Sydney (I didn’t know that)

With mixed emotions, I leave Kate and her family behind.  I’ve been traveling a while, and I’m beginning to long for home.  With only a short time in Sydney, I begin with a day tour of the city.  Among the things I see….

A statue of Captain Bligh is the first stop.  

I forgot that Mutiny on the Bounty was  a true story.  Bligh was the fourth governor of Australia.  I didn’t know that.

Kangaroos and emus adorn the Sydney Court House because they symbolize  forward movement.: they are the only native animals (possibly the only animals in the world?) that cannot move backwards.  I didn’t know that. 

                                                    Sydney Harbour Bridge

The Sydney Harbour Bridge is the widest longspan bridge in the world. (The Leonard P. Zakim Bridge, over Boston’s Charles River, is the world's widest cable-stayed bridge: take pride, Boston Strong).  Organized bridge climbs allow visitors to ascend the inner arch for thrilling views.  I make a note to consider trying that next time….

And then there’s the Opera House, one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world.  The Sydney Opera sits in the Harbour, it’s roof fanning out like a set of orange segments.  In fact, the design is based on fanned out orange segments.  I didn’t know that.

                                                        Sydney Opera House

Bondi is a beautiful beach and popular area among surfers, who are protected from sharks by rectangular, 600-foot nets, suspended between buoys.  There are beaches with nets to protect surfers? I didn’t know that. Unfortunately,  in January, 2010, the nets failed to protect a surfer who became the beach’s first shark attack victim since 1929.

After an afternoon of touring, I linger in The Rocks, near the Bridge.  This is one of Sydney’s oldest areas, now filled with shops and cafes that offer a beautiful view of the Harbour and the Opera House yet keep the feel of history and heritage.  And it is here that I discover the film in my camera (remember film?) has not been advancing since I saw the Opera House.  I didn't know that either.  

No pictures of Sydney after the Opera House   

Next, the Blue Mountains.