Sydney Ferry…"All Aboard!"

I had heard about a ferry that travels from Parramatta (45 minutes from my home, with traffic) all the way to Sydney and Circular Quay (right next door to the Opera House). But I didn't quite know where to catch it. Fortunately, Br. Dominic Levaq (henceforth BD), a brother in my Franciscan community in Australia, knew about it. Together we made a day of the adventure last Monday.

Here is the beginning of the waterway that goes all the way to the bay (1). I was told by BD that this divider in the water separated the fresh water from the salt water. Not sure how that works as the "fresh water" poured into the salt water side. I wonder what was there before this man made divider? I didn't ask questions but just soaked in the day.

I have only seen this pedestrian bridge that crossed the waterway from a bus (2-3). I think I have taken pictures and put it on a previous blog. Never saw it from both sides. I really like the thinking. Nice bridge and artwork all at once.

BD and I arrived about 45 minutes before the next boat departed to Sydney so we sat and had some "morning tea" though neither of us had any tea (4). There's a lovely little cafe that overlooks the water, right by the dock. Birds of Paradise bloomed right there (5). Our boat arrived on time (6). There are only about two dozen seats on the front of the ship, outside in the sun. The rest were inside. We were one of the first aboard and were able to sit up front. Go early if you want the good seats! And what a glorious day! Warm sun and cool breezes, just perfect.

Some of the scenery is not so nice but industrial, especially closer to Parramatta. As you near Sydney, the property becomes more elite, with yachts parked out back and all (7). Here is the first views of the city, about 50 minutes into the ride (8). At one point, the waterway opens up to a huge bay and you can see the Sydney Harbor Bridge (9). This shot looks to the first stop downtown, at Darling Harbor (10). This is a closer shot of the city (11) and the bridge (12).

At Darling Harbor, they have a maritime museum with an old clipper ship (13). This strange apartment caught my eye (14). Lots of high rises going up there, too (15). Odd to think this was all a run down navy ship yard at one time!

After a short stop at Darling Harbor, the ferry goes around the point and then gives you a breathtaking view of the massive Sydney Harbor Bridge (16) and a post card shot of the Sydney Opera House (17). Here are some more images of the Opera House (18-19, 21). Check out the little boats and even bigger ones around the structure. Everyone on the water gravitates to this city icon. Here's a selfie while still on our ferry (20). And then another on land (22).

From the Opera House you get some nice pictures of the bridge (23). Here's a couple of artsy shots including a detail of the tiles that were imported from Sweeden (24-25). You don't really notice the lovely patterns on the surface of the "sails" unless you're up close to it. They're planning on doing a huge cleaning project on the exterior, so not sure how much longer before it all gets covered over with scaffolding (the Aussie pronunciation of that word stresses the second syllable: scafFOLDing!).

Just under this peak (25) there's a cordoned off area that leads right to the water. There, by the water, a seal has made his home (26-27). He's free to leave but likes to just bask in the sun on the cement. Here he's on his back, his snout facing towards the camera. He's such a common sight that they have put up signs asking visitors not to feed him.

Finally, some more artsy shots from angles you don't normally see of the Sydney Opera House (28-30). This is a fountain at the entrance to the car park (parking lot) of the Opera House (31). Some of the sidewalk reflects the patterning of tiles on the Opera House (32).

Coming back, we decided to take a bus, as it's faster. We had to walk through downtown. Here is an interesting building that caught my eye (33). I think it's a ramp to a garage.

I don't know if you recall hearing about a terrorist who took over a Sydney cafe a couple of years back? This is a photo of the site. The actual cafe is the white part of the building on the right, farthest away from my camera lens (34). Two people died along with the gunman. The photo shows the two people (35). Here is a mural showing all the flowers that were left after the terrible act (36).

Just down the street is a TV station. You can peak in and see what they're shooting! It was fun and shiny and caught my eye! (37-39) Nearby is a statue of Athena given by Greece to a Greek Mayor of the city (40).

Monday was the eve before ANZAC day (25 April). This is the day that remembers the massacre of Aussie and Kiwi (New Zealander) troops on the beach of Gallipoli in Turkey during the First World War. ANZAC stands for Australian New Zealand Army Corp. ANZAC Day is apublic holiday and remembers all those from Australia or New Zealand that have given up their lives in war, sort of like our Memorial Day. Here are some images of the preparation of the downtown site that would host the dawn services the following day (41-45).

Some parting shots of a Cuban restaurant that I will need to visit when it is open, just outside the Queen Victoria Bus Terminal—please remind me if I forget where it is! (46) And a last selfie in Sydney before boarding the bus back home (47).