Sydney, Australia #3

I was amazed at these sailboats that were the size of a rowboat buzzing around the harbor with so many larger watercraft nearby.  The man with the orange craft seemed to be the chaperone.  If you look at the top of the bridge, you can see the people that paid about $300- $400. each to climb the Sydney Harbor Bridge.

This picture was taken from Foundation Park which is under the Sydney Harbor Bridge.  

Cockatoo Island was the site of the original Penal Colony and then evolved through time to become a shipbuilding facility.  

More houses on the hill near Cremorne in Sydney Harbor.  

The Pink Flamingo Harbor Party just kept getting bigger and louder while we walked around the Botanical Gardens.

Sydney

Another "Goodbye Party" for the crew that are leaving. 

This park was on the way to where the Viking Sun was parked during the day at an Industrial Port which allowed the excursion buses to easily pick us up.  We could to ride a shuttle boat downtown.  

Sydney is working hard to restore and maintain their history by preserving the original structures like the ones in the foreground.  Meanwhile, these huge skyscrapers go up around the historical buildings.  

I was not a bridge climber, but I did walk about 2/3 of the way across the bridge on the pedestrian walkway.  

In the metal framework (visually next to the stone column) there are people beginning their climb to the top of the Sydney Harbor Bridge.  They are all wearing blue.  First they climb up a series of ladders and then they begin their walk to the top.  The people that I know that did it said they felt safe.

FACEBOOK  Sydney, Australia  This was an exhausting two days in Sydney.  The Aborigines were the first to settle here, then Captain Cook brought the Europeans.  Now, the population is an amazing mix of nationalities; Southern Europe 20%, Ireland and Great Britain 16.5%, S.E. Asia 15%, N.E. Asia 12.5%, Mid East 8.4% and New Zealand 5.6%. Sydney has the world's largest natural harbor.  The harbor is a crazy place.  There is an amazing variety of water craft and numerous ferries buzzing to and fro all the time.

In 1788, Sydney became a penal colony because England could no longer send their problems to America.  On my first day, we drove and walked to see the sights near Circular Quay.   I saw remnants of the oldest village called The Rocks (due to the rocky shoreline).  There are many historic buildings in the area.  I also saw an amazing horticultural collection at the seventy acre Botanic Garden.  The Garden had beautiful flowers, bushes and gardens and also some really ugly birds.

After dinner on board, we took the ferry to Manly.  Manly is a popular beach destination and surfing location.  On our way to the beach, we passed through a shopping area called The Corso.  It is a part-pedestrian mall with a variety of shops, cafes, restaurants and markets.  After dark, we took a ferry back to Sydney in order to take pictures of the skyline and Opera House at night.  People on the ferry told us to run over to the Opera House for the laser light show projected on the front sails.  We got there just in time to see the projections of Indigenous art, the display combines music and images that tell the story of seasonal change.

The second day, I ventured out on my own.  I walked about 2/3 of the way across the Sydney Harbor Bridge. I watched people that paid over $300. to climb catwalks and ladders to the top of the Bridge's  arch. I walked around Foundation Park, under the bridge and along the waterfront.  I also decided to check out the ferry system.  I took a ferry to Cockatoo Island which has a long history including convicts' prison followed by industrial and maritime manufacturing.  It was an interesting visit.  When I returned to Circular Quay, I chose another ferry to explore some neighborhoods along the miles of waterfront.  The most expensive home in Sydney costs $67 million.  I didn't find that home but I saw quite an eclectic collection of beautiful homes.

We passed under the bridge at least four times on the Viking Sun as Viking hired a helicopter and photographer to take promotion pictures.  When we were finally leaving Sydney, we met a P&O cruise ship returning to port.  A fun bachelor party turned into a melee.   According to the "Sydney Morning Herald" - Brawl Gets 7 Booted Off Cruise Ship.  It all started with a problem in the line to use the bathroom.  There is a strict zero tolerance of excessive behavior that affects the safety, comfort and enjoyment of guests.  These guest will never travel with P&O or its affiliates.  Lesson learned?