Port of call: Sydney -Sept. 11, 2000

Position: Sydney and Olympic Games -Sept. 15, 2000

Sydney
This is one of the more beautiful cities we have seen in all of our travels. Located on a magnificent harbour surrounded with more than 65 bays; it is contemporary, clean, and the heart of the Aussie's existence. The transportation system with trains, buses and ferries going everywhere are at the centre of the main harbour. The bays are populated with many homes and hundreds of sailboats, powerboats, cruise ships and a network of ferries all sizes and speeds. The Sydney Opera House is one of the most uniquely designed buildings in the world and a focal point easily recognized by all. It was an exciting first view of the harbour as we entered very early morning with all the city lights on the tall buildings and a glimmer of sun rising. A breathtaking experience.

Our visit included a complete tour plus two performances at the famed Opera House. There can be 7 performances in the various theatres on one day. The large botanical gardens join the grounds of the Opera House which numerous morning jogger include in their seaside run. Most delightful!.
The famous harbour bridge now allows visitors to climb to the top, some 300' above the water. It is a 3-hour climb on a well-organized program that includes safety harnesses, radios for audio from the guide, weather jump suits, fleece and hats as all part of the uniform. It is the only bridge one can legally climb with its 900 + steps and an unforgettable experience with magnificent views. Harbour cruises, city tours, rocket ferries and the Olympics all made Sydney one of our most exciting ports of call. Our mooring was right in the centre of the Darling city harbour with all the action. There were fire works every night, large screen Olympic television and live entertainment continuously available in parks throughout the city.

Olympic Games
Sydney can be proud of hosting one of the most successful Olympic games. They built an Olympic city that contained a modern up to date facility for the 10,000 athletes from 112 countries and more than 3 million visitors. Each of the stadiums was designed for its specific venues with the largest holding 110,000 spectators. The train system moved a million visitors a day to and from the Olympic site. We attended several events with full stadiums and became part of the mass of visitors finding our way via train to our event and back.
Part of the success was the 47,000 knowledgeable volunteers from many parts of Australia that supported all functions of the entire event. Volunteers were in town, at the train and bus stations, at all hours of the day, always trying to help with congenial and courteous support. They even directed by megaphone which side of the street to walk on which helped to keep the crowds moving.

The athlete village was close to the Olympic site and housed 10,000 plus in permanent and temporary housing. The Virgin Islands team had a perfect location in a 3 level building overlooking the Olympic site with views of the lighted torch. We were invited by the Virgin Islands team to have lunch in the football size-dining hall. How impressive that was. All kinds of foods were available to satisfy the special menus and diets of the different countries. McDonalds was one of the busiest counters.

We had the pleasure of having the Virgin Islands athletes and administrators join us for an evening cruise and dinner aboard SeaQuell. Two groups of 20 each sailed with us on two nights. The weather was good and the harbour night view of the city bridge with its Olympic rings and Opera House were spectacular from the water. We enjoyed having all of the Virgin Islands team and its supporters on board. No metals were awarded the VI team, but they deserve special recognition for team spirit, effort, and participation. The organizing committee lead by President Hans Lawetz made us all proud to be from the USVI.

The opening and closing ceremonies were the best we have seen at any Olympics. The opening ceremony was the history of Australia beginning with the Aborigines, the settlers, the immigrants, and to the present life today. Over 10,000 participants were in the show with many of them students. All schools were closed so they could participate in the ceremonies, compete or attend the Olympics. After the elaborately staged show the athletes entered the stadium and the lighting of the flame was executed brilliantly. The torch had been all through the continent and was carried into the stadium by past Australian woman gold medallists. Finally the flame was lite by a chosen female Aborigine Olympic contestant who later won 3 gold medals. The closing ceremony was equally exciting with a show of brilliant colours involving many notables. Entertainment by local musical talent and a scene with over 300 tap dancers in tap shoes, boots, and in various costumes keeping tap going for more than %z hour. After transferring the torch and flag to Greece for next Olympics, the flame was extinguished by a 737 jet flying over the stadium and the fire works began.

The fireworks progressed from the stadium to the waterway connecting it to the city. Fireworks were set off from barges every 1500' ending at the downtown harbor bridge. Reaching the city bridge the whole city was lite up with fireworks from many of the downtown buildings and the bridge was aglow for more than'/z hour. We were able to anchor in the harbor near the bridge giving us a front row view for the most spectacular fireworks display ever!

Sydney port of call will remain one the most memorable highlights of our adventure.

(Previous Entry | Next Entry)

(Back to Ship's Log)