AUSTRALIA I
We arrived in the land gDown Underh in December/1999, for a two weeks vacation. Sydney is the largest city in Australia and was built around one of the most spectacular harbours in the world. The Sydney Opera House, which is the cityfs symbol and its most famous tourist attraction, is situated on the eastern side of the Circular Quay. Its construction began in 1959 and took long 14 years to be finally inaugurated. Itfs said to had cost around 102 million Australian dollars until its complete conclusion.
Sydney Opera, December 31st, 1999
The Opera shell-like roofs were inspired by palm fronds and the Opera itself is bigger than one can see on pictures and post-cards. We were in the Opera surroundings on December 31st /1999, waiting for the beginning of the year 2000. It was definitely an gexperienceh, ecuz the year 2000 began 11 hours ahead from Brazil time. So, by the time we were having our first year 2000/dinner, our families, in Brazil, were eating their last 1999 lunch. Also, it was a beautiful spectacle to see the fireworks greeting the first seconds of the gNew Yearh. Something we will never forget.
Sydney Opera, January 1st, 2000
Darling Harbour is maybe the most popular place in Sydney, after the Opera, of course. There is quite a concentration of entertainment spots there. Thatfs where the gSydney Aquariumh, the gPowerhouse Museumh, the gChinese Gardenh, the gSegaworldh, the IMAX (the worldfs biggest movie screen), etc., are located. Besides that, gDarling Harbourh has also a concentration of all sorts of restaurants and that was the place we chose for our Xmas supper.
Sydney Darling Harbour
Another Sydney gsymbolh is the gHarbour Bridgeh. Its construction was concluded around the e30s and, since then, itfs considered as an icon of the city, partly because itfs the worldfs largest arch bridge, partly because has the privilege of being located in the Sydney bay (beautifullllll!!!), just in front of the Opera House.
The Harbour Bridge, Sydney