Sydney Day One

Had an early start this morning as we headed out to see some sights around the city of Sydney. First stop was the Opera House. It is truly an architectural masterpiece that took 16 years to build. Learned that there was some serious issues that had to be resolved to get the sail designed roof in place. The inside is a wonder to walk through. I have tickets for a symphony performance on Friday night and can hardly wait to sit in the concert hall and listen to them play. We weren't allowed to take any pictures inside the theaters but could of the corridors.

Next we went to a park across from the Opera House for a picturesque view looking back across the harbor. Then we drove through the suburbs to reach Bondi Beach. The average price of a house in Sydney is almost $1 million. That is for a regular 2 - 3 bedroom home. Don't guess I'll be buying a house any time soon here! 

Bondi Beach (Bondi is an Aboriginal word that means water breaking over rocks) was first established as a public beach in 1882 and is home of the oldest surf life-saving club in the world. We had lunch at a small cafe on the beach.

After lunch we visited an opal store and learned about the mining process, pricing, and cutting for use in jewelry. Also got to see the world's largest gem opal, the "Olympic Australis", which weighs in at 17,000 carats.

The Sydney Harbor Bridge 

From inside the Opera House 

From across the harbor 

Mrs. Macquarie's Chair, a bench cut into the rock. It was made by a governor for his wife to sit and look out over the picturesque harbor to help her deal with her homesickness for England.

So shots of downtown 

Bondi Beach - there wasn't many people around as it was cold and rainy.

Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club

A church

Some older homes with the iron works. Darrin said most of these homes would sell for above $1.5 million.

The world's largest gem quality opal