A Day at the Opera (House)

Woke up and it was dull, grey and raining. No problem for me though as I get to travel in the dry in the back pack. I had my first photo taken today outside the Youth Hostel with Tane. He was off for a Harbour Cruise in the rain. Mary said I had to go with somewhere else so I waved Tane off on the coach and told him I would see him later at the Opera House.

 This is me with Tane outside the Youth Hostel. 

Mary and Alan set out walking and stopped to buy some bus tickets in case they needed a ride back to the hostel at any stage.

They were talking about going to Hyde Park Barracks Museum. and so they made their way there on foot along Elizabeth Street. This building was built by convicts in 1819 and is the most important historic landmark in the heart of modern Sydney. More than 50,000 convicts passed through its gates from 1819 to 1848. the building later became an immigrant hostel, an asylum for destitute women and eventually government offices. Of course it was nearly pulled down as they modernized Sydney, but luckily it was saved and it is a now a world heritage site. Mary and Alan had the audio guide, but I got see lots. I really liked getting a little snooze in the hammocks that the convicts used to sleep in. There were lots of kids there with their teachers and they were having a really good time as there was so much interesting to stuff to look at. 

Plenty of room for a little fella like me.

The rows of bunks where the convicts slept.

When it came time to leave it was raining koalas and dingos outside so we had to wait for it to go off enough to get across to the cafe in the crypt in the church across the road. This was a really important stop because it was at this church that Mary's great great grandfather and grandmother were married. St James' church is the oldest church in Sydney . It was opened in 1824. It is in the oldest part of Sydney were a fine complex of Georgian buildings were established. Mary assures me that there were no convicts in her family and she checked the computer at the barracks just to make sure!

Not sure I'd enjoy a convict's meal!

After lunch it was on to the Opera House to buy tickets for a tour. While waiting for the tour,Mary kept her promise and bought a new friend for me. In the shop at the opera house was a Sydney Opera House bear, so Oprah is now my travelling mate. The tour gave fascinating background information into the building and ongoing refurbishment. We got to go into 3 of the theatres and the highlight was hearing the Sydney symphony practicing in the concert hall.

Sydney at night outside the Opera House

Here we are in our seat at the concert hall.

In the evening we made our way back to the Concert Hall for the concert which Wanganui High School was part of. Wow they looked great on stage with their red and black and Tane was easy to see! Their item was really different from all the others and the compare went to great lengths to talk about it being a groundbreaking performance. It certainly kept us little people awake in our seats.

The other items were great as well and we are glad we are not having to judge them.

Tane at the Opera House.

Interior of the Concert Hall.