Sydney - Part 1

Our little trip from Melbourne to Sydney was a long time in the making.  It all started a few months ago when we found out David's dad was coming to visit and that we would be going to Melbourne for sure.  What else should we do besides Melbourne?  Since David never does anything halfway, his suggestions encompassed: "Well, we have to go to Sydney.  And if we're in Melbourne and Sydney, we have to go to Canberra to see the capital.  And since we're on that side maybe we should go to the Gold Coast too, and Brisbane.  I know, we can drive from Melbourne to Sydney!"  Hold on there, sport, how long are we planning on being in Australia?  And drive from Melbourne to Sydney?  Isn't that like, 700 miles?  With nothing in between?  I polled all my Australian friends about this plan, and they all looked at  me like I was crazy.  "Why would you drive?" they all asked, "didn't you know you can fly for like, eighty dollars?  And it only takes an hour?"  After much convincing, cajoling and arguing, David was finally talked out of the drive, though he wasn't happy about it.  "Hmph.  I bet we're really missing out."  Really?  Missing out on a 16 hour car ride with a guy who only listens to public radio, when I could be eating in fabulous restaurants and wandering around the Sydney opera house?  I think I'll survive.

After arriving in Sydney and, on the way, learning why people tell you not to drive in the city (crazy traffic, tons of one-way streets), we found the hotel and immediately took off for a harbor tour.  It was evening, and the lights of Darling Harbor were spectacular.

Under the Harbor Bridge...

...and there it is!  The opera house!

We wandered off the boat, found a great seafood restaurant, and stared at the Sydney Opera House all during dinner.  So much better than eating gas station snacks in a car.  Right, David?