Sydney Opera House

One of the things that you have to do in Sydney is go to the Opera House. So what do you go to see if you're from Brighton? Well, the Lost and Found Orchestra, of course, mostly funded by our council tax, and featuring a large range of people who look as though they spend too much time walking around North Laine.

We booked our tickets way back when (this Interweb thing is very useful), and had talked up the occasion to the children immensely. Georgia was therefore very insistent that we should all be smartly turned out, and even Ethan insisted on getting a new white shirt. And she was right; we were still slightly underdressed. Despite the prejudices we were exposed to before arriving in Oz, we've found Sydneyites rather smartly turned out, and given the opportunity, they will put on very glamorous clothing.

Helen had planned a perfect Sydney evening out. We travelled into Darling Harbour, where we stopped at the Blackbird Cafe (does a great children's menu and it was Happy Hour). We then caught the ferry around to the Opera House, seeing glorious views of the CBD, the Bridge, and the Luna City amusement park. We arrived with time for a glass of champagne on the Opera House veranda, soaking up the architecture and excitement. The show itself is excellent - lots of great theatrical moments, focused on making music out of recycled objects - the music is actually very good. Georgia thought it was great, and Ethan enjoyed it until he fell asleep.