Sydney, Days 2 and 3

We enjoyed ourselves at the aquarium, where we witnessed two sea lions in the throes of passion. Then wandered a bit around the south end of downtown which was not *quite* as much a ghost town as the north end but still had cops aplenty.

Just off Hyde Park, on the very block where we had our steak reservations later that night, the NSW Police had cordoned off a two-block area with giant paddy-wagon buses. And sure enough, the protesters were filling the park, getting ready to rumble. Our favorite protest sign: “I DON’T BELIEVE IN ANYTHING - I’M JUST HERE FOR THE VIOLENCE.”

Concerned anew about our steak reservations, we backtracked away from the pending riots and napped at the hotel. Fortunately, by 7:00, the block was open again. Cops and protesters dispersed. We made our way untroubled into the lobby of the Sheraton hotel, and into Times on the Park, where we were one of only four occupied tables.

To this point we were so used to lost bags and drizzly weather and APEC hiccups that it wasn’t even a shock when our (as always, very nice) waitress told us that they didn’t have any Wagyu Chateaubriand steak - the very cut of meat we were so insistent on finding. Sigh. But we enjoyed a double serving of Wagyu rump, which it was hard to find any complaint with. Take that, George Bush. We HAD our expensive steak.

~

Day three! Despite working our way up to a normal go-to-bed schedule, we both (even Mary Beth!) continue to wake up at 6 or 7 AM. Sheesh.

In the morning we visited the botanical gardens - the part not fenced off, that is - and marveled at some seriously Dr. Seuss-looking plants, not to mention the postcard view back towards the opera house and harbour bridge. The tropical center was having a show of orchids and carnivorous plants with the awesome name of “SEX AND DEATH.” But, surprise surprise, the tropical center was closed for the weekend.

So it was back towards The Rocks. The Lord Nelson has a pub and restaurant on the first floor, and for a late lunch we had - read this carefully - a pumpkin pizza with feta cheese, pine nuts, and arugula. It was the best thing I have ever tasted ever. Soon as we get back to the States, we’re stocking up on pizza crust and pumpkins.