Day 14 S-Y-D-E-N-E-Y! (Written on Feb 02, 2013)
Sydney Opera House, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Photo credit M.Jenner
My early “alarm” clock for my midnight watch was in the form of a bright and breezy (but then apologetic!) phone call from Micah in the west, being three hours behind us! Hmm, 8pm becomes 11pm where we are on the east coast! Spilling into the wheelhouse I see a lovely patch of moonlight on the water like a solo spotlight on a stage-show. A heavily clouded sky of fast-moving cumulus shines bright and the sky is glowing white all around…
When I come on at 12, we are zagging to avoid the port limits of Newcastle where 14 vessels wait in the anchorage. It’s a bumpy ride, 30 knot head winds, and the “night polishing” is underway on the bridge deck. Resty bids me a good night saying “Goodnight, Madam, I will see you tomorrow – in Sydney!”
Fresh from the STC and having collected great data, we are all fired up and ready to share bucket-loads of information! We have travelled 2226.6 nm in the last 14 days sighting 7 species of cetaceans and acoustically recorded 7 species and possibly more upon investigation of the hundreds of sound grabs collected.
Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney, NSW Australia.
Photo credit M.Jenner
Passing Luna Park, Sydney, NSW Australia.
Photo credit M.Jenner
Just before 0600 Curt pops his head in our cabin “Quick Mich, we are coming into Sydney!” On deck asap my clothes are a tad dishevelled, but I have to be there… the morning light, with heavy cloud approaching, covers the gorgeous cliff-top residences, yachts nestled in the bays and the ferries jostle between stops loaded with CBD commuters past the iconic Sydney Opera House and beneath the world-renowned Sydney Harbour Bridge…its exciting to be back!
We are excited for our arrival in Sydney, the most beautiful harbour in the world! Kindly we are again the guests of the Australian National Maritime Museum (ANMM) in Darling Harbour, berthed amongst their fine fleet of historic and national heritage vessels. The attention to detail and care of these maritime treasures by the ANMM staff and volunteers is truly inspiring.
Securing next to HMAS Vampire. We will be guest of the Australian National Maritime Museum for the next few days.
Photo credit M.Jenner
Whale Song alongside at the Australian National Maritime Museum.
Photo credit M.Jenner
Curt steers Whale Song to the east for a short harbour tour and along the Paramatta River. At 0850 we enter Darling Harbour passing the distinctive heritage buildings and modern glass-towers of the Sydney CBD on our port-side making our way to the South Jetty at the Australian National Maritime Museum (ANMM). Kindly, the ANMM Fleet Manager, Phil McKendrick and his willing Fleet crew are dockside to greet us and expertly take our lines. “Welcome home!” Phil calls as the stern line is secured. We are grateful for such a warm welcome and such an awesome position in the heart of the city. We are excited about the possibilities of many future projects with the ANMM!
A spectacular laser light show “Waves of migration” on the roof of the Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour, New South Wales, Australia.
Photo credit M.Jenner
Completing our mission we arrive safe and sound in Sydney! Well done all!
With a happy wave from Darling Harbour!
Mich
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