Seductive Sydney

There is so much to see and experience in this charming city that it is not unusual
for first-time visitors to lose their heart to it, writes Anil Sarwal


At night, the Opera House presents a spectacular view when it is lit up

SYDNEY is the dream city for the young and old alike, though not in the same way that New York is. The lasting impression of this beautiful city is that it is quite laid back. You do not feel swept off your feet when you enter the city centre. You can walk around slowly, while getting a feel of the city, before moving to the concourse leading to the Opera House opposite the Harbour Bridge.

The area is a colourful mix of towering buildings, botanical gardens, eating-houses and ferry wharfs, where visitors can enjoy exotic sea rides and long walks. Sea gulls and many other sea birds can be seen all around. Fruit bats (grey-headed flying-foxes) can be seen hanging in great abundance from the trees in the Royal Botanical Gardens — just a few steps from the Opera House. One can even spot a couple of yellow-crested cockatoos tearing off pieces of vegetation from a green tree in their hurry to relish the fruit.

All visitors to the city catch their first glimpse of the Opera House while moving into the city or travelling across the Harbour Bridge. The initial distant view of the building may not seem charming. It is only when one gets into its vicinity, that one’s vision begins to change.

Set in a scenic locale surrounded by the sea on three sides, and by magnificent skyscrapers, one is enchanted by its aura, which engulfs you. As you approach the Opera House, you realise that it differs from the postcard views. Its individual ‘shells’ stand out from each other and you see that there are three different sets of them.The main shell has a tourist information centre that offers guided tours. If you want to skip the expensive guided tour, you can always read the free literature available at the centre.

The shells of the Opera House represent sails. The exterior of each sail is covered with intricately glazed white ceramic tiles and the interior has horizontal linear designs. Fascinating views of the harbour can be seen from within the sails through the glass panels covering their open ends. To the west one can see the area known as The Rocks. It has a history dating back to 17th-century convict days, and is now a maze of sandstone lanes, cul-de-sacs and courtyards that are jam-packed with shops, warehouses and terraces built during the early 19th century.

The most spectacular views of the Opera House can be seen at night when it is lit up from both the inside and the outside. In the evenings, the Opera House is a vibrant hub of artistic activity, where locals and visitors come to be entertained — eat, drink and to enjoy the views. The Sydney Opera House hosts an average of five performances per day, the average cost per show is about $ 50 (Australian) dollars.

The Opera House was designed for the New South Wales State Government by the Danish architect Jorn Utzon. Utzon’s design was inspired by the peeling of an orange! The design has been awarded many prestigious architectural honours and has been described as a "masterpiece of human creativity" by the World Heritage List.

A walk in the nearby Royal Botanical Gardens is a most relaxing and rewarding experience. This man-made marvel in the lap of nature is an unparalleled joy. At the gate one can see a charming little toy train carrying children and visitors along the garden paths. But the best way to sample its charms is to stroll around the gardens.

There are many exotic birds perching high on the branches of lush green trees. There are sea gulls, magpies, pigeons, rainbow lorikeets, and ducks and water birds swimming in small ponds scattered around the gardens.

Most amazing are the fruit bats hanging upside down on a number of large trees that inevitably attract visitors to take their pictures as best as they can.

Sydney is full of gardens, parks and walkways scattered around the city that mingle well with the overall plan of the city. They are a great place to relax, eat and view the fantastic city scenes around you, especially if you are walking along the Sydney Harbour foreshore pathways.

One can take a ferry across the harbour to obtain breathtaking harbour views. The Opera House can be seen against a backdrop of magnificent skyscrapers that help to make Sydney an alpha+ world city, ranked 16th among global cities as an international centre for commerce, arts, fashion, culture, entertainment, education and tourism.

The harbour ferries provide you with a clearer view of other areas of the city, both residential and commercial. These include the many magnificent and, perhaps, the most expensive houses, located near many of the attractive beaches, along with small boats and yachts moored in the bays to take full advantage of this harbour. The many yachts and harbour ferries that criss-cross the harbour present a fascinating view that is unique to Sydney.

The coastal suburb of Manly offers a spectacular beach to tourists. Its white shimmering sand on a mild autumn afternoon can refresh any tired and harried traveller. The palm-tree lined Corso (Manly’s pedestrian mall) leads you on to the Steyne promenade, where you can walk, roller-blade or cycle along the oceanfront. The nightlife at the beach hotels, as anywhere else in the city, is full on with music, dining and dancing. There are operas and bands lining the whole length and breadth of the sea beach.

Even a visit to the zoo here can be a fascinating experience as one can see kangaroos and other interesting birds and animals. Though kangaroos are pretty animals, they can be quite dangerous because they have a powerful kick that can knock you over, and even cause serious injuries.

There is much to see and experience in Sydney that it is not unusual for first-time visitors to lose their heart to it. Despite the natural reserve of many Australians, they are usually quite helpful and friendly towards visitors.

Overall, Sydney is great place for the visitors, offering views and facilities that are rarely found anywhere else, despite it being one of Australia’s most expensive cities, and the 66th most expensive in the world. It is virtually a paradise on earth with its natural scenic beauty, lively nightlife, lush parks, and varied transport system. No wonder, it ranks among the top 10 most liveable cities in the world.

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