South Pacific en Route to Melbourne

Howdy Mates,

    Loved Sydney !  Beautiful city with a significant amount of history and beautiful buildings. I began my first day in the city by going to the Opera House for tickets.  I got standing room to see Carmen.  I was on line at 8:30 with the box office opening at 9:00am.  What does one do on line but talk to fellow folk on line.  I met a gent from Honolulu and three young people from Holland. As the Hawaiian gentleman in front of me approached the ticket window he purchased for the three kids from Holland saying, I was once in your shows and know that fund are scarce.  A magnificent gesture.  Will mention this group later.

  After purchasing my standing room ticket for $49.00, I purchased a tour of the facility.  It was worth every penny.  The guide loved the buildings and presented that love with every word he spoke.  There are three buildings with five different theaters.  The concert hall is the largest with 2500+ seats in the house.  The hall is magnificent.  Pope JP II spoke in this hall as did many other world leaders.  Concerts with conductors from around the world have appeared here.  All I can say is that the hall is spectacular.  Under the concert hall there are three smaller halls.  When I was there there was a play in one and a musical in another - the Rock and Roll show that is now on Broadway in NYC.  I believe the other was vacant.  There is a smaller building of the same design in front toward the land that is a restaurant and bar.  Then there is the Opera House.  It seats 1500 +, at least 1000 seats smaller than the Concert Hall, but none the less grand in its volume.  All three buildings have an unfinished quality about them, rough cements, stone stairs, exposed piping,  I think the Danish architect saw the finish in the people who fill the space with the orchestras, singers etc.  Whatever, it is one of the most amazing pieces of architecture that I have ever seen.  remind me to tell in detail the story behind the construction, cost and architect.  It is all a contemporary melodrama played out in real life.

  After the  tour I grabbed a bight at a caffe right on the water overlooking Queen Elizabeth.  Great view I do not see often.  I then took a tour of the city on the top deck of an ope aired bus.  Very enjoyable and informative.  Then went back to the ship to clean up, dress  and eat before the Opera.  I actually dined in the Opera House.  My standing spot was a great view.  Could see everything.  Met my four neighbors of the morning line.  We talked and then got lost in the opera.  After intermission,  we all got seats for the remainder of the production.  The Opera ended at 10:30 with a start of 7:30pm.  Our group gathered and discussed the opera.  It so happens that our Hawaiian friend is a music buff and has sung Carmen a number of times at home and knows the score by heart