Today is a day in Sydney waiting for tomorrow’s flight to Santiago, Chile, for the start of an epic journey that includes the Atacama Desert, a repositioning expedition of the National Geographic Explorer from Ushuaia, Argentina to Cape Town, and a minor detour from South Africa to Paris. It is the end of the Antarctic season for the NG Explorer, and this year there is an opportunity to sail on her from Ushuaia to the Falklands, South Georgia, Tristan da Cunha and Cape Town. From Cape Town I’ll be driving to Port Elizabeth, visiting Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, before flying back to Cape Town for a flight to London, then Paris!
My room at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth is on a high floor, and provides an interesting view of some of the newer buildings in Phillip Street.
Wandering around Circular Quay finds Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth docked at Sydney’s Overseas Terminal. Too tall to fit under the Sydney Harbour Bridge, she dwarfs everything around her. I also have to say that the Queen really does have a fat arse, but her height keeps her in proportion. It’s a shame that Queen is a bit of an eyesore when docked, square and lacking grace – she probably is more impressive when sailing in open waters.
