The land down under does have some downs - but we are finding the ups too

Well folks - we got off to a rough start here in Sydney, and just had another bit of a down today...BUT damn it, we are trying hard to find good stuff and we are determined to stay up. Want the story? Here is my shortened version - don't fly with Aerolineas Argentinas. What a disorganized airline (sadly, they were the cheapest). The cost of flying with them - one performance at the Sydney Opera House. Our flight landed 5 hours late, causing us to miss the performance we bought tickets to - nonrefundable tickets. Actually, as we flew into Sydney we saw the Opera House from the air. It was quite frustrating to know the performance was going on right then and there - and our seats were empty. Erghhhh (insert growling noise here).

I have also been having some trouble with my knee (insert "ouch" here) for some unknown reason and walking around Sydney is not a grand experience but I'm doing it anyway! Where is Jay's sister - Lee - when you need her? This is something that I am sure diving will cure right?

Enough about this down stuff. Up stuff coming right up.

Our funky self-portrait with the Sydney Harbor Bridge in the background - the window is actually one of the Opera House windows... taken on our tour of the building.

Morning light on the tiles of the Opera House roof....we think this is, by far, the most beautiful building in the world.

OK - we spent all day yesterday wandering through the botanical gardens and the Opera House grounds. We wandered over to a place called "The Rocks" - the historical district in the city with old, gorgeous buildings and about 1 million weddings. We tried to go to a brewpub but were driven out by the hoards of wedding guests with the same idea (I was a wedding guest like this once in Ireland I believe, good times my friends, good times). We might try again at the brewpub today. Last night, after dinner, we headed over to the Sydney Aquarium. We went on a Saturday night - while all the guys and gals of Sydney were dolled up for a big night out on the town, we nerds had the entire aquarium all to ourselves! This was a real treat for both of us...

Today we got up early and actually went on a tour of the Opera House. My memory of the interior served me quite well - I remembered the symphony hall as one of the most jaw-dropping and serene places in the world. The world's largest organ fills one entire wall of the hall, and the wooden ceiling and walls contrast with the red seats. This place is brilliant. Even the bathrooms were amazing! We are hoping to wander over to the Harbor Bridge later this afternoon and to go to a wildlife sanctuary tomorrow before we fly to Bali at 5pm. BALI yeehaw!!!