The trip from Chicago to Australia by way of Los Angeles was uneventful - waiting followed by waiting... Customs and security inspections were thorough at all stages. Our plane landed in Sydney about 7 am local time (Sydney is currently 16 hours ahead of Chicago, until CST resumes Sunday). Our first day was spent wandering around downtown. We had mostly sunshine, mixed with quickly disappearing drizzle.

Friday, 4 April 2003 - (25 KB) Sydney Tower as seen from a nearby streetcorner

Friday, 4 April 2003 - (41 KB) We thought the shields of arms on this building were neat

Friday, 4 April 2003 - (45 KB) Martin Place - this plaza stretched for a couple of blocks just north of our hotel

Friday, 4 April 2003 - (47 KB) A war memorial on Martin Place

Friday, 4 April 2003 - (38 KB) Another neat statue on the street

Friday, 4 April 2003 - (49 KB) We're by Sydney Harbor now. This bird was willing to pose

Friday, 4 April 2003 - (46 KB) He's got dinner on his mind

Friday, 4 April 2003 - (39 KB) Tom's obligatory picture with the Sydney Opera House

Friday, 4 April 2003 - (38 KB) Stavros' obligatory picture with the Sydney Opera House

Friday, 4 April 2003 - (43 KB) And turn just a little bit and there's Tom with the Sydney Bridge. He's getting the idea that he'd better get used to me taking his picture, sooo...

Friday, 4 April 2003 - (39 KB) Sydney Bridge

Friday, 4 April 2003 - (19 KB) Sydney Opera House - again

Friday, 4 April 2003 - (34 KB) A tour boat

Friday, 4 April 2003 - (42 KB) I liked the look down this street at these old buildings (Market Street I think). And yes, the cars are all going on the wrong side

Friday, 4 April 2003 - (33 KB) Dobell Memorial Sculpture. On Pitt Street at Spring Street

Friday, 4 April 2003 - (27 KB) A statue of an old British Queen - Queen Victoria