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: Day 12
Thursday, July 31
Sydney, Australia
Begin the day on a high when you climd to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge with your guide for breathtaking views of the city! Later, you are off to the Australian Museum where you will learn about Aboriginal culture, an itegral part of Australian history and heritage, through musical and dance performances. Next, have a rockin' and rollin' good time and the Hard Rock Cafe, amidst its fascinating collection of music memorabilia. Continue your explorations of the city by visiting an opal establishment for a cutting and polishing demonstration of Australia's national gemstone - the opal, followed my a guided orientation of the majestic Sydney Opera House complex. This evening, enjoy your final night in Australia by boarding a sailing vessel for dinner and dancing with Sydney Harbour as your spectacular backdrop.
--- COMING FROM THE WEBSITE ---
Above is the People to People travel itinerary, and below, the entries fromt he journal I kept on the trip arranged by day.
--- My Journal Entry ---
Our last day in Sydney. It started on a high point (punn intended) with the Harbor Bridge Climb. Sydney was certainly was something to see from that perspective. On our way up, I was itching for my camera, and kept reaching for it thinking it was there. They don't let them up for liability's sake. Taking pictures is such a hard habit to break. (Just look at the website)
An anecdote in our drives around: In preparation for the Olympic Games, the marathon line was painted at night along they city streets. An owner of a pub along the said blue line decided it would be fun to paint a line through his shop to the bar, and then back out to the street, altering the course. No fines were issued - just an amusing story.
I had slight qualms with the time allotted us at the museum. There were some great exhibits upstairs that I would have liked to have seen in greater detail, but felt too rushed. The aboriginal dance presentation was excellent, and it was a great insight into the culture and how modern they are while still keeping traditions. They still hunt kangaroo - just with a Toyota and Rifle rather than their own feet and spears.
My anticipated highlight of the trip did not dissappoint. The Sydney Opera House in all its glory was, well, glorious. I have 3.5 pages of notepad notes on the topic which have little to do with how I felt.
The structure was amazing. I like repetition in architecture, and the interior was such a style. I tried not to blink so I could take it all in - it was great. Unfortunately, few opportunities were given to take photos, what you see on the site is all I got.
As an evening activity we went on a boat ride/dinner cruise. The evening of dancing was a great farewell to Sydney and a lot of fun as well.
Looking back, I did a lot of shopping today, buying souvenirs for everyone back home. I will miss Nigel, and Gail, and Australia. Hopefully I will see more than one of those three again in my lifetime.
--- Group Journal ---
Tabitha U.
Day 12
Today was the busiest day yet. It started early, at 6 in the morning. After breakfast we all went to the Sydney Harbor Bridge. We got to wear some fashionable suits, and we had to attach everything to ourselves so it wouldn’t fall off the bridge and kill someone. The bridge wasn’t as high as I had been expecting. I t was a good view of Sydney. We didn’t go all the way across the bridge but half way across we had to kiss the lookout and make a wish. The leader we had (Amy), told us how a worked fell off the bridge into the water and had embedded the rubber of his shoes in his feet – how attractive.
After the climb we went to the museum. BORING! Then to the opal place. The presentation made everyone fall asleep but we all woke up when we saw the walls were moving. Then came Sydney Opera House (I think). The outside is amazing. It’s a wonder how the could build it like that. There are a lot of theaters – only problem is they put an opera theater where it was supposed to be a drama theatre. Lunch was at the Hard Rock café. It was a chance to once again eat a real burger! We went shopping at ‘Paddy’s’ and found a lot of discounts. I finally got the hoodies I wanted. Then it was the best part of the day – the dinner cruise. We all danced and had an amazing time. (except we had to leave Nigel L ) Poor Nigel!
---
Go on to the next day by clicking 'next day' below.
Or go back to the website:
HOME PAGE: http://home.1asphost.com/AusNZ2003
DAY 12: http://home.1asphost.com/AusNZ2003/Page
Thursday, July 31
Sydney, Australia
Begin the day on a high when you climd to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge with your guide for breathtaking views of the city! Later, you are off to the Australian Museum where you will learn about Aboriginal culture, an itegral part of Australian history and heritage, through musical and dance performances. Next, have a rockin' and rollin' good time and the Hard Rock Cafe, amidst its fascinating collection of music memorabilia. Continue your explorations of the city by visiting an opal establishment for a cutting and polishing demonstration of Australia's national gemstone - the opal, followed my a guided orientation of the majestic Sydney Opera House complex. This evening, enjoy your final night in Australia by boarding a sailing vessel for dinner and dancing with Sydney Harbour as your spectacular backdrop.
--- COMING FROM THE WEBSITE ---
Above is the People to People travel itinerary, and below, the entries fromt he journal I kept on the trip arranged by day.
--- My Journal Entry ---
Our last day in Sydney. It started on a high point (punn intended) with the Harbor Bridge Climb. Sydney was certainly was something to see from that perspective. On our way up, I was itching for my camera, and kept reaching for it thinking it was there. They don't let them up for liability's sake. Taking pictures is such a hard habit to break. (Just look at the website)
An anecdote in our drives around: In preparation for the Olympic Games, the marathon line was painted at night along they city streets. An owner of a pub along the said blue line decided it would be fun to paint a line through his shop to the bar, and then back out to the street, altering the course. No fines were issued - just an amusing story.
I had slight qualms with the time allotted us at the museum. There were some great exhibits upstairs that I would have liked to have seen in greater detail, but felt too rushed. The aboriginal dance presentation was excellent, and it was a great insight into the culture and how modern they are while still keeping traditions. They still hunt kangaroo - just with a Toyota and Rifle rather than their own feet and spears.
My anticipated highlight of the trip did not dissappoint. The Sydney Opera House in all its glory was, well, glorious. I have 3.5 pages of notepad notes on the topic which have little to do with how I felt.
The structure was amazing. I like repetition in architecture, and the interior was such a style. I tried not to blink so I could take it all in - it was great. Unfortunately, few opportunities were given to take photos, what you see on the site is all I got.
As an evening activity we went on a boat ride/dinner cruise. The evening of dancing was a great farewell to Sydney and a lot of fun as well.
Looking back, I did a lot of shopping today, buying souvenirs for everyone back home. I will miss Nigel, and Gail, and Australia. Hopefully I will see more than one of those three again in my lifetime.
--- Group Journal ---
Tabitha U.
Day 12
Today was the busiest day yet. It started early, at 6 in the morning. After breakfast we all went to the Sydney Harbor Bridge. We got to wear some fashionable suits, and we had to attach everything to ourselves so it wouldn’t fall off the bridge and kill someone. The bridge wasn’t as high as I had been expecting. I t was a good view of Sydney. We didn’t go all the way across the bridge but half way across we had to kiss the lookout and make a wish. The leader we had (Amy), told us how a worked fell off the bridge into the water and had embedded the rubber of his shoes in his feet – how attractive.
After the climb we went to the museum. BORING! Then to the opal place. The presentation made everyone fall asleep but we all woke up when we saw the walls were moving. Then came Sydney Opera House (I think). The outside is amazing. It’s a wonder how the could build it like that. There are a lot of theaters – only problem is they put an opera theater where it was supposed to be a drama theatre. Lunch was at the Hard Rock café. It was a chance to once again eat a real burger! We went shopping at ‘Paddy’s’ and found a lot of discounts. I finally got the hoodies I wanted. Then it was the best part of the day – the dinner cruise. We all danced and had an amazing time. (except we had to leave Nigel L ) Poor Nigel!
---
Go on to the next day by clicking 'next day' below.
Or go back to the website:
HOME PAGE: http://home.1asphost.com/AusNZ2003
DAY 12: http://home.1asphost.com/AusNZ2003/Page