I am finally getting around to getting the blog up-to-date. This is our all expenses paid weekend at Darling Harbour sponsored by CNH. And what a weekend it was. Shortly after we arrived here in July Bryan and I went to Darling Harbour for the day and we actually said to each other that it would be really nice to spend the weekend here sometime. Well, that weekend came but we never thought that it would be on CNH's dime. Bonus! Here are a few highlights of the weekend. Enjoy!
We arrived at our hotel 'The Four Seasons' on Saturday Oct 18th around 2pm. Bryan had just enough time to get changed and get to his poker game which was scheduled to start @3pm. He went off to his poker game and I went for a walk along the harbour.
Our hotel room was on the 29th floor and had a magnificent view.
After the poker game was over we all gathered for a fantastic supper. (Oh, I just about forgot. Bryan came in 5th overall in the poker game. Pretty good I thought.) It was soooo delicious! But the icing on the cake was dessert of course. Not only did they have a variety of dainties but they had a chocolate fountain and a large variety of fruit for dipping. Yes, I was in heaven! I thought about just standing at the fountain and helping myself till I was full but I thought that maybe I should show a bit of restraint and decided to let other people have a bit of chocolate as well. But let me tell you my plate was full of chocolate!
Bryan and I dressed up for Saturday night.
Saturday evening was coming to a close and Bryan and I decided to go for a walk along the harbour in the warm evening air. The skyline, the lights and stunning view is awesome. We walked along the harbour to the Sydney Opera House and back again to our hotel room. What a day and another fantastic one to come.
Sunday morning came all to soon after a late night on Saturday! But we already had plans for the day first thing. After going for breakfast we decided to take in the Sydney Aquarium.
Sunday morning came all to soon after a late night on Saturday! But we already had plans for the day first thing. After going for breakfast we decided to take in the Sydney Aquarium.
In the aquarium you see lots and lots of huge separate aquariums displaying all sorts of ocean life and reef plant life. It was hard to take pictures through the glass but we managed to catch a few that weren't too bad. Also, you walk through a huge underwater tunnel which is actually a super large aquarium that holds lots of different sharks, manta-rays, sea turtles and so many different kinds of fish.
The underwater tunnel at the aquarium and Bryan posing for the camera.
White tipped sharks.
These are the same species of sharks that Bryan dove with last year at the 'Great Barrier Reef'.
Huge mantarays were also in the aquarium.
It is had to see but these were just enormous!
After the water tunnel we went to see the reef area of the aquarium. The pictures do not do the brilliant colors justice. The pictures are of real reefs and their plant life. I can now see why Bryan has been so excited when he was at the 'Great Barrier Reef' for the colors that we saw at the aquarium he said were just like those at the reef. But just imagine being underwater seeing them first hand!
Amazing colors! This is a real reef at the aquarium.
There is also a portion of the aquarium where you have glass basically all around you, even the floor. You feel like you are walking through one huge ocean aquarium tank.
After the aquarium we walked around the harbour. It was a really hot day over 30C. We saw this beautiful HUGE ocean liner. Mom and Henry you could sail to Sydney on this one!
After we came back from the harbour we decided to sit by the hotel pool. We got waited on hand and foot. They brought us slushes, water, whatever we wanted. They really know how to do things up right and treat their guest but at $360/night one would hope they would. Thank goodness it wasn't coming out of our pocket. Gotta love CNH!
Well, Sunday night was finally here. I think we were both really looking forward to the supper boat cruise around the harbour and what a cruise it was. We went all over the harbour. As soon as we boarded we were met with drinks and appetizers galore. Very impressive. Just before supper we anchored off by a little island while supper was served. We were also serenated by a trio of two violinists and one guitarist. They were very good.
Well, Sunday night was finally here. I think we were both really looking forward to the supper boat cruise around the harbour and what a cruise it was. We went all over the harbour. As soon as we boarded we were met with drinks and appetizers galore. Very impressive. Just before supper we anchored off by a little island while supper was served. We were also serenated by a trio of two violinists and one guitarist. They were very good.
Left: The front of the boat we were on.
Right: Bryan and I on the deck of the boat.
The trio. Very good musicians.
Our supper was fantastic. It consisted of beef, prawns, several different salads, fresh oysters, and I had something they called a 'bug'. It looks like a lobster tail (which is why I took one) but it is like a cross between a lobster and a crab. Pretty good tasting. Bryan was conned into trying an oyster. I don't think he'll be having another one anytime soon! Sarah, a CNH co-worker from Western Australia (really nice girl) showed Bryan and I how to peel a prawn properly. The prawns were very good. Dessert was not a chocolate fountain but wonderful chocolate cakes and several different kinds of cheese cakes.
Left: A sample of our supper! Looks good eh!
Right: Bryan & a dealer on the deck of the boat enjoying
some good conversation and drinks!
Left: Richard, his partner Tammy and Sarah (from Western Australia) sitting at the table where we were
sitting at.
Right: Part of the group on the boat with us. The gentleman standing up with the blue striped shirt is
Bryan's boss, Robert (extremely nice man) and his wife to the left of him, Wendy
Boat going under the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
After the formal supper was done and dessert was served the trio went from table to table seeing if anyone had requests. They came to our table first and I asked if they knew 'Canon in D'. I explained to the trio and the people sitting at our table that my two boys were very musically inclined and that Matthew loved playing this song and I loved hearing him play and missed hearing both boys play their music. They did know the song and played it very well indeed. The people at the table noticed I was getting a little teary eyed and I must admit that this was the first time that I felt homesick.
The trio continued going from table to table and the fun really started. Everyone was letting their hair down and the singing began by all. It was GREAT!
Jim, Chris and Rick these pictures are for you to figure out!!! I know that the boat is a bit rocky but I just can't seem to catch the skyline at dark. I would love to be able to catch such beautiful sights at night. I did not have a tripod. Any suggestions on getting a clear shot??
This is a side view of the boat that we were on. I tell ya, the weekend could not of been any better in our minds. It was like living a fairytale. The people were fantastic, the food incredible and the scenery was something like you would see in an magazine.
Truly one GREAT weekend!
This is the end of the trail for our weekend at Darling Harbour. Hope you all enjoyed the pictures and get a little taste of our wonderful weekend.
Take care everyone and of each other as well!
Love always,
Bryan & Maureen
