Be a tourist at home

I thought you might be missing me or just bored because it’s winter here so here’s an update. We are heading off soon but today we are being tourists in Sydney.

    We used to live about an hour from Manly but now it is considerably further. So bright and early we were on  the train to Central, another train to Circular Quay and the a ferry. No we are not there yet! Next a bus and we are at the  Quarantine station. This was set up in the early days of the settlement when authorities realised that diseases could decimate the  the population. Tents soon were inadequate and more permanent buildings were constructed. Ships would hoist a yellow flag to show illness on the ship. Smallpox , Plague and  Spanish flu sufferers were taken from the Sydney settlement as well.
 I think the authorities were smart. Early on they separated the ill from the possible carriers or infected. Even medical staff were kept separate from the caterers so they were not contacting the sick.  

I am sure I would not like the disinfecting process…..showers, clothes and personal belongings steamed….even the luggage and letters.

The site is huge so the buildings are well spaced with each area fenced.

As you know the class system was important in the early days. You couldn’t have the upper classes ( 1st class) mixing with those peasants from the third class.  The result….separate areas….fenced of course. Third class :

Dining- Simple enamel tableware but you did get a tablecloth .

Going first or second class? You will get a room to yourself or only have to share with one other. Second class , you will need to share a bathroom with a few others but not a communal one like those pesky peasants.

To ensure their comfort, first class had their own separate lounge area, men’s club room, and sport facilities such as tennis courts. Definitely travel first class on your next cruise in 1900’s. 
If you like history, there is a museum displaying artefacts from the different periods. Not your thing, then check out the engravings in the rocks recording many of the ships that had passengers quarantined .

Hopefully you were in the healthy group ,but possibly infected ………remember though if someone in your group falls ill , you will have to start the quarantine period again…sighhhhhh. It’s not such a bad place to do it…..peace, beautiful views, beach, and birds in bush surroundings. 13,000 people went through the Quarantine Station here in Sydney and only 560 died.

All the buildings have been restored. If you feel like staying, there are 112 hotel type rooms available. Take a ghost tour or just relax and stroll around the grounds. A shuttle bus will take you around so you won’t need to climb these stairs…..I had to☹️.     Time to head home. Catch you soon.