Second day in Sydney 22 November 2014

Today I decided I would do a favour for my friend Geoff who is looking after my flat. He was looking for a new car possibly a land cruiser but that they no longer have them in this country with the spare wheel on the back. With the help of Rob at accommodation I tracked a dealer down, now I was hoping that over here they were a different breed, but should of realised when he did not offer help with getting to the dealership, instead it took 2 buses and he was dealing with someone else so his colleague spoke to me instead.
I explained that as I was here that I would help my friend by looking at their range of vehicles and exploring about how he could buy. First obstacle Toyota dont want personal exports so there would be no warranty and there were issues to do with registration if leaving the country.  It seems the best vehicle is the Prada,  by coincidence his is for sale, I felt he wad not really interested unless I was buying now left and will explore on the internet instead.

I then got the bus into town and noticed that the rail service to the airport was cancelled over the weekend so could be a problem for me tomorrow, although there was a replacement bus service working. I went for something to eat and then went looking for the tower,  so could take photos, I know it sounds silly but it was quite difficult to find as the entrance was in the middle of a shopping centre. I paid my money and went up in a lift, the views were fantastic so I took a series of photos to show everyone on my return,  at the end I went to stand and wait for the lift, I was told by the attendant that I had to go round the other way,  well as there was nobody else there at the time it all seemed very pointless  but I did as he asked and went round to the same point again,  why do these people have jobs dealing with the public if all they want to do is stick to a very rigid view of their rules, well at least he managed to press the right button to send us down.

Next something to eat, for a change I went to KFC at least it was air conditioned, also my feet were starting to hurt with all the walking,  off back for a rest to the hotel and a cooling shower.
One of the things I have not mentioned in my blog is that in the last few months I have found a new special friend called Jane and she tells me and others that we are "  An item " our relationship started a few months ago and is going very well, more of our story another time,  but just to say many of our friends and families are aware of this, just a shame that so early on we are apart for a month but due to the wonders of technology we have been able to keep in touch as I wander from place to place and when I have felt tired or lonely she has been there for me as well as enjoying listening to my stories of the trip, thanks ever so much Jane.
Now back to the plot, I did think it would be nice to see the city lit up at night so I would do a trip this evening. Now to toally confuse you and myself I have actually posted the next bit in tomorrows blog so think will leave it there as it fits, but this is a  reminder of how confused we can get when crossing time zones and moving place to place, that often I am not sure what day of the week it is or where I should be.

Sydney Today 20 November 2014 I Think

Today was not to early a start so tidied the room had something to eat and drink and finished packing. Coach arrived on time 10 30am was only a short journey to the airport, then usual ritual of checking in whilst in the queue a woman tried to push past so I commented,  she said she was trying to get to her husband who was at the front of the queue,  I said not a problem but would been nice if she had said excuse me,  group of american men were nodding to my comment, why are so many people so rude these days, as usual explained help I needed particularly when got to Sydney, woman said it was all sorted out, at the gate I was last to board as young woman used buggy to get me to the plane, settled and off we went. Now on the flight there we were provided with a meal and drinks free but not on this flight, only drinks, which is odd as it was a longer flight. After a while I needed to go to the toilet, but there seemed there was a problem with the 2 of them that number ones were ok but not no 2s, well luckily I wanted ones, now it seems very bad to me that a flight with so many passengers on did not have a working toilet,  I am now thinking of writing in for their comments.
Well we eventually reached Sydney and disembarked only problem no chair to help me to exit. I went to Virgin Atlantic desk and explained seems nobody had booked it, so man at desk took me through airport to baggage as was only a short distance to taxis.i explained to the driver where I was going and route, he seemed confused but eventually we got to the destination ok.

I was shown round and had forgotten that firstly there was no air con only a fan that did nothing other than move the air, the toilets and showers were shared but on the good side there was a communal kitchen with cereals bread and hot drinks plus fruit, only thing is nobody seemed to be speaking to other guests. I unpacked yet again, then decided to go for a meal the owner Rob suggested a number of places but particularly the sailing club so off I set, unfortunately given the heat humidity and my lack of energy it was a long walk. Eventually I reached it but found out I needed to be a temporary member so sorted that then went to order my meal, well just then the noise increased tremendously, oh no it was BINGO the last thing I needed, luckily they had a veranda which was peaceful and quiet the meal was pleasant but after I decided to return to the accommodation relax and do some work on the blog which was getting behind,  I cannot have you readers disappointed.  Well again the owner sat there eating his meal and a couple of other sets of people but nobody said hello or acknowledged each other or myself,  all very odd,  maybe someone had warned them what a chatterbox I can be LOL,  so I eventually had enough so went to my room to relax and went to sleep thinking about what to do tomorrow,  well sadly I remembered I needed to do some laundry first, so much for being on holiday.

My adventures at the Great Barrier Reef 18 November 2014

I was up early and looking forward to my excursion for the day by boat to a unit berthed about 2 hours to see the coral reefs and all the exotic fish there. But first I needed something more suitable for my feet, so went mad and bought a pair of flip flops now you may be thinking so what, but I have worn sensible walking shoes for some time, well found some and changed before boarding the vessel.

It was much larger than I thought it would be, air con inside fresh air outside, it all seemed very organised so I found a seat at the rear of the ship so I could take photos as we went along. There was a man sat down next to me, but he did not seem to want to chat neither did the 2 women who were with him.  We soon set sail so I took a series of photos some including Chico. The ship was moving quite fast, whilst taking my photos I was fascinated by a woman who was possibly Chinese who was taking lots of photos of herself in a whole range of poses.  I offered to take one of her from a greater distance and she seemed happy with that.

I wandered round the ship and had a drink. I decided to go on the top deck surprise surprise there was the same lady and her friend posing for herself still. I suddenly noticed as a contrast a young woman and I presume boyfriend near the back of that area of the ship, what made her stand out was that with the wind, her long blond hair was streaming behind her, she sermed totally unaware of what a stunning sight she was. I now regret not taking a series of photos of her she really was something to see and the fact unlike the other woman she was oblivious and natural which made the better scene. In the end i decided to approach her and explain how she looked and to ask if she wanted a photo of herself to see what i was talking about. She had a simple camera so i took the photo and suggested she have a look. I took the photo and returned the camera, she still did not seem to understand, they seemed such a lovely young couple so much nicer when real beauty is not abused.

The weather was beautiful if anything a little to hot for me so I stayed under the shaded section at the rear, finally we reached the dock, there seemed to be all sorts of options, such as helicopter rides snd scuba diving,  being a terrible swimmer there was no way I was going to try the latter and felt for the price the helicopter ride was not that good. Instead I went down on the submerged part of the platform to look at the coral and colourful fish, it was straight out of finding Nemo, then went for a trip on the submersible,  it was great to see all the different types and depths of coral and what amazing colours, the guide wad very good in his explanation the only issue wasthat someone gad brought a baby on board and it never stopped crying which detrated from it all.
I did debate again about trying the snorkeling but devided in the end my energy levels were not good enough plus the following morning I had an early start to Ayres Rock, so instead spent some time watching a film about the reef. Then it was announced thay thete would be afternoon tea served, in this case it was tea or soft dtinks with cheese and biscuits, so I helped myself and then went looking where to sit. One of the ladies  from earlier saw me and invited me to join them,  which I was happy to do, we got chatting and it turns out there were two Christines and a Sharon, that they met up some years ago became good friends and now holiday together,  they have travelled many places together over the years. They asked more about my trip and I introduced them to Chico, explaining his role, they decided they would like photos of him and them, which I was happy about but they also took a couple of me and Chico, they have said they will send the photos on to me soon,  I also gave them details of how to find Chicos Facebook page.
It was interesting because they also had noticed the chinese lady and her extravegant poses also how I had offerred to take her photo. I mentioned the young woman and   her photo also and how I now regret not taking one of  her but had not wanted to intrude. The time passed quickly and soon we were back at the port, so said our goodbyes, back to reality I went to the supermarket for something for my evening meal plus for the trip the next day, when I got back I realised I already had more than enough to last, so had to leave some for whoever used the apartment next, I repackef my suitcase but found it difficult to settle as I was worried I would oversleep with such an early start in the morning.
I went down to the pool for a while and whilst relaxing noticed what seemed to be huge bats flying overhead, I had always thought of them and small creatures, it was pleasant and quiet there, just what I neeeded, but soon felt was time to return and finish off tidying the apartment,  the time seemed of flown so fast at all of my stops.