Sydney - Friday, 21 June 2019 -UPDATED

The Tank Stream Hotel is a very lovely boutique hotel right in the center of Sydney. The rooms are a bit small, but well appointed and with many outlets, a real plus when trying to charge all sorts of electronic devices. Because of its size, Sharon has her own room for our stay here. I am sure she is appreciating the solace. 

Today was the city tour. Wheels rolling at 8:30. It was an incredibly beautiful day here with temperatures in the 50s. A brisk wind made it seem cooler when we departed, but it calmed down and we were able to enjoy the brilliant sunshine. 

Much of the city is under construction right now as they have re-evaluated the public transportation system and are re-installing tram lines that had been removed 40 year ago. So there is much congestion in this city of 5 million.

We drove past Hyde Park, modeled after the London park of the same name. There was a statue of Governor Lachlan Macquarie, one of the founders of the colony. 

Then past St. Mary’s Church with its spires. The spires were lifted by helicopter onto the church before the Sydney Olympic games in 2000. Because taxes are not paid on buildings in progress, the church never really completed the building. However, an edict before the games said that all building in progress needed to be finished and so it was.

Down to the harbor where we found Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair, a seat cut into the rock where Elizabeth Macquarie came to sit. 

The Sydney Tower in the Westfield complex stands very high over the city. 

We then motored past the entrance to China Town with its many grocery stores and restaurants.

Near the Chinese Gardens is a giant mural of Jenny Munro, an Aboriginal elder. The mural was painted to protest the relocation of the poor. 

Trinity Church and another Luna Park were next seen on the tour. 

We then visited the Sydney Opera House. It is obviously the best known landmark of the city and it rules the harbor. It is hard not to photo it every time you see it. Our tour consisted of a visit to the concert hall where we saw part of a rehearsal of a brass and woodwind ensemble that was practicing some Queen songs. Not photographs allowed. Would you believe that the tiles on the roof are self-cleaning? Also saw a couple of the smaller venues including the Studio and Drama Theatres. We picked up our tickets for the evening’s performance after the tour concluded. 

The Harbour Bridge is also an iconic landmark. Originally called the iron lung because during the Depression it kept so many people employed. Now its nickname is the coat hanger. It is painted on a ten year cycle and  takes 30,000 liters of paint for a coat. Paul Hogan, Crocodile Dundee, was a bridge painter. At the top of the bridge flies the Australian flag and the flag of New South Wales. You can climb the bridge for a mere sum of $200 - $400 depending on the time of day and kind of tour. 

In the harbour also was anchored the U.S.S. Wasp and an Australian carrier.

The tour ended at the National Opal Museum and gallery. We were offered some tea sandwiches and viewed a presentation on mining opals and the different types of opals. Following that we were guided into a showroom where we could purchase opals. The ones that I really liked were in the range of $4000.00 and so we passed on the opportunity. 

Got back to the room and decided that there really wasn’t much time do do anything before we had to leave for the evening. Earle read and I wrote a bit of the blog. 

Left the hotel around 4:30 and headed back to the Opera House. Lois and Gerald had booked their dinner and show with Collette, but the rest of our group were left on our own. Would you believe. In a taxi?

We got to the waterfront and decided to scout out the restaurant options. We landed at The East, a Chinese restaurant. This was probably the best Chinese I have ever eaten. Sharon had the Lemon Chicken, Earle Scallops and Garlic, Charles Chicken and Cashews, Barbara Sweet and Sour Pork, and I had Beef Sichuan. We really cleaned our plates. 

We had a few minutes before our show began so we sauntered over to the Opera House and posed a bit on the Throne before having a glass of wine for me and a beer for Sharon. 

Our show was Thrones, a Parody. It was basically two hours of laughter. If it comes to an area near you and you have watched the TV show, do NOT miss this. 

Back to the hotel around 10:15 and time for bed!