8 March. Day 1.

IWD and Sal’s birthday, so we started with a breakfast at Space Kitchen in Phillip. Well, it actually started at 0930, after some time doing final clean ups. Jo dropped us off at Jolimont to catch our Murrays bus to Sydney, after navigating the street closures and detours caused by the light rail extension. Bus dropped us off at International Departures, where we caught the shuttle to the Holiday Inn Express. A short walk, finding a small green belt near the hotel, then a beer, a glass of wine with lasagne and pizza and off to bed.

Room was small – adequate but very quiet.

9 March. Day 2.

Needless to say, a night of light sleep until the first alarm (of 7) went off at 0445. Shuttle to airport, checked in to then discover our main bags wold not go straight through because of the 30 hour stopover. But check in and immigration checks otherwise quick and easy. Then just a wait to board.

Exit from the plane and airport was quick and easy (apart from a slightly anxious wait for T’s case) with a sort  5 minute walk to the hotel for another quick and easy check in. After a wander around the complex, a swim and sauna. Dinner was an underwhelming selection (sort of an Asian tapas) and including a couple of beers – a steal at $HK184 – about $AS 37. We decided then that we wouldn’t eat or imbibe at the hotel again.