Sydney, Australia

Feb. 9-10, 2023

Sydney is the capital of the state of New South Wales, Australia. Located on Australia’s southeastern coast, Sydney is the country’s largest city and, with its magnificent harbor and strategic position, is one of the most important ports in the South Pacific. The population (2021) of Sydney was 5.23 million.

Entering Sydney Harbor, you are greeted by the sight of The Sydney Harbour Bridge. The bridge is a steel-arch bridge across Sydney Harbor. The bridge, opened in 1932, serves as the primary transportation link between Sydney and its suburbs on the northern side of the harbor. It spans about 1,650 feet, making it one of the longest steel-arch bridges in the world. Along its length, it features four railroad tracks, a highway, and two pedestrian walkways.

Next to come in sight is the iconic Sydney Opera House. Its unique use of a series of gleaming white sail-shaped shells as its roof structure makes it one of the most-photographed buildings in the world. The Sydney Opera House is situated on Bennelong Point (originally called Cattle Point), a promontory on the south side of the harbor just east of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It was named for Bennelong, one of two Aboriginal people (the other man was named Colebee) who served as liaisons between Australia’s first British settlers and the local population. The Opera House is a home not only to the symphony orchestra but also to opera and chamber music groups.

In 1956 the state government sponsored an international competition for a design that was to include a building with two halls—one primarily for concerts and other large musical and dance productions and the other for dramatic presentations and smaller musical events. Architects from some 30 countries submitted 233 entries. In January 1957 the judging committee announced the winning entry, that of Danish architect Jørn Utzon, who won with a dramatic design showing a complex of two main halls side by side facing out to the harbour on a large podium. Each hall was topped with a row of sail-shaped interlocking panels that would serve as both roof and wall, to be made of precast concrete.

His winning entry brought Utzon international fame. Construction, however, which began in 1959, posed a variety of problems, many resulting from the innovative nature of the design. The opening of the Opera House was originally planned for Australia Day (January 26) in 1963 but cost overruns and structural engineering difficulties in executing the design troubled the course of the work, which faced many delays. The project grew controversial, and public opinion turned against it for a time. Amid continuing disagreements with the government authorities overseeing the project, Utzon resigned in 1966 and left Australia. Construction continued until September 1973 under the supervision of the structural engineering firm Ove Arup and Partners and three Sydney architects—Peter Hall, David Littlemore, and Lionel Todd.

The Opera House is Sydney’s best-known landmark. It is a multipurpose performing arts facility whose largest venue, the 2,679-seat Concert Hall, is host to symphony concerts, choir performances, and popular music shows. Opera and dance performances, including ballet, take place in the Opera Theatre (renamed the Joan Sutherland Theatre in 2012 as a tribute to the celebrated Australian operatic soprano), which seats just over 1,500. There are also three theatres of different sizes and configurations for stage plays, film screenings, and smaller musical performances. The Forecourt, on the southeastern end of the complex, is used for outdoor performances. The building also houses restaurants and a professional recording studio. In 2007 the Opera House was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Next, we briefly passed through The Rocks, the birthplace of modern Sydney. With the arrival of European settlers in 1788, it was here that the convicts first set up house and shop. You can discover the area’s rich colonial history as well as its contemporary position as a thriving entertainment precinct right by the spectacular Sydney Harbour. The name comes from the extensive use of sandstone, the bed rock of Sydney and its principal construction material.

A short bus ride then took us to see Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair. Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair is a Sydney landmark. The chair was carved out of a sandstone rock ledge by convicts in 1810. Specially commissioned by Governor Macquarie for his wife Elizabeth who was known to love the area this is one of the best vantage points to view the sights of Sydney Harbour. A very wealthy woman, one of the sights she enjoyed was her ships entering and leaving the harbor.

Then we were off to the Bondi (pronounced Bond-eye) neighborhood. On our way we stopped briefly at The Gap. The Gap is a sea cliff on the South Head peninsula east of Sydney, Australia. The area, overlooking the Tasman Sea, is located in the eastern suburbs of Watson Bay, in the Township of Woollahra, near South Head. Although the cliff is a popular visitor destination, it is also known for its suicides.

For well over a century, the cliffs of South Head have been a preferred place for people to commit suicide. It has been estimated about 50 people end their lives at The Gap every year. They come from all over Australia. Some of them are well-known, such as the newsreader Charmaine Dragun, but all of them are tragedies.

Suicide is the leading cause of death for Australians under the age of 44. In 2007, 1881 suicides were registered in Australia, with a further 65,000 attempts recorded. Men make up 75 per cent of the registered deaths. And these figures are likely to be understated.

One man, Donald Ritchie, who lived opposite The Gap for nearly 50 years, now deceased, showed what can be done when you have the chance to intervene. He and his wife talked many back from the brink, with a few kind words and the offer of a cup of tea. Honored with an Order of Australia, Ritchie talked more than 160 people out of taking their lives. Here are a couple of views of The Gap:

Bondi is a suburb of eastern Sydney, about 4.5 miles east of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of Waverley Council. Once a very poor neighborhood, real-estate developers began to transform the area. Today Bondi is highly desirable place to live if you have the jack in your jeans. A 900 sq. ft. studio goes for around one million dollars! Many places cost in the 10’s of millions of dollars.

An iconic Australian suburb, Bondi Beach is famous for its fantastic beaches and views. Once the domain of backpackers, hundreds of tourists from all over the world descend en masse to Bondi in December ready to enjoy the “Aussie summer”. Experienced surfers from all over the world head to the southern end of the beach, where southerly swells and a rocky reef create powerful waves. On adjacent Campbell Parade, there are shops selling surf gear and swimwear.

Bondi Beach boasts impressive ocean views all along the many restaurants and bars on Campbell Parade. You can stroll through the organic markets in North Bondi or grab some fish and chips and relax in the grassy area opposite the beach.

From Bondi, we head back to the ship. Here are a few sights along the way:

Next, we’re off to Tasmania. See you there!