While you were sleeping - I don't know enough adjectives to describe my first evening in Sydney. What a beautiful, vibrant and friendly city. I'm staying at the Marriott Sydney Harbour and it couldn't be more conveniently located. It is in the heart of the action and within walking distance to all the major attractions. I walked to the opera house and was in total awe at the enormity and complexity of the complex. I was with a small tour group of seven (I'm the odd man out) and the guide was extremely knowledgable. I had dinner at the Aria Restaurant (owned by chef Matt Moran) on site at the point - it was probably the best meal of my life. See picture of appetizer below. It was really too beautiful to eat, but I forced myself. OMG - so good! Dinner was followed by a night at the opera. I sat next to a nice couple from Canada. I was amazed at the stage dynamics and enthralled by the engineering required to make Motzart's " the Magic Flute" come together. I especially liked the three women, reminiscent of alien greys (very comical and expressive with large face masks and one gloved hand larger than the other). The dancing bear puppets were extraordinary and I thought how much Shannon and Eva would have enjoyed them. I walked around the point after the performance - the weather was perfect. I cried a bit on the steps of the opera house, remorseful that this should be a shared experience. I resolved not to cry again.