Sydney Harbour is one of the most beautiful harbours we have ever seen. I tried to get pictures that show it but it's hard to do. It's really big and, of course, you can see the Sydney Opera House situated right beside the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Fabulous.
The population of Sydney is 4.92 million...WOW!!
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| Opera House & Bridge...better pix to come |
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| First sighting... |
Our excursion this morning is called "Exclusive Sydney Harbour Cruise" and we leave the ship at about 10:00 AM.
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| On board and ready to go. |
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| Opera House from our tour boat |
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| Opera House, Sydney Habour Bridge & our ship, The Navigator |
We cruise the entire harbour and see all the highlights and hear the history behind each place.
During our cruise, we passed some racing-sailboats. These boats come right up out of the water...very cool to watch. Apparently, there is a Regatta this weekend, sponsored by Rolex, and the boats we saw were practicing or something.
We are gone about 4 hours total...back to the ship at 2:00 PM.
This evening we have the most wonderful adventure awaiting us.
We are going to the opera!!
Regent has set up "An Evening of Classical Music"...it is a private 90-minute performance, for all the guests that are going on the World Cruise and it is at the Sydney Opera House!!!
As you can see, I am very excited.
We head out at 5:00 PM.
When we arrive, we will be served drinks and hot & cold canapés.
We are hearing 4 singers, accompanied by piano & singing the greatest hits of opera.
We will get an intermission half-way through and will be served drinks, along with coffee, tea and a dessert buffet.
I don't know if I will be allowed to take any pictures or not. I'm taking my camera, just in case.
Will report back.
OK, I'm back....and what an evening it was!
As far as taking pictures...I forgot my camera. Oh well (big sigh!).
Everyone was dressed beautifully, there were even some tuxedoes & gowns.
We were greeted with trays of champagne, red & white wine and the beautiful view of Sydney Harbour.
Food was fantastic ... it was all "finger food" and very easy to handle. By the way, the Regent had contacted the Opera House and advised them of my shellfish allergy. Someone approached me prior to the food service to advise me what I was OK to eat. Awesome -- I love this cruise line.
Choices were -- Peking duck rolls with a Hoisin-ginger dipping sauce
Veal tenderloin wrapping in pastry with a spicy-chili sauce piped on top
Vegan peas on toast
Beef sliders on brioche bun with Dijon-Mayo
The opera started at 7:00 PM.
There were 4 different singers, the pianist & commentator and they did 7 songs.
Intermission was 30 minutes.
They served Champagne, Coffee & tea.
The dessert selection was -- Cream Puffs filled with vanilla pastry cream and chocolate, topped with a slice of strawberry and Coconut-Chocolate coated cakes which were really delicious.
We then went back for the second half. Another singer was introduced and then we heard another 5 songs. The Commentator had us "la la la" to the chorus of the last song so "we can say that we sang at the Sydney Opera House".
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| "Opera Birds" canvass bag |
When we were leaving the Opera House, everyone was given a gift. It's an "Opera Birds" canvass bag.
We got back to the ship around 10:00 PM.
You would think after all that we'd be smart and go home and go to bed.
Oh no!
We head to Galileo Lounge and have a BFR (big fat rye)...I guess we were pumped from our evening out. The band was playing great music and Barry & I danced (!!!) until 11:00 PM.
So, from there, we head downstairs to the Stars Lounge for a "final, final". Yup...had to do it.
We bumped into Dave & Cath (from Liverpool), Clive Carrington (piano guy) and met a new couple, also on the World Cruise, Jim & Alice....formerly from England and living in South Carolina (we're going to have to hear their story). We had a lot of laughs.
Home at midnight.
Whew -- long day.
Thankfully, we don't have an excursion tomorrow.
G'night.
OMG, what a great experience, I bet you felt like royalty!
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