This is our first posting on the Blog since we came aboard on Sunday in Sydney. It was a seamless process that took less than an hour and Phyllis took to unpacking our 4 bags, each of which fit under our king sized bed. We are settled in cabin 8-138 and our stewards name is Ramonette a Phillipine gentleman.

But the most exciting moments came when the Sydney Harbor Police began clearing the water of personal pleasure craft away from the QV. At 6 p.m. The Captain began the process of backing our ship away from our dock and turned in the direction of the Harbor entrance while the Queen Elizabeth 2 came away from her berth on the other side of the Opera House. You can see the QE2 in the top picture AND look at the crowds around the Opera House. The crowds were enormous (well over 100,0000)and came out to see the 2 sister ships pass in the harbor giving whistle and horn salutes that could be heard for miles. And all the personal boats honked their horns while we waved the Australian flag from our balcony.

After we passed QE2, The police boats gave the signal that it was okay for the sailboats and motorcraft to chase the Queen Vic all the way to the harbor opening into the Pacific Ocean. You can see the beginning of this spectacle in the second picture above. It was a sight to behold.