The whole world is in love with Sydney and it’s easy to see why. Sydneysiders have it made with the city’s style, sophistication, friendly people, bustling art and entertainment, restaurants, museums. You could almost eat off the streets of this gleaming pristine city and the food wouldn’t be bad either, with great seafood a special feature of the local cuisine and their famous New World wines.

Our ship docked in beautiful Sydney Harbor, in the heart of the city within easy walking access to downtown. On one side of the harbor, the iconic Sydney Opera House stood as a beacon while opposite that was the famous Harbor Bridge and at the end, the Circular Quay Rail and Ferry Terminal. This was a disembarkation day for our ship, with the organized chaos of departing passengers being replaced by newcomers for the next cruise segment. And sadly, we were only in this beautiful city for one day. But what a beautiful day!

The rest of us transiting passengers hightailed it out to wander in and out of the streets just next to the ship port in “The Rock”, the city’s oldest village, an eclectic and charming historic area that is filled with art and craft stalls, food vendors, and the gently wafting sounds of street musicians. Farther downtown, bustling George Street is the city’s premier high end shopping road and place to be seen. It is lined with clean, wide, black tiled sidewalks, chic boutiques and shopping arcades, restaurants, office buildings, hotels, and inviting side streets.

Right next to the port on the harbor esplanade was the uber modern Museum of Contemporary Art Australia whose building was architectural art in itself, and housed within were cutting edge exhibits and a compact and selective museum shop.

We went to a wine store, known in Australia as “bottle shops”, recommended by an earlier ship passenger and friend, and found the proprietor to be friendly, knowledgeable and very helpful in choosing a selection of regional wines of which, to tease us, most are unavailable outside of Australia.

I walked around the harbor along the busy oceanside, filled with meandering weekenders enjoying the beautiful weather, to the famous Opera House. Opened in 1973, this structure remains a striking contemporary landmark with its sail-like roof which, by the way, is surprisingly clad in pearly white tile.

The coat of arms of Australia features the native Kangaroo and the Emu. It is often claimed that these animals were chosen because neither one can move backward, only forward, symbolizing progress. In reality, both animals can move backwards, although only infrequently, but it nonetheless defines the Australian spirit. And in this spirited city, its inhabitants know that they are fortunate to live there and proclaim it with pride. With one of the most beautiful natural harbors in the world, charming old-world Victorian districts, internationally famous surfing beaches, robust wines and abundant fresh seafood, sophisticated arts and culture…..what’s not to love?

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