RadioRoryI will never forget how I felt when the commuter train I was on pulled into Sydney’s Circular Quay transit hub. Located in the heart of downtown, the station brings together trains, buses, cruise ships and ferries but also tourists and the locals. I assumed I’d be arriving underground or maybe at street level, so I was taken aback when parts of the Sydney Harbor Bridge’s architecture caught my eye through a series of support beams on elevated train tracks. Soon, my nose was pressed against the window, scanning the port and trying to spy Sydney’s iconic Opera House.
I got choked up as my bucket list took a major blow and I realized that the decades of dreaming, years of planning and purging, and four months on the road finally came down to this. Christ, after all that, Sydney better not disappoint!
A friend made fun of me for posting so many Opera House pictures but I couldn’t help myself. Day or night, up close or from a distance, the iconic 1973 structure cannot be ignored.
And what a backdrop!
There’s the added benefit of being able to see the Opera House from every angle. The waterfront circles most of the building but ferry rides to popular spots like Bondi or Manly Beach also give you a close-up look.
Sydney has been THE dream destination for as long as I can remember. Blame it on the America’s Cup, Paul Hogan, or Bloomin’ Onions, it was always just that, a dream. Well, there it is, staring you smack in the face and it’s surrounded by bars. Does it get any better?
For me, It was all about the building’s exterior. I did the tour of the Opera House and was a bit disappointed. No photos are allowed, but you’re not missing much. On the plus side, if you go to a show, the house lights will probably be off and you won’t have to look at it.