Day 76 - Wednesday 20th March 2024

Awake with the alarm, and up and at 'em to get ready for leaving New Zealand today. First job of the day was to repack my bag to include the things that I've left in the car. To my surprise it all fitted, including the cheap bag that I bought so that I don't have to buy another in Australia. I did jettison a couple of sun creams that I've not used as I've been using the Factor 50 stuff I bought here.

With the bags all packed and loaded into the car, it was then a case of waiting for the 10:00 checkout time to arrive, after which I checked that it was OK to leave the car there while I went for the final coffee in New Zealand. 

Away from the motel at 10:40, I made my way to the airport where I filled the car with fuel as required, and parked it up at the rental car park. Keys left, I made my way into the departures. I'd already checked in online, but found an Air New Zealand person and told them that I'd probably need to pay for excess baggage; I did so that was all sorted. Then up to where security was, but that didn't open until 13:20, so I had a wait and did some Sodoku puzzles until it did open.

Through security and passport control, I had my final kiwi beer at the bar overlooking the runway before we started loading at 15:10. All loaded, we had a slightly late departure, but only a 3 hour flight time to Sydney. 

We flew into Sydney above the city, affording a great view of the harbour bridge that I'm going to be climbing in a couple of days time; I did have a look for the opera house, but didn't spot it!

We'd had someone taken ill on the plane, so there was a wait while paramedics boarded the plane to look after her, then we disembarked. The whole immigration process was automated here, so through passport control with no human interaction and no stamp. I'd declared some things on the biosecurity form because I wasn't sure, but was waved through by one official, only to be called back by another who wanted to check a bit more and inspect my walking shoes. No action needed though, and I was through.

A new sim secured and an Aussie phone number (0490003659 in case anyone needs it) before following the signs to the trains, and taking the 17 minute train ride to Central station on a double decker train. Then a 10 minute walk to my hotel, where I'm now settled in the smallest room I've had so far.

That's the story of today really. I've had an email from the car hire company saying that there was a stone chip on the windscreen, and I was being charged for that .... I did know about it, but they've asked me to complete a claim form and I have not the slightest clue when or where it happened! I've requested guidance.

So, I'm now in Australia, and after the two months I had in New Zealand it's got a lot to live up to. I have no plan for tomorrow, so I'll have an explore of the city .... I've had something suggested, so I'll look that up I think for tomorrow. Then the day after I'm off the the Blue Mountains, and the day after that I'm up the bridge. For now, the two hour time difference is noticeable; it's 20:00 here, but it does feel much later! 

Time for bed said Zebedee!