Sydney, Australia

We were up before breakfast to watch us enter Sydney Harbor. This is a huge harbor. All of the expensive homes in Sydney line the harbor. The business and reasonably priced housing is inland. It is a beautiful harbor. It says somewhere, 1,000 ships could be in the harbor and it would seem like just a few. When we got to the opera house the ship did a 360 degree turn so everyone could see it from their balconies. It is very striking from the outside. We have many pictures. There all kinds of ferries moving everywhere. Some slowly and some very fast. We finally moved to a dock with a terminal and tied up. Guess what was right in front of us? The Aon building. My Daughter-in-law Debby works at the one in Glenview, IL.

After breakfast we went on a tour with Nazi from hell. About 20 of us got on a huge bus for 60 and the Nazi babbled away in some language of her own. Besides having a German accent, she had some kind of speech impediment. After a five minute ride we came to our first stop, the opera house.

While the outside of the opera is outstanding and world renowned, the actual interior is a mess. There are many different halls besides the main theater. It requires walking over 200 stairs to get to the first level and then there more stairs everywhere. We knew that before signing up. This was supposed to be a 15 minute stop and I did not care to walk over 200 stairs and I was told there was no elevator or rather, lift. After a half hour I took a look around and found that there was a lift I could have taken at any time. Now it was too late as I would not be able to find anyone. After an hour I started to get a taxi for the 5 minute ride back to the ship or perhaps take my own tour. About then I saw Art and heard him calling my name. He had not toured either but did go the first level to pass out. Nazi had come out a different exit then the one she was supposed to and did not bother to count people as she marched the troops back to the bus. We did finally find the bus and got on while the Nazi was out looking for us. When she did finally show up I explained how happy I was with her, NOT.

After a tour of the city we stopped at a beach where we could use restrooms and get something to eat if we wanted. Art wanted to stay on the bus but Nazi ordered him off and told him no one could stay on the bus and you will like it. This bitch needs a serious beating.

At the beach there were little huts to sit in for shade. Each was divided into 4 parts. Everywhere we had been there were tons of Japanese. As we got off our bus, several bus loads of Japanese got off theirs. I warned that they would try to jap us out of a place in the shade and sure enough they tried but missed. They are very noisy and talk at the top of their lungs. Wile sitting there I explained that I could speak Japanese. When they didn’t believe me I started to say things in Japanese and in a very low growling voice that I am sure would irritate the loud mouth Japs around us. I said things like Toyota, Kawasaki, etc. At this Bobbi started beating me for a change while at the same time trying to keep her hand over my mouth. Finally I shook my head in agreement that I would not do that any more. But I know contracts made while being tortured and smothered are not binding. So as soon as she let go I hollered out a final Kamikaze, loud. Have you any idea how hard Bobbi hits?

We then got back in the bus and saw a few more areas. Twice during the tour Nazi made raciest remarks. At one point she told of some event the Catholics were protesting with a march and signs. She was especially gleeful when told about the police breaking up the march. Later as we passed a golf course she told that it was very difficult to get membership and that among other things you had to be recommended by at least two members. She was very happy to report that was how they kept it for Aryans only. I guess the ship will hear about this.

Sydney is a very interesting city. The nicer houses around the bay, some of which were 8 to 10 million dollars, were mostly in the style of US houses from the 20s to the 40s. New ones being built in that area are also copied in that style. There are some modern style houses. Everything is hilly and what we saw was well maintained. While their downtown section as well as suburban shopping centers had plenty of larger stores, there were far more small individually owned stores. Many of their high-rise buildings are very similar to those in the US and many are not. I am not crazy about the architecture of most of these that are not.

For some reason Australian customs had been very late in getting the ship cleared. The tour had to be late also. By the time we got back to the ship it was about 4:00 PM and we had not eaten a thing. I don’t know if I ever felt this hungry in my whole life. I have been used to a couple of lunches daily.

A wondrous thing did happen today. They have supplied any kind booze I can think of. They have lots of different kinds of diet pop. Pop. For you foreigners from the East, that’s a lot like soda. Now I found there was Diet Dr Pepper at the pool bar. That’s my favorite. I sent my butler slave after some this morning. When I got back to my suite, there it was in my fridge. I’m gonna be happy as happy as a pig in sh - - I mean slop. (There could be little kiddies looking at this).

Murial, or is it Muriel, and Art were too tired to join us for dinner so we ate with just the Kramers. On our way out of the dining room we stopped to talk to Lynn and Nick. While sitting with them and eating their candy, the ship moved to a new location just opposite the opera house. It is now parked much closer then the bus got us for the tour. They too could not get their phone to work. I was finally able to connect her with her cell company’s office. She got to talk with someone from India she could not understand. I was a big help because I can speak Indian. You don’t believe me? Okay, try this. UGG. How. White man speakum with forked tongue. The Indian wasn’t happy with me either but I can really speak English while sounding very much like an East Indian. That got the Indian really mad and she hung up. Lynn walked out of my suite muttering something unintelligible to herself while trying to get her phone to dial something. I am always gladto be a big help.

We will be docked here for another day and one half. This is the end of a segment of the world cruise and many people are leaving and others arriving.

Aussie Sherm Out

(Posted on behalf of Sherman Rootberg)