Open-Top Bus Tour!
We decided to do a hop-on hop-off bus tour to get an overview of the city.
This is a view of downtown Sydney and the Sky Tower, which is the second tallest observation tower in the southern hemisphere. The tallest one is in Aukland. Such a rivalry between New Zealand and Australia!
Here are some interesting buildings and views in the order they appeared on our bust tour. This is the Public Library.
Hyde Park is a large downtown green space similar to Central Park in New York.
Statue of King Edward VII near the music conservatory. He was Victoria's son and succeeded her, but didn't last long on the throne.
Not sure what this building is, but the flags were pretty.
Sydney Hospital.
Hyde Park.
St. Mary's Cathedral.
Another view of Hyde Park with the city behind it.
Another angle of St. Mary's.
Someone at the Museum of Natural History got playful!
Sydney Grammar School.
There was a cricket trounament going on in Sydney when we were there, and the team from Sri Lanka had their own open-top bus. They were having a great time!
This was an interesting condo building. Steel and glass, but with live plants growing up and down all sides of the building. Wonder how they wash those windows?
University of Technology's Engineering Facility. Interesting architecture.
The University of Technology's high-tech architecture contrasts with these nearby "terrace cottages," which are under heritage protection by the government. The exteriors cannot be changed, although updates to the interiors are allowed.
More contrast between old and new in Sydney.
Didn't catch what this building is, but it's interesting architecture.
We are back in the area of Sydney called The Rocks. This area below the Sydney Harbor Bridge is the oldest part of Sydney, and was the part originally established as a penal colony for the British Empire.
The Observer Hotel in operation since 1895.
More Sydney buildings in The Rocks dating to the 1800's
This is the Queen Victoria Building completed in 1898 and detailed in an earlier post. This is the central dome in the middle of the structure.
El Alamein Fountain in King's Cross. This fountain commemorates Australian soldiers who died in the battle of El Alamein in World War II.
King's Cross is another story. I sits to the south of the bohemian "hippie" area of Darlinghurst. King's Cross is notorious as a part of town where you can satisfy any human desire. Tattoo shops, massage parlors offering varying gradations of massage, clubs with "live performances," bars, bistros, and the occasional pharmacy just in cast you find yourself with some sort of medical condition needing treatment. It's a fun place to wander in the daytime, and depending on what you are looking for, even more fun at night!
Thought This was Funny
Statue over the entrance to a pub near Town Hall. Thought it was cute!
The Chinese Garden of Friendship
In 1988, Sydney opened the Chinese Garden of Friendship. The garden was designed by Sydney's sister city in China, Guangzhou. The garden is patterned after the traditional gardens of the Ming Dynasty, and is an oases of tranquility in the center of downtown Sydney.
A lovely place to spend an hour or a morning.
Last Night of Vacation, Last Night in Sydney
Last night of vacation. Our last night in Sydney, one of the greatest cities in the world. We fly home tomorrow.
This evening was spent in our hotel room with Norah Jones on the Jawbone, wine, cheese, and crackers watching a lightning show over Sydney Harbor. Priceless!
In the last month, we have seen some of the most beautiful places on Earth. Feeling very lucky and blessed this evening. Good night, Sydney. Looking toward our beautiful home in Manuel Antonio, our precious puppies, and our great friends in Costa Rica!
