One and a half hours later, we touched down at Sydney airport. The weather was fine and we couldn't wait to go through customs and make our way towards the train terminal which is conveniently located at the airport.
There weren't many people at the train station which meant we shouldn't have too much difficulty managing our suitcases in the confined spaces of the train. I spoke too soon because with each stop, more and more passengers squeezed in, trying not to frown at the culprits (us) who took up a lot of room at the entrance of the train.
We arrived at the train terminal at Circular Quay. It was a hub of activity as people were coming and going in all directions. They were disembarking off ferries and boarding them, heading towards bus stations or walking to their destinations. They were booking train tickets or pausing for coffee. One young tourist sat quietly in the midst of all the hustle and bustle to plan his itinerary. He was a man with a plan.
Our eyes focused on our reason for being here. There she sat in all her radiant beauty, waiting to receive her excited passengers! The Radiance of the Seas is a cruise ship owned and operated by Royal Caribbean International. I hardly know where to start with telling you about a few of the many amazing features of this ship but as I'll be sharing many photos in following blogs, I'll make this introduction brief.
Activities and events on board include, mini golf, a sports court, table tennis, multiple pools and spas, a fully equipped gym, dance classes, live orchestras, cupcake and sushi making classes, disco parties and teen parties, solarium (one of my favourite places) a library and card room, an arcade casino, a program for babies and toddlers, art auctions, and indoor and outdoor movies.
And of course there are the many bars, cafes, and dining areas which include buffet and fine dining and specialty restaurants which cater for all tastes and preferences. But I will share these with you soon.
Circular Quay is situated on the edge of Sydney Harbour and is the location of many iconic attractions such as the Sydney Opera House the Royal Botanic Gardens, and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Busy ferries come and go day and night and it is a merging point for train, bus and cruise ship passengers. The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia and The Rocks are situated on the western side of Circular Quay. Everywhere you walk along this fascinating foreshore you will be treated to spectacular views.
We had the choice of boarding the ship and getting re-aquainted with the layout and her many features and enjoy an early lunch or have a look around the fascinating sights at Circular Quay first. We opted for the latter.
Sydney Harbour is never still. There are boats, ferries and ships of all sizes going about their business and the captains of all floating vehicles need to have their wits about them in order to keep a keen eye on the water traffic to avoid possible collisions.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge, (affectionately known as "The Coathanger,") was opened in 1932 after taking six years to build. Interesting facts: It is made of steel. It contains 6 million rivets which were hand driven. When painting is required, the area covered by painters to complete the job is equivalent to 60 sports fields.
Walking the length of the Sydney Harbour Bridge requires a certain amount of fitness. After a long walk to the base of the pylon, 200 steps are required to reach the top. It cost sixpence to cross it when it was first opened. It is free to walk across and there is a bicycle track for bike riders in a special lane. The Sydney Harbour Bridge is the world's largest but not the longest. Total length = 1149 metres. Arch span = 503 metres. It consists of 8 vehicle lanes, two train lines, a footpath and a cycleway.
Without a doubt, The Sydney Opera House is one of Australia’s most famous landmarks and is certainly one of its most recognizable buildings. It was completed in 1973 and has achieved world-wide acclaim for its unique design and construction and also has the distinction of being called an architectural icon of the 20th Century.
It is situated on Bennelong Point and commands all the attention it gets every single day of the year. The Opera House is a predominant feature amongst many others in Sydney’s Harbour and is probably the most photographed building in Australia.
There are more appealing sights yet to show you in the Circular Quay area before we board The Radiance of the Seas but I will make sure to include them in my Part #2 blog of my 'Cruising with Radiance.' Stay tuned!
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THANK YOU FOR VEIWING. HAVE A GREAT DAY.
