Australian Adventure/Day 2

Sydney, Day 2 - June 17, 2000

Our cruise left from Circular Quay, which was not within easy walking distance so we hailed a taxi. Like any large city just raising his arm was enough for the cab to come sliding in to our feet. A ten-minute ride brought us to Circular Quay where we were able to find our debarkation point.

Our boat was a catamaran with a huge mast. The cruise was lovely but windy and I mostly stayed inside. I was able to get some good pictures of the Sydney Opera House. It's certainly different. The cruise was a coffee cruise and we nearly had the boat to ourselves. I drank tea and relaxed, Bill drank coffee and got grumpy. The day was gray with intermittent sun. When the sun peeked out the water sparkled like little bits of broken glass.

I had no idea that the Sydney harbor was so large or the skyline so impressive. In commerce it is second only to Hong Kong. One wharf pointed out to us was built up with apartments/condos and the individual units sold for about $400,000. That's about Ľ million US and a lot of money to live on a pier.

We left the boat with a couple of hours before our next tour, which was a bus trip around Sydney. We saw all the familiar sights like McDonalds, Taco Bell, Burger King, Pizza Hut and even H&R Block. Many parks and homes of dignitaries and even the home of Tom Cruise were pointed out.

During our free time we sat on a bench and watched some of the entertainment. We again saw the man on the unicycle working a different part of the harbor. We also met a couple out walking their Chihuahua. The little darling was a therapy dog and snuggled right into my lap almost giving me a min pin fix.

For large cities, my frame of reference is Detroit where the city has fallen into total decay. Very few people live in the downtown area. I found it interesting to see so many businesses and apartments mixed together. Even looking out our hotel window we could see the terraces of people's apartments. The homes in the downtown area are built on top of each other. Most have no yards and no room for garages. Many homes are built on top of their garages. In historical areas many home owners are allowed to do anything to the inside of their homes but the outside must remain as originally designed.

We also stopped at Bondi beach. The prevailing winds are strong and the trees take on unique shapes. At this time they are erecting the facility for the volleyball for the 2000 Olympics beginning in September. And we witnessed a beautiful sunset over the Olympic construction.

Interestingly enough the profit taking from Olympic items has already begun. A 'Sydney' hatpin for my collection is about $3.00 and an Olympic hatpin is $9.95.

Our guide told us that the Olympic committee would soon take over and run the concession. The owners will be paid but will lose out on the huge profits. The employes will be sent home with full pay for the duration.

The bus tour dropped us a couple of blocks from our hotel and we hit Hungary Jack (Burger King) for something to eat, then home, a shower and bed.

Sydney Opera House

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