Yesterday I decided to go and change the rest of my NZD into AUD. If you’ve been here a while you’ll remember I had that HUGE win at the casino in Auckland. I was going to hold on to it and change back to GBP on my return home, but I figured that would just go on bills etc, so it makes sense to enjoy this month in Australia a little more!

I remember thinking to myself, “I need my passport back, I need my passport back…” You know the rest of the story! I’m just glad it is not the same passport that travelled to Rochester, NY by itself back in 2010 when Keith and I moved there! Those of you who didn’t know me back then, that is a different story!

I totally forgot all about the fact that I’d given over my passport and not got it back after $1150 of extra spending money was counted out in front of me! Thankfully the currency exchange would not let up calling me this morning to get a hold of me – I am eternally grateful (in the Toy Story alien way). I’m not sure if they are the best rate, but the currency exchange on Wharf 6 at Circular Key certainly has good customer service if you are ever in Sydney!

Lost passport safely back in my wallet, I attempted to find a laundry. I usually book somewhere with laundry facilities, but this time location and price won out. The first place I went to at 10am could do it for Monday. Monday?! It was a few pairs of trousers, some tops and a few sets of underwear! I could have done it myself in a couple of hours! Anyway, a wee walk out to the area known as Woolloomooloo and the wee lady at the Washhouse said she’s have it done by the afternoon! I told her tomorrow morning was fine, before realising both pairs of pjs were in the bag…ooops!

By this time Morning Tea was well overdue. Morning Tea is an excellent thing that I’ve experienced in NZ and Oz. Who doesn’t want/need sandwiches and cake at 11 – it’s way better than a wee treat and a coffee for elevenses! I wasn’t too far from the Art Gallery of New South Wales which had a lovely cafe with the most delicious Lamingtons! When in Australia…

Just inside the main entrance of the museum was an amazing wall of art called Pet Palace by Little Orange Studio. Little Orange Studio is an Arts Centre working studio for artists who identify as a person with a disability, d/Deaf and hard of hearing, and/or as disabled creatives.

I think with art, you know what you like and, some of the greatest names does not move you or interest you at all. Stick your Van Gogh’s, your da Vinci’s, your Picasso’s, your Monet’s etc. I will take this sort of art over those names any day!

My day was a wee bit upside down just with finding a laundry and rescuing my passport and so I found myself doing one of my favourite things, wandering! I ended up in the Botanical Gardens and at Darling Harbour, excellent places for wandering!

It has been a couple of days of culture evenings! If you’ve not signed up to Today Tix I highly recommend it! They are available in all major cities and you never know what you might be lucky enough to pick up.

Lady night was a $55 ticket to The Merry Widow, row S in the stalls in the Sydney Opera House and tonight, Fiddler on the Roof at the Capitol Theatre. Both new venues and shows for me. I know a lot of the sings from Fiddler, but I didn’t really know the story. My goodness, it was a fabulous, but heavy, show. I highly recommend it.

Tomorrow is yet another cultured day (after I collect my lsundry) as Maria and I are off to The Lion King! For now though, I am off to bed!