This is our last night in Sydney. Yesterday we walked five miles and traveled on a ferry to visit some of the outlying areas of Sydney. Today we walked another three miles. Visiting a city has its challenges. Yesterday we took an Uber to the Opera House as it was too far to walk. It cost about $11 and then at night, we did it again and the price doubled.

We’ve tried to experience as much as we could in three days. Monday was a bus tour to the Blue Mountains National Park. We stopped at several overlooks, most of which I did not take photos of because I couldn’t get close to the edge, nor could I watch Hal take photos. But from a few feet back, it was quite impressive. Our driver told us a lot about the history of Sydney and that he’s only now learning about the first people here. It wasn’t taught in school. Sound familiar?

Yesterday was a long day, sandwiched by the Sydney Opera House which gobsmacked me. We had a tour in the morning, and we both found it quite amazing. Then we got on a ferry and visited Manly Beach and Watsons Bay. In the vicinity of Watsons Bay, there is a clothing optional beach. I was tempted as it was quite warm, especially after making a strenuous climb to see the view at The Gap (not the clothing store). If I ever came here again, I would stay in one of those beach towns and take the ferry if I wanted to go into Sydney.

We hung around when we got back so we could see the light show on the sails of the Opera House. It’s called Badu Gili (water light), celebrating one of the First Nations. The land on which the Opera House stands is Bennelong Point, formerly known as Tubowgule, where the knowledge waters meet. It’s been a gathering place for community, ceremony and storytelling for thousands of years.

Today we visited the Australian Museum to learn more about this country. Australia is about the same size as the US, but only has 27,000,000 inhabitants. About 80% live on the east coast, so we met most of them. Much of this country is uninhabitable.

I’m certainly glad we had some time here, but there are some things I find troublesome in a city:

– Many people crossing the street at the same time, so one has to weave back and forth to avoid them

– People on bikes and scooters on the sidewalks come up behind you without a warning

– People with large backpacks or shopping bags are not aware that they take up more space and push or bump you

– People looking down at their phones while walking down the street and you have to be the one to avoid them

– Google maps lies when it says you’re going to walk on level pavement

https://photos.app.goo.gl/FELj1537Wdbmg4Rq7
https://australian.museum/
https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/our-story