Quite a leisurely start to today as we're not starting out activity until 10-00. So a relaxed breakfast followed by a leisurely walk down to Central Quay to meet our boat for a harbour cruise.
Right on time our boat came into the Quay and we were welcomed aboard the 'Ambiance' by the skipper Shane and the host Kurt . They were great fun and after the initial safety talks we were away. Kurt pointed out various bays and significant buildings, he also told us lots of stories about the things we saw; some quite gruesome like the treatment of the only prisoner ever held at Fort Dennis, others just entertaining. All told with the magnificent back drop of the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.
We saw Russell Crowe's apartment. Up for sale incidentally, the most expensive place to moore your boat in Australia and the price of property, including the most expensive house; which was amazing by the way. We saw the start and finish of the Sydney to Hobart race and some of the competitors of this year that did n't make it and some past winners.
They gave us information on interesting things to do and where to eat, as well as feeding us with fresh strawberries and grapes and Anzac biscuits.
The constant banter and information was not only amusing but entertaining, a really amazing morning. Far too soon we were back in the 'washing machine' swell of Campbell's Cove and the end of our trip . Sad.
Wandering from to Quay up to the Rocks area we found a really quaint cafe, the Irish Cafe' for lunch. The decoration was lots of knitted tea cosies and the was a bundle of knitting on every table. Laurie was especially pleased! Sandwiches were served on tiered racks which was a nice touch. There were several rooms set out in reserve; one looked like a sitting room where guests were expected for tea and the other like nannies kitchen at home.
Also up at the Rocks was a very posh Sunday market with lots of designer quality clothing and jewellery! The food there looked good to!
This afternoon we were booked to take a tour of the Sydney Opera House! Our guide, Kenny, took us through the building into the various theatres, gave us information about the structure and design of the building and the people who made it all happen. It is an amazing building. Regarded as "one of the indisputable masterpieces of human creativity, not only in the 20th century but in the history of mankind"
He told us the sad story of Jorn Utzon, the architecture of the Opera House and how he never saw his work completed because of political changes but that he was later involved in some of the design work for the interior. This son and grandson continue to work with the Opera House today; so a sort of happy ending. Kenny told us about productions and about Dame Joan Sutherland the star who brought Opera to Sydney. We saw examples of sets, people about to rehearse for the evening performance and a costume used for a recent production. It was all fantastic but it was the building itself that drew most of the attention. Every corner, every angle was amazing. Such a fantastic experience,
To finish off the day we took a walk through the botanical gardens admiring the varieties and the displays, all really lovely. The whole gardens has a lively atmosphere it's obviously a place where people come to relax and enjoy the open space at the weekend.