We hit the big time! SYDNEY

 I actually set the alarm (yes, even vacationers do that) for 5:30 am so we could see the entrance into Sydney Harbor. It was spectacular! 

Many cities have one significant feature that, when you see that picture, you know exactly what city you are in. Sydney is lucky..It has two. The Harbor Bridge and of course, the Sydney Opera House. In the corner of this picture you see them both.. We are here!

The Opera house welcomes you!

And the Harbor bridge awaits us to travel under. Since our ship is smaller, we fit under the bridge and will dock at a terminal farther way from the Central Quay. Some of the gigantic cruise ships need to dock in the downtown center because they can’t fit under the bridge. Those docking fees are horrendous!

After taking the shuttle downtown we decide to head to the Botanic Garden.  Ive wanted to go there since our lat visit to Sydney. It was already getting warm out and I didn’t remember the hills but we did make it there 

I love the way gardens use statues to decorate the pathways.

This little boy and girl adorned the garden

Sometimes a lone tree is the most beautiful thing around!

This was built by one of the early governors to house his horses… needless to say the public revolted about the idea and it is now the home of the Conservatory of music. A much better use,isn’t it? After the walk through the gardens we headed to an area called the Rocks where the early convicts and settlers were living in tents.  It is the oldest part of the city and has been refurbed over the years into a great area with trendy restaurants , boutiques and bars. It seemed like a perfect time to find somewhere to taste great Australian wines. We found the perfect place..Chateau Tanunda’s tasting room. 

They have wines made with grapes from 150 year old vines. 

There wasn’t an unliked glass in the bunch. I tried their whites and enjoyed each one.  We spent a nice time talking with our wine host, Justin and he even pulled out a beautiful port for us to try.. Man we loved it! So much so that a bottle found it’s way home to the ship with us!

Here’s our new friend with Steve and Al

It was a great time!

We then headed back to the ship to rest,relax and get ready for our big night out….

WE GOT TICKETS TO THE SYMPHONY AT THE OPERA HOUSE

This has been on my bucket list since forever. When we were here in 2019 there were no tickets available for anything in any of the concert venues in the opera house campus.  This time, my friend Susan found us tickets for the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and we get to go! Its all we’ve talked about for weeks. 

Inside the symphony hall. What beautiful decor. The wood walls are carved and look wavy like the ocean. 

So excited!

The members getting into place

Looking up at the ceiling! The pianist preformed a piece by Raval for the left hand alone. It was marvelous at how much music he achieved with only his left hand. As an extra surprise we got to hear an encore duet with the conductor also! After that the orchestra played the rest of the program. It was simply a great pleasure to be able to see and hear anything in such a good venue. 

The short tiny woman in the middle is the conductor. She was delightful to watch. It was a great closing for our first day in Sydney. Tomorrow we do more exploring