Friday, last day of the trip. Â We were given a free day to explore on our own. Â After breakfast, we went down to the Quay to catch a ferry over to Darling Harbour and visit the Sydney Aquarium. Â Tickets were $10 apiece to ride the ferry and I could have just ridden around the harbor all day and been happy. Â If you look really close at the top of the bridge, there is a group of people on one of the climbing tours:


I was told the flags were at half-mast because they knew I was leaving the next day and it was a sign of respect.
A pirate ship. Â I wanted to join up but they said I was too well thought-of in the community:

The harbor was full of box jellyfish, very dangerous. Â I couldn't get any good pics of them.
Once at the aquarium, I had the opportunity to pet a Great White Shark, something I've always wanted to try. Â DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS unless you are a trained spa selling prufeshnal:

I LOVED the platypussies. Â They are the strangest little beasts on earth but very entertaining. Â The males have venomous spurs on their hind legs so you don't want to fondle one:


Sweetie Pie would not go through the shark tunnel, the big sheila:



Giant cuttlefish, about 30" long, scariest looking critter on the planet. Â Imagine how impressive the giant squids are!

These lobsters were huge, about 24" long. Â They looked mighty tasty:

Great Barrier Reef exhibit:


WARNING: DO NOT ATTEMPT unless you are a trained spa selling prufeshnul:

Mr. Quackers was a dangerous beast, but after years of watching Steve Irwin masterfully handle venomous critters, it was a piece of cake for an adventurer like myself.
After the aquarium, went to the mall and got some KFC. Â It was the only meal we had that cost under $50. Â Of the original "11 herbs and spices", the Aussies only use about 4 of them. Â Blecchhh!
Got some gellato Italian ice cream. Â Fantastic! Â Dang near almost as good as Texas Blue Bell Ice Cream, best food on earth!
Went to the hotel and got ready for the big going away party....it was awe-inspiring and it will be the big finale to this way overdrawn post....
Terminator