Jim_Iain

Watching home news at 5PM yesterday. Back to the future.

It is amazing how people pulled together and helped each other. Iain was amazed that the complete train crew remained at their posts instead of running home and checking on their homes and family. We didn't have phone or electricity for about 3 days.

Generally it opens at Midnight on the designated date (port of embarkation time). We can grab a slot at 9PM in California for East Cost Cruises. You can just grab the time slot using the app at midnight and comeback anytime in the next 45 days to complete the rest. Actually that is all you need - everything else can be done at the port --- Basics - Passport (scan with App), Address and Emergency Contact, Credit Card # and One Paragraph Health Questionnaire. 24 hours before cruise the Health Questionnaire may become available (or not). The day of cruise the Safety Video can be completed (or wait and watch on tv) Once you board - after completing safety drill 2.0 you go to you muster station to have your seapass scanned.

It did indeed change the waterfront.

Time to pull these out and slip into those little plastic holders.

I agree.. I know that Tipping is not the norm but Google to the rescue suggested 10% in a Premium Restaurant with GOOD service. I noticed now that hey have a 10%, 15% an 20% option on all payment machines --- even that little Cappuccino Shop. BTW - do you tip the porters when you drop your luggage at Oversea Cruise Terminal. We are so used to tipping everyone hard to break the habit. They would have to take U.S. Dollars as we don't have any A$ and never needed any.

Well - now that we know what day it is and what day the cruise leaves we will have to pack up this evening The only thing on the agenda today is to go to Hermes on King Street. Iain loves one of the Men's Cologne. Kings Street near Hyde Street Barracks is an amazing area. Rodeo Drive of Sydney and all the top stores...

Thanks --- I've seen that -- Big Signs at the Train Station. I'm so use to Apple Pay that it is second hand to me. Iain had a learning curve as he is the opposite to me and not a techie at all. He is getting to like it and even used it to buy a couple bottles of wine yesterday.

He really was -- don't tell him but he was a SAINT to accept me and the unbelievable task of suddenly having 3 young kids. Iain not only married me but also accepted my 3 kids - youngest being 6. My daughter had to have a Bone Marrow Transplant and he was there to help take care of two of them while I lived in Double Door Isolation with her for over a month.

I almost always cringe when I see a menu here until I translate the prices to U.S. Dollar. Actually Australia is really a bargain for Americans

Last night we went to Ventuno at Walsh Bay arts district. The Barramundi was the best I’ve ever had.

Thanks much. I think of you often. We've gone back a long time on CC.

Now we have to go way back in time to 1988 about 7 years before they first released Microsoft Windows and Netscape Browser. Computers were relatively new an they had something (non-graphichal) called BBS. Bulletin Board System. Think of them like an electronic Bulletin Board at the supermarket. We met on a BBS and chatted about 6 months before we finally decided to meet and have a cup of coffee. We planned on just being friends but things blossomed. I was VERY anti relationship. My first Lover had died of AIDS and my second committed suicide. I let him know I wasn't up for a relationship for at Least 6 months of dating. He moved to Santa Clara, CA from San Francisco and signed a 6 month lease. We didn't last the 6 months due to an act of God. The October 17, 1989 Loma Prierta Earthquake hit. Iain just got on the train when it hit. In those days there was no cell phones and communications was nil. I had his car as mine was in the shop and I ended up waiting at the Train Station until 3 AM - By that time I was hearing radio reports about the highway collapsing and walls falling near the rail station killing people. I was panicked until I finally saw the train - slowed to 15-20 miles an hour checking the rails, bridges and tunnels. The rest is history. We count October 17, 1989 as our Anniversary - hard to forget the date.

Iain has really confused me. For some reason when we were setting up a Luncheon with friends he convinced me we were sailing on Wednesday. Although we both know the date we had in our heads that the 9th was a Wednesday. @abbydancer2003 messaged me today and - Bam - When I looked at where Solstice was today -- I said to Iain --- The 9th is Tuesday ... He said no it's Wednesday... Then looked at his calendar... we both broke up laughing. All will work out well... We will drop our luggage at the port and then have lunch at Matt Moran's Crafted Restaurant and then will check in and board around 3 or 3:30 --

Weather has been beautiful in CBD for past 2 days and no flooding that I've seen. Suppose Friday's torrential rain prompted evacuations and emergency warnings across Sydney's Northern Beaches, Sydney's south west and Illawarra areas as rivers flooded and Warragamba Dam spilled Tuesday is suppose to be colder 55-68F and thunderstorms --- 1/3 inches mostly between 11-4pm

We had another mile back to Millers Point so decided to grab a Cappuccino and Pecan Tart Just what I needed home at last by 5pm

Some more rambling.

Once I figured out Iain wanted to visit the equivalent of SF Castro - back to the train to City Hall Station and just wandered our way back home. Nothing in particular Just shooting things that caught my eye !

Off we went. By the way. Navigation is a bit difficult as Iain wanted to go to Oxford street but we screwed up and went to the wrong end and went all the way to Bondi Junction. oops. I had forgotten my Melatonin so stopped into a pharmacy. Found out that it is prescription but for those over 55 the pharmacist can dispense. The could only sell me a box of 30 2mg - sorry you can only buy one box. The things they control.

We first wanted to take a look at a restaurant Iain found down on the harbor front. Ventuno in the Walsh Bay art precinct. We booked for tonight at 8pm

Sunday April 7 We had a lazy morning, sipping coffee and tea. Usually staying in an AirBnB. We do a bit of shopping and pick up staples - Bread, Cheese, milk, Mayo, Cereal, lunch meats and wine. We usually have breakfast and lunch and go out for nice dinners. We wanted to explore favorite areas. Let’s go back in time - about 38 years. I just came to terms with being and came out. My best friend also parallel my life and had just coming out. I was in Sydney on Business which coincided with Sydney Gay Pride. I ended dressed as Captain Cook riding on a float in Gay Pride Parade. So today we we were off to explore Oxford street in Darlington. Need lunch first so I made Brie an Ham Sandwiches.

It is suppose to stay nice until Tuesday then about 1/4" of rain and then turn cooler and windy. I think we are off to Oxford Street later today. I must say Sydney has the worst sites to try to figure out how to get from Point A to Point B using the Metro. Even Google, which is usually good was hopeless.. Finally found one of my favorites Rome to Rio with easy to navigate and perfect instructions. By the way you can either buy a transit card OR --- Just Tap on and Off with chip card or phone.

As some of you may know my last name is Smaltz. My father was adopted by a Swiss Family who changed from Schmalz to Smaltz. The family wasn't please and when he died put the original spelling on his grave stone. The things you find on you Facebook Timeline.

Really wasn’t bad at about $150 US. Including tip. In finer restaurants it is customary to tip 10-15%.