The fam spent a day exploring the city of Sydney and basking in the hot sun.
We started off by meandering our way through the Botanical Gardens. These are right on the harbour. They're huge and so pretty!
and full of bats! Lots of them! Kind of gross, but kind of cool? I guess?
We had a picnic lunch next to the water and then headed off to....
the Opera House!
No visit to Australia would be complete without the Sydney Opera House right?
Right!
The Botanical Gardens lead you right there. Perfect.
. Are we measly American tourists who just walk around the Opera House?
Oh Pahlease! Of course not.
Opera House Tour- here we come!
I was so glad that we ended up doing this. It was amazing to actually be inside. Check out the views...
(this is the set-up for the Premier's {US translation: State Governor} new years party that would be the next night)
We learned that the architect wanted people in the Opera House to be able to feel like they were on a ship in the habor. That's why they used glass everywhere and have the Opera House 'sails' up top. This picture was taken from the 'bridge' of the ship.
Here's the exterior of the place. The architecture is stunning folks. My jaw is still dropped. Right here, right now.
Did you think that the sails were a smooth pure white?
False!
They're tiles of varying colors in a chevron pattern.
We learned so much from our tour guide and even got to go into each concert hall. (there are 3 total...yeah news to us too!)
Such a good time and so informative. It was amazing to be inside the building and to learn about the architect, the history and the little known facts of the Opera House.
After the Opera House we plunked down outside for a little relaxer.
Don't mind us, we'll just enjoy the view.
It was off to Manly next...but that'll be another post!
The Peruccas in Oz
-December 30, 2010-
Gorgeous! I didn't know that the building had so many windows! Do they cover them when there are shows? And three concert halls? No wonder it's such a famous building.
ReplyDeleteOkay Kaylee, I'm pretty sure every blog entry makes me more and more sure that spending quality time in Australia is a brilliant decision. In part because I'm in a freezing town and you're playing on the beach? possibly. haha Looks so fun.
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