March 24

Awoke to another sunshine day and mild temps day.  Had a few spits of rain yesterday but didn’t last.  Breakfast at the hotel and then time for a walk about Hobart. Nice little town with some surprises. Arcades off the main street with all manner of shops and restaurants.  We find a map store with every kind of map we could want (real fold up travel maps) which is a rare find these days.  Nice finds at the Australian Geographic store and walk through a local antique shop.  On the bus to the airport, good-by Hobart/Tasmania and Mt. Wellington looming overhead.  One hour forty minute flight to Sydney.  Everyone is talking about the bombing in Brussels; Pat and Chuck know someone from Hudson at that airport but they made it out okay.  Sydney, sunshine and lighter temps and humidity from when we are here before.  Easter weekend and the city is busy and kids are out for a break.  Our hotel, the Menzies, is located in the center of town shopping district.  Came here with Phyllis to see earlier.  A large city park sits across the street and the train station is there as well.  The hotel is very pretty and old. The room is okay, no drawers for unpacking and the bathroom is retro fitted, small and with a leaky shower.  We change clothes and bus over to the Sydney Tower, dining in the revolving restaurant over a thousand feet in the air.  We have a short menu to choose from and revolve twice, 360 degrees, around looking at the city lights. Would have been nice to be here at sunset to see the city in day to night, but alas not.  Very pretty and luckily we are able to recognize many sights.  Time for bed.  Two more days here with activities and free time.  Weather will hold until we leave and then they get rain (needed).