Sydney to Gladstone

April, 2018

 

The last leg on our twelve thousand mile trip to Australia was the longest flight; about ten hours. We chose a discount airline, not just because of the price but they promised a meal, a place for our checked luggage and "a premium seat up front" for just a small upgrade fee. This airline receives scathingly bad reviews on the internet and we were scheduled to be flying on Friday the thirteenth. What's a few challenges to intrepid travelers like us?.

Only two hours late, we arrived in Sydney unscathed and in time for a good night's sleep during which we seemed to wake up at least once for each time zone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next day we were just in time for the Sydney Wooden Boat Show at the Maritime Museum.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hundreds of beautifully restored wooden boats from all over Australia in a perfect setting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The attention to details was truly impressive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We caught a ride back across the harbor in a coal-fired, steam powered launch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are some of the permanent exhibits at the Maritime Museum; a Fresnel light from Tasmania and some native art.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was a great display about the history of containers. We've never seen a pink one before.

 

 

 

One of the more ignominious moments in container history.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And here's the famous hull model for Australia II America's Cup Winner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No visit to Sydney is complete without the famous Harbor Tour.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can take a guided hike up to the top of the bridge for a mere $250. There wasn't any mention of discount bungee jumping.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advertised as the oldest pub in Sydney, certainly worth a stop.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And here, Jim discovered cappuccino and vowed to have some every day, just because it looks so good.

 

 

 

 

After several days in Sydney, we set off for Gladstone, nearly nine hundred miles up the eastern coast of Australia. We had about ten days to get there by the time the ship carrying "Shambhala" was to arrive. That would give us some time to explore the Eastern shores of the country.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you are a fan of white sandy beaches with beautiful blue ocean and waves lapping at the shore, the Eastern shore of Australia is your place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each bay was more beatiful than the last one.

 

 

 

 

 

Jim found a "beach guitar player" with quite an electronic accompaniment system.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not a bad way to make a living.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And Yes, the Pacific Ocean is COLD. We have new respect for all those surfers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We also stopped to visit "Shambhala's" new owners. They have a beautiful farm and B&B about two hour's drive from Brisbane.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We made some final plans for meeting the ship and continued our trip to Gladstone.

 

 

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