Tuesday, Sept 24.

Sydney

My last day here. Spent the morning packing and boxing the bike. I have no scales so I hope all is within the weight restrictions. Well, I’m just bringing home what I brought out, so all should be fine.

Once all the packing was done, I checked out of the Maisonette but they allowed me to store my luggage there till the shuttle came.

My first call was to an internet cafe to print out my boarding pass. Plenty of them about in the Kings Cross area.

The Sydney Jewish Museum was near enough to visit. Very high security at the door entering and exiting.....button to pass through door 1, wait, button to pass through door 2; bags inspected and must be left in locker at reception. Same again on the way out.

Most interesting display but too much to take in. Level 1 dealt with the history of the Jewish people up to their scattering in 70AD after the destruction of the Temple. From then on, as a race they were without a homeland.

Level 2 dealt with the rise of antisemitism especially in 1930s in various countries and how it led to marginalization and to the ghettos under the Nazis. The ghettos were just holding areas for the labour and extermination camps.

Next level dealt with the efforts Jews made to resist and how those who survived migrated various countries. In one display it dealt with 

1. Those Who made the Holocaust.....not just the big names but also doctors, policemen, businessmen, police, ordinary people etc.

2.The Bystanders.....the Allies who wouldn’t bomb the rail lines of Auschwitz, Pope Pius 12 and Red Cross who didn’t denounce the Nazis, many governments who closed their doors to Jewish refugees and more.

3. The Collaborators...Fascist and nationalist groups in occupied countries, police in France, Holland and Belgium etc.

It finished with the quote from ’British’ author, Edmund Burke 

At the top of the building was a Sanctum of Commemoration to the victims. I enjoyed the hour or more there but the standing was beginning to tell on the legs

From then till the arrival of the Airport Shuttle I just relaxed, wandered about, had a coffee and sent a few e-mails and noticed how far from Dublin I am.

Shuttle arrived on time ($12 and another $10 for the big bike box) and after 2 other calls headed straight to Terminal 1.

Some of the residential areas near the centre still have the look of an old town...plenty of single storey terraces with balcony and iron lacework.

I was in plenty of time for my flight, well ahead of the crowds and just flew through all the checks. (No problem with weight of luggage, although I noticed I was we'll above the 30 kg, including the bike.)

Just waiting here now in a calm departure area.

Thanks to all of you who logged on to this blog and sent comments. I hope it may have given an insight into Australia and into the joys of cycling.

I noticed that there were a large number of log-ons from Hong Kong, from South Korea, from China and Russia. That wasn't expected. I’d love if those people posted a comment on how they found the content.

I’m really looking forward to coming home. It has been a great adventure, one that will live long in my memory.

In the hotel, I noticed an Aboriginal proverb on the wall which sums it all up 

“We are all visitors to this time, this place.

 We are just passing through.

 Our purpose here is to observe ,to learn, to grow, to love     

         ....and then we return home.”

Thank God for the health and thank God for the energy.