We woke up early and excited to go ashore after 4 long days at sea! Our first sight was the city of Sydney – strung out like a large metropolitan city. It was a weekend so there were thousands of sail boats and other boats in the Channel. Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. It is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea with a population of 4.6 million people.The site of the first British colony in Australia, Sydney was established in 1788 at Sydney Cove by Arthur Phillip, commodore of the First Fleet as a penal colony. When the prison was opened, over 50% were women! The city is built on hills surrounding Port Jackson which is commonly known as Sydney Harbour, where we docked the Amsterdam, our ship. Just across from the iconic Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. The metropolitan area is surrounded by national parks, and the coastal regions feature many bays, rivers, inlets and beaches, where clothing and swimsuits are optional. Within the city are many notable parks, including Hyde Park and the Royal Botanic Gardens.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge is the world's widest long-span bridge. It is also the fifth longest spanning-arch bridge in the world, and it is the tallest steel arch bridge, measuring 440 feet from top to water level.
Fourteen troubled years in the building, and 95 million over budget, the controversial sail-like roofs of Sydney's most recognizable icon, The Sydney Opera House, glistens against the backdrop of Sydney Harbour. Danish architect Jorn Utzon has reportedly never laid eyes on his masterpiece, resigning in 1966 due to political difficulties and construction delays—it was finally finished in 1973. It now has an impressive yearly program of up to 3000 contemporary and classical performances and it was a truly memorable place to visit for us. We enjoyed a beautiful view of the Sydney Opera House from the sea. Jolly, the Walrus, also enjoyed the view!
We were welcomed at Darling Harbour Pier by Australian bagpipers. We took the ship’s shuttle to downtown Sydney and boarded the Hop On – Hop Off tour bus and headed out to explore Sydney.
After the tour bus, we began to explore Sydney by foot, what a wonderful experience.
Then we took a journey through Sydney’s Aquarium, and saw some of Australia's rich and diverse marine ecosystems and discovered the world's largest collection of all-Australian aquatic life, with over 12,000 marine animals. We walked in an underwater tunnel and came face to face with dozens of fierce sharks, giant rays, a ferocious saltwater crocodile. For the fainter of heart, watched playful seals, a platypus, and adorable penguins. Sydney Aquarium is home to the largest Great Barrier Reef exhibit in the world and interactive touch pools that feel just like being at Sydney's sea-side rock pools.
to be continued…..
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