Good day, Mate! Jan signing on to share my experiences so far. The trip went smoothly but was very loooong! I slept a good part of the trip both to Los Angeles and also to Australia. They keep the plane dark so everyone will try to adjust to the time change. I'm surprised the flight crew can see what they are doing. I arrived in Sydney about 6:00 a.m. and after customs (where a beagle had to sniff my luggage because I claimed the snacks I had as bringing food into the country) I stood in "rank" meaning "line" to wait for a taxi. I arrived at the hotel about 8:00 a.m. just as Gary was preparing to leave for work. I settled in and went online to let everyone know I had arrived until the computer needed a power source. I was just ready to leave the hotel and had pressed the button for the "lift" when Gary appeared to see how I was settling in. He walked with me down to the quay, pronounced "key" and returned to work while I ate lunch and meandered around for a couple of hours. Finally, my body was screaming for sleep so I went back to the hotel for a nap. Ahhhhh! When Gary arrived after work we walked to dinner. I love walking to everything we need or want.





I slept well and woke about 8:00 a.m. So it seems as if I have adapted to the time change. I did have to think awhile about what day it is. I went to the bank today to change more money and to learn about the coins they use for currency. The bills are easy and the rate of exchange is almost equal to US money. I am beginning to research opals because Gary said we can purchase opal jewelry here for my birthday. He had told me this on my birthday. There are opal sellers everywhere. It will be interesting to search out a good, reputable place to purchase. I've visited an aboriginal art dealer, a couple of galleries of contemporary artists and want to go to the Contemporary Art Museum. I've been in a book store, of course, as well as an UGG boot store and gift shops. Yesterday I saw a gentleman on the quay by the harbour who plays the didjeridu, a long wooden horn that is very difficult to play. When I was in the aboriginal art dealer store, I asked about the rainsticks. He looked at me like I had two heads and asked me what I meant. I indicated what I thought were rainsticks but are really the didjeridu. Gary saw him last weekend and bought one of his CDs.



I also wandered into a huge building called The Customs House which turned out to be a public library! I couldn't believe it! It is a 3 story library but the children's dept. is very tiny. It was explained to me that there aren't many children in the city so I'd need to go to another branch to see a bigger children's dept. Under the main floor, much of which was clear, was a layout of the city of Sydney. It was amazing. I took a picture, but the lights reflecting from the ceiling made it unclear. It was an experience. I suppose my "library blood" just draws me in! I was told by a library employee to visit a newer branch that has won some awards for being green. I may go check it out.