Sydney a world city 29th - 30th Oct 18

Sydney is another highlight of our trip. I now understand why it is loved and revered. The people are full of life, and we felt the "Nine to Five" work culture that is supposed to be a fixed affair for Australians, at both days it was obvious – the city was completely packed from 4:30 pm. It is an expensive but fascinating metropolis, vibrant yet somehow relaxed, bustling but not hectic. The streets in downtown appear as canyons under the skyscrapers and are bustling with the busy activities of people. Visually outstanding are the Sydney Opera House and the iconic Harbour Bridge. The largest of the four halls, the Concert Hall, has 2,690 seats. The design is unique, and from every perspective, it seems to be a different building. We made it inside to the foyer, but we didn't have time for a tour. There are also quieter places in the city, such as The Rocks with its historic buildings, or the various parks. Sydney has two focal points, the City (Downtown, Central Business District) and the Darling Harbour district with attractions. There are many shopping centers. We naturally took a harbor cruise, from where you can get a great view of the bridge and the opera house. We were at Circular Quay, where all ferries and boats dock, in the former warehouse district The Rocks. We walked across the Harbour Bridge, which is 1,150 m long - it's huge, with 8 lanes for cars, 2 railway tracks, one lane for bicycles, and one for pedestrians. From there, we had a great view of the opera house. Today, we took the hop-on hop-off bus, so you can get off where you like and what interests you. The high-rise building with the tallest vertical garden in the world is also very impressive. We also visited Chinatown, the old harbor district Darling Harbour, and Hyde Park. Two full days in Sydney are, of course, far too short. We particularly liked Sydney Fish Market, where you can get the finest seafood. I had my first oysters here, and I really liked them. In the late afternoon, we also went up to the Sydney Tower (325m high), it is the highest building in the city and the best viewpoint of the bustling metropolis. Seeing the whole extent was simply magnificent. The weather was better today than yesterday, very sunny and about 24 °C.