The hotel just happens to be mere blocks from Kings Wharf ferry station. Awesome way to get to the Opera House tour. Quick trip from harbor, to Harbor Bridge, to harbor.

Sydney Opera House. Kind of wish I got the longer Backstage Tour but since we went on Sunday though our tickets were for Saturday (crap!), were lucky to get a deal on the regular tour.

Just. Friggin. Amazing. The history of the place, the amazing shape it’s in, the design and details of the design, the kinds of shows that take place and a truly hysterical tour guide made it so perfect. There is one music hall with fuchsia chair cushions, rounded seat backs, a 10,000 pipe organ – unreal.

Learned so much about the place. For instance:

- It’s a rental space; the Opera House itself does not plan it’s own shows that last for years. I could rent out a hall for $2,000 for a party; one couple apparently booked one for their divorce party.

- Rather than the original estimates of $7M/3 years, it took $100+M/14 years to build but was paid off in 18 months by the creation of an Opera House Lottery. Aussies LOVE to gamble.

- The design was part of an architectural competition and originally the plans were discarded until Eero Saarinen came to in late, looked through all trashed entries and picked the one.

- There is a huge range of shows that come through – from Opera and ballet, of course, to the Foo Fighters, illusionists and circuses.

The rest of the afternoon included a walk up and on the Harbor Bridge, picnic and street markets in The Rocks neighborhood, quick look through the surprisingly modern Customs House and another meet-up with Elizabeth to see the Recorders exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art. The exhibit was full of interactive plays on art + technology.

Walked through the massive Royal Botanical Gardens which has a great Herb Garden (I want), roses in full bloom and these ficus trees that make you wonder what the hell those generic office ‘ficus’ are back in the States – these guys are just massive.

Long walk up Crown Street, through East Sydney, Woolloomooloo and Surrey Hills and on to Bill’s for a wagyu burger topped with beet and zucchini pickles. I will now be putting (my own canned) beets on all sandwiches – num num.

A rainy morning makes a perfect museum morning. The Powerhouse Museum is an interesting mix of science and design – also happened to have a Harry Potter exhibit that (1) was sold out the entire day and (2) made it exceedingly child-heavy throughout the building. I survived.

The exhibit of the moment was Spirit of Jang-In, treasures of Korean metal craft. Though photography wasn’t allowed, I managed to sneak a few shots – the intricacy and craftsmanship of the work was truly astounding. Jang-In translates as Artisan, Craftsman or Master; I like it.

The museum also had permanent exhibits on space, chemistry and steam engines – so, yeah, an interesting mix.

 

FINALLY get to see my lovely friend Elizabeth and her Aussie hubby Garrath! Went for some yum cha (dim sum) at Marigold, a giant red room full of pushy cart ladies, pork dumplings and steamed buns – yes.

 

More Aussie animals in store at Wildlife World. How this place as 20x more koalas than the Melbourne Zoo, I don’t know. But they were so cute – and babies to boot; aw!

More walking, if you can believe it, until spontaneously fell upon the symphony performing outdoors in The Domain park as part of Sydney Festival. Wish I had a picnic; the champagne and charcuterie around me is inspiring. Note to self: Picnics every Sunday this summer back at home.

A pre-dawn flight to Sydney – too early, too tired, how are people on the shuttle actually smiling and holding conversations?

A few lovely things about Qantas domestic in Melbourne. One: you can not only check yourself in via kiosk but also drop off any checked luggage…all DIY, no people, just a sticker and a conveyor belt with scanner. Two: no need to de-shoe in security or even have a ticket – say goodbye right at the gate. Three: a one hour flight somehow also includes breakfast and coffee.

Sydney is pretty different from Melbourne – much more of a City city. Like DC with palm trees. Whereas Melbourne reminded me of Chicago in the summer: funky distinct neighborhoods, fit people being all active, BYOB, a real separation of downtown and fun life. Love them both but in different ways.

Hotel is right on Darling Harbor, a former industrial area turned kinda touristy with a busy nightlife. Spent the afternoon exploring and window-shopping from south to north: Queen Victoria Building, Strand Arcade, Hyde Park, Parliament, Opera House, Circular Quay and back down George Street to Darling Harbor and Thai food for dinner.

There was a great moment today when I stepped down toward the riverfront, turned the corner and saw the Harbor Bridge. Then the Opera House. Two wow moments of I’m actually here! Followed by a glass of pink moscato at the Opera Bar.