It’s still a little unbelievable to think that I made this trip to another part of the earth so quickly after COVID pandemic. From 2020-2023 the world stopped and travel overseas was limited if not non-existent. Now, it seems like everyone has forgotten, or wants to forget about it. Time to get on with loving life and traveling.

Sydney has surprised me in many ways. Let’s start with an admission that it is more spectacular than San Francisco. What Horror!!!! I have never admitted that to anyone, primarily because I truly believed San Francisco could not be outdone. Until now, no other European or Chinese city could beat San Francisco, I could never confess that any city fared better for combined climate, culture, diversity, transportation, and environment.

I’ve changed my mind. The vibrancy, sheer beauty, summer weather, buzz, and thoughtful planning of Sydney have all contributed to my change of heart. The buses, light rail, underground systems work seamlessly. A debit card or Opal card, the equivalent of a Clipper card, is all you need to tap on for any trip. You just need to remember to do the same when you leave, or you get charged to the end destination.

Modern buildings are tucked into sites adjacent to old 19th Century buildings. Both are clean and well maintained. There are plenty of public toilets everywhere, another safety and cleanliness indicator in my book.

There seems to be little blight, at least in the city center, and little or no homelessness. Moreover, it feels safe. A big bottom line: GUN CONTROL.

The harbor seems much more immediate in Sydney than in San Francisco. With active ferries scurrying back and forth, and the magnificent Sydney Opera House and Harbor Bridge looming on its edges, Sydney Harbor has so many drop-down gorgeous views that you’re exhausted by its sheer beauty.

People, particularly the women, are well dressed and attractive. That may be a bit of stretch in general, but my first impression is that they either look like Nicole Kidman or Survivor contestants. Bikinis or workout gear on public transport are the norm rather than the exception. I feel overdressed in my sleeveless, knee-length dress.

True, Sydney has a population of 5 million and San Francisco is a scrawny 750,000. But if I were to imaging San Francisco scaled up more than five times, I think the political system would collapse it before it crumbled under its own weight. Whatever the politicians and planners didn’t do to Sydney, we somehow haven’t figured it out, even on a minuscule scale.Let’s try BART for starters.

Sydney Opera House

It’s hard for an architect to ignore the stunning presence of the Opera House. I have read in-depth articles on the formation, process, and disaster that created this international structure. Everyone recognizes this iconic form.

Despite having seen this on a previous visit, it was less imposing than it is now. Maybe activities outside enhance and support the building. Its sheer size, based on a full concert hall, an opera house, and series of performance theaters make it one of the largest entertainment venues in the world. The proportions of the building are monumental, but in this case, very warranted.

Sold-out performances of Ludovico Einauldi in addition to an opera gala were held at the same time. The ample outdoor terraces provided overflow space for crowds and the staircases were sized appropriately. You never felt claustrophobic from the expansive bay views visible from every corner of the building.

A one-hour tour was packed with information and details about the history of the building. The spherical shapes and combination of wood, concrete and steel were elegantly arranged, despite what seemed like random angles and inexplicable geometry.

Architect Jorn Utzon and the political will at the time were forces that delayed and promoted the project. In the end, it took 14 years of engineering ingenuity and construction to be completed. The project budget that was initially estimated at $7 million ended up costing $102 million, largely funded by a state lottery. Oh well. Sydney has probably been paid back for its world-class imagery. and reputation.

Ferndale Zoo

Just to put things in perspective, my first day trip was not to any museums or to attend a performance at the Sydney Opera House. Instead, my longing for seeing koala bears was fulfilled. It took two hours each way by public bus to the zoo in the outskirts of Sydney. The searing 40 degree weather did not daunt my determination to commute with the male, the females, and the joeys (babies), who were all segregated.

To be expected, most of them were sleeping, but I was happy to see a few munching on eucalyptus leaves or wandering along a branch. Like visiting a famous museum, I picked my battle by only focussing on the koalas and bypassed all the other zoo animals.

Advised by a local Perther from the transcontinental rail journey, I visited the Kings Garden and the Australian Botanical Garden in Perth. It is larger in size than Central Park! A lovely crystal clear day for enjoying the serenity of the park and its harbor views, despite a gaggle of chirpy birds in the trees!

My fellow traveler from Perth described the wildflowers that can be enjoyed at the Botanical Garden. Unfortunately, the peak period has passed, since we are in an alternate universe. The late spring period had the best display, where the flowers can be seen all over Perth. There were only a few to be found at the garden by time I arrived, but I’m sure they would have been magnificent in this beautiful seaside setting.

Perth’s urban environment felt very sprawling and left alot to be desired from the walkability standpoint. There are still vestiges of Australia’s colonial past to remind everyone, tucked in between the boom days of the seventies and modern nondescript high-rises. Huge blocks of high rises and bad low to midrise commercial buildings look half abandoned.

Huge bus and transit terminals seem so big and clustered together it’s difficult to find your way around. I did manage to catch a free bus to the park that seemed to loop around in numerous directions before reaching its final destination. I haven’t been able to crack the bus system yet. I must be losing the killer instinct or wearing down from too many years of being an old dog learning new tricks. Maybe my trip to Freemantle, about an hour away this morning, will prove to be a smooth and seamless experience.

Food in general in Australia has been innovative and tasty. In Perth, the hotel area where I am staying is laden with alot of bad ethnic fast food shops, from shawarma to Korean bbq to Indian to Chinese. You name it, they are here.

I did venture into a Chinese bakery that did seem to speak to outside the box thinking. They expanded their repertoire to include pork floss buns, salad trimmings, and meat mixed in pastry combinations. I indulged in a mini sesame rice ball and hors-d’oeurvre sized lo por being with cha sis inside.

After a few more days in the Perth area, I will be heading back to Sydney for a week before returning to San Francisco. Stay tuned!