Australia - 6 - Sydney

 Wednesday, 5 April, and Thursday, 6 April 2023

Our two days in Sydney started with a city walk from our hotel through the CBD (Central Business District) up to Circular Quay.

Just outside the Queen Victoria Building is a bronze statue of Queen Victoria's Skye terrier, Islay ("Eye-la"). A voice (a local right-wing radio host) from hidden speakers requests visitors to throw a few coins in the fountain which will be passed along to local charities.

Perhaps the most common bird in Australian parks is the Australian Ibis, aka "Bin Chicken" because of its scavenging food from trash cans ("dust bins") and dumpsters.

The Archibald Fountain in Hyde Park. More information here.

"Il Porcellino", a bronze wild boar, is an exact replica of a statue in Florence, Italy. It stands outside the city's oldest hospital, and it gives one good luck to rub its snout. More information here.

These suspended bird cages are an art installation called "Forgotten Songs". They commemorate 50 bird species that have largely disappeared from Sydney with colonization and urbanization. A sound track of the birds' songs changes with the season and hour of the day. More information here.

A construction site near Circular Quay had a series of these "shields" as art on the wall blocking access to the site. A closer inspection shows that each one was a roof & gable with a bird on the roof, then reflected (twice) to make a symmetrical illustration. Other construction sites had historical photographs and other artwork to make them more interesting while construction/renovation takes place.

Circular Quay

Everything in Sydney seems to include the meandering harbor. Circular Quay is the main terminal for passenger ferries that connect the dispersed communities of metropolitan Sidney. The Harbour Bridge and the Opera House are on opposite sides of the Circular Quay harbour.

Frequently, HUGE cruise ships occupy the entire length of one side of the Circular Quay harbour, completely blocking the view.

Thursday morning the Ovation of the Seas had been replaced by the Celebrity Eclipse. These ships are much too large to pass under the Harbour Bridge, so they dominate Circular Quay.

The Opera House across Circular Quay is hidden from view by the Ovation of the Seas.

Sydney Harbour Bridge was completed in 1932 after 8 years of construction. It is a vital link between the north and south sides of the harbour.

Hundreds of visitors climb the Harbour Bridge each day.

Evening Cruise

Our tour included a sunset dinner cruise through Sydney Harbour.

In April, the Australian Ballet takes over the opera stage in the Opera House, and Opera Australia stages an outdoor production in the Royal Botanic Garden. This year's selection is Madama Butterfly.

The Opera House has been mostly hidden from sight for the day by the cruise ship. Here it glows in the late afternoon light.

Sydney Harbour Bridge at sunset.

Sydney Opera House at sunset.

Judy, one of the tour participants, shared her night picture of Sydney taken by her iPhone 14.

Every evening, Madama Butterfly has a short burst of fireworks at the end of the wedding in Act 1. This video was shared by Judy and was taken with an iPhone 14.