Here we go again...

Less than 48 hours into my return I'm convinced I never left. Maybe it was a dream [being home] or maybe not as I did manage to have fun Sunday. Yes, you heard [read] right... I had fun. The 'no work, didn't even think about work kind of fun' fun. Susan (a MH colleague) recommended we go to the Annie Leibovitz photo exhibit at the Sydney Museum of Contemporary Art and a visit to Doyles at Watsons Bay. The exhibit was just okay, too many depressing photos. For someone who photographs babies, she has a dark, depressing side as well. After an hour or so of browsing, we headed over to the ferry at Circular Quay ("key"). As usual, there was a lot of activity, including a man dancing with a mannequin. It takes all kinds, I suppose. I was strangely enamored by the MS Volendam, a Holland America cruise line that I spent two weeks touring New Zealand, Tasmania ultimately ending in Sydney in 2009.  I took about a dozen pictures (not that I already didn't have at least that many) but none in Circular Quay.  When we sailed into Sydney we were docked at Darling Harbour. It did bring back a lot of great memories of my last real holiday. We bought our tickets and some water while we waited. Once the ferry arrived and we headed upstairs for a great view of the bridge and Opera House. Because it was a smaller boat that made quick turns, you were not allowed to stand upstairs. If there were no seats, you were instructed to stay downstairs. Of course, that didn't stop people from coming upstairs and standing. They had an employee who constantly had to advise those who could not (or would not) read the sign that they had to have a seat or stay downstairs. My favorites are the ones who pretend not to understand him but spoke perfectly fine English before he arrived. It's all in the look... the "no comprehend" look that a child gives you when you tell them they cannot have ice cream for dinner or play on the computer after bedtime. I myself have never played that game. No, really. I haven't. Recently anyway. Well, depends on what you mean by recent. It is a green word, after all. Once again, I digress...

After a quick 30 minutes we reached Watsons Bay and Doyles. By then I was sufficiently hungry (my coffee and muffin had long worn off) so I was ready for a good lunch. Established in 1885, the restaurant is right on the beach and offers a spectacular view of Sydney. The menu offered a wide variety of seafood. Even the fish and chips had 5 selections of fish to choose from. I ended up having the grilled Tasmanian salmon with apple and pear chutney and Susan had barramundi, a local favorite and oysters. I also indulged in an adult beverage as we sat on the patio watching plates of lobster and crabs go by. The food was terrific (good thing as it was spendy) and I will definitely go back before I head home. Next time I'm thinking dinner at sunset. 


Afterwards, we walked through Robertsons Park and out over the cliffs of the entrance to Botany Bay, a perfect vantage point for protecting the colony back in the day (although I'm not sure why convicts needed protection as they were the first inhabitants of this country). After exploring the area, we headed back to the ferry to return to the city. By then I realised I hadn't applied my sun block very well as a splotchy sunburn started to appear. I bought a hat but it was too little, too late. All in all, it was a great way to spend a Sunday in the city. A truly gorgeous day (sunburn and all) and knowing it was snowing back at home made it that much more enjoyable. 


But alas, all fun must eventually come to an end as I realised this morning when I woke up at 5am knowing it was a work day. At least I kept another promise to myself and managed 45 minutes of cardio. Last time around, not only did I not have fun, I didn't even manage to keep up with my workout schedule. I made a promise to myself that I would not let that happen again (besides, I hate tight clothes). I left the Four Points and walked the six blocks to Saxtons on Kent Street with a side detour at the Wynard train station to get my coffee. As soon as I walked into the bowels of the train station, I realised I never left. There is a steamy feeling as you enter the tunnel that does down into the station and as usual, I'm fighting my way upstream as the masses exit the station. I know this place and after going down the stairs two rights and a left and there it is... Gloria Jeans. The guy immediately recognized me and said 'the usual?' He also wanted to know where I've been. He looked at me strange when I said 'home' because he thought I was an Aussie and I was already 'home.' I suppose in some sense home is where you are, so I am, indeed, 'home'... for now.