Serenade for Strings

Last night we arrived in Sydney and I could tell I was going to like this city. Unfortunately, we have a busy schedule and little free time. We did manage to get in a pint at Sydney's oldest drinking establishment Fortune of War. Established by a released convict, it dates back to 1801.

I've been looking forward to seeing the iconic Sydney Opera House. We set out on an early morning tour, and I have to say it's a very interesting building with a very interesting history.

• Original plans: construction began in 1959 as was to take 3 years to complete with a cost of $7 million.
• Bottom line: construction completed in 1973--it took 14 years to complete and cost $102 million to build.
• the original architect left the job and never returned to Sydney to see his vision completed. He died last November at the age of 90.
• Made of concrete but covered with small white tiles in a chevron pattern.
• There are 5 performance halls (Cate Blanchet is the creative director for one of the theaters)

We saw a symphony performance by the Sydney Symphony called Serenade for Strings. It was a short performance of Mozart, Tchaikovsky, and Shostankovich. Some of the pieces were performed on a Steinway piano that cost $280,000. It was exciting to say that I've not only seen the Opera House, I've heard a performance.

We rode around town today, too, visiting the Botanic Gardens and the Queen Victoria Building. For dinner we took a harbour dinner cruise. The skyline was beautiful. Some of the buildings are lit in different colors. It adds a little to pizazz to the night skyline. We also have the treat of seeing this same view from our hotel window each night.