- The Sydney Opera House
Yesterday, talking about Giraffe as the animal with longest cervical vertebrae, I told my friends about where I saw the first giraffe of my life and that reminded me of my Sydney Trip. The nostalgia is still there – Thanks to everyone who made it a memorable trip of my Life. I would like to mention Napoleon on Kent – The serviced apartment, where we stayed. It was a very convenient location and The Darling Harbour was just 10 minutes away from it while the circular quay was 15 – 20 minutes in the other direction. It was at intersection of Napoleon and Kent streets. (219,Kent Street, Sydney, NSW 2000) (Nearby railway Station – Wynyard Railway Station).
So, How it happened ?
Well, we reached Sydney in the morning from Brisbane and after check – in and usual stuff, we headed towards Circular Quay. It was the most lively and adventurous place I saw in Sydney. Facing the sea it has 6 Wharfs, from where you can choose your way to cruise. Some of the names I remember are Matilda, Thomas cook etc. We gathered Information from Tourist Information Centre and obtained a 2 day Sydney tour pass. (There are many choices depending on how much time do you have ).
Soon after getting the pass we started for the Opera house tour but we were stopped by a different kind of music. We were unable to prevent ourselves from tapping our feet. Decided to look for the source we end up meeting the Indigenous Australians (Aboriginals) playing an instrument named didgeridoo (also known as a didgeridoo or didge) using their mouth. It was a hollow wooden pipe of 1.5 meter, very beautifully decorated. The player needs to blow air through the mouthpiece and at the same time try to make some noise. It was an Aerophone / natural wooden trumpet. The man was playing music and selling recorded CDs of his music. I bought one and it’s still the most different kind of music I’ve heard. (The aboriginals are the original inhabitants of Australia.)
The Circular Quay @ Sydney
Heading towards Opera house we met several tourists who were in awe with the liveliness of the place. WOW ! AMAZING ! MARVELLOUS ! was the expression on seeing Opera house from outside. Sydney Opera house – I must say its an epitome of Modern architecture with the sea (pacific ocean) giving its a perfect company. We went for the guided tour of Opera house which included a visit to some of the theatres and we were lucky to saw one ballet rehearsal. It was a nice
A didgeridoo Player @ Circular Quay, Sydney
choreography and it reminded me of the Opera house scene from movie Dil Chahta hai. Collecting the photographs, we concluded the Opera house tour and came out of the beautiful creation of man. (Those who have seen Lotus / Bahai Temple in New Delhi may feel a resemblance of the same with Opera house.) What a place !!
Then, it was time for sea adventures. We went for Jet cruise and then jet speed boating. Both were unique in their own ways. Jet cruise allowed kids also but jet speed boating was not for kids – it was a speed boat with 20 – 25 capacity with a captain and used to give a spin amidst the sea. Next moment you could be singing “water, water everywhere…..” It was a breathtaking experience.
We were damn hungry after the thrilling rides and decided to fill our bellies. There were variety of food n snacks stalls outlining the sea – side
A poster @ Sydney Opera House
and later on we found an Indian Restaurant too which was having a Ganesha idol at the entrance. (Food is never a problem in Australia.) We went to the Royal Botanic Gardens nearby Opera house for a walk. Its very charming to walk along the sea.
Another major attaction is The Harbour Bridge which is most clearly visible while cruising / speedboating. You can also climb on the bridge with permission and get a certificate of the same !! It is a steel through arch bridge across Sydney Harbour that carries all kind of traffic, be it rail, vehicular, bicycle or pedestrian, between the Sydney CBD and theNorth Shore. The beautiful view of the bridge, the harbour, and the nearby Sydney Opera House is an iconic representation of Sydney or you can say Australia. …….to be continued…….
SYDNEY PART 2 https://rubyash.wordpress.com/2011/08/24/sydney-part-2/
The Sydney Harbour Bridge