In Sydney, it has to be the Opera Bar! Drinks by the water, seeing the most famous landmarks, the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. Being here is just magical, day or night! It reminds me that I live in Australia, my journey to get here and why I live here, for this amazing beauty and lifestyle. It’s not just for the amazing landmarks, it means so much more. I have umpteen photos of being at this exact spot and have selected a few to show you.
My favourite time was taking my parents here and seeing how much they loved it too.
Rent has always been one of our favourite musicals even though, up until now, we had only seen the movie and listened (on repeat!) to the soundtrack. We have been obsessed with its songs, the raw emotion, the humour, and the unforgettable characters ever since we first heard of this musical over a decade or more. Every track hits differently, from the heartbreak of One Song Glory to the infectious joy of La Vie Bohème.
Rent tells the story of a group of young artists and friends living in New York City’s East Village during the late 1980s. Struggling to make ends meet, they face love, loss, and the harsh realities of life with courage and creativity. Set against the backdrop of the HIV/AIDS crisis, the musical celebrates community, acceptance, and living authentically in the face of uncertainty. The recurring line “No day but today” captures the heart of Rent, a reminder to embrace the present moment, to love deeply, and to live fully despite whatever challenges life brings. It’s a message that feels just as powerful and relevant now as it did when the show first debuted.
The story itself is a modern reimagining of Puccini’s opera La Bohème. Where the original was set in 19th-century Paris and centred around bohemian artists battling poverty and illness, Rent moves the story to New York City’s East Village in the late 1980s. The characters face different struggles; addiction, ambition, and the HIV/AIDS epidemic, but the themes remain the same – love, art, friendship, and the fleeting beauty of life. Jonathan Larson transformed a classic tale into something raw, real, and profoundly human.
So when Rent came to the Sydney Opera House, I knew we couldn’t miss it. Surprisingly, despite living in Sydney for many years now and taking countless photos outside the Opera House, we had never actually been inside until now…and what a first experience it was!
The show was everything we hoped for and more, powerful performances, vocal powerhouses, and a production that captured the grit, energy, and heart of the original story. It is one of those musicals that reminds you why you love theatre in the first place, the music, the message, and the magic of live performance.
For me, Rent is more than just a musical, it is a stark reminder to live life with passion, to make time for the people and moments that matter, and to not let life pass by unnoticed because truly, there is “no day but today” (one of their famous lines).
Gin & tonics at the interval. It was lovely to step outside and see the Opera House from another angle.
Welcome to “The Numbers Game”. To play along, go to your photos file folder and type that number into the search bar. Then post a selection of the photos you find that include that number.
This week garnered two photos only taken in 2018. I love these photos of two incredible landmarks in Sydney. When I see these in person, I remember where I live and feel extremely grateful to call this amazing city my home.
Vivid Sydney is a yearly light show that is on display in many key parts of Sydney. You can find light displays around Circular Quay, Darling Harbour, Barangaroo, Taronga Zoo, The Royal Botanical Gardens and many more spots around Sydney. You can find lots of information on the official website https://www.vividsydney.com with timings, locations and what’s on offer.
This year is a special Vivid as the last two years have been cancelled due to Covid, so every is very excited to witness the event. It truly is a spectacular show and a real feast for the eyes. It starts as soon as the sun sets, making the lights really stand out and the best thing about it, is that it’s a free event for everyone.
I would say the best time to visit is during the week as it becomes pretty busy at the weekends. Pick a location to start and spend some time walking around and to take it all in. There are food trucks around and plenty of portable toilets around Circular Quay and on the route to Barangaroo, which is great if you have a weak bladder like myself. You could head over after you have had your dinner or pick somewhere nearby for a bite to eat. We chose to eat at a Thai restaurant at Circular Quay and watch the sunset at the Sydney Opera House.
View of the Opera House from the left side of Circular Quay.
We really wanted to see the Opera House lighting up first before we started our walking light tour. We headed from Circular Quay around to Barangaroo and there were many light installations on the way. Many impressive buildings also have light shows depicting different stories and show case the distinctive areas of Sydney. These shows are pretty magical for children and the whole family.
We never had the chance to see the Royal Botanic Gardens but we will try this week to visit Vivid again before it finishes on the 18th June. Be sure to head down and visit if you’re living in Sydney and if you live abroad, you can check out the website or my pictures below 👇🏼🤗.
These pictures were all taken from Circular Quay through to Barangaroo via the Barangaroo Foreshore Walk and then on to Darling Harbour where we finished with a water light show.Sydney Opera House
Let me know if you have heard of Vivid, have ever been or plan to go in the future. It really is quite the spectacle, with locals and tourists really looking forward to this event every year.
WrookieSchU 