Oct 13 Saturday Sydney -An all day bus tour after a buffet breakfast. Sydney the capital of New South Wales is known as the Emerald city. Sydney has a population of 6 million and is one of the exclusive club of world cities. Sydney is where Australia started, 1788-739 unfortunate soles (English convicts) arrived at the Rocks. Sydney’s darling harbour divides the city into North and South . 20 beaches are strung along the cities oceanfront and dozens more around the harbour. The stricking forms of the Harbour bridge and Opera house stand sentry to the city. We start our bus tour at the Opera house. One of the most recognized buildings in the world with it’s distinctive white tiled sails shimmering like pearls. The house has 5 major performing spaces. We view the Drama theater first. Here some of our people will be going to see a political satire-“Don’s Party” by David Williamson tonight. We get to see the set for the play. Next we see the huge concert hall with seating for 2027. It was built for sound. We also see the opera theather with seating for 1500. www.sydneyoperahouse.com.au Next we walk to the Quay Grand. We walk the Rocks , the birthplace of Sydney. We spend an hour soaking up the history where 11 ships of the first fleet dropped anchor in 1788. It is now a 19th century village chocked full of exquisite shops art galleries and restaurants. Being Saturday the craft fair is in full swing with streets closed for the affair. www.rockswalkingtour.com.au We return to the quay to board the Matilda a catamaran for a lunch cruise of Sydney harbour. We get off at Darling harbour to board the bus again. www.matilda.com.au We pass the famous Mrs Macquarries chair, the museum of contempory art,a maritime museum Sydney’s aquarium,an olimpic park Tarongo zoo, oceanworld ,Sydney’s wildlife world, the observatory and Luna Park a Coney island type amusement park .Hyde park and Sydney’s Royal Botanical gardens. www.rbgsyd.gov.au So much to see and so little time. We pass government sponsored “heroin shops”and Kings Crossing Sydneys red-light district. Paddington and Darlingburst a gay and lesbian area . We get out at Bondi beach with its legendary speedo clad lifesavers and surfboard riders. We return back exhausted but satisfied