Bit of a Blog : Solstice : Auckland – Fremantle – Sydney : February 14th 2016

[NorbertsNiece]

It's dawned on my in my near sleep that I've not posted the pics of the Opera House tour which was the first thing I did after breakfast. The Ibis posted earlier were on the walk to the OH.

 

How the OPT looks without a ship in town

 

 

We are kitted out with headphones and receivers

 

 

Our guide

 

 

 

 

there are multiple performance venues

 

Edited March 28, 2016 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

 

We are shown a film about the construction of the OH. The architect Jørn Utzon who was very specific about what he wanted to achieve but how to achieve it was to prove quite daunting

 

 

How he designed the 'sails'

 

 

 

 

He was eventually 'retired' from the task and others took over

 

[NorbertsNiece]

20th October 1973

 

 

 

 

The Manly Ferry heading out

 

 

I love the feeling of going somewhere normally inaccessible by this route

 

 

The colour is deep purple

 

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"Have you ever been on the bridge of a ship?"( ;) ) asks our guide..... the glass has been angled similarly to prevent reflection interference..... and takes months to clean.... and is layered finely with gold which gives its sheen

 

 

 

 

We are advised that if any rehearsal is taking place we may not pictures

 

[NorbertsNiece]

The Concert Hall

 

 

Baroque in style this is the largest organ of its type ever built with over 10,000 pipes.

 

 

 

Heading out, the walls are cool to the touch

 

 

 

Edited March 28, 2016 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

The ceramic roof tiles are incredibly special and very expensive. Over 1 million of them.

 

 

 

Water rolls over the tiles and is carried away through the gaps in the paving

 

 

The Dame Joan Sutherland theatre. I posted a pic of the stage previously..... the pic I took today is not postable (I don't think that's a word) The set has been removed and all we had was an empty stage.

 

This is the orchestra pit. It is covered with netting following an incident involving live chickens on stage....

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

I love this idea

 

 

Now the best bit of my day..... heading out to Dee Why, Avalon and Manly

 

Could not ask for finer guides

 

 

 

There is a yacht sailing through

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

 

 

 

 

Love those colours

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

 

 

Manly to the left..... Sydney to the right..... this is the channel through which we would have sailed.

 

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

We head to Manly to look for a cover for my phone, you know I'm going to need one sooner rather than later.

 

 

This

 

 

 

Dee Why, a resort with cafes and restaurants on the sea front. Perfect.

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

This is why my friend booked a table here. She's like that.... so thoughtful x

 

 

 

Chocolate milkshake...... that's one generous portion!

 

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

 

 

 

Avalon

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

 

 

 

 

 

Lion Island Nature Reserve.... they have Little Penguins here..... the guys I met in Akaroa

 

[NorbertsNiece]

 

 

 

 

 

Remember 'Finding Nemo'?

 

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The National Park is an amazing resource right on Sydney's doorstep

 

 

We head back to Manly and the heavens opened..... we took the ferry back to Sydney. The end of a perfect day. Thanks Valerie and Ian x

Edited March 28, 2016 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

I take an early cab to the airport; I leave one case at the left luggage.

 

 

Have decided just for today to take all the pics with my new mobile phone.

 

 

 

Simple airline fare..... there are also items to purchase

 

 

The scenery begins to change quite dramatically

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

It really is red out there

 

 

The airport

 

 

 

 

One carousel

 

 

Transport to the resort is complimentary

 

[NorbertsNiece]

My first glimpse of Uluru

 

 

My room at the Desert Gardens Hotel. Garden View.

 

 

 

 

This, in the wardrobe, has me a bit perturbed

 

 

The museum and theatre

 

[NorbertsNiece]

Desert Gardens Hotel entrance

 

 

 

Town Square and environs

 

 

 

 

There are shops, dining venues, hairdressers, Tourist Information and a supermarket here

 

[NorbertsNiece]

There is a regular free shuttle bus that tours the resort at 15 minute intervals. Much relied upon in the intense heat.

 

 

A notice like this is posted daily

 

 

This hotel is beautifully laid out

 

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

There are self catering apartments

 

 

The Sails in the Desert Hotel is their equivalent of 5 star accommodation

 

 

I meet up with an American friend met on Rhapsody and we dine at the bar here.

Gluten Free....

 

[NorbertsNiece]

Heading to the helicopter

 

 

 

 

 

 

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I believe Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge stayed at the resort below two years ago

 

 

 

I am truly amazed at how green it is here..... so many images of Uluru make it seem bleak and barren. This is the opposite.

 

[NorbertsNiece]

 

 

 

 

 

 

We're heading now to Kata TJuta

[NorbertsNiece]

The Pitjantjatjara name Kata Tjuta means 'many heads'.