We were wide awake at 4:00 am so had a leisurely time getting ready. We were to meet our tour at 7:40 am at the Hilton a few blocks away. When they weren't there at nearly 8:00 I called only to be told that they had emailed us about a change of pickup location. Since I hadn't checked my email, I never saw it. They said they'd refund a portion and we could join them for the harbor cruise / lunch and afternoon tour to Bondi Beach. Ok, that works. We stopped back at the hotel and I saw an email about my suitcase delay with contact info, so I asked the concierge to see what he could find out. He knew just who to call and learned it was on its way to Brisbane and I should have it this evening. Making progress.
Also while we were at the hotel getting ready to walk on over to the pier for the harbor tour, we got a video call from Daniel. We were SO happy to have received that since we learned upon our arrival in Sydney that he had had a medical incident during our travel day. It was a huge relief to see him and hear that he was feeling good by then. Then I received a call from the luggage delivery company that my suitcase was in Brisbane and Customs needed my lock combination so they could inspect it. If we had made the morning part of the tour, we would probably have missed both of those calls, so things have a way of working out.
The harbor tour was beautiful and the seafood buffet was delicious. Then there was a tour around Sydney and a visit to Bondi Beach which was fun. On the way back to the Westin we stopped for a light dinner at a Westfield shopping mall food court. We really go to some strange places to eat, but had a very nice sushi selection at a very reasonable price.
Back at the hotel we checked with the luggage desk, but alas no sign of my bag yet. We had a delightful conversation with Daniele, from Italy, who told us that Figoni means "the coolest ones". Fig means cool one, but put the oni at the end and now it means the coolest. Dont believe him for a minute, but I like the story. After we went to the bar to use our welcome drink coupon, we passed Daniele again and he presented me with my bag. I was so happy to see it, I gave him a big hug! When we got to the room I saw his delivery tag with our room number and under name he put "The Coolest Ones". I have to say that absolutely everyone we have met at this hotel is the best.
Tomorrow we board the Diamond Princess. We've met several others the last 2 days who are also boarding so we may see a few familiar faces.
It's going on 9:00 pm, we're still jet lagged, so off to bed for a good night's sleep knowing my bag is safely here at last.
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