Day 65 – Sydney, Day 1

Sydney is the capital city of New South Wales and the most populous city in Australia, with a population of 5.5 million. Located on the east coast of Australia, Sydney is one of the most expensive cities in the world with an advanced market economy and a high standard of living. It is one of the most visited cities in the world.

History

Aboriginal Australians were the first people to inhabit the region. In 1770 Captain Cook landed at Botany Bay and encountered the Gweagal aboriginal clan for the first time. The Gweagal men were hostile and Cook only stayed for a week! After the loss of the American penal colonies in 1783 the British commenced establishing a penal colony at Botany Bay and the first fleet of 11 ships, carrying over 1000 settlers and 736 convicts, arrived in January 1788. This fleet soon moved on to the more favourable Port Jackson and established a settlement at Sydney Cove, situated now between Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Governor Laughlan Macquarie (1810 – 1821) played a major role in developing Sydney as a town with the establishment of a bank and a hospital. He also employed a planner to design a street layout and commissioned the construction of roads, churches and public buildings. Immigration of free British settlers was encouraged and in between 1836 and 1840, 29,000 migrants arrived. Transportation of convicts was ceased in 1840. Sydney was badly affected by the Great depression in the 1930s and unemployment reached 40% in poor areas. With the outbreak of World War II unemployment reduced to almost nothing with many men joining the forces and women taking on the jobs traditionally held by men.

Post-war immigration from the UK and Europe caused a rapid population increase between 1947 and 1970 and, from the 1980s onwards, migrants also came from Asia and the Middle East. By 2021, the population of Sydney was over 5.2 million, with 40% of the population being born overseas.

Sydney has a humid subtropical climate with its weather being moderated by its proximity to the ocean. However the highest temperature ever recorded was 45.8°C on the 18th of January 2013. Sydney Harbour Bridge, designed by John Bradfield, was completed in 1932 using a total of 39,000 tons of steel and spanning 1650 feet. Sydney Opera House, designed by Jorn Utzon, was completed in 1973. Although much criticised at the time, the Sydney Opera House has gone on to become one of the most iconic buildings in the world.

Our first day in Sydney

This morning we sailed into Sydney Harbour at 5:30 am and Bridge was up with the lark to watch the entire proceedings from our balcony. Queen Anne berthed at Curcular Quay, right next to the Sydney Opera House on one side and Sydney Harbour Bridge on the other. After disembarking at 9:30 we first went to Sydney Wildlife zoo at Darling Harbour where we saw some kangaroos, wallabies and koalas as well as a splendid wombat and various other animals. We then went next door to the aquarium which was excellent and even has a couple of dugongs!! After this very enjoyable morning we had lunch, before walking on to the Queen Victoria building, a glamorous 19th century construction which houses a glitzy shopping mall. We then sauntered around the surrounding streets and Bridge bought Paul a new watch for his birthday 🎁.

By now it was 4 pm so we headed back to the ship to get ready for our evening meal at a wonderful Lebanese restaurant called Aalia. We then raced back to the ship just in time to see the highlight act of the whole cruise: Leo Sayer! To say that Leo Sayer was much better than we expected would be the understatement of the century! He was absolutely FANTASTIC!! At 78 he definitely gives Mick Jagger a run for his money and his stage presence, voice and charisma were an absolute revelation. We love you Leo!!