The bucket list trip I had started to think would never happen has finally begun. I can confirm that, yes, it is a very long flight! I was driven from Naples, Florida to Ft. Lauderdale Airport where I took a two-hour flight to Houston, Texas. There, I met my companion for the journey, a friend of nearly 50 years standing, Steve, who flew down from New Jersey. We chose United Airlines for the 17-hour flight to Sydney. United’s Premium Economy class was a very good value. The seats were very comfortable, food and beverages were good, and we both were able to get some sleep during the journey. Sydney Airport’s customs regime is largely automated, and we were through it quickly.
Since we could not check in to our accommodation for several hours, our first stop was Sydney’s Central Train Station that offers a safe place to store luggage.
Bags stowed, Steve and I set out on our first tentative exploration of Sydney’s many delights. The first thing we spotted was this interesting piece of public art.
Sydney is a beautiful green city. We were only a block from the Central Station when we found Belmore Park, a beautiful oasis of calm, in the city.
We continued to walk through central Sydney toward the next park we hoped to see, Hyde Park. Hyde Park is lovely, more green lawns and native trees and a wonderful statue of Captain James Cook.
The truly touching part of this park was the solemn and beautiful ANZAC (Australia and New Zealand Army Corps) Memorial. The ANZAC troops were incredibly brave, fighting in wars as independent nations and as part of the British Commonwealth. Their sacrifices in wars where they fought alongside Americans with great courage was a touching reminder to me that we are one world, one people, who are connected through our joint history.
Our last stop of the day before retiring to our flat was at the Queen Victoria Building, a historic old lady of an edifice that has been turned into a multi-level high-end shopping mall. Here is one shot of a whimsical clock that graces the interior of the place.
More and better posts coming, as Steve and I recover from jet lag and continue our adventures.
Mark In London 