So many things we learned today, the first of which was that Joern Utzon's design for the opera house was actually picked from the "discard" pile.
The "shells" were originally designed as parabolas (smooth, not pointy), but they couldn't figure out how to build the darn things. After a couple of years, Utzon finally came up with a solution, based on taking shapes from a sphere. Being a math nerd, I find this completely brilliant, but since there are others out there who are not (math nerds), I'll move on.
The plan was to build it in four years for 7 million dollars - it actually took 16 years and 102 million dollars. One million ceramic tiles imported from Sweden may have had something to do with it. And did you know they're actually yellow?
You get a nice view of the Harbor Bridge from the front. See all the people who have climbed to the top of the bridge?
Here's a shot from inside one of the halls, with a view of the smaller hall next to it.
Even the inside is 60's spectacular.
And spotted in the gift shop, someone wearing a University of Minnesota sweatshirt! A little taste of home...
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Hopping back on the bus, one of the last stops was a view of the Harbor Bridge and the Opera House from afar. Really far.
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Next time - Boomerangs, Wombats and The Three Sisters. I love Australia!
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