LN

Come on y'all - we've been waiting to hear about New Year's and all the celebrating there in Sydney.

Did Muck get his great apartment at the Waldorf and is it everything we'll all like to have when we get back there?

Did Mina get to meet the old friends and party hardy?

How was watching the fireworks display from out on the tour boat?

Did you get to see everyone Alan?

Or, tell me, are y'all STILL out celebrating??

margo_oz

Well, I heard from Mucky, and he found his hotel, they let him stay, so far he hasn't been arrested.

He's leaving Oz as we speak, and I didn't get to meet him but we put on magnificent weather for him. By all reports, he had a ball. We'll wait for the trip report. He met Alan.

I'd bet Alan and the others will be along soon!

Alan

Mucky will, I am sure, give you a report on his adventures as soon as he is through having them -- the important thing is that he didn't have any misadventures with the Waldorf.... no repeat of the clairdesol episode!

Mucky and his family spent the day before New Year's Eve in the Blue Mountains, so I met them at a suitable station and we went to Euroka Clearing to breakfast with the kangaroos. Well, a late breakfast -- brunch, perhaps. After that we visited Echo Pont at Katoomba, and I left the family around 2:30 p.m. about to choose the best way to descend into the valley via the various scenic railways and skyways which are there nowadays. Altogether a fine half-day, as far as I was concerned, and I hope Mucky and family saw a few things that otherwise they might have missed.

Talking about "missing"....I didn't find ANYONE at Cremorne Point on New Year's Eve, but that wasn't surprising.... Sydneysiders know a good vantage point when they see one, and they started arriving there around 9 in the morning! Next year I think I will have to get up earlier!

Now I'm looking forward to hearing from the tour-boat people about their meetings!

patw

Hi All,
Its Pat here. Just like Mucky (who I had the pleasure of meeting as he was staying across the street from me and who Margo Oz called while I was there) I am soooo jet lagged. We left SYD on 3:15PM on Jan 3 and had to fly around a typhoon and land in Hawaii to refuel, or else we would not have made it to SFO. Made our connection in 40 mins. including going thru customs and imm. That's the advantage of traveling with only carry on. Got back to NJ last night around 8:15PM after picking up the dog at the dog sitter.
In regard to the trip-what can I say except it was incredible.
I'll post a complete report but the highlights were many. The best of course was New Years EVe and New Years Day.
We stayed at the Radisson Suites on Liverpool Street. It says 4 star but I would give it a 3 to 3.5. Great location though.
On New Years Eve we were on the MV Proclaim which wast a restored Ferry. It left from Pyrmont Wharf in Darling Harbor which was walking distance from the hotel. It cost $250 AUD and that was for 5 hours including wine champagne beer etc. The boat was in the boat parade and we sailed back and forth under the bridge, through the harbor and around the harbor. If any one is going to do this next year a word of warning, the DJ was very loud. Request a table on the upper deck if your don't want to be blasted out of your seat.
For the fireworks we were in the chartered boat area with the most incredible view of the bridge and opera house. The excitement was building as the countdown clock starting at 30 seconds was flashed on the pylon of the bridge and then finally at Midnight the most incredible light show on the nridge and amazing fireworks. The sky was ablaze with colors. We loved it. (I almost forgot, the 9:00pm fireworks were great, too)
New Years Day we did an opera house tour and then wandered the "Rocks" prior to our 5:15 bridge climb. To all those who are worried, it is NOT strenuous. I have asthma and I was able to do it, so I did not over exert myself with the climb. The views were stunning and as we were coming down we got to see the sun go down over Darling Harbour. Also, try to be the last of the climing group of 12. This way you can take your time and savor the views. Also, when they do the pictures, if you are the last one(s) inthe group you have more time to look around also. My 13 year old loved it as did my husband and I.
I'll try to post the whole report today but may not have a chance as I am off to London tomorrow for a business trip and will be back on Jan 12.
Happy New Year to all and a big THANKS to all the posters on this board. It was an invaluable source of information as well as providing a chance to meet others from around the world.
Cheers,
Pat

LN

Glad to hear that you all had a delightful New Year's Eve - we did also here in the states and I'll be looking forward to making a return trip to OZ shortly.
I know it was great for all of you to get together like that and now all we have to do is wait for Mina to check in!!!

crazymina

Hi everyone!

Glad to hear of everyone's adventures! I just got back this morning and did wonder which ones of you I missed while walking the streets of Sydney.

For New Year's, we cooked dinner at a friend's house, then strolled down to Elizabeth Bay (where my friend lives) to catch the first show at 9. Easy viewing, plenty of room and no crowds. Got dolled up, went out and then found an easy spot for the midnight show.

My trip was a bit different this go around as we we didn't go too much down the beaten path since I was with friends. We went to Palm beach which was lovely (minus those bloody blue bottles!) and hung out a bit in King's Cross which I found a lot less seedier than expected. A girl I met in Europe flew down from Brisbane for the day to have lunch with me, and I was reminded again what generous spirits you Aussies are!

It was a lovely time, and I'm sorry to be home. Adelaide was grand too, and wine tasting in the Barossa was wonderful. Bought 10 bottles of the stuff home with me, and customs didn't even bother making me pay any duty on it.

Sorry I didn't get to meet any of you, but it seems like a grand time was had by all!