Sunday, March 18, 2007

In Praise of Sydney

Thanks to Colin Campbell, I discover that tomorrow is the 75th anniversary of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Since, in combination with the Opera House, this constitutes the greatest urban spectacle of the modern world (photographs do not do it justice), I thought it was worth mentioning.
Posted by Bryan Appleyard at 6:59 am

4 comments:

  1. AnonymousMarch 18, 2007 8:14 am

    I really can't agree. Surely the view from the Greenwich Observatory is equally as impressive? Alternatively - New York from Staten island or the Bay from the Golden Gate Bridge.

    In Sydney, the Opera House produces a unique skyline: but the bridge makes me think I am standing by the Tyne.

    Don't get me wrong: I like both places. recommend a visit to Hobart.

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  2. BritMarch 18, 2007 11:38 am

    Sadly I've only seen Sydney in photographs. But man-made wonders are where it's at, for me. Even Didcot Power Station is painfully beautiful.

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  3. Tom P.March 18, 2007 1:09 pm

    Quite a bit of Sydney is available on Google Maps in ultra-detail:

    http://googlesightseeing.com/2007/02/27/australia-day-flyover/

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  4. JohnnyMarch 20, 2007 10:09 pm

    I could not agree more, Bryan. I visited Sydney for the first time just a couple of months ago. The view at night, from Circle Quay, of the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge is utterly bewitching and awesome, in the proper sense of the word. A rare and unabashed "wow!" moment, no mistake.

    The only urban spectacle I've witnessed that has similarly inspired is mainland Tokyo and the Rainbow Bridge as viewed from Odaiba.

    I was genuinely humbled on both occasions by what humanity can achieve when it's not mouth-breathing on its stupid, sofa-sored arse, robo-dialling ITV Play.

    Three and a half hours for the Bridge climb seemed a little excessive, though.

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