We did it! Our first glimpse of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
December 30th we arrived in Sydney Harbour. We anchored in Athol Bay just across from the Opera House with an excellent view of Sydney Harbour Bridge. Sydney Harbour was officially named Port Jackson by... ... you guessed it, the same guy whose name we have been running into all the way across the Pacific: Captain Cook. It must be one of the most beautiful natural harbours in the world. San Francisco being our home we have to admit Sydney Harbour is even nicer than our own Bay. There are many more inlets, nooks, and crannies. Moreover, this harbour isn't as silted up. However if you want to pick a fight, let's talk Bridge designs...
The Golden Gate Bridge has to be the hands down winner! Well luckily for Sydney they held a competition and ended up with a much better architect when they decided to build an Opera House.
Despite our harsh words above, the locals didn't seem to hold them against us. As soon as we arrived, they threw an amzing party. Some 1.5 million people came out to welcome us. We had our friends from Senang join us for the occasion.
The locals came out in force to welcome Bravado to port...
...They even threw in some fireworks.
As far as firework displays are concerned, our children will probably be spoiled for life.
We plan to be in Sydney through February when Ewout's parents will probably swing by. We have yet to find a good base in Sydney, so for the moment we are hopping around the various Bays and inlets. Currently we are staying at the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron in Kirribilli, just across the water from the Opera House.
We are anchored at the yacht club in the lower right hand corner of the picture.
The RSYS is 250m from Kirribilli House, residence of the Prime Minister and Admiralty House, where Prince William will stay when he visits later this month. We feel we aren't doing too badly for now.
Happy 2010 to all of you!
