flight. I had upgraded us to Economy Comfort to give us more leg room and the seat declines 50%. Yes, it makes a huge difference in comfort! We were blessed that no one sat in the middle seat so I was able to stretch my legs across Joe's lap. It enabled me to sleep at least five hours on the LAX to SYD route. I raised up my shade when we started the descent which takes at least thirty minutes. I was awed by the moon setting low towards the clouds. The moon had a surreal orange glow that made me feel that I was entering a new world of experiences. I tried to take a photo of it as it descended by I failed cause of the glare of the window but it will be etched in my mind forever. As we descended. we had some turbulence since there was a terrible storm in New South Wales where Sydney lies. It took quite awhile to break through the clouds and finally be able to see land (barely) since the rain was pounding the land where it looked like lakes and rivers all around with traffic at a standstill with rush hour and flooding.

Immigration and Customs were a breeze for us since we were given express passes cause we were in Economy Comfort and it was an unexpected pleasure. I had read so much about strict customs standards with high fines. I had to ask a flight attendant that if standard medication was prescription medicine but it turns out it is not. It means natural herbs and chemicals like the Indians use so I could answer the question no which ensured up a smooth transition.

When we reached the WELCOME TO SYDNEY area of the airport, I started looking for Shonelle, Dana Broudaghian's friend, who was graciously picking us up at the airport. I did not see her as Joe saw a coffee cafe and had to have a cup of Java. It was a good thing so I could be on the outlook for her with our names on her sign. She had written to me that she was only 5' and we exchanged photos of each other via email. I knew with the rain and rush hour that she would be running late. I started walking towards the other airlines' international exit points and there we bumped into each other. She also had stopped to get a cup of coffee so I introduced her to Joe and they sat and drank their coffee together. She was friendly, talkative, funny and ball of non stop energy.

Shonelle took the long way to the Northern Beach area of Sydney trying to avoid traffic and the flooding. We went in a huge circle but it was cool since we got to drive though other ares of the city as she gave us a history lesson of Captain Cook finding Sydney in the 1770's or so. England send their prisoners to Australia since the prisons in England were overcrowded. Hmmmm, many we should send our prisoners to the Moon or Mars. Sydney is a city of harbours. The terrain has hills and ridges. Lots of trees are grossly trimmed in grotesque angles to avoid the power and phone lines. I saw a flock of white cockatoos with orange beaks of a parrot. They are considered a nuisance here with their noise and the love tearing up houses with brown world by pulling the wood apart I suppose to sharpen their beaks. Most of the homes were red brick or concrete with orange Mexican tile roofs which made them look quite attractive. As we drove around, there were lots of little neighborhoods with their own character with cafes, restaurants, stores, benches, parks making it very attractive to want to walk the streets and visit all the places. A treat by Shonelle is that she stopped at the Harbour Bridge on the opposite side of the Sydney Opera House and the city so I was able to jump out of the car to take a few photos. The Queen Mary II was in the harbour next to the bridge in the Circular Quay area. The ship is not only very long, it is also very wide and tall. It takes quite a time to get use to the country driving on the left side of the highway. It freaked me out a few times especially when one needs to turn. I am so glad that we will not be doing any driving. I would be dangerous hazard to all. It was funny when we passed the Sydney International Airport again since it is where we had started. Shonelle had to stop by her home to pick up the keys to Dana's place since they were in a different purse than the one she had taken. I can understand why this area is called the Heights since the home way up high. There are so many great views of land and water here even in the middle of this sprawling city.

It took only about ten more minutes to get to Dana's place which was located right in the middle of Dee Why where all the shops are and only a 10 to 15 minute walk to Dee Why Beach. Shonelle drove down to The Strand where there it is Restaurant Row and across the road a sandy beach. With the strong winds of the storm it created fabled waves of enormous heights and with short distances between each monster wave. The harsh wind was blowing the foam off into a thick white spray of 15 to 20 feet in height. The waves were moving sideways at an angle. Spectacular scene! We got ourselves settled into 5th floor penthouse where there are two patios on each level to sit outside and see the beach. Love it. Dana left pages and pages of notes and phone numbers. The hints have proven to be be valuable already. We had a sandwich across the street for lunch. Joe hit the bed and I went to the bank to get some AUSSIE CASH and educate myself on the Bus System. All I could get from the Westpack Bank ATM was $300 Aussie Dollars that cost me $316.

I found a web site where I put the address where I am then the address where I want to go and the page tells when where and how to get where I want to go. I also found a place to buy the prepaid 10 bus tickets as Joe slept.

We decided to eat dinner at the Strand at 8PM. In the "lift" to get down to floor 0 which is the ground floor a young guy came on and I introduce myself and he was visiting here too and from Liverpool. England. We got out first on 0 and he got off at -2 which is the second floor of the parking garage. We walked out the front door onto Pittwater Road and turn left and left again. The Liverpool young man was coming out of the garage with Anna his girlfriend and offered us a ride to the Strand since they were heading that way. Anna works down there at Windwood Grill. They dropped us off at Aubergine which faces the ocean where the full moon was blasting so much white light that painted the moving ocean. At night the big waves looked like wild animals rolling towards us. The restaurant had open patio seating (all filled up) but the doors wide open up to let all that good ocean air hypnotize us into lovers. Our darling waitress' name was Samantha and was so friendly and helpful. I had delicious grilled lamb chops {4) with au jus gravy, velvety mashed potatoes and fresh crunchy green beans along with a glass of Pinot Grigio. I left nearly all the green beans since I hate them crunchy. Joe enjoyed a wonderful generous scallop dish which he ate it all. He also had the lemon cheesecake which he finished off after my two bites. We walked along the strand where all the places were closing up a 9PM. It fact it seems like all the stores closed up super early in Dee Why.

We decided to walk home especially after such a great meal, meeting Anna and Paul, giving us a wonderful invitation to drive us to the beach. We passed by Anna's restaurant where she will be working tomorrow night so I made reservations for 2 for 8pm. I want Anna as our waitress though.

We stopped at the Woolworth's store which is a food store here not a five and dime store and we go some Orange Juice and Kleenex for Joe. Our place was across the street thus it was so convenient for me to send Joe back out when I could not find the Hydrogen Peroxide I had packed and I needed it to cease an infection on my poor big toe.

The next couple of days weather forecast shows sunny skies and temperature up to 80 so we will take a bus to Manly. Walk around the Corsco. Eat Lunch. Hop on the Ferry to Circular Quay in Sydney near The Rocks to explore. If Joe still feels up to it , we will ride the Taronga Ferry to the Zoo.

Joe got some mood breakers where I suggested that we go to the opera on Saturday at 1PM at the Sydney Opera House. He agreed so I need to buy the tickets! So cool!

One of the cool traveling hints I forgot to mention. Joe and I rent at the airport a small economy car the day we are leaving Atlanta. We take both cars back home and park my car in the garage. We pack the rental car, drive to the rental car airport location, drop it off so we have only a one day rental, It better than paying $12 a day parking at the Atlanta Airport and one has to walk really far to the ticket area. If you have a rental car, you have the train to the airport and you check in. Added bonus is that you are not bothering any family or friends to take you there and pick you up, making it such an inconvenience to them.

Boy I am tired now. I can hardly see the letters on the keyboard and they are moving around on me, Time for bed for sure.

Ciao!