It’s been three days since my last post–– blame that on Sydney, AU… too much to see and do. As the title of this posts indicates, I am reminiscing in reverse order – this way I can rewind to the beginning and wish to start it all over again.

Today is the 17th of March–– St. Patty’s Day–– A full day ahead of the US. We have never been in a more festive, joyous, family, loving, calming and orderly place for St Patty’s Day than in Sydney. I know.. Some will say, “What fun is that?” Well… no drunks lining the curbs, no one getting sick on the person walking in front of them, no fights–– just pure celebration, Music, Food and love… and a few Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi now and then. All that and celebrating St Patrick’s Day along one of the most iconic harbors of the world with the Opera House and Crystal Serenity as back drop to these festivities.

Before we headed back to the ship, we walked through the Royal Botanical Gardens of Sydney– a masterpiece of design and magical oasis in the heart of of this city. A day is not enough to see everything and this is our second visit to this garden, having been here four years ago. Pictures, not words, are necessary to describe this experience.

The evening before we walked our friends, Leoni & Allan, back to the train station, along the festive eve of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, where the cafes were filled and music spilled from the bars. Leoni & Allan (residents of Sydney) had joined us for diner aboard the Serenity at Nobu (Umi-Uma). We had a delicious meal and caught up after four years. We first met them aboard the Serenity ion 2020 World Cruise and it was so nice to see them again as if it were only yesterday. The crew— who are amazing— remembered them, and who wouldn’t?

The day we arrived our first order of business was to walk Pitt Street– I was on a mission to find Safari pants (long story), Pitt Street famous for its endless shopping and crowed streets where tourists wade by, arms laden with Prada bags. Here is a funny thing… it you need to use a public rest room, you will not find any above ground. It will not make a difference if you are at the counter in Prada with your arms pulled down by the weight of your punches… Prada, like the rest of the stores, will send you underground. This is yet another crazy thing–all the public restrooms and food courts are underground, like some scene from a Sci-fi of silo living and endless corridors of food courts dishing out fish & chips to Chinese food. And somewhere in this galactic maze you find the restroom, but you better leave a breadcrumb trail to get back…..

Settling back at our room, photo-Op of the Opera House seemed right, the free and finally at towards the beginning–arriving in Sydney on a Saturday afternoon was spectacular and a walk around the promenade (1.25 miles).

This has been a spectacular last few days in Sydney and aboard Crystal Serenity as we steam towards Eden, AU… new territory for us being we had to leave the 2020 World Cruise in Sydney as our last port of call. This is where our trip officially begins. Stay with us.