Sunday+Jun+14+&+Monday+Jun+15+2009

June 14 and 15 We have been very busy the last few days and the internet has not be very accessible. On Sunday we arose early and loaded the buses, but not before taking a walk around the sulfur flats next to our hotel. We has a beautiful sunrise. We arrived at the Agridome - a tourist attraction that explains the sheep and cattle industry in New Zealand. We had a demonstration on all the breeds of sheep, how the shear them, how the dogs work, milking a cow and feeding the babies. Very entertaining. It took the rest of the day to drive back to Auckland. In route we watched a movie “Whale Rider” that depicted life in a Morian village. We also had beautiful weather for the spectacular scenery. Wayne (our wonderful bus driver) took us up one of the very steep volcanoes that surround Auckland. We were treated to a rainbow at the top. Auckland is a very nice harbor city. We fanned out over the city to have dinner. A few of us took in a service at the local Catholic cathedral. A young Pilipino priest was celebrating his first year of ordination. We were treated to music from the local boys school. Everyone went to bed early because we had a big day coming up…

Monday was an early start - 4 am. We left the hotel at 5 with a bagged breakfast in hand. Off to the airport where we had to clear customs and fill out forms and spend any left over NZ money. Our flight to Sydney was uneventful and short. We landed on a beautiful sunny day. After clearing immigrations with a few minor incidents - water in the caring-on and a missing middle name on a visa, we loaded a bus and stored our luggage. Then off to walk through the lovely city of Sydney. We ate in an amazing international food court buzzing with people. We then went to an Opal Museum where we learned how opals were created, mined and made into wonderful jewelry. Then we went up elevators to the top of the Sydney Tower to overlook the city we will be spending the next two days in. At the base of the tower we saw a “motion” film about Australia. It was cleverly done with mirrors and lights. The second half was a “ride” where the chair moved with the picture. After that we walked in the old part of Sydney, the Rocks. It is a lovely spot next to the harbor. Exhausted from our day of walking, we are now in the hotel. Tomorrow will be another wonderful day in our adventure down-under.

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