We awoke this morning at 4:45am in
preparation for our cruise ship's entry into Sydney Harbour. It was
still dark but the sky was starting to show the first signs of
morning. I went out onto our vernanda and the bright lights from the
skyscrapers of Sydney could just be seen, so I hurried Steph and the
kids and we were up on the top deck about 10 minutes later. The kids
were determined to see this epic last stage of the cruise, and the
momentous end to the Journey that started back in Mid September,
however the lack of sleep from an exhausting last evening at Kids
club was taking its toll, and we had few smiles! (as you will from
the pictures below)
three large tug boats appeared from
behind the headland destined for our vessel, and another water cannon
boat behind them, with its water cannons blasting high into the sky
from three directions. This honour was sadly not due to the
anticipated arrival of the Cole family, but because the Celebrity
Solstice, our ship, was making its first appearance in Sydney. This
grand ceremony provided at such an unlikely hour, did however make us
all feel very special, and as the tugs turned around and tucked into
our sides and front, just as the bridge and opera house came into
view I doubt there could be a more dramatic way to be greeted by our
new country.
The sun rose over the opera house as we
enjoyed a cup of tea from the deck, before returning to bed for a
couple hours sleep in time for our departure at 10:00am
Might have to find a place on the wall for this one!
Congratulations on the successful completion of your grand voyage! What a brilliant experience for you all! James, I should think you're entitled to be feeling rather pleased with yourself - all your plans went virtually without a hitch! Best of luck for your first few days in Oz! XXXX Gramps
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