A MOST MEMORABLE DAY IN SYDNEY

Yesterday morning was that one crucial moment when we were scheduled to test for covid through a Zoom session using a company in New York City.  First, I'm a klutz when it comes to linking with Zoom.  However, I somehow succeeded. He told us what to do....and we both tested negative.  My one major worry about our entire trip is now over.

However, life is not so simple.  He had to send me an e-mail informing us of this test, and I needed to respond to see a message indicating I was negative.  Every so often my Hotmail goes weird, and I could not get his message, but instead saw e-mails of seven years ago.  A few frantic attempts until something else occurred, and could read his response and confirm my existence.  We took a photo of our success, which was supposedly sufficient for boarding the ship.  However, I wanted to have a hard copy, so went to the Executive Lounge to do this.  Could not, so I asked for help, and one of the staff members there did it for me.  All of this took about an hour.  Now, for sure, we can board this afternoon.

We then had breakfast and decided to walk through Sydney.  Headed for Circular Quay and walked to the Sydney Opera House.

Located next the Opera House is the Royal Botanic Park.

Herb garden, the first is a horseradish plant, followed by curry.  Then the rose garden with more 1000 varieties.

We walked back to our hotel just in time for lunch, so we asked the concierge if he could make a reservation at a close by Japanese restaurant.  It was a 10-minute walk to The Sake, where, considering the cost, I had one of my worst lunches.  Memorable can be good and bad.  I ordered a dish of edamame with beer and a flight of sake to begin.  The beans were covered with salt.  The person in charge said that 80% of customers prefer all the salt.

Ordered a bowl of water to wash off the salt.  Had some sushi.  Then for my entre splurged on a really expensive wagyu steak.  Of course, Australian wagyu is only a pale comparison with the Japanese version.  The meat that came was doused with salt.  Complained again.

The Sake was virtually adjacent to the Museum of Contemporary Art.  They must be going through some kind of transition, for there was no entrance fee.  Just outside the building was this art piece.

Looking the other way, the Sydney Opera House.

We went to the top floor and took another photo of the Opera House.  However, we happened to notice another building, which was the Overseas Passenger Terminal, where the Seabourn Odyssey was scheduled to dock.  Thus, the Sydney Harbour Marriott is a ten-minute walk to the ship.

Walked 11,834 steps yesterday, my all-time high for one day.

Took jacuzzi bath in our room and went down for our final Executive Club meal.

We board the Seabourn Odyssey in a couple of hours.

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