Other Sydney Sights

Besides seeing the harbor bridge and opera house there were other things we saw in Sydney. Near Hyde Park was St. Mary’s Cathedral. We first saw the church on our way to our hotel the night we arrived. It was lit so beautifully I wish I could have gotten a picture from the taxi. While walking through Hyde Park Saturday afternoon it was playing chimes. It would have been nice if we had time to go inside to look around.

Walking to Mrs. Macqueries Point we saw something large out in the water. When we were closer we noticed it was a movie screen and Bob picked up one of the brochures. St. George’s OpenAir Cinema runs movies from the middle of January through middle of February. What a view that would be to watch a movie with the Opera House and harbor bridge in the background.

Michael Bublé was in Brisbane and Sydney while we have been here. Unfortunately he was sold out in both places.

Didgeridoo or Didjeridu being played.

Sydney Tower where you can view the city and you can also ride the Oz Trek, a simulated ride that is the biggest in the Southern hemisphere, a virtual adventure that takes you across Australia.

I guess I'm not the only one that's not sure which way to look for cars when crossing!

Marriott Sydney

We stayed at the beautiful Marriott Sydney.  It was convenient to have access to the Executive Lounge for a complimentary breakfast each morning and a cool drink or snack if we wanted anytime of the day or night. There were beautiful views from the lounge, our room and from just outside the elevator. I love the beds at the Marriott hotels! They are so comfortable and you get extra pillows it makes it hard to get out of bed. But there was too much to see!

Saturday afternoon after visiting the gardens, opera house and a late lunch we went back and had a swim at the rooftop pool.  I was a little nervous with my fear of heights as I never swam in a rooftop pool before but it was very relaxing and a great way to cool down!

One side of the executive lounge

Hyde Park



View of Harbor
(The yellow and green ferries are the Manly Beach Ferry)



Sydney Football Stadium and Sydney Cricket Ground

View of Harbor from pool.

Relaxing after a swim!



We took the weekend off from workouts, but what a view!



Hyde Park

Across from our hotel was Hyde Park, named after London’s Hyde Park. Our first night in Sydney we walked through it on our way to dinner. We heard and saw some bats as we hurried through one area and we saw a couple of large furry animals we were not able to identify.

Saturday afternoon we walked back to the hotel through Hyde Park. We saw the same couple that was married over on Mrs. Macquaries Point at the park getting more pictures taken as well as another wedding party being photographed. It is a very beautiful park and many people were enjoying the shady grasses on a hot summer day.

Hyde Park at night

Hyde Park is almost 40 acres.

Queen Victoria stands outside the entrance.

Archibald Fountain donated in 1932 in honor of Australia's part during WWI in France.

I liked the turtles.

The same wedding party from earlier in the day.

They do have trees that loose their leaves.

The end of summer is coming, the leaves are falling!

Art Gallery

Sunday afternoon we went to the Art Gallery of New South Wales to view The First Emperor-China’s Entombed Warriors exhibition. There is no charge to visit the gallery, but there is to see the special exhibitions. There was a 40 minute wait just to buy your ticket, but it was worth it. We were able to view a little of the 20^th Century Australian exhibit while waiting in line as we weaved our way to the ticket counter. They provided a brochure of the Terracotta exhibit so you could read about it while waiting in line.

Qin Shihuang was China’s first emperor and planned and constructed his burial site so that he could continue his rule in the afterlife. It was discovered in 1974 by some farmers. Over 100 objects including jade and bronze pieces were on display in five rooms.  No photography is allowed but it was amazing to see these artifacts from 2000 years ago. The climax of the exhibit was the 10 life-sized terra cotta warriors, bowman, and horses. The detail of their uniforms and facial expressions were amazing. Wikipedia has an article on the terracotta army.    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terracotta_Army    







Afterwards we walked through the 19^th century European Gallery.

Below is one of the miniatures from the Terracotta exhibit on display in the Grand Court of the Gallery.

Manly Beach Ferry

Early Saturday evening we hopped on the ferry and went over to Manly Beach which is a 30 minute ride across the harbor. I really enjoyed viewing the bridge and opera house from the harbor.  We took a walk over to the beach and stuck our feet in the ocean. We strolled around and went back by the wharf to have dinner at the Wood and Stone where they made pizza’s baked in their stone ovens. It was delicious. We took an evening ferry back to see the lights of the city. My camera doesn’t take great night pictures so I don’t have many of the return trip.

You can climb the Harbour Bridge and we always saw people on it. A ten-story building can pass beneath it. It is the world’s widest long-span bridge and the tallest steel arch bridge and allows trains, cars, bikes and pedestrians to travel between the city business district and North Sydney.



Mrs. Macquaries Point, her stone chair is to the far left.





Bob looking to the North Head of the bay with the Pacific Ocean beyond.



Walking across to the beach.

Manly Beach

Thanks to Bob's IPhone for the beach pictures above.

Sunset

Wood and Stone
I love how most places have seating outside.

Yummy!