After breakfast we took the shuttle to The Rocks. We would visit the tourist information office we had found so useful last year. We learned how to get to the historic observatory, and how the new public transit card really works. We had been told yesterday that we would need to top off the card after using $15 in one day. In reality we learned that all rides were free after spending $15 per day. The topping off was only necessary to use the card on a succeeding day. Wish we had gotten better information yesterday.
We then got a phone number for the taxi service. I had sent an email about the Fitbit last night, but had heard nothing. When I called the number and started my story, the lady who answered said " Oh Mr. Finn, you emailed last night. Please give me the terminal number from your Visa receipt. That will let me know who your driver was." She tried to put me on a conference call with the driver, but he did not answer. We guessed he was sleeping after coming off the night shift. She would leave a voice message as well as email him with my phone number and email. I thanked her, but this was the last I heard on this matter.
The Fitbit is gone. I will miss it, but I will not risk losing another. If they want me back, they must improve the clasp. My 15 year old Cassio has never come off.
Enough rant.
We left and walked under the approach to the Sydney Bridge. This took us to the west side of The Rocks. We had never come this way before. We could see Amsterdam tied to the pier. Behind her was a P&O ship. It looked just like Amsterdam. It was Ryndam, which had been delivered to P&O in December after completing service with Holland America. What a surprise.
We also overlooked some old warehouse buildings that had been rehabilitated as condos and apartments. Atop the highest hill sat the observatory.. We climbed up and started on the path around the grounds. There were many classes of young adults working out along the path. We saw yoga, stretching, medicine balls, rope skipping, jogging, and even boxing. We never found out where they came from, but as we left we saw the equipment being loaded into vans.
We entered the observatory grounds to find monuments, antique instruments and weather gauges. Inside was a museum with various astronomical exhibits. As we completed our tour we noticed a reference to a ball drop. It seems that a large ball on the weathervane above the dome was raised and then dropped at exactly 1:00 PM everyday. This was to allow seamen to set their chronometers so that their astronomical/navigational computations would be correct.
It was 5 minutes to 1:00. We hurried outside to find a vantage point out of the sun to watch the dome. Slowly the ball was raised about 10 feet to the top of the weathervane mast. At exactly 1:00 the ball fell rapidly to the bottom. The operator waved to us from a window just below the ball. It is reported that this is the longest operating navigational ball drop. We were lucky to be there.
Back in the center of The Rocks we did some shopping. We passed the pizza restaurant we had patronized last year. It looked the same, but it was not as busy as we had experienced.
Finally, we boarded the shuttle and headed home. This was another full and satisfying visit to Sydney. The friendliness and helpfulness of the people combined with the great attractions have added to our store of fond memories.
We left the dock on schedule and headed out to leave the harbor. We went out on deck 8 aft for the sail away. About 150 passengers had left the ship today and a similar number had joined us. Sydney marked the end of the first voyage segment. Hong Kong marks the end of the next. As we looked around, we immediately spied Janet at the aft rail. She and her husband, Bruce had joined us on the Grand South America in 2014. They were on from Valparaiso to Buenos Aires. We met them again last July, when we sailed on Prinsendam around Scotland, Ireland and the Briish Isles. We went back to meet Janet. She told us they had just booked 2 weeks ago, after the ship had left Ft. Lauderdale. Bruce was up on deck 9 taking pictures. He came down to join us.
As we talked the ship approached the Sydney Bridge. A group of climbers had gathered on the top beam directly above us. As we sailed past them the captain leaned on the horn. They waved and cheered. We waved and cheered.
Fantastic.
Next we passed the opera house with great views from the water. As we cruised toward the heads and the departure into the ocean we came to a stop. The captain informed us that we had a medical emergency, and would wait for a marine ambulance. It would take the passenger to shore where a helicopter would take him to hospital. We stayed in position for over an hour. During that time we watched as a sailboat race proceeded around us. The sun set and we got under way again.
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