How I Spent Christmas Day

In this post I told you about Christmass Dinner.

After that lovely meal and the poppers/crackers we strolled to Circular Quay (pronounced Key) the gateway to Sydney Harbour.  Circular Quay was originally known as Sydney Cove and is the sight of the European settlement of Australia beginning 26 January 1788.

We strolled around the Sydney Opera House.  The Opera House is actually a building within a building.  The exterior was designed by Danish architect Joern Utzon.  During construction there were engineering and budget issues.  Mr. Utzon resigned.  A Sydney architectural firm was called in to redesign the interior.  The Opera House was officially opened in 1973.  The first theater production was Prokofiev's War and Peace.  The first event in the concert hall was Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.

These steps lead up to one entrance of the Opera House.

This end of the Opera House faces Sydney Harbour.  Special events are held in the enclosed tent area.

The glassed area in this picture is the Opera House equivalent to the "Green Room" that we hear about on U.S. television where celebrities await their appearance on stage.

One view from the Opera House shows a crane used a naval ship yard.

Another view across Sydney Harbour to North Sydney from the harbour end of the Opera House.  There were many families enjoying the day in their sailboats.

Looking back at the City of Sydney from the Opera House.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge from the Opera House side of Sydney Harbour.

The exterior of the Opera House is covered with a million of these anti-fungal tiles weighing 158,000 tons.

This was our view when we stopped for a beverage.

Encircling Circular Quay is a Writers Walk that honors famous Australian authors.  These plaques describe their careers and work.  This one is Arthur Conan Doyle.

Also, along the path at Circular Quay were markers that detailed the original shore line of Sydney Harbour.  I did not get a picture of this, just made a note of it.

This marker honored those going off to war in 1885.

From the Quay you could take an elevator to the street level.  This is the view of Sydney Harbour from the street.

This Aboriginal gentleman was demonstrating his skills with the didgeridoo.  There are many such "buskers" along the path of Circular Quay.

We walked along this path on the Sydney Harbour Bridge side of Sydney Harbour.  The building to the left is where cruise ships dock so their passengers can visit the city.  There is a fancy restaurant on the lower level which was closed for the day.  In the big picture windows...

...I caught a reflection of the Sydney Opera House.

 This made for one very exciting and thrilling day.  We loved every minute of it.

 

Enjoy!
Have a super great day, sew lots, and stay safe.