Day 14: Sydney harbor, the Rocks, La Traviata at Sydney Opera House

In the morning we discuss Airbnb exit tactics over coffee. Mike is promising to reimburse us for the remaining days, so we can happily book a different Airbnb. The host there offers early checkin, so all is good. Now we just need to get Mike to issue the refund $$$ -- he let's slip that he has done this on multiple previous occasions. "Just don't give me a bad review!"

Here is the design esthetic of the condo. White.

We switch to the new Airbnb, moving from Pyrmont to Glebe. Smaller, a bit farther out, but delightful and well furnished. Phew.

We walk there blocks down the hill to a park in the water and ta-da!! there is a ferry to downtown. Quick and gorgeous cruise into Barangaroo wharf area, very hip new waterfront. 

Looks a lot like the Zakim Bridge in Boston.

Massive skyline from the water. 

We hike up the nearby hill to visit The Rocks neighborhood. Cute, very much the old Sydney, with houses and shops from 1880's. 

on the walk along the wharf we see a "Mov'in bed" movie theater. Like a drive-in but with beds. 

More land acknowledgements. I appreciate this. 

We have a delicious lunch, grilled shrimp. Delicious! 

Dare not call them shrimp. They are King prawns.

Next we walk over to get a view of the Sydney harbor bridge, then up onto the bridge to get a view of the Sydney Opera House. Unique! Great to see in person. 

Then we retrace our steps to the Airbnb where we regroup for dinner at home and La Traviata opera tonight. 

More land acknowledgement, flying the national flag and the flag of the aboriginal people. 

Ferry ride back to Blackwattle Bay Wharf and our Airbnb. 

Very cool architecture on the way to the opera house.

With the "coat hanger" bridge.

We really made it to Sydney! 

Apparently the architect was good at aesthetic design but not so good at engineering. Someone else needed to figure out how to make the roof hold up. Here it is. 

The grand Dame Joan Sutherland of Sydney Opera herself. 

Woo hoo! Verdi's La Traviata live and in person. Wonderful performance. 

And they all take a bow. Violetta was magnificent. 

Light show over the city as we exit the theater. Australia Day is coming up in three days.

Sydney Harbor Bridge is all lit up for the weekend of celebration.

Don't forget to eat in Chinatown in the next couple days.