Sydney

I am behind with my stories!  Left Sydney almost a week ago and have not written yet about our time in this beautiful city.  The Oosterdam’s schedule was changed shortly after we booked the cruise, shortening the stay in Sydney by several hours – only 7am to 4pm.  Plus - we needed to be back early, by no later than 3:30, for the second safety drill since new passengers were boarding.  We found out later that the issue was tides.  The new White Bay Passenger Terminal requires ships to go under the Harbor Bridge.  The location is a matter of controversy since there is no real public transportation to White Bay – it is an inconvenient place for a cruise terminal.  Locals find the location absurd! Large ships that cannot get under the bridge continue to dock at Circular Quay – right in the center of old Sydney – The Rocks.

Since our time was short and we were in Sydney on a Sunday, we decided to book a private tour.  Normally in a big city we would explore on our own and possibly take the hop-on-hop-off bus but with the short stay we wanted to see as much as possible without having to figure out things on our own.  The day was great – the predicted rain did not happen! 

Our private guide used a 4 Wheel drive SUV which we shared with another couple from our Cruise Critics Group.  It was worth it.  Although we did not stop many places, we saw all of the main sites and neighborhoods. Our driver John was interesting – with a life story like many in Australia from what we've learned.  He came to Australia as an infant when his parents emigrated from the Netherlands after WWII.  Australia was looking for skilled workers and his parents fit that category – a nurse and a machinist.  Europe was devastated by the war and Australia presented an opportunity for a better life.

John was a civil engineer and worked for the City of Sydney with an office in an historic building in the Rocks area with an amazing view of the Opera House.  He speaks Dutch and English – retired early and started his business of taking tourists to see Sydney, the Blue Mountains, and on long treks to the Outback.  He gave us an interesting running commentary on Sydney/Australia – his experience of working for the City was great for me – some things are the same everywhere. 

The Harbor Bridge and Opera House are such icons for Sydney – we stopped at several places for views and pictures.  When we were standing next to the bridge on Circular Quay also viewing the Opera House, I was surprised how small they both seemed.  Every New Year’s Eve, one of the first things you see on television is fireworks from the bridge and panoramas of the Opera House.  They seem so much bigger on television. 

I probably have this wrong but I recall John telling us that the largest auditorium in the Opera House is for 1,800 people. The story of the construction of the Opera House and all of the technical problems is legendary – arguments with the architect that resulted in him saying he would never come to Sydney or Australia again.  He never saw it completed.  As we left Sydney, we stayed on our balcony and watched the Oosterdam barely make it under the bridge and we both took what seemed like hundreds of photos of the Opera House from every angle. 

The rest of our tour was of the various neighborhoods, bays, beaches of the city.  The Sydney Harbor and surroundings are one of the most beautiful we have seen – on a par with Rio, Hong Kong, and San Francisco – we also love the approach to Stockholm which also reminds us a little of Sydney.  Ferries crisscross the harbor which would be a great way to commute to work!  The famous Bondi Beach is more of a backpacker hangout these days – a little cheap and rundown – not a favorite place for our guide.  After crossing the Harbor Bridge we toured Manly – a place we would like to stay if we return someday with its easy access to Circular Quay by ferry. 

Our stay in Sydney – (New Zealand and Australia) was too short – a land trip is in order…but this “taste” was a great way to decide where to go back.