Sydney Harbor & Opera House

As I sort through a list of destinations for my next vacation, it continues to grow as recommendations pour in at the critical point when I should be narrowing down my options. Needless to say, I have a whole book of 1,000.  So really, it's all about prioritizing, right?  Perhaps I'll narrow it down to the Southern Hemisphere. 

Here's a Southern Hemisphere option from Guest Blogger: Travel Gal Alicia.

There’s just something about standing Down Under on the north point of Sydney Harbor, wearing thick sunglasses to shield the sparkling water and SPF 100 to block out the blistering sun. Look to your right to take in the view of the Sydney Opera House and glance to your left to get that perfect shot of the Harbor Bridge. Its almost as if you’ve shifted dimensions into a brighter, shinier world. The Sydney Harbour bustles with suitcase-toting tourists pouring on and off cruise ships; waiters, with trays high, maneuvering the hundreds of tables that line the water; suits falling out the front doors of skyscrapers, loosening their ties; families awaiting the ferries en route to the zoo or Manly Beach; musicians, runners, and lovers. Oh, and an uncanny number of people wandering around barefoot.

At the tip of the harbor, stands the iconic Sydney Opera House. It’s rare that a deliberate move to put one’s self on the map works, but that’s exactly what the New South Wales government accomplished – the Sydney Opera House is now as recognizable as the Eiffel Tower or the Great Pyramids. You never know what to expect at the Sydney Opera House – from last minute steals on tickets to sitting, say, three seats down from Cate Blanchett. Its covered in over a million glass topaz tiles, and boasts a Concert Hall, an Opera Theater, and a smaller drama theater. And just for you history buffs, it also hosted Arnold Schwarzenegger’s final win in the 1980 Mr. Olympia Body Building contest. It’s a destination for student groups and date nights alike, and after the shows end, restaurants that line the harbor throw open their doors (and sometimes whole walls) to offer the passers-by a nightcap before they head for home. I personally preferred the live music and pint of Guinness at a nearby Irish pub, while being entertained by cute military boys on leave. But hey - to each his (or her) own.

Date of Completion: February 2010