Day 15 At sea to Sydney

(Condensed)

We woke to sunshine and calm, velvety seas and spent the morning relaxing on a secluded spot on Deck 11 aft, complete with a jacuzzi that Philip happily enjoyed. Around midday we changed and shared pizza and drinks at Spaccanopoli before the captain announced our approach into Sydney Harbour. Watching the ship glide in under the Harbour Bridge on such a sparkling day reminded us why we think Sydney Harbour is the most beautiful in the world.

That evening we met our friends Cheryl and David for dinner at The Fenwick in Balmain, a stunning waterfront Italian restaurant. Dinner was superb – grilled prawns to start, followed by Moreton Bay bugs with fresh pasta and a divine tomato herb sauce, and an affogato to finish. As we dined, we watched a Viking ship pass by the harbour. The only downside was the strict two-hour dining limit, but with a queue waiting outside, it was easy to understand why.

(Full Version)

The morning greeted us with sunshine and seas like velvet.  We skipped breakfast and went up to Deck 11 Aft where there is a very secluded spot for lying in the sun.  As a bonus there is also a jacuzzi!  Philips back has been a bit out of kelter so he took full advantage of the warm water.

Around midday we headed back to our suite to change out of our bathers and headed upstairs to Spaccanopoli to share another delicious pizza washed down with a glass of Rosé for Philip and bubbles for me. 

Our captain came across the speaker to announce that we would be rounding the "heads" and heading into the Sydney Harbour within the next twenty minutes.  He asked that everyone go to one of the top decks as he had organised a photographer to be on top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge to photograph the ship as she sailed under. We have been to many ports around the world but we hands down think that Sydney Harbour is the most beautiful of them all and on this sunny day with the water glinting like crystal we were very proud Australians to claim this is our own.

Tonight we had organised a dinner date with our Sydney/Palm Cove friends, Cheryl and David, at the very popular restaurant, The Fenwick.  This lovely sandstone building is in the suburb of Balmain that is a very trendy area to live in.  Its' proximity to the water makes it a very desirable location and The Fenwick is right on the waterfront.  Our friends also live on the waterfront and caught the ferry to The Fenwick.  How wonderful is that!

Dinner was a real treat.  It is an Italian Restaurant and as we all know the best feed you can have is Italian if it is done right and this certainly was.  I started with the grilled prawns that were swimming in a delicious garlic butter/parsley dressing that was very decadent.  For mains three of us chose the Moreton Bay Bags with a homemade pasta and herb tomato sauce.  I just wanted to lick the plate clean.  The sauce was divine.  Our friends decided not to order desert but Philip and I shared the Affogato.  You can't go wrong with this dish and particularly with Frangelico liquor.

As we gazed out onto the view of Sydney Harbour from our table we watched a Viking Ship sail past us.  If I had any complaints at all it would be that because The Fenwick is a very popular restaurant, the staff firmly stand by the two hour dinner slots.  Right when our time was up the waiter started hovering to clear our plates.  But when we made our way outside there was a line-up of people waiting for a table so I guess for the owners it is all about the money.

We were back in our suite and in bed by 10pm after a night cap in S.A.L.T.  Bar and I think I was asleep by 10.01pm.