19 Feb - Last Day in Sydney

We met up with Mom and Dad in the morning. They had a mid-morning departure to begin their marathon trip back to the east coast. Our flight was scheduled to depart about 12 hours later and we would still beat them home by a long ways.

So after a bit more visiting and a sad goodbye we were left to entertain ourselves for the rest of the day.

One more romp with Granddaddy

And a goodbye

On suggestion of some in "the group" we went to the Sydney Tower. You can see the city views from the top and they have a 3D motion based ride that takes you on a "flight" through Australia.

Sydney Tower. Built in 1972.

View of the Sydney Harbour Bridge

Darling Harbour

and boys looking at the same

Looking north over the naval base to the harbor entrance

After the tower we checked out the Sydney Aquarium.

Real sharks

and as part of an exhibition great big Lego sharks which Andy really liked

Little rest on the way back to the hotel

By the time we had wrapped up the aquarium and made our way back to the hotel we felt like we had 'done' Sydney. Kim and I have learned that we are not city travelers, we prefer to visit the country, but Sydney was a really pretty city, very clean, had lots to do and seemed safe. We don't know if we would go back without good reason, but we'd recommend it to anyone.

Our flight was a red-eye - we got the boys ready for 'bed' and they passed out as soon as we were wheels in the well to awake during the descent. Ah, to be little. The flight was smooth and before we knew it we were home. House was still standing, only half the fish had died and we just needed to make it until 8:00 that night when we could finally pass out.

Altogether it was a fantastic trip. To have the time together for that long in a place like New Zealand was an incredible treat. The boys did great and we'll have the memories of them there even if their memories of the journey are a little shaky. To meet my parents in Sydney was extra special. We targeted Australia and New Zealand because living in Hawaii we were already "half way there", but they are worth visiting from anywhere in the world.