Chockers!

We are warned to wear comfortable shoes today.  Little did I know at the end of the day I would be “chockers”…stuffed with knowledge and with miles walked!

The Sydney Harbor Bridge and the Sydney Opera House are the two iconic landmarks in Sydney.  The arched bridge is composed of two parallel trusses, carries 8 lanes of vehicular traffic, 4 lanes of rail, a bike path, and a walking path.  Two concrete pylons, essential during the construction of the bridge, are at the base of each arch.  The steel beams were anchored in the pylons and construction proceeded outward finally meeting in the middle.  The pylons serve no purpose other than aesthetics and to insure the public of the bridge’s structural integrity.

My youngest son, Michael, asked if I was going to walk along the upper arch of the bridge.  He did it several years ago and loved the experience!  Looking at the bridge, you can see little dots moving along which are groups of people.  John tells us we can climb the steps in one of the abutments which are about two-thirds the height of the arch.  Both would be great, but unless an extra day is added to our trip (which I wish could happen), there isn’t any time in our schedule.

The Sydney Opera House is a “Wow” moment!  It is much larger than I expected and soars against the water and sky.  We have a private hour-long tour, and I will try to remember as much information as I can, but if you are in Sydney, I recommend the tour!

It began with the Sydney Opera conductor wanting a new facility since he felt the original one was inadequate.  It took years before this idea was approved, and finally an international architectural contest was announced with the only requirements of two venues and a restaurant.

Two hundred and twenty-two entries were submitted from around the world, and number 218 from an unknown Danish architect, Jorn Utzon, was finally selected in 1957 after being initially rejected because his design had the venues behind one another instead of side by side.  His design, based on parts of a circle which opened up and spread apart, represented either waves or wings depending on interpretation.

Structurally, Utzon’s vision had never been done before, and it took over two years before construction could even begin, and then it was only the supporting flooring.  Engineers finally developed a plan of steel enforced hollow slabs of concrete which would naturally bend at a certain height.  When the correct bend was achieved, the hollow areas were filled with more concrete to stabilize the structure and create the soaring height and the iconic shape often referred to as shells. 

Special glass from France was imported to add stability to the structure and to enclose it for all weather conditions; although, Utzon’s initial plan called for openness.  The roof’s two tone external ceramic Swedish tiles in a distinct pattern were prefabricated with a new technique allowing them to self-clean themselves.

The building’s interiors were another construction challenge, and again, new techniques and innovations were necessary.  In the soaring heights of the concert hall, darker hard-grain wood was used on the walls to reflect sound and lighter, softer wood was used on the ceiling and chairs to absorb noise.   Large acoustic rings were placed above the concert area…now large shaped leaves… to reflect the instruments’ music back to the stage to coordinate the orchestra and performers.  The chairs have been recovered over the years but have always remained the same color…purple!

In the theater, there was little room for additional props in the wings or behind the stage.  An elaborate array of cables and lifts allowed stage designs to be raised and lower from the ceiling and floor.  Additional concert and theater spaces are also designed for smaller productions.

Over the years, Utzon and the Australian government were often at odds.  Finally, Utzon issued an ultimatum, and the Prime Minister accepted his resignation.  Utzon left Australia never to return, and never to see the completion of his masterpiece.  Subsequent contractors struggled to achieve Utzon’s vision, and during a remodel years later, the government was convinced that only the original architect could truly complete the original plan.  By this time, Utzon was too old to return, but his son traveled to Australia, and with frequent communications with his father, the Sydney Opera House was finally completed.

A public lottery helped to fund the building project, but the estimates in 1957 were 3.5 million pounds ($7 million dollars) and a completion date of January, 1963.  In reality, the project cost $102 million dollars which was 1,357% over budget and was ten years behind schedule for a total building time of 16 years!

The former Queen Elizabeth, in a visit to Australia, officially opened and dedicated the building in 1973.  It has become a symbol not only on Sydney but of all of Australia!

But wait!  Our walking and learning today is just getting started!  We head to meet our guide in the Rocks district of Sydney.  This area is rich in convict history and the early settlement of the city.  

When the explorers and future settlers arrived, a solid surface of stone covered the area from the harbor inland, thus, the name, “the rocks”.  It was an ideal material for the prisoners to use in construction of buildings, roads, walls, and steps.  Male prisoners were responsible for three large chiseled stones per day, and these still reflect the individual style and strokes of their stonecutters.  

The architecture in this area is beautiful, and it was fortunately saved from modernization.  It is currently a vibrant part of Sydney with a variety of shops and restaurants.  Again, I wish I could remember all the information our guide imparted.

Since we haven’t learned enough today, we visit a jewelry store specializing in opals which are the national gemstone of Australia with the country producing over 95% of this precious gem.  There are three types of opals in Australia…black opals with an array of colors, light opals which we typically associate with the gem in white and cream, and boulder opal which can be light or dark.  Doublets and Triplets are smaller stones which have been glued to a darker background to replicate black opals but are much less expensive.

Tonight several of our group return to the Sydney Opera House for a performance of the musical, “Sunset Boulevard” by Andrew Lloyd Webber.  I was excited to see the venue being used after we had learned so much about it earlier.  Ultimately, it was not my favorite musical, but I loved the sets and the stage design and the orchestra, and I’m so glad I splurged and attended the play!

Later, I learned we walked 6.3 miles today!  My feet were tired, and my brain was tired!  

But, maybe a little more Aussie slang!

“Chuck a sickie”…fake a sick day!

“Sparrows fart”…very early!

“Rat bag”…disagreeable person!

“Ya flamin’ galah”…idiot…talks too much!