The Architectural Wonder

Yesterday we were on the tallest arch in the world (the Sydney Harbour Bridge).  Today, since we’d seen the Sydney Opera House from the outside, and taken numerous photos of it, we’d decided to do a tour so we could go inside.  We wanted to see what was beneath those beautiful sails.  I’m not a fan of opera; however, I am a fan of a beautiful, unusual building.  The Sydney Opera House has a great architectural story.  So that was our plan for our day, Thursday, March 23.

However, this morning first thing, I had a crisis.  My eyelash curler came apart and I needed a new one.  I may go without makeup, but not having my eyes done makes me want to hide away and not go out in public.  Luckily, we easily found a chemist and I remedied the issue quickly with the purchase of a new one.

We continued on to the opera house.  On our way, we saw a number of people doing a variety of things to earn a few coins.  A man dressed like a German fellow with a long braided yellow wig, playing the accordion, and getting a number of girls up to do the chicken dance.  A man doing the old shell game … guess under which shell the ball or coin is.

What a fun surprise to see these young ladies dancing.  I wanted to join in.

We continued on to the opera house, and finally got there and signed up for a tour.  The Sydney Opera House was designed by Danish Architect Jorn Utzon and constructed between 1959 and 1973.  It was a pawn in politics, with those supporting it supposedly saying the cost would be only a few million.  The cost swelled, and it would be an on-again, off-again project for years.  The design changed over the years, as well, until it became one that would be structurally sound.

It has carpeting only in a few areas, but they are a beautiful, deep purple.

The organ in the opera house, alone, cost $9 million, and took 10 years to build.  I wished we could hear it, but it’s only played on a very few occasions, usually at Christmas.  I’m sure the sound is magnificent.  Even so, the opera house is used for more than 2,500 performances and events each year, from opera to modern music to ballet to children’s shows.  There’s something for everybody in this building.

The design uses the concrete and wood of the unique structure itself as the work of art.  It does not distract one seeing the massive pieces of concrete used, it only heightens the awareness of what a unique building this is. 

It took 10,000 workers and 1,056,006 roof tiles to finish the building.

The acoustics are enhanced by the rings hanging from the ceiling.  These allow the orchestras to hear their sound coming back to them.

The chairs in the concert halls and theaters are a white birch, custom made, and quite comfortable.  We took our seats, and marveled at the vaulted ceilings.  We’re told that while all seats are not the best to see a certain type of performance, that it does not matter.  For many performances, you come to hear, not to see, and that there are no bad seats for listening, that the acoustics are the true treasure within this building. 

There are 2,679 seats made of the Australian brush box and white birch timber in the Concert Hall.

Lots of natural woods are used, and along with the concrete, only enhance the beauty of the building.  I've heard the New Year's celebrations that use the sails of the opera house as part of the show are legendary.

We walked to Government House that is located at the Royal Botanic Gardens.  It was closed.  Again.  Darn.  It’s been closed each day we’ve walked in the gardens. 

And I don't know if it will be open when we return.  I'd sure like to get inside to see it.  I've heard it's magnificent.

This is probably the most interesting statue/memorial I've seen anywhere.

So we did the next best thing and had lunch.  Then we went to the hotel, got the car and went to Bondi Beach.  It wasn’t far from our hotel. 

The concrete along the walkway to the beach is painted with all manner of things, from birds to people to a variety of what I might call strange designs.  But most are quite colorful.

It’s another beautiful one and we walked in the sand.  We seem to have something about beaches this trip as it started raining … hard, of course.  But that didn’t deter us from walking to the other side where there’s a concrete area where water can flow over and make a small pond.  We walked back.  It rained even harder.  It didn’t stop us and it certainly didn’t stop the numerous surfers and kayakers. 

The surfers don't let a little rain stop them.

Then it was time to get to the store for a few provisions, and head back to hotel, soaked to the bone. 

We left the city on Friday, March 24, and headed up the coast.  We figured it was time to get out of the heart of Sydney and enjoy some coastal time.  But first, there was a visit to a Harley shop in order.  I needed to get a short ride in on these streets.  And that I did, once again avoiding death in a roundabout, or on a side of the street with which I am not familiar.  This was a great bike, and the sound swelled my heart, making me miss the new ride that I’ve not had a chance to test.  When I get home.  When I get home. 

A very nice bike, and fast.

We were staying in Terrigal, not far from the beach.  It’s a cute little place and we were happy wandering around.  We found a coffee shop and a little farmer’s market.  It was also time for a dog fix … with Max. 

These dogs have the sweetest faces.

We did our usual … walked around, had a bite to eat and then went walking on the beach.  We crossed a little lagoon fed by the ocean, the Tasman Sea.  We didn’t go too far and came back across as the tide was coming in and we didn’t want to get stranded there.    We have a pool that seems warm, and a Jacuzzi that was wonderful.  This is the life.