Sydney

I get really sad on the last day of a cruise.  I just don't want to leave the ship.  It's just so terrific to be waited on hand and foot where the biggest decision you have to make is what you are going to eat for dinner. But, I must say that after a very rough sailing on our last night I was glad to leave the ship.  It is always rough waters in the northern Tasman Sea and I was somewhat prepared for it, but I still didn't sleep well.
But all thoughts of a restless sleep left my thoughts as we entered Sydney through the heads and into the calm waters of Sydney Harbour.  It was quite early when we entered the harbour and the misty morning gave the city a surreal feel.  Fortunately for us the smoke haze had also temporarily disappeared.

We are in Sydney for a three day post cruise tour.  We chose this when we were in Rome last year and enjoyed the opportunity to immerse yourself in the city.
Once we disembarked Regent Voyager we boarded a tour bus that took us to Darling Harbour to board another boat (!!) for a four hour harbour cruise.  On the walk to our boat we passed the Sydney Showboat and had to take a selfie.  When we were in Sydney for our honeymoon almost 42 years ago, we had dinner on this exact same boat!

Our harbour cruise included a fabulous buffet brunch that not only looked appetising but tasted even better. There was quiche, croissants, yoghurt, granola, fresh fruit, sandwiches with tea, coffee or juice. And just to round it all out they had seven different ice-creams and gelato to choose from.
The cruise was very leisurely almost to the point that I wanted to find a corner and lie down for a nap.
I didn't.

After the cruise we docked at Taronga Park where our bus was waiting for us.  It was now time to drive to Manly for lunch.  We obviously didn't eat after the substantial brunch, but thoroughly enjoyed a beer (for Philip) and Lychee/Mango/Champagne Cocktail for me.  We had a bit of a wander around Manly Beach and decided that we really liked this area and wouldn't mind coming back.  I wonder if there is a caravan park nearby?

After Manly Beach it was time to head back to the city and check into The Four Seasons Hotel on George Street.  I have to give a big shout out to the staff at the Four Seasons who had the best check-in we have ever experienced.  There were about 150 of us to check in to the hotel and the hotel had set out three tables in alphabetical order (i.e. A - G, H - M etc). We went to the table for M and were handed an envelope that had everything we needed for our stay in exchange for the credit card form that we had filled out on the bus. Check in took about 1.5  minutes.
We quickly showered and changed because we were to meet friends from the cruise ship for dinner and drinks on Circular Quay.  Our plan was to have dinner at the Opera Bar and watch the laser light display on the Opera House but the crowds quickly turned us around to head in a different direction.  We ended up at the Pullman Circular Quay and I had the best roast pork that I have EVER eaten.  It was just so damn good.
We had an enjoyable night with our new friends from Florida Keys and look forward to sustaining the friendship in years to come.