We came into Botany Bay early and on by Sydney Harbor approach I was up, dressed and loaded with cameras. It was sunrise when we pulled into Overseas Passenger Terminal at 0655. The blast of hot humid air when I stepped out onto the veranda was a welcome change.
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| approaching the terminal area |
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| Pulling into the terminal pier |
The gangway was quickly attached and we were quickly cleared for shore. We took a shore excursion at 9 which took us to the Olympic village then out to the countryside to the Blue Mountain range to view the Grand Canyon of Australia. Following a mountaintop view over the valleys, and out at the famous 3 Sisters rock pinnacles, we grabbed a quick lunch then took the world's steepest perpendicular cable railway down 700' into the valley. The rainforest of the valley was an excellent walk and we saw exotic foliage, birds and signs of the former coal mining operations. A quick cable car ride took us back to the top and off we went for the long ride back to Sydney. We put the Blue Mountain area on our list of desirable places to return to in order to spend a whole day walking the valley trails.
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| The Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains |
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| Goomblar and Julie |
Dinner tonight was ashore along the Rocks (quayside) with Gary and Terri. A fine outdoor covered restaurant with a view of Sydney Harbor including the stern of our ship and a broadside view of the Opera House. A sailing vessel came in along our restaurant to disembark some guests at dusk and the traffic in the channel provided a continually changing backdrop. A large moon rose between the stern of the Amsterdam and the Opera House during dinner. Quite a night.
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| Famed Opera House off our portside |
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| night view from our veranda, looking aft |
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| night view from our veranda looking forward |
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| view during dinner |
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