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My Sydney Opera House Therapy

August 2, 2014 by Jean Holy Smithereens 9 Comments

Whenever I have people visiting from interstate or overseas, I find myself saying. “I’ll never Ever take them to such cliche touristy places!” 

And always, without fail, I eat my own words by taking them to the Sydney Opera House.

The Sydney Opera House up close
The Sydney Opera House up close

I’m not normally a fan of modern architecture and prefer nature to buildings. But I find the Sydney Opera House really fascinating.

I never tire of seeing it from any angle. I’ve done the tours 3 times now , taking different people, yet I always listen in awe like it’s the first time.

So you see, I tend to visit the Opera House more for myself than the people I’m taking.

“But I’d been there before!”, some would protest.

John Williams conducted by David Robertson at the Sydney Opera House
John Williams conducted by David Robertson at the Sydney Opera House

To which I would reply, “Sure, but you haven’t really sat for this performance have you?”

And we would soon be at the opera house, with my visitor sitting hostage enjoying the music.

Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerard performing the Gladiator score - Sydney Opera House
Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerard performing the Gladiator score – Sydney Opera House

Even without people visiting, I find myself still heading to the opera house from time to time. My sister (with me above) gladly joins me on such occasions.

I’m aware it’s a tad selfish when I take visiting people to the Opera House because I do it mostly for myself.

The honest truth – I find the Sydney Opera House quite comforting. When I’m at home and not travelling, my normal days in Sydney are always frenzied and rushed.  Being inside the Opera House gives me a feeling of temporary respite and calm from the madness of the city outside.  I emerge feeling refreshed. Like I just had a spa for my sanity.

The Opera House is also one of the last places that my father and I visited together, back in 2003. And that makes The Opera House extra warm and fuzzy for me.

The Sydney Opera House from inside
The Sydney Opera House from inside

Coming back from travels/ holidays is also not as harsh whenever I see this sight from the  plane:

View from landing in Sydney: The Harbour Bridge and Opera House
View from landing in Sydney: The Harbour Bridge and Opera House

So if you happen to see me at the Opera House, it can only be one of these things: I’m with a visitor/s (who may not necessarily be as excited as I am) , or I’m getting a break from the busyness of life.

Or it could be both. Because depending on who it is, visitors and stress also go hand in hand 🙂

—

But I’m so very curious:

Where’s your go- to place when you have overseas or interstate visitors?

Where do you head to when everyday life gets too busy and overwhelming?

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Filed Under: Australia, Sydney

About Jean Holy Smithereens

Jean is a lover of luxury travel and adventure, always looking for that "Holy Smithereens"-inducing moment on her travels. Follow the blog and other social media pages of Holy Smithereens to get the ultimate travel ideas for the luxurious adventurer!

Comments

  1. Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says

    August 3, 2014 at 7:10 am

    I must admit that I usually take people to places to eat. I figure that they can see the sights and I can meet them for lunch or dinner! I do love the Opera House though 🙂

    Reply
    • Jean Holy Smithereens says

      August 3, 2014 at 8:41 pm

      Lorraine, I’m so so certain that your guests are always in for the best dinners and lunches of their lives when you take them! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Tony Louis says

    August 3, 2014 at 4:48 pm

    Hi Jean

    I really admire your travel adventures and the high class nature of them all. Wow!! You have seen & heard John Williams (Composer). The Sidney Opera House is one of the worlds landmarks that we want to visit. I have never visited Australia due to fear of long haul flights, but am getting better. My next flight will be 14hrs to Thailand in January 2015. You set the standard for High class luxury travel. Laura and I love the way you do it. Life is for life and you greatly inspire us.

    Thank you for sharing your blog

    Tony & Laura

    Reply
    • Jean Holy Smithereens says

      August 3, 2014 at 8:57 pm

      Hi Tony & Laura! The performance I saw was John Williams’ works conducted by David Robertson, the chief conductor of Syd Opera house. It’s not John Williams himself but it was such a lovely evening ! Taking me back to childhood days of his movie scores.
      Next time you are in Asia hope you can swing by Australia as it’s not so far away then (from Bangkok probably 7-8 hours) 🙂

      Reply
      • Tony Louis says

        August 3, 2014 at 9:02 pm

        Hi Jean

        That’s a great idea. It beats sitting on a plane for 24 or 25hrs… I might do this if I can fit it our time schedule and budget. I also wanted spend at least 3 months in Australia exploring the whole country. There is a place called Cairns at the tropical end of Australia. I like the look of it. Thanks for your tip x

        Reply
  3. Ivan Bagatsing Gamboa says

    August 4, 2014 at 1:03 pm

    I’m planning to go to Sydney later this year. Dunno where to stay and what to visit aside from the Opera House.

    Reply
  4. Sam @ Travelling King says

    August 5, 2014 at 4:21 am

    I know how you feel Jean, there is something comfting about the Opera house and yet is screams “HEY! you’re in Sydney!”
    I really neeed to come back to Sydney, i miss it!

    Reply
  5. Seana - Sydney, Kids, Food + Travel says

    August 8, 2014 at 3:42 am

    The ferry from Manly to Circular Quay s a must-do for visitors to our place, and then a walk all around the Opera House. I’m always thrilled, always, always… and doing that trip on a summer’s night is the best. I think its because I was brought up in Scotland, which has such different buildings, that I always feel the city centre is dead glam.

    My quiet spot is … underwater… no-one can call you there!

    Reply
  6. Anna @ shenANNAgans says

    August 8, 2014 at 7:02 am

    Wicked. Ive not actually been to the Opera House, but love looking at it from afar. Its one of those landmarks that gets me all hand over heart patriotic. 🙂
    My go to place… It depends on the weather, but I find my friends really enjoy seeing both old & new Parliament House, and all the National buildings too.
    When life gets too much, I head down to the world fountain by the lake, it reminds me that there are so many things bigger than me and that if I just keep trucking, Ill get there too. Its a pretty special fountain. 🙂

    Reply

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