Sydney Sail away 14th May
Today arrived bright and sunny and as our boarding time had been moved from 1.30 pm to 4pm we had a leisurely morning tidying up and completing those last minute items to be stowed into crevices. The reason for the delayed boarding was that the Sea Princess experienced very rough weather crossing the ditch between here and NZ. Waves over 7 metres rocked the boat about, flooding the decks, breaking a port hole window and a huge stain glass panel fell from the ceiling in the ship's atrium, showering slithers of glass over several lady passengers. No one was seriously injured buy a very ill 18 year old and his parents disembarked in Sydney as the son had a virus (highly contagious). He's in isolation in St Vincents' hospital.
Matthew did a wonderful job driving us to Circular Quay- no mean achievement as the traffic was particularly congested and the GPS changed the tricky route right at the most difficult part of the trip. Matthew seemed to take it in his stride with Ken navigating and assessing the route changes. We were dropped right at the entranceway beside the ship. Our 5 HEAVY bags (well we are away until September and need summer and winter gear as we're going to Scotland & Ireland where summers often rain and temperatures change at 'a drop of a hat') were quickly taken by the luggage workers and we were whisked through immigration in 'no time' and arrived in our room well within 30 minutes. Amazing! Our balcony view looked across to the Opera House and it was relaxing to sit and watch the sunset reflect off the white sails of this iconic building and to follow 'the two-ing and throwing' of little ferries and other watercraft around the harbour.
The Sea Princess finally departed in the dark at about 8pm. By then a glittering array of colourful lights could be seen from the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge, many city skyscrapers and numerous ferries skimming back and forth across the waters of the harbour. It was a beautiful sight as we stood on the deck sailing past the Opera House, across the harbour and through the heads. We were on our way to Britain.
