Snapshots of Sydney

Sydney, Australia  2/15-2/16 2013

I got up at 6am to be on deck for our sail into the Sydney Harbor.  It was still a bit dark while we were passing by the Opera House and under the Harbor Bridge but I did get a few shots.  Fortunately, I decided to escape the crowds on the bow and headed aft to watch the rest of our sail-in.  I was rewarded with a beautiful sunrise shot with the bridge and opera house.  Well worth getting out of bed so early.

sunrise over sydney harbor

chinese new year dragon parade

Our first day here in Sydney we spent the late morning and early afternoon at Paddy’s Market.  An inexpensive, indoor flea market in China Town.  They had a dragon parade go through the market and we were able to pick up some inexpensive souvenirs.  “C” got a boxing kangaroo buddy.  This will help him to always remember the ventriloquist we had aboard.  During his second show, his friend, a long and lanky boxer, lost one of his strings and then had his boxer shorts fall to his ankles.  “C” about fell over laughing, to an 8 yr old boy this is the funniest thing on earth. 

After visiting the markets, we walked over to the Harbourside area near our ship.  We stopped for a visit at a very neat playground with a small zipline and a rock climbing wall leading up to a big slide.  Upon reaching the harbor area, we purchased tickets for the hop on hop off bus and did the city tour.  We drove by the Sydney Opera House and many other sites in the city. 

At the end of the tour, we stopped in the Harbourside mall to get a pin at the Hard Rock Café and to look at the Margaritaville Café.  4 very tired people then walked back to the ship.

Our 2^nd day found us back on the HOHO bus headed for the famous Bondi Beach.  Only problem was while riding on the top decker, it started to pour.  Down the stairs we went, only to have the bus start leaking inside as well.  What an adventure.  Upon arrival in Bondi we walked around in the rain for a bit before the sun broke through.  We had an exciting ride on the bus back to town as well.  We kept having to duck under all the branches and got a bit of a shower from them as well.  We will most certainly not forget that trip to the beach anytime soon.

 

After returning to Sydney proper, we went to the National Maritime Museum.  We were able to go aboard a replica of the HMS Endeavor- Capt. Cook’s vessel.  It was very well laid out and gave a pretty good idea of what things were probably like back then.  We also visited a kids pirate exhibit. “C” had a wonderful time searching for treasure there. 

 

One of the neatest things we saw at this museum was a replica sailing ship in a bottle that the ship makers had created.  The model maker explained to us that this is the same vessel that is on the AUD $20.   The bill also has the picture of the woman (Mary Reibey) who once owned the vessel.  She was a convict that came over from the UK disguised as a boy.  She eventually met and married an officer and they started a sailing ship company.  He eventually died and she continued the business and built it to a size of 40 ships.  She was a very wealthy and influential woman in her time, owning numerous homes all over Australia.  Quite an interesting tidbit we wouldn’t have learned if we hadn’t stopped to talk to the model builder.

 

The sail away from Sydney was quite spectacular, with excellent views of the Opera House and the Harbor Bridge.  “C” made use of his timer on his camera and captured many fun shots.



locals enjoying the harbor

the famouse Sydney Opera House