Sydney Harbour - Opera House

The cloudy sky loomed above.  My allergies were still killing me (they've been bad the entire trip - I broke down and got some strange allergy medicine at the chemist the other day), and I was skeptical about how cool the harbor would be.  The train / subway pulled up to the station at the harbor, and I was completely floored by the view.  My skepticism disappeared immediately.  Really, really incredible first image.

The train platform sits above the main dock.  At the "ground level" four wharfs launch ferries to different parts of the bay.  One goes to the zoo (which I will do -- I heard that I may be able to play with a koala there), another goes to another beach, etc.  I was there when people were getting off work, and lots of people use the ferries as part of their commuter transportation. 

The Opera House is crazy in person.  Like everyone else, I've seen it loads of times on tv, but wow -- up close, it's awesome.  It sits on a piece of the harbor that juts out into the bay.  I was able to stand next to the Opera House windows and see right into it (mostly dining areas).  Beneath it is a strip of restaurants and bars and a movie theater.  I was impressed with how the whole thing is setup.  Of course it's touristy, but it didn't feel real cheesy.  I was thoroughly amazed.  Ok, I'll shut up now and let you enjoy some pics...

This picture is from the Opera House facing back towards the city.  I primarily took this to have photographic evidence of the gang of thugs I had to take out.  After their illicit craps game, the girl in the dark shirt was discussing how she'd dispatch me by locking her fingers around my neck and then kneeing me in the groin.  Luckily I got the upper hand.

I hid the bodies just below the botanical gardens in the bay.

I've decided to break this post into two -- the next will focus primarily on the Harbour Bridge.  Not sure why I'm telling you this.  I'm getting tired...