Between concrete, encounters, and boats: A day that leaves a lasting impression.

Sydney – a whole day, told in a nutshell

The day began calmly and attentively. At breakfast, familiar faces again: Elliot with his Hebrew book, that natural, early-morning concentration. Then breakfast together, a meeting in the lobby, Chris with his analog maps. No app, no gears – just orientation. It was already clear then: this was a different Sydney than the one we'd experienced in the first week. More multifaceted, less of a postcard, more of a city.

The walk towards the Opera House was filled with impressions: architecture, government buildings, the great library – immediately triggering thoughts of our younger daughter, who would probably have simply disappeared there, surrounded by language, literature, and books. Museums appeared again and again, free of charge, openly presenting history and self-image within the urban landscape. The perspective on convicts as part of Australia's founding history particularly stuck with us – a topic we've consciously planned to explore further tomorrow.

Opera House – Architecture, Breaks, Operation

The tour of the Sydney Opera House was intense and surprisingly insightful. Over an hour and a half of architecture, history, and decision-making. The original design by the Danish architect, the subsequent withdrawal of the commission, two further architects who developed different aspects. Not a straightforward project, but a work with ruptures – and precisely because of that, so special today.

What was particularly impressive was the operation: several theaters, a continuous program, performances all year round, even over Christmas and New Year's. Culture not as an event, but as a permanent fixture.

A particularly special moment was the brief glimpse into a ballet rehearsal. An internationally renowned figure was leading the training. Ballet isn't my world, but I have immense respect for this profession. Succeeding in this field demands extreme discipline and perseverance. That was palpable.

My attempt to get tickets for the following evening failed – completely sold out, final performance. That's just how it is. Pure opera wasn't an option for me. Case closed.

I sent some photos of the interior design to our neighbor Eugen in Husum. He's a respected architect who can appreciate it professionally. I can marvel at it – he can put it into perspective. That's exactly what it was intended for.

Business, encounters and bubble tea

The tour was followed by a lengthy business meeting with Lem Ramos. Originally from the Philippines, he lived in Singapore for many years and now resides in Australia. He works in the healthcare, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries, managing distribution channels in Asia. Two hours of intensive exchange – professional, personal, and connecting. They talked about markets, children, and life paths. The age difference was irrelevant.

To conclude, a small, almost symbolic scene: Lem introduced me to the world of bubble tea. First attempt, first glass. Something my daughter had previously failed at. A lovely, lighthearted end to a long conversation.

At the same time, I consciously tried to foster a connection between Lem and my daughter. Language skills, international experience, curiosity on both sides. No goal, no pressure – simply a space of possibilities. Let's see what comes of it.

Urban observations along the way

While walking through Sydney, the same patterns kept emerging:

Everyone with a mobile phone in their hand. An international phenomenon.

Takeaway everywhere – coffee, food, packaging. There's a lot of talk about sustainability, but in everyday life it's often less consistent. An objective observation.

At the same time, many people are on the move: joggers, visibly concerned about their health. Essentially very similar to Germany – only in the opposite direction.

The statues are also striking: kings, generals, conquerors. Each one bears a date and is systematically distributed throughout the city. King Edward VII (1901–1910) is represented by a large statue, standing in for many others. It almost feels like a comprehensive marketing campaign for history. This isn't a judgment, just an impression – but a very strong one.

Technologically impressive: cashless payments are a reality here. Cash is sometimes no longer accepted at all. The 50 Australian dollars we received are practically useless. And fittingly, there are inductive charging stations. Tables where you simply place your phone – it charges while you chat. Technology that doesn't get in the way, but rather supports you. A small thing, but very well done. Clear recommendation: go for it.

Evening – fellowship, music, conclusion

In the late afternoon, I met up with Chris and Eric again. After a short search, we found a nice café; the atmosphere was relaxed, and we chatted about the business meeting. Chris found – unsurprisingly – more T-shirts. Afterwards, we went together to the meeting point for the dinner cruise.

The group gathered, and many good photos were taken. At 4:30 p.m. we boarded the boat. The sea was a bit rough, but I was spared this time. No seasickness, everything was fine.

We were alone on the boat. First conversations, then a barbecue: fish, meat, good food, relaxed company. A truly perfect get-together.

The highlight of the evening: music. I got to play our self-composed song from our New Zealand week and my own song, "Keep the Fire High." The response was overwhelmingly positive. That felt great – and was exactly the right moment for the evening.

I was back at the hotel around 9:30 p.m. A nice, smooth end to the day, without any interruptions or hiccups. Just a noticeable feeling of exhaustion. A two-hour business meeting probably demands more than one is willing to admit. But it was enjoyable – and it was a conscious decision.

Looking ahead

We're already thinking about tomorrow:

• Getting up early.
• 8:20 am Uber to Harbour Bridge.
• Four people, bridge ascent, security check, hand everything in.
• Total duration: approx. 4 hours.

In the afternoon, I visited the museum about the history of prisoners – with personal accounts, cell walls, and biographies. I'm really looking forward to it. I'll tell you more about it tomorrow.

Finally, one more memorable moment: my family joining me via video, showing me exactly where I am. Sydney, here and now. A place you'll probably never experience quite the same way again.

The red nose was in unrestrained use today. The group is now demanding the pictures themselves. Pattern disruption understood, accepted, desired. This is fun.

An intense, eventful day. Now tired. But also excited.

Sydney Opera House: Who it is

David Hallberg is the Artistic Director of Australian Ballet and one of the most important classical ballet dancers of his generation. He was a Principal Dancer with American Ballet Theatre and made history as the first American Principal Dancer at the Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow. After a global career on the world's most prestigious stages, he has been shaping the artistic direction of Australian Ballet since 2021.

Yesterday, we were able to observe him working during a rehearsal from a distance – about 250 meters. Even without direct contact, it was impressive to see the calm, clarity, and presence with which he led the rehearsal process.