I am Officially "Down Under!"

I have arrived safely in Sydney, and feel like a time traveler, for sure!
My computer says it's 4:40 AM (home time); my phone says it's 1:38 AM (LA time) and my clock says it's 8:41 PM (local and "real" time I guess). My body
has no idea what day or time it really is...  but, it's all good.  The sun just set here to end a gloriously sunny warm day (25 degrees C, which I guess is around 80?  hot and humid for sure!).

I wanted to cry when we landed - just hard to believe that I am really in Australia, the place I have always dreamed of going...  The flights were definitely long, but manageable - lots of movies, sleeping, walking, and more sleeping helped to get through. 

Airport was somewhat overwhelming with so many people and customs and such, but I managed (connected with a college girl who's lived here for 3 years at the baggage carousel, so she helped me with the ropes and told me how lucky we were that the customs agent came by and stamped our card which allowed us to leave by the Express exit rather than the long and winding line of most travelers!). Funny connection to home - one of the first bags I saw going around the carousel had a large piece of paper taped to it with a name and address - it was someone from Rochester, NY!  Go figure!! Here I've traveled thousands of miles (7500 from LA - not sure how many from Rochester) and one of my first connections lets me know I'm not all that far from home!

Found the shuttle and got checked in to my hotel in Darling Harbour.  Thankfully they had a room that was ready this morning, so I was able to get a 2-hour nap and shower in before venturing out to the Harbour.  It is so beautiful here! I love the diversity of humanity that's all around - the accents, the faces... just a really lovely mix of people that remind me that I'm not alone at all, because I am with all of them. 

They have the most amazing park with play areas for kids with fountains (that people don't hesitate to climb right into and no one seems to care!), ping pong tables, huge jungle gyms, and more than I've ever seen... There is a carousel right down by the harbour and there are tons of outdoor cafes.  The guidebook says, "Sydney is a town full of energy and exuberance." That about sums it up!  I am not a big city girl, by any means, but I feel very comfortable and safe here. 

I had lunch at the Guylian Belgian Chocolate Cafe - sat out on the patio and took in the scenery and the excitement all around me (and, I didn't even have any chocolate - what is wrong with me??  I did appreciate the beauty of the pastries and drinks they were serving up - just not ready for that much sugar, I guess!). 

And then I wandered along Darling Harbour, bought some postcards, and got my bearings.  Got tired out after a couple of hours and went back to the room to read a bit.  I am reading "The Alchemist" which is about a young shepherd boy learning to realize his "Personal Legend" - that which you know you have always wanted to accomplish.  I feel like this trip is part of my "Personal Legend," so I am grateful for the book recommendation!  It is perfect!

Then I took another nap (hope I can sleep tonight and get onto Sydney time tomorrow).  Showered and headed out for a takeaway pizza to bring back to the room to call it a night.  Tomorrow I will be more adventurous and take a ferry or the monorail to other parts of the city. 

There is so much to do - hard to know what to choose. The Chinese Garden of Friendship looks pretty and is very close; the zoo looks interesting but might take all day; harbour tour...  I don't know, but I will figure it out, and whatever I choose will be perfect.  I've never been here before and I only have a short time, so I can't possibly expect to see it all. 

This is the screen that was on the airplane, tracking our trip - distance travelled, time to go to destination (which most of the time seemed to be very loooonnnnggg...!!).  So glad to be here and can't wait to come back another time with my hubby to spend more time and really take it all in!