Sydney.
After a journey, from the east coast of the US to Australia, of about 24hrs, it was a relief to get to Sydney.
However you approach it, 14 hours on a single plane is a very long time (LAX to Sydney). Here some of the group sleep. Left to right, ML, Steve, Drew and Jess.
Evas Hotel on Orwell St. We stayed for 7 nights in the hostel district near Kings Cross Map which is about a 15 minute walk from the Sydney Harbour.
The Sydney Opera house is located on Bennelong Point. Map. All together this iconic structure designed by Jorn Utzon has 1,056,006 Swedish tiles covering the roof.
The Opera House in the mists as seen from the Rocks
Other Opera House Facts.
Height above sea level of the highest 'sail' in metres-67
Length of building in metres -183
Width of building in metres -118
Number of light bulbs changed annually -15,500
Number of kilometres of tension cable in concrete sections -350
Combined weight of the roof in tonnes -160,956
Square metres of glass in the windows -6,223
Number of rooms in the building -1,000
Original estimate of years it would take to build the Sydney Opera House- 4
Actual years taken to build the Sydney Opera House- 14
Number of hours to trek to the summit of the highest roof shell -1
Number of years the building will be open on 20 October 1998 -25
The Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge as seen from Mrs Macquarrie's Point at sunset.
ML admires the sunset
We saw a morning "Tea and Symphony" performance of "The Planets" by Gustav Holst performed by the Australian Symphony in the main Auditorium.
Jen, Devon and Laura consider the merits of the Opera House after the performance.
Erin and Laura think it is absolutely fabulous to be here!
Bennelong Point is located next to the Royal Botanic Gardens (Map) through which we walked many times during our week in Sydney. As part of our intergrated program, we were lead on a tour of the gardens by Ed. Wilson (seen below sitting under the "Mons Oak"). Ed is a long time curator at the gardens and a well known Australian poet. His tour was a unique and enjoyable mixture of botany and verse.
Casey becomes "One" with the environment!