More quickies for the drron's.

[drron]

We will probably be taking some short trips until we hopefully areable to do a long trip in Feb 2022.
First up is a weekend at Sanctuary Cove.Came about as I decided in February to check all my loyalty programs and found out my IC weekend ambassador certificate was going to expire on 1/3.So we stayed on 27,28 the Feb at the IC Sanctuary Cove.We had stayed a few times when it was a Hyatt and it had got tired and had a musty smell.So a while since we have stayed.
First contact was impressive.They obviously KWIA.Easy check in and upgraded to a suite and got club access.It was just as well we had upgraded our new car to a Mercedes as pulling up we were behind a Bentley,2 Mclarens, a Porsche and an Audi.
So to the room.
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So this time I have posted large pics as I got berated by @tgh about the small size of my pics.And I thought size didn't matter.

 

[drron]

I will go a little smaller now with the view.
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The other good part of our arrival was checking in just after one.So we dropped our bags and walked down to the village.We were feeling a little peckish so had some sushi.
We passed on afternoon tea for a little nanny nap but did go to drinks in the club before going out to dinner.
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[drron]

For dinner we walked down to George's Paragon.Some of the cars were still there.
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When we got to Georges there was a long line to get in.They only take bookings for large groups.However it turned out there were very few couples and they came down the line calling for groups of 2.Soon we were seated.Nice views.
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Mrsdrron started with the octopus-a large entree but nice.
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I had the tuna tartare.
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For mains mrsdrron had the entree size garlic prawns.
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And I had seafood crepe.very nice.
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[tgh]

Fast food , greek style.. slam bam thank you m'aam ( and sir )

 

[drron]

Breakfast Sunday morning.
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Mrsdrron had the blueberry pancakes.Yummy.
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And I had the eggs shatsuka which was excellent.
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They also bring you a small bowl of fruit and a plate of pastries which we declined.
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[drron]

After breakfast which was quite late we went to the Robina Town centre so mrsdrron could have some retail therapy.Spent 3 hours then headed to the coast and back up the coast highway.Changed a lot since we were last south of Surfer's Paradise.
Arrived back at the IC in time for afternoon tea in the club.
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After that we decided to try and walk it off so walked around the whole resort.There were some contented guests.
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[drron]

At the Marina end quite a bit of money tied up.
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And coming back past the pool you come to the Chapel.
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I found mrsdrron waiting for me.
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[drron]

After the afternoon tea we felt that the night time nibbles would be enough for us so cancelled our dinner booking.We were right even though we didn't take up the offer of a second platter.Here is the first.
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The staff in the club were excellent.
So just a night's sleep and breakfast on the Monday morning in the club again.
This time mrsdrron had the waffles and I the smashed avo.
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Both were excellent.The smashed avo basically a variation of eggs Benedict which is my favourite breakfast dish.This was one of the better ones.

So that was our weekend on the Gold Coast.Excellent stay at the IC and I am sure we will do it again one day.
I will cover our present trip to Sydney in this thread as the trip may well be cut short.If we do happen to get to WA I will do a separate TR on that.

 

[drron]

So on to Sydney.On Thursday we flew from MCY-SYD.Mrsdrron had a JQ credit when she switched from JQ out of LST to QF out of DPO when we returned home in mid February.It is only an hours flight.The flight was at 1125 so naturally we were there at 0945.Fortunately the JQ desks were open so we dropped our 1 heavy bag having checked in online.
We had had breakfast at home so not in need of another.From bag drop straight to security and it was busy.The 2 lanes were open for the first time we have noticed.That was good as it meant I didn't hold up everyone whilst I was being wanded.As usual mrsdrron was randomly selected for an explosives test.

Mcy was hoppping.At one time there were 5 planes at the Terminal.Both QF and VA had flights to both SYD and MEL.The Sunshine Coast Lightning netball team were on the VA flight to SYD.When it arrived at least 15 women coming off the plane were not wearing a mask.All men had one on.

We boarded early.The 3 SYD planes were the first to leave.The QF plane left 10 minutes before advertised departure time and we left 9 minutes before.The VA flight was scheduled to leave first but left just before us 25 minutes late.

One of the last to board our flight from the font was a young woman without a mask.She sid it was in her bag but she wasn't asked to put it on there and then.
Soon after takeoff I dozed off and woke when the Captain asked the crew to prepare for landing.Had to wait a while to have airbridge operated.Amazingly although the seat belt sign had been turned off no one jumped up until the door had been opened and the FA said you can get off now.A first time for everything.In the airport only a bare majority were wearing a mask.

Even more amazing our bag was in the first 20 off.Soon ay Avis and on our way to the Hyatt Regency.

 

[drron]

We went to the Hyatt regency as we used up one of our Luxury Escape deals that have been on hold.It was meant to have come with lounge access but it was closed.Instead we got 2 drink coupons and $104 in F&B credit.Now we are used to this hotel having stayed many times when it was the 4 Points.Basically it was by far the cheapest SPG option in Sydney and we usually got a good upgrade including a few suites.

So as a base level Hyatt member only a basic room but on the Darling Harbour side.
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A bottle of wine and some choccies with a Luxury escapes card.
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It started to pour with rain as we got to the room so the view was a little grey.
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Sad with all the cruise boats with no where to go.

 

[drron]

After checking in and unpacking it was off to the family and seeing our grandkids for the first time in 15 months.Boy have they grown.Physically and life wise.Very enjoyable.
Then it was back to the hotel and up to their Sky Bar to have our free drinks.Darling Harbour looks much nicer at night.
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I had a mojito and mrsdrron a Sav Blanc as usual.
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We felt a little out of place with not a single other grey hair in the place.So straight back to the room and off to sleep.

 

[drron]

Breakfast was included in our rate.Now we were used to breakfast at the 4 Points where after 0800 there was always a long line for breakfast.Not now.Here is the restaurant that morning ~ 0830.
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Now it was a buffet of sorts.Little bowls of fruit and plates of pastries were brought to the table.You were not allowed to pick them up yourselves.
No problems social distancing at the buffet though.
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Back to the room and caught up with the news of the covid case in Brisbane.WA though at this stage seemed as though they may have changed post election as only insisting on testing etc for those that had been to the list of contact sites.
We applied for and received our G2G passes and weren't unduly worried at this stage.
So feeling Ok when we went to visit the family.

 

[drron]

We only had a snack with the family so came back to the Hyatt to use up our F&B credit.
At the main restaurant was a seafood dinner that we really couldn't do justice to so went back to the Zephyr bar which was the only other place offering any food.
Mrsdrron had 2 glasses of sav blanc and I a glass of pinot noir.We also shared these snacks.
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Kingfish sashimi with finger lime.

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Tempura soft shell crab.

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Scallops in the shell with daikon.

Now we had $104 F&B credit and the bill came to $105.Not a bad meal for a dollar!

 

[drron]

So to Saturday.When we woke up there was an SMS from WA.Our G@G pass was now rejected.An explanatory email suggested that they would review the decision at 0001 on 30/1.So although a little depressing we hadn't lost all hope.
Time to check out of the Hyatt.The grandchildren were engaged with parties and end of term functions untill about 1600 so we wandered over to Westfield Bondi Junction for mrsdrron to do some window shopping.
Mrsdrron wanted a coffee and I wanted something a little more wicked so we went here.
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We hadn't realised that the party that our youngest granddaughter was going to was at the Bondi plaza movies so we met her and our DIL who joined us for a refreshing beverage.

It was then off to the IC Double Bay to check in.The place was full so no upgrade this time and as well the Club was being rebuilt.It will open in April.However we got $140 F&B credit as it was a virtuoso booking,another $70 credit for no upgrade and the @25 credit as an ambassador so didn't feel hard done by.2 drink vouchers as well.
The room.
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The bathroom had a bath and shower.
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Now the view.
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[drron]

That night it was dinner withe family.The chef was our grandson who isn't yet in High school but loves to cook.This night it was stir fry beef and broccoli.Very nice too.
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Whilst we were at bondi we went into Vintage Cellars for a bottle of wine for dinner.Mrsdrron spotted the bottle we just had to have.
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Now there is an interesting story behind this selection.Quite a few years ago we attended the wedding in New Jersey of my godson to an American lass of Italian heritage.We were asked on entering who we were and I announced I was the Godfather.Soon put in my place.
Now my godson was and still is a winemaker.He learnt under Philip Shaw.We were seated with Philip who had just won International winemaker of the year.His labels then were just smaller black printing on one side of the bottle.
Mrsdrron informed him in no uncertain terms that if he wanted to sell more wines he needed prettier labels.With this purchase she is claiming success.

 

[drron]

Getting back from dinner there was the news of a second case in Brisbane and another SMS saying WA wasn;t going to change their border restrictions so we were losing hope of fling off to WA on the 1st April.
So first a happier subject.Breakfast at the IC.This is Sunday's brekkie.Fried eggs and toast with a side of smashed avo for mrsdrron.

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She liked it.But I really loved my smashed avo with sides of bacon and mushrooms.
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We then met the family at the Spruce Goose food van in Centennial Park.They all had burgers but we weren't hungry so just had a coffee.The burgers looked good.It was doing a roaring trade but it was a beautiful Sunday morning.I came across this fellow and took his photo thinking this might be as close as I get to experiencing WA.
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There was still evidence of Sydney's rain.
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I then kicked a football around with the kids before they had to go to afternoon activities and we headed back to Double Bay.

 

[drron]

Sunday afternoon and it was obvious that with the news from Brisbane we would not be flying to WA on 1/4.What to do.
So we had a walk around Double Bay.First around the block to New South Head Road.Passed some of my old haunts.
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Where I used to go to stay with a friend in the 60s.
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And a favourite building.
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We then walked down to the Harbour.
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And on to the wharf as the ferry left.
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[drron]

Now NSW may have a good service code.but social distancing was not a forte amongst the young at the Yacht Club.
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Or on a Party boat.And this was at 1630.
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And a nice yacht arrived.
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[drron]

We walked along the foreshore for a bit.A couple of very large trees side by side.
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And from the other side.
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Then on the way back to the IC a bit of history.Another old house dating from 1860 or 1880 and known as the Customs House. It presumabiy was called this because Mr. Duncan Brown an H M Customs Agent lived here.
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By this time we knew we would have to cancel the first part of our WA trip but sent of a query to the G2G pass people to make sure that if we had stayed for 14 days in NSW since leaving QLD would we be able to enter quarantine free.And to be on the safe side when they would consider our 14 days were up.
With that decision made it was back to the hotel.

 

[drron]

Now we had a sizeable F&B credit to use so it was drinks and snacks in the hotel bar.
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Duck pate - very nice.

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Loaded nachos - good comfort food.

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Salmon tataki with a tempura prawn - excellent.

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Peking duck spring rolls.