Sydney Opera House - Iconic Landmark

Located at Bennelong Poing in Sydney Harbour is the Sydney Opera House. It is an iconic architecture widely photographed and visited when in Sydney. This performing arts venue became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in June 2007. The Opera House includes several venues such as concert hall, drama theatre, recording studio, playhouse and outdoor forecourt.

The structure of the Opera House is like shells or sails. Whatever it is, the Sydney Opera House is one of the world's distinctive buildings.

taken aboard a ferry to Manly

A vantage point is at Mrs. Macquaries' chair where the Opera House and Harbour bridge can be seen together.

taken from Mrs Macquarie's Chair

The Opera House can also be best viewed from The Rocks and Milson's Point.

taken from The Rocks

taken from The Rocks

 Riding the ferry will also give you a different angle of the Opera House.

taken aboard a ferry to Manly

You can reach Sydney Opera House via Circular Quay Train Station or by walking through the Royal Botanic Garden or via ferry from Darling Harbour.

Miag-ao Church - A UNESCO World Heritage Site

Your trip to Iloilo City is not complete without visiting the Church of Sto Tomas de Villanueva or commonly known as Miag-ao Church. This church has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.

The architecture is more on the baroque style. Its orangy color was due to the construction materials used which were mainly adobe, egg, coral and limestone . It has two huge unequal bell towers on both sides, It is said that the bell towers served as defense from the invading Moros.

Surrounding the church's ground are several eateries, the municipal hall, and other commercial establishment. Fronting the church is Reds which is famous for its arroz caldo.

Miag-ao was supposed to get its name from a plant called Miagos. I saw these in front of the municipal hall during my short stroll around the vicinity of the church.

Miag-ao is a 45 min to 1 hour ride from Iloilo City. You can take a multicab from the Iloilo "super" market and fare cost Php50.