Australia



The highlight of our trip to Sydney--and certainly 1 of the highlights of our trip--was (Above Far L) the Sydney Harbor Bridge Climb. Yes, we climbed to the top of the arch (Above L), 134 meters above the water with a potential view of 70km, and even though no one took our picture from below, (Above Far R) we were standing at the base of the flags--which were drooping the day of our climb. (Above C L to R) We paid for pictures of us at the base of the arch about to start the steep climb; near the top with a view of the Opera House, and as we cross to head down the other side. The fact that 3 tours per hour of 10 to 14 people, 7 days per week, starting at dawn and going through early evening should tell you how popular it is!


(Above Far L) The Sydney Opera House was supposed to take 2 years and about AU$7 million. But the design was approved based on a Danish Architect's sketch without engineering thought behind it. Much over 10 years and AU$103 million later, it was truly a gift to the country, with thought behind every view and detail. (Above L) The tile pattern on the roof was a chevron pattern which the architect Jorn Utson's wife wore. But he determined that (Above C L) the harbor become part of as many interior walls as possible. (Above R) The concrete, wooden and glass interior was to be sleek, simple, and connect with the outside. Though Utson was fired and never returned to Sydney to complete the building even after he was re-hired, the city dedicated to him (Above Far R) a room with a colorful tapestry.


The city of Sydney beautifully integrates the ocean around it, much like the Opera House. (Above Far L to C L) Sydney's skyline hovers above the harbor. (Above C R to Far R) The whimsical Macquarie building is named for 1 of Sydney's founders, the Maritime Museum resembles a ship's prow, and older row-house neighborhoods make parts of the city feel cozy. Yet there are still many Victorian-style buildings to indicate Australia's British heritage.


(Above Far L) After our bridge climb--notice the blue hat with the bridge climb insignia--we had al fresco lunch outside the 1846-built Oriental Hotel in (Above L) The Rocks neighborhood which is home to (Above C L) a large artisan and farmers' market every Sunday where we wandered afterwards. (Above C R) The monorail was constructed for the 2000 Sydney Olympics with several interesting looking stations throughout downtown. (Above R to Far R) Of course every harborside city has a commercial fish market which is active from dawn to early afternoon but empty by dinnertime.


Sydney has a huge Botanical Gardens with native plants (Above R), a few aboriginal names (Above Far R) and unfortunately a large group of (Above C L & R) Flying Foxes--aka a species of fruit bat--hanging from many trees that the city has been trying to remove because the bats destroy the trees, then seek new ones nearby for their homes. (Above R) The Opera House glows and changes color throughout the day but keeps its mission of entertainment for the public in its many inside venues as well as (Above Far R) outside grounds where a huge inflatable exhibit attracts people to wander into the fantastical shapes while simultaneously livens up the neighborhood.


After Rick few back to CA, I accompanied our hosts and other friends back to Sydney to see a few places we hadn't been able to the week before. (Above Far L) A stranger took our picture with the bridge I had climbed. We visited (Above L to R) the Queen Victoria Building (QVB) renovated into an upscale mall but keeping the old world flavor with its hallways, lovely stained glass windows, and a huge mechanical clock or 2. (Above Far R) The 3 women rest on the edge of a large fountain in downtown Sydney.


(Above Far L to C L) We all hopped aboard a ferry to see the city from a different perspective, looking back at all the lovely upscale neighborhoods with great views. (Above C R to Far R) A yacht was tacking near the ferry with its crew leaning way out. The problem was that it moving into the path of another sailboat PLUS the ferry. We'll never know exactly what happened, but the 100s of passengers watched as the crew managed to maneuver the boat around but dumped them and the boat into the harbor. Their humiliation was our entertainment. C'est la vie!


1 of our ferry destinations was (Above L & C) Manly Beach to see beach club competitions, including young teens on paddleboards. We also passed under the Sydney Harbor Bridge, managing to take a picture of what we climbers might have look like the week before.			Barbara had worked in the Sydney Public Library after university, enjoying the city as many young people do. She took us to see the entrance with the engraved marble map that colorfully showed the country's very early history.