Hot, High and Tipsy: June 2014

Clyde here...
We have had a most wonderful time we shall always remember but the convention and our time are running out and it is time to return home. We made a last trip on the ferry to take a tour of the Opera House and so glad we did. The Opera House is just beautiful representing sails as it sits before the Harbor in the shadow of the Sydney Harbor Bridge.

We stayed after the tour and watched the Vivid Light Show wash the Opera House in colors and patterns and the Bridge light up in changing colors while the City Buildings take on colors of their own to show the grateful and harmonious crowd.

Our last day and we have a late flight so we take a walk in the rain to The Queen Victoria Building and what a building it is! Built in 1898 in Romanesque architectural style, it was used for many different purposes through the years and finally fell into disrepair until 1982 when a major renovation was commenced. Another major effort was made in 2009 to bring it to its current glory. A block long with three stories of high end shopping can take a day to visit. This city has money and this is the place much of that money is spent. We found a true Vienna Konditorei and enjoyed a desert and coffee. And did I mention shopping?

Tina here...
Familiar faces greet us at the Marriott and we give them a special big smile and bingo, they give us a room with a special view of the Opera House and all the way out to the sea.

We wake up the following morning and venture off to Hunter Valley wine region for wine tasting. The valley is beautiful with many unique wineries much like our Paso Robles wine region. Beautiful scenery everywhere, and the wine makers are just as passionate about their wines as they could be. What a lovely day, lovely country and lovely vacation. Love the people of New Zealand and Australia....

Clyde again...
What a special city and what a special time we had. We were unable to connect with Jim and Tina as we were busy and they were busy and time just flew. It is good to be heading home but sad to leave the beautiful lands and people of Australia and New Zealand. Whew! What a trip we had!

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Tina here...
As Clyde and Krim are immersed in Sydney's culture we continue to relax at Bedarra. The time has come though to leave this paradise. We've eaten the best of food, drank fabulous wine, met the most wonderful people both staff and guests and have relaxed so much that if we stayed any longer we would melt into the sand like an old sailor melts into the sea.
We rose early in the morning and went to our favorite place on the island to place ashes of my father to forever enjoy not only Machu Picchu, the Great Barrier Reef but also the beautiful island of Bedarra, Australia. Enjoy dad, you're going to love being here..

Having packed all our bags, we are off for that Island Taxi experience that Clyde told you about earlier and all I can say about that, it was a different, wonderful experience! We are now off to Cairns for the night and then onward to Sydney.