Evening in Sydney

We arrived in Sydney about 4.30 Friday evening. The 10+ hour flight was ok. We experienced turbulence for about the first 2 hours, but the air finally smoothed out. The pilot climbed up and down the sky looking for “good” air. We ended up at 40,000 feet for a lot of the trip. We flew on an Airbus 330. (The flight to Honolulu was on a Boeing 767.)

We cleared immigration and customs fairly quickly and were met with beautiful sunny skies and a temperature in the low 80s (26 degrees Celsius – Australia and New Zealand use the metric system). We waited for our bus to take us to the hotel and met some interesting characters. I met a Ukrainian guy, and we chatted about Russia and Turkey.

Our shuttle bus driver was a typical fun-loving Aussie bloke (guy). He entertained us as we drove to the hotel. The boys sat up front and enjoyed their first of experience of driving on the left side of the road. The bus driver later met us and helped us figure out how to get downtown; really nice guy who went beyond his responsibilities.

After a little clean-up we walked to a subway station and made our way to the heart of Sydney, the Circular Quay. We hopped off the subway and immediately found ourselves in the invigorating environment of the hustle and bustle of a cosmopolitan city on a stunningly beautiful evening. We slowly walked over to the world famous Opera House. Later we had some fish and chips, and after 21 hours of “awake time” for me, we headed back to the hotel via the subway. Zzzzzzz

I slept about 5 hours. I got up around 3.30 this morning (Saturday), which would have been 11.30 Friday morning for you. I hope to get my body “swung around” in the next day or so. Everyone else seems to be doing well; they are still asleep.

We leave for Tasmania at 8 this morning, and we’ll be down there for a couple of days. We are renting a van, so pray for our safety. “Stay left; stay left; stay left!” I am pretty excited about returning to Tasmania and worshiping with the church that really began my education about ministry.

Here are a few photos from last night.



I am doubtful about my ability to post for the next couple of days. I will still write, so we may all have some catching up to do at the first of the week.

Have a blessed Sunday, and please know that I think of you constantly (in a sabbatical, non-stressful way, of course).