Thursday December 18th Sydney Tower - Rolf Harris

This morning was a wee bit different. Barb started out on one of her runs, but just as she was entering Macquarie Point she tripped on a hose that was placed across the path and down she went, injuring both hands, her left elbow and both knees. Hobbling home, she received a sympathetic greeting from the coffee man and from Harry. After a bit of doctoring with antiseptic cream and bandages and a good breakfast we were on our way. The weather forecast was for a nice morning and not so nice afternoon, so we decided to walk to the Sydney tower – about a 2 km trek into the center of town. On the way we enjoyed the walk through Hyde Park and watching the children enjoy the Christmas windows in the David Jones Department Store.
The Sydney Tower excursion included an Imax-type movie called Oz Trek, along with moving seats surround sound and movie. We then went up into the tower, walking around and getting an even better sense of the Harbour and outlying area that makes up Sydney.
During our walk we made a few decisions about the next leg of our journey – after New Zealand. We decided that we would in fact take the side trip up to Ayres Rock and Alice Springs, then fly to Cairns rent a car from there and drive down to Melbourne. This after consulting a map and determining distances. We realised that we were going to have to fly one way or the other, and better to take the more structured part first and leave the flexible part – the car ride to the last part of the trip. Therefore we spent the next hour with an agent who arranged all our flights and tours up to Cairns. This means that we will be in Ayres Rock on the 28th and 29th, Alice Springs on the 30th and Cairns on the 31st. Just in time for New Years Eve.
After that, we decided to stop by the Opera House to see if we could get rush seats for the Rolf Harris Show – again sold out, but we were told if we came back at 6:30 we might get seats. Big Decision – do we do this, or visit the Museum then go home…
We headed out to the Museum, determined to get back in time to stand in line, but the day was hot, and the way longer than we anticipated, so we spent the time in the Botanical Gardens, becoming fascinated with the flying foxes (Big Bats!!!). Around 5 PM they started to get very active and so Barb was able to get some great shots.
We then went for supper on the Quay and stood in line hoping to get into the show.
What luck – we made it! What a great show that man gives – he more or less told his story peppered with song, stories, spontaneous drawings, and a few video memories. All in all a really great show.

Then time for a few night shots of the harbour and back on the train to home. We got home just in time, as there is thunder and lightning rumbling across the sky as I write this Blog. Hope to get this posted tomorrow when we go and make some reservations for cars and a few hotel rooms for the early part of January 2009.