The Opera

Feb 22nd

Zach, Michele, and me

Took a bus to Circular Quay then walked to the Sydney Opera House. It's massive! It's story is also rather opera-esque.

The plans to build it almost never came into fruition, because the design was rejected, but construction eventually began. It took many years to figure out how to make the shells. Jorn Utzon almost conceited defeat, because he thought the shells impossible to create, but a clever designer realized you could just break a part a sphere to create the shells.

Between the shells

Towards the end of construction Utzon was thrown out of his seat as architecture, because he was going over budget. The Opera House was supposed to initially cost only 7 million but by the time it was finished it cost over 100 million to make! Utzon returned to Denmark and died never seeing his finished masterpiece.

Lots and lots of stairs

The inside of the Opera House consists of buildings within a building. The theatres and concert halls were constructed within the shell. They were effectively built from the outside in.

The view of the water itself is gorgeous from the inside, a far cry from the usual downtown situated venues.


Keep it level!


Jono De Costa

Darling Harbour

Feb 17th

Sydney Tower!

Walking tour of Darling Harbour. We went right by the biggest IMAX in the world and the Chinese Garden as well. The tour ended at Cargo Bar, a bar that overlooks the water on the harbour. At the bar, we received complimentary drinks. Not too bad of a bar, but I'll stick to the ones on King Street and Oxford St. probably, as they attract more college aged attendees.

Harbour Bridge from the Sydney Tower

After Cargo Bar, Zach and I headed to Sydney Tower and went to the top. What a panarama! The Opera House and Harbour Bridge were right below and St. Mary's Cathedral could be seen on one side. I recognised the University of Sydney Camperdown/Darlington campus that I am residing at in the close distance. On the ground floor of Sydney Tower we went on Oztrek, a virtual ride through Oz. What a waste of time. It showed all these sights that we should see in Australia, but it was accompanied by annoying jerky motions, not entertaining at all.

St Mary's Cathedral from Sydney Tower

Chinatown is even cooler at twilight. I got me some bubble tea A.K.A. milk tea.

Bats, friendliest creatures on earth, taken by Zach

Harbour cruise tomorrow!

Reflecting pool in front of St Mary's

St Mary's up close

Keep it level!


Jonathan De Costa