As we touched down in Sydney, the flight attendant gave instructions on where to collect our bags (claim 2) and how not to get eaten by sharks (stay between the buoys). How welcoming!!

I had rather dreaded that last stretch from Perth to Sydney. After 15+ hours in a brand new Dreamliner, the idea of 4.5 hours more in a much less glamorous contraption made me feel a bit sick. So after having down an undelicious mess of “ravioli” I conked out until we landed in Sydney.

The journey from airport to downtown was surprisingly smooth and quick. Just some escalators . . .

. . . and a couple of trains . . .

. . . and then, glory be, the hotel!

I did a quick spin around the block to see if any restaurants were still open at 11pm. But although I found plenty of festive lights and selfie-takers . . .

. . . I found nothing edible but McDonald’s. So back to the room for room service and a few more pages of Don Quixote . . .

. . . before, at long last, some sleep!