Today the Queen Mary 2, the largest passenger ship ever built, arrived in Sydney amid much fanfare and huge crowds of well wishers. The QM2 slipped into Sydney harbour in the early hours, but “Sydneysiders” surprised the crew by being there in the thousands to welcome her in their boats, ferries, yachts and on the shorelines. At 23 stories high, the Q was so large that it couldn't sail under the Sydney Harbour Bridge! It is 2275 feet long and three times the size of the Titanic! People in the thousands came to the Garden Island port where the QM2 was birthed for the day. I went down to check it out in the afternoon as well. There was an atmosphere of excitement and delight that immediately enveloped you as you approached the dock. The ship is huge!At 7:00pm the Queen Elizabeth 2 also arrived in Sydney and when the two sister ships passed each other in the harbour, they let out a deafening volley of boat horn blasts! The newspapers report that the sound could be heard rumbling around the CBD amidst the sky scrapers for as far away as 20 km. (12 miles). Before the QM2 departed at 11pm for Hong Kong to continue its around the world journey in 80 days, the was a fantastic fire works display! Over 100,000 people viewed the display from all the harbours and hills surrounding the city. It was a fun night.
Of course trying to get that many people home afterwards was a job, but that’s another story.
1 comment:
Kitty & I have just returned from Cabo San Lucas Mexico where it was 85 during the day & mid 60's at night.
Back to the snow, wind, & cold.
But, as always, GREAT to be home. Enjoy yourself, relax and explore the different culture.
Brian:)
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