Day 6

Busy day being a tourist while Rick spoke at the conference, I'll keep it simple and let the day unfold by the pictures and map of my day.

Now the night couldn't go by that easily, finally adjusting to the local time, we weren't passed out at 8 and instead went to a VIP (really) cocktail party. We became instantly and intimately familiar with the local beers and wines while enjoying the company of some of the coolest and most interesting people in Australia. Everyone is so friendly and inviting, all wanting to know about the motorcycle trip with genuine interest. Before the reception was over there were multiple invites to "stop by" for a BBQ at various points on our route. There was also a spectacular fireworks display on Darling Harbour, some seemed to think this might be a Saturday night ritual, but I'm pretty sure they were celebrating us being here!! People were starting to thin out after a few hours, but that was just a sign that the real party was about to begin. We circled the wagons and with Emmett leading the charge we proceeded to find a spot for dinner. Being around 9PM on a busy convention/tourist Saturday the choices were limited for 12 people, or so I thought, one phone call later, a table was waiting, we by-passed the diners outside and were seated straight away, so maybe we weren't all VIPs, but Emmett and company surely were!! This was a fantastic seafood restaurant, however being a land lubber, crustaceans just weren't for me. Well some of the best steaks I've had were actually from seafood restaurants and this was no exception, a bone-in ribeye cooked to perfection, superb sides and of course, more drinks consumed while enjoying the company. After closing the joint we decided it would be a smart thing to get another drink (or three) and went to The Loft. Going out on the town with a crew in the know" makes all the difference and this was no different, what was different was seeing a dance floor packed with the rhythmically challenged. All of a sudden, my Deney Terrio / Tony Manero was itching to come out, thankfully for the Aussies, I was able to restrain myself, no need to make them feel inferior with all the great hospitality they have shown!!

The rest of the night I have to keep on the DL, you never know who reads this and I don't need any legal problems this far from home!! ;-)