Sydney Opera House

Friday, Feb 24

We ate lunch at the Eden gardens café near our hotel.  Diane and I talked for a while about future plans in our lives.  It was fun to delve into my hopes and dreams.  Diane also shared more about growing up.  I loved hearing more about her childhood experiences and how she came to be where she is now.  The gardens were different, with a clashing style of both contemporary sculptures and timeless ruins throughout the gardens.  It was unique, but not a favorite due to the lack of unity in the contrasting architectural elements.  The conversation was the best part.  Then Kristy met up with us for pedicures.  The mall was set up like a shell, spiraling with multiple, unlabled levels, thus resulting in a long search for the well-priced nail salon.  By the sweat of our brow, we made it.  When beauty, shopping, girl talk or boys are involved, the female race will stop at nothing to achieve that goal.  It was simply delightful being pampered! Afterwards, Diane and I ate at a Turkish place and ate kebabs and pizza.  Yumm.

Saturday, Feb 25

We moved hotels to the Marriot in the Sydney harbor.  We were on the 29^th floor with a view of the CBD, Central Business District.  We went on a backstage tour of the Sydney Opera house. It was incredible to see the Opera House from inside.  As I mentioned before, the Opera House only materialized after many sweat, tears, years and dollars went down the drain. 


Much of this turmoil led to the resignation of Utzon, the designer of the Opera House, in 1966 after a change of government and the reassessment of the costly project.  Thus, Peter Hall was instated and became primarily responsible for the interior design.  

He managed to maintain Utzon’s same vision inside while additionally improving the design for acoustic purposes.  Utzon was asked to return to the project close to it’s final stages, and his son joined in on this process as well, however Utzon passed away before he could actually see his design completed in 1973.  It’s actually quite a sad story.  But his legacy lives on.  The Sydney Opera House is one of the 20^th most distinctive buildings in the world. 

Peter Hall's Interior 

The Symphony Hall

While in the Symphony Hall, our tour guide asked if anyone wanted to sing.  I thought about it, and decided I would!  I chose to sing Amazing Grace. I will never forget that moment. 

The room stood still.  There was not a sound, other than my voice, resonating in the Symphony Hall.  Diane was so moved; a light tear trickled down her cheek.  The travelers on the tour clapped for minutes, as I soaked in what just happened: I sang Amazing Grace in the Symphony Hall of the Sydney Opera House.  God is good.   

I sang in this very hall

Then we went back to the Marriot and had free appetizers and drinks in the Executive’s Lounge.  We met several wonderful world travelers, including a couple whose daughter was performing at the opera house tonight!  We discussed politics, religion, past travels and experiences…the lot.  I enjoyed having educated discussions with different minded individuals.  Also, to top it off, our table in the Executive’s Lounge had a window with a view of the Opera House.  Free wine and appetizers with a view!  It was fun wining and dining with the elite.  I could get used to this! 

Executive's Lounge

Our view during happy hour

The steps before the Symphony Hall

The tiles on the roof are water repellent,
so when it rains, it washes itself.  The sealant that
causes this also provides a glossy
finish that reflects the sky, so the opera house can
appear to be many different colors.

Here, the roof looks blue,
mimicking the sky

Diane and I in the Symphony Hall