SYDNEY (days 40 & 41 of our journey)

Sailing into the harbor in Sydney was a magnificent sight that we will remember for a long time. The Harbor is surrounded by unspoiled bushland, sandy bays, attractive housing, sailing boats, and the towering sky scrapers that seem to rule the skyline of the city. The Harbor is only used by private boaters, ferries and cruise ships. Commercial shipping is not allowed in Sydney Harbor. Commercial ships use a specified Harbor on the South side.

 On our Bus Tour today saw both the quaint and the more contemporary areas of the city. All are well kept with lots of shops and restaurants and all were busy. The city streets are very narrow and mountainous which combined with the fact that they drive on the wrong side of the street, TO SAY THE LEAST, made the ride on a large bus very interesting in itself.

Sydney's Opera House, Sydney's pride and joy. Took 13 years to build and cost over one hundred million dollars in 1973. For sure it was worth it. It is absolutely Magnificent! Unbelievably impressive! Every detail from the acoustics, to the tiles on the sails on the roof, to the seating in the theaters was and is customized to maximize the effect of every performance. We are very sorry that we did not get to see a performance there.

What we did get to see, however , was the Opera House Security. As we were regrouping to go to the bus I could not find Woody. After we all had a look around I sent everyone back to the bus, figuring that when I found him we could find our way back to the ship, and I began looking on my own? I approached 2 strange men & asked them to look in the men's room? No Woody? You know that I began thinking the ship would leave without him! A half hr. went by... I finally went to Security, as advised, and put out an all points bulletin for him. After making arrangements with the security people to contact each other should we find him I left the Security office to continue my search, and low and behold there he was at the top of the stairway looking down at me! The actual details of how we came to lose each other seem unimportant at this time. The important thing is that were able to get on the bus together to continue the tour.

THE SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE FROM THE HARBOR

AVIEW FROM INSIDE THE OPERA HOUSE

THE INDIVIDUAL TILE THAT MAKE UPTHE SAILS ON THE OPERA HOUSE

THE MAIN OPER STAGE "UNDRESSED"

THREE MONKEYS AND WOODY

WOODY THROWING S BOOMERANG ON SHARK ISLE

AN ABORIGENI ON SHARK ISLE

VIEW OF THE HARBOR FROM SHARK ISLE

JACOBS LADDER

All for now.  All aboard at 10:30 PM for NEWCASTLE AUSTRALIA tomorrow.