Sydney, Australia

Sydney, Australia                                                                          Tuesday, February 27, 2018

It is always exciting to dock in Sydney, Australia, one of the world's favorite tourist destinations...ahead of Paris, Florence, and San Francisco. It is one of the most  recognizable cities on earth.
Blessed with one of the world's loveliest natural harbors, countless golden beaches, a pleasant year round climate, and enviable outdoor lifestyle.  With a population of 4.3 million, Sydney is Australia's largest  and oldest city. Sydney's cosmopolitan population is made up of 100 ethnic groups...now that is a melting pot!

The Queen Elizabeth docked right beside the Sydney Opera House (WHAT A SIGHT!) this morning at 6:30 AM.

Larry and I went through immigration before strolling down to the Royal Botanic Gardens.

               

White Ibis

Kookaburra                                                                       Sulphur Crested Cockatoo

Before our arrival into Sydney, Larry had said that he was looking forward to seeing and hearing the remarkable Australian birds that we so enjoyed back in 2009. It didn’t take long for us to spot several.

We enjoyed walking through the well manicured gardens established in 1816. It is 224 hectares of  native and exotic trees and flowers. 

Our main destination in the park was to see Mrs. MacQuaries Point that over looks Woolloomooloo Bay. We sat in the infamous Mrs. MacQuaries Chair. Her husband, a former governor, had the chair carved into the rocks. It had a magnificent view of the harbor.

Larry and I walked the waterfront path back to the Sydney Opera House and went back on board the Queen Elizabeth for lunch.

During the evening we walked across the Sydney Harbor Bridge.

To reach the bridge we wound through the streets in the Rocks, Sydney’s oldest precinct . The Rock is where the city began with convicts hacking their way through  Sydney's creamy sandstone rock. History recounts it as "a  most unsavory part of town, a haunt for seafarers, prostitutes, and street gangs. Today the Rocks  has been lovingly restored with restaurants, bars, and shops.

                                        We climbed a series of stairways up to the bridge. 

                                      From the bridge the Opera House was grandly lit.

We enjoyed the sights of the city while strolling over the harbor bridge. It was a great way to end our last night on the Queen Elizabeth.

After breakfast Larry and I headed out for a four week road trip exploring south Australia.