Today was a bit hectic, as we had to change planes in Auckland, and then get into the city from Sydney airport, (after getting through customs, of course.) 

Sunrise over Auckland

To cut to the chase, we arrived in Auckland at 7:30 AM local time. After a one+ hour layover, we took off for Sydney, arriving in Sydney about 10:30 local time (Sydney is two hours earlier than Auckland).

After clearing customs, which is almost completely automated, we figured to make a quick trip to the city but delays in luggage retrieval slowed us up.

Finally, we caught the airport line into the Central Business District (CBD from now on).

(That’s one of our suitcases at the bottom as we waited for our train)

After arriving at our hotel, checking in and unpacking, we went out for a walk to get the rust out. Somehow I walked 5.5 miles if you include the schlepping through airport.

We did make one significant stop, at the Sydney Jewish Museum. I had begun an email correspondence with the museum’s librarian when planning my trip. I was seeking information on how Sydney’s Jews helped play a role in acting as a home away from home for Jewish GIs during WW2.

My father was such a GI, stationed in Sydney as part of the US Army Quartermaster Corps. While the librarian, Tinny Lenthen, was unable to find anything specific relating to my father, she did make useful suggestions. I promised her that if my health held, when I got to Sydney I would stop by the museum to say thank you in person. I’m glad to say that I was able to keep my promise.

We came back to the hotel, tired but satisfied. We went out for dinner (for you food porn fans, there will be food specific entry before I put this blog to bed).

On to Thursday——The Sydney Opera House and my first Australian dialysis treatment