Thursday - a ride and a musical



Start: bridge and a small ship



My bike ride through Sydney was interesting on Thursday – traveled through lots of different sections of the city. It is a city full of character and areas with completely different “feeling”.

You see a lot of fit, happy, social people. Well dressed and out having fun or marching swiftly on their commute.On my outward journey I stayed as close to the water as I could – which meant for a lot of up and down. For this Florida-based cyclist that was a new and grueling experience! Then on the way back I looped wider into the city and came back through China town and the business district. It was a gorgeous warm day and although it was Thursday there was a Friday vibe. Everyone seemed to be out in the street – some dressed in suits and walking fast, tourists in flip-flops. Street performers every time there was a wide section in the sidewalk. I gave up and walked the bike the last mile back. I was walking along grinning like an idiot because everyone was happy, having fun. What a beautiful, energetic city! I wanted to take a couple of pictures of this stretch but I honestly couldn’t stop… the mass of people flowed like a current and you must allow yourself to be swept along or swept away!

I showered and dressed up as much as I could and walked around darling harbor to the Star City Casino. Got my ticket and then grabbed a veggie sandwich and an ice cream bar as dinner. Last time I was at the casino there was this whole mall of shops including food places, and that was where I had planned to get dinner – but they are renovating and that whole section is closed up and boarded off.

I had heard good things about the musical Dr. Zhivago. It has a new score and the director from Jersey Boys. But I know the story as dark and painful, so I wasn’t sure how much I would enjoy it. The score was incredible and the voices of the cast were splendid. It was like when I saw Phantom for the first time. That good. That spellbinding. I didn’t want it to be over. This is the latest I’ve stayed up since getting here but I wasn’t sleepy. I would have sat there and watched the whole thing again if it were an option. I cannot recommend this musical highly enough. It had all the traditional things, a bit of newer things like mixed media and modern choreographic elements and the most stunning original score that I’ve heard in ages. If I had another night in Sydney I’m pretty sure I would see it again.

Today’s plan is to get organized, go for a last bike ride. If I leave soon I can get a couple of hours in. Then get back here to shower, change, pack in time to checkout at 11a. Leave the luggage here, take the bicycle back, walk over to the train station and get my ticket. Then I may just wander a bit until I need to get back to the hotel to grab my bags and catch the train to the airport. I fly to Malaysia at 3:30p. It’s an 8 1/2 hour flight with a 3 hour time difference – so I get there at almost 9p local time. There is a cool monorail but also everything is very inexpensive so I think coming in late like that I will just get a taxi from the airport.