Arrival /Stoll around town-12/26/2017

Our plane landed at the airport in Sydney around 9:00 Am and we did our research so we knew exactly what to do after getting off the plane.  The easiest and cheapest way to get to our hotel is to buy a train ticket and get off Central station.  The ride is about 15 minutes and cost $12.  The Train tickets booth at the airport is really easy to locate and the train ride was fast and easy.

We are now getting off Central station and walking toward our hotel located in Darling Harbor.  The walk to our hotel from the train station is another 10 minutes so it is so convenient.

On our way to our hotel we saw this restaurant and we decided to have breakfast before heading to our hotel since it is still too early to check-in.

Check out how nice and fancy our coffee is. 

We shared a bagel with cured salmon & avocado.  Very nice way to start with a nice cup of coffee and a nice sandwich.

We checked in our hotel and they were kind enough to let us check in early.  After resting for a bit, we decided to walk to the Opera house.

From the Holiday Inn in Darling harbor, it takes a good 40 minutes walk to the Opera house.  We had plenty of time and this is a great way to discover down town Sydney.

This is George Street located in the central business district.  It was Sydney's original high street, and remains one of the busiest streets in the city center, connecting to a number of the City's most important buildings and precincts.

George street is now for pedestrians only so it is very pleasant to walk around.

Christmas decoration on George street.

A gathering of Hare Krishna members.  I have not see the Hare Krishna members in the streets for a very long time....

The Hare Krishna were dancing, chanting, and playing music so a lot of people are gathering around them.

The Hare Krishna ladies with very colorful outfit dancing away...

Lots of people in the street

The is the Queen Victoria Building know as QVB

Me in front of the QVB

QVB entrance on George street.

Huge Apple store on George street.

This street is lined with Luxury boutiques.

We are now on Gresham street.

You can see the dome of the QVB and lots of high rise buildings in this neighborhood.

Historic buildings...

Streets along the way...

Department of Education building

Museum of Sydney

We are now on Macquarie street & conservatorium road, and in the center is a large bronze equestrian statue of King Edward VII.

Edward VII was born on November 9, 1841 and as the eldest son of Queen Victoria, succeeded her upon her death.  He was almost 60 when he came to the throne.  King Edward's coronation was initially delayed by a bout of appendicitis and later postponed until the conclusion of Boer War in mid 1902.  Edward VII was King until his death on May 9, 1910

 This bronze memorial statue of Edward VII, in full military uniform, on its sandstone plinth with a number of bronze reliefs emphasizing the importance of Empire to Australia was created by Thomas Brock (1847-1922), one of Britain’s most prominent sculptors of the era. Brock’s most recognized work would have to be the central monument in the Victoria Memorial at the front of Buckingham Palace in London.

Close look at the statue.

This area is close to the Royal Botanic gardens.

One of the many entrance to the Royal Botanic gardens.

You can see the roof of the Opera house from here.

Remain of a building on display at a public park.

Looks like the building was opened by Lady Stonehaven in 1926

Check out this huge tree.. It must be there for centuries.

Banana trees.

We headed toward the harbor.

We are now on Macquarie street.  In the middle is a large fountain and it is near the entrance of the Opera House.

Square leading to the Opera House

In the background is the Sydney Harbor bridge.

NEXT... Opera House