Home. Usually it's where we hang our hats, where we've parked our packs and where the electric toothbrush is plugged in. For the first time in a very long time, say 11 years, we returned home today - and what a way to do it. The ship had been threatening to dock in the secondary port, White Bay. effectively the middle of nowhere from a Sydney-sider's perspective. The night before we arrived the information was updated and we were docking at Circular Quay and Sydney's premier cruise terminal, the Overseas Passenger Terminal. Wow! The ship arrived in the very early hours of the morning - there was no chance of us being up on deck to see the arrival. We dressed in a very summery fashion, packed a day bag and also a full cabin bag each and enjoyed our second to last breakfast on board. We were fortunate that our included excursion was due to depart early - 9 am - so no hanging about. We made immediate firm friends with the guide and the driver and set off to be tourists in our own town (which we knew more about than the guide - huge fun).

The first stop was the premier stop of the half day tour - Sydney Opera House - not just a look from the outside but a full gided tour - very interesting indeed. From there, we were back on the coach and over to Mrs Mcquarie's Chair. We could not have asked for a more stunning day - sunshine and diamonds on the water. Magic. The coach then meandered out through Paddington via Oxford Street and reached the Gap in Watson's Bay - Sydney's premier spot for suicides with a view. Last but not least, down to Bondi Beach. It was packed with roasting bodies and getting quite warm by that stage. It was 1.30 pm or so as the coach headed back to the city and our new best friend dropped us at the Coca Cola sign in the Cross and we hoofed it 10 minutes home with our cabin bags.

My oh my - quite a few cockcroaches had died in action during the last 18 months - we swept, swept and swept again, rinsed out the bath and basin, opened the windows, turned on the fans and were thankful indeed that the power had been reconnected as scheduled. All was most definitely well. Starving by that stage we visited one of our old favourite Thai restaurants for a lunch special and eventually - 5 pm or so, walked back through the city, via the Queen Victoria Building - our favourite in Sydney - and all the way down George Street - finally the light rail and redevelopment has been completed in our absence.

Sydney really put on the ritz for our first day in port - not to mention it being St Patrick's Day and a Friday night - Oh My - the Spanish on board could not believe the party atmosphere. We were two of about 15 people who stayed on board for dinner but really, where else could we have a stunning dinner, wine included with the Sydney Opera House just out the porthole - absolutely miraculous. We took care of some administration - thanks to cancelled 'included' excursions in Lima and Auckland, we were in the fabulous position of getting cash back from the ship's office - it took a while (as expected) but by the time it was sorted the Opera House was lit up in green for St Patricks's day - wow. What a welcome home.

We had had a huge day with the half day tour then getting the apartment back online - so were in bed by 9.30 pm or so - all our packing done, luggage outside the cabin door and ready to stroll off the ship in the morning.

The ship being the Magnifican't afterall, the luggage was still sitting outside the door the next morning, but we got it collected and had breakfast, said goodby to some of our favourite staff then tootled through the terminal, collected our bags, snaffled an Uber and were home in the blink of an eye - so nice to be there and fresh and cool, fridge cold and ready to go. It being Saturday morning our local outdoor market was in full swing - and all the pavements and works that dragged on forever during Covid are finally 99% finished. We love our 'hood. 'Nuff said.