OUR FIRST DAY IN SYDNEY

 SPECTACULAR CIRCULAR QUAY

Six years ago we walked down the hill from our hotel with no pre-conceived idea of what was “down by the water” and suddenly the Sydney Opera House revealed itself in all its heart-stopping glory. I will never forget that moment.  Pictures do not do it justice.  It is simply spectacular.  In 1957, the relatively unknown Danish architect, Jorn Utzon (the O in Jorn has one of those charming no-no lines through it when written in Danish), won in a competition of 233 designs from 32 countries and was catapulted to forever fame in the field of architecture.  The fourteen shells of the building, if collapsed and re-assembled would form a perfect sphere.  There was a lot of controversy about the design though and the building was not completed until 1973.  If you would like to read the very interesting story of Utzon and his Opera House, you can find it here.  Tonight we go there to see the opera Carmen.  I'm weak with anticipation.

The view from our hotel window of the harbor, Harbor Bridge on Left, the cruise ship Sun Princess about to leave, and the Sydney Opera House.

The Sun Princess playing second fiddle to the Opera House.