March 2 - Sydney at Our Doorstep

After taking advantage of the shower with the nicely scented handsoap bar the size of an Australian 50 cent piece, we felt refreshed and headed out to take our first look at Sydney. It was a gloriously clear day and we headed to the harbor like tugs out of water.

The hotel is not far from Hyde Park which is a lovely inner city green space with a mix of gardens, tree lined paths and stationary -- oops meant statuary. There we saw the Sydney version of the SF wild parrots of telegraph hill. Here they are white cockatoos. There was a small group - 12 to 15 perhaps -- on the ground pecking at something appealing to cockatoos only a few feet from us. This was clearly a comfy place for them despite the foot traffic in the area.

FF -- it was about a two mile walk on city streets to reach the harbor,. About two thirds of the way there, we caught our first glimpse of that Sydney icon -- the Opera House shells. It wasn't long before we were at the opera house plaza taking in the whole view of the harbour. Spectacular....see Jay's pics. The thing about the Opera House is that from a distance it looks so delicate -- like sheets frozen in place or as is commonly mentioned, like sails on a sailboat. Up close it's entirely a differnt perception. First it's massive -- both in size and in construction. The shells are thick concrete but the amazing part is the surface is covered with ceremic tiles not unlike you'd find in someone's shower. Up close, the tiles provided a pleasing symmetry. Each row of tiles ascended perfectly to a vanishing point at teh apex of the shell creating a clean, artistic appearance.

The views from the OH plaza are spectacular (Vanna, I'd like to buy a better adjective please.) There's the Harbour Bridge, the skyline, the harbor itself filled with sailboats, ferries of different shapes, sizes and colours, the OH and the north shore. There was even an ocean liner docked across from the OH. All we needed were the fireboats spewing streams of water and blaring their sirens to mark our arrival. What a place!!!

After strolling around the plaza and athe Circular Quay, we went to The Rocks area and had our first exposrue to the high-priced tourist food at a small, quaint pub on George Street. $20.50 for chicken avacado sandwich and some chips -- read fries -- for Jay. Add another $4.50 for a Tooheys brew. But there is no tipping....so I guess it all evens out.

After lunch it was time to scale the south pylon of the Harbour bridge. We chose this as an alternative to the $160/person bridge climb figuring we'd get similar views and still have money left for food this week. The pylon provides an interior set of stairs that lead you through a mini museum all about the building of the bridge. There are all sorts of pics, press and other memorabilia. It was quite a feat and one which Sydneysiders are appropriately proud of. The payoff was the views from the top. Judge for yourself from the pics (coming soon to a blog near you). Had a good view also of the jump-suit clad bridge climbers ascending and descending the bridge steps in their harnesses. What a cash cow! $161/person, 4-5 groups per hour, 10-12 people per group...do the math. Bet the owner of that gig can afford a chicken and avocado sandwich any time he wants.

Found our way back from the Rocks and Circular Quay (pronounced "kay" for those of you keeping score at home) through Hyde Park and to the hotel to crash. We'd set a blistering pace our first day and needed to recharge.

After my nap, we headed out to Spice I Am - a Thai place recommended by Amy's friend apparently. Good call. Ended up finding Internet Everywhere which has turned out to be our internet oasis in this desert of connectivity. Now if Gavin Newsome were mayor of Sydney, there'd be free wi-fi throughout Sydney.

Stumbled back up Wentworth Ave and fell into bed humming theme to Twilight Zone and not knowing why.