December 28th Sydney!

December 28th

Sydney

Today we woke up and were able to walk across the street to the International Terminal of Auckland Airport.  We went through check-in and only waited about forty minutes until we boarded.  Air New Zealand was once again wonderful.  We had a great breakfast included in the airfare and had individual screens with movies, TV, and games to help pass the three hours and two time zones.

Gabe watching Harry Potter.

Three trouble makers.

Some ice crystals on the window made it look like it was snowing (photo by Gabe).

After trudging through immigration in Sydney, we caught a van that took us to our hotel, The Holiday Inn Old Sydney.  They actually had our room ready so we checked in before heading a few blocks over to the Sydney Harbor Bridge or the “coat hanger.”  We went to the Pylon lookout and learned a bit about the bridge which was started before the great depression and continued through it to be opened in 1932.  We were able to see a movie about its construction which Brody really enjoyed.

Brody and Gabe were wondering if this would send them to the Ministry of Magic.

(It's a Harry Potter thing)

Walking towards the pylon lookout.

Two pylons, you can go up to the top of the one on the right.

Opera House from the pylon.

Next we headed down to explore The Rocks-the oldest European settlements in Australia-founded in January of 1788.  We ended up eating at an Italian restaurant as Gabriel got to choose, and the lure of pizza was too strong for him to resist.

After lunch we walked around the Circular Quay to the Sydney Opera House.  It was beautiful to look out into the harbor at the bridge and fascinating to see the Opera House up close.  From a distance, the white “sails” that make up the Opera House look like solid white.  Once you move closer they look like large sections or sheets, and finally, when you get right up next to it you find out they are very small tiles that are two different colors of off white!

Sydney Harbor Bridge from the Opera House.

Close up of the lower portion of one of the sail's tiles.

After roaming around for a bit we headed back to our hotel and the kids got to swim on the roof top pool before we had room service for lunch.  After resting up we headed over to the Sydney Opera House for a performance of the symphony, five singers, and two choirs.  It was an amazing performance, but with the two hour time difference from NZ, and late hour, the kids only lasted until intermission-a little over an hour.  Despite not being able to stay for the whole thing, it was an amazing and unforgettable experience.  The acoustics are so great that the orchestra instruments do not need microphones.

Holiday Inn Sydney

Outside the Opera House.

Waiting for the doors to the concert hall to open.

This foyer is supposed to look like the bow of a ship.

Inside the concert hall.

The orchestra warms up before the singers come out.

Sydney Harbor bridge at night.

The opera house as we walk back to our hotel.