Our penultimate (I just love that word) day

Saturday was our chance to do anything we wanted as we had achieved everything on our primary list. We considered the ferry to Manly Island, but decided that sunbathing and the long ferry ride were not at the top of our list. We considered going out to the Blue Mountains, but that seemed like mostly a chance to look at beautiful scenery and we decided to take their word for it. Given Felice's love of street fairs, we chose to go to Paddington Market. So we decided to try our first meal in the hotel. The hostess told us that we could sit and wait about 20 minutes to give our order, but that they were not going to be cooking for at least 20-30 minutes, so breakfast would be elsewhere. Once done with breakfast, we were briefed by the concierge on how to get to the Market. We took the 380 bus and eventually got to the Paddington area of Sydney. Lots of avant garde shops are the hallmark of the area.

We walked for about 30 minutes and found the market which was held in the Paddington School. It was very cool and they had a bunch of booths. We bought a few things there including some food and gifts. In general they had a little art, food, clothing and antiques. After a half hour, we headed down the street to see the rest of the area, before taking our 380 bus back.

We stopped at Hyde Park as the Wine and Food Festival we had scoped out was on-going. There were 70+ wineries represented as well as 25 food outlets.

Of course we ignored the wine, but we did have a bit of an eclectic lunch with ice cream as a chaser. There was lots of music and it really had a nice vibe.

While in Hyde Park, we visited the ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) Memorial. It was very touching.

During one of our earlier excursions in New Zealand we learned that the New Zealand people have a genuine affection for the US due to US troops coming to their rescue in World War II while their armies were far, far away. Very good to know.

We walked back to the hotel down Elizabeth Street, not even knowing that we walked right past the Cafe that had been the subject of a terrorist hostage event in mid-December 2014.

http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2014/dec/20/sydney-siege-timeline-how-a-day-and-night-of-terror-unfolded-at-the-lindt-cafe

Upon reflection, that was very sobering. We stopped at McDonald's for bathroom facilities and internet and then to the Apple Store for internet (faster speed). Back at the hotel, we booked our transfer to the airport and then headed upstairs to relax. We found a one hour documentary on the encroachment of civilization on the koalas and how they are trying to adapt. That was very interesting.

We decided to try the restaurant at the hotel again and this time, they were cooking, although not very quickly. I was surprised to find that for the first time, a retail establishment told me that if I paid for my meal with a credit card, they would assess me a fee, so I showed her and paid cash. The food was fairly good and the scenery was pretty good so it was a pleasant dinner. We didn't particularly like their selection of desserts, so wouldn't you know it, we went to Max Brenner's for dessert and then headed to the hotel to pack.