Friday - 30 March 2012 - Sydney, Australia

Friday – 30 March 2012 – Sydney, Australia

At 9:25 am today Patte and I are climbing the Sidney Harbor Bridge --- it will take three and a half hours at a cost of $208 each -- no we’re not crazy – just adventurous.   After breakfast with our husbands – we are off.

Arriving at The Bridge Climb office  we check in, are given our “free” hat and told we will be called at  9:25 am.   We  browse around the gift shop  then to the  waiting area where at exactly 9:25 am a door opens.  A young man calls for the 9:25 group -- fourteen of us follow through the door.   We are seated on benches around a room and given a form to complete and a breathalyzer test – my first.

We are deemed fit to climb – not a drunk among us.   Our guide, Pete – in his mid- 50’s -- a true Aussie with a wonderful sense of humor -- joins the group.  Moving on into the next room climbing suits are distributed – including a handkerchief with a wrist attachment.  Once we are suited-up the next step is the “utility” belt which goes over our heads but needs to fit snugly around our waist.   This belt will hold the  tether to keep us safe – radio to listen to Pete – pouch with raingear and anything else that might be needed on the climb.

Now for the practice ---- we already walked over a parapet with mesh floor to get to the equipment room --- it is time to climb up and down ladders – similar to those on  the bridge.  The radios are fitted on to our belts – we put on sunscreen just in case and we’re  ready to climb.   I now understand why this takes more three hours.

Up a short flight of stairs through a yellow door—Voila’ -  we are outside on the lower part of the bridge.   Pete asks if we have a preference of where to be in the group – I opt to be near the front so Patte and I are second and third.  First in line is Alison – a woman from the UK who also has a husband who  is not comfortable with heights.   There is another group of about seven people together – including teenagers – and two separate couples.

Off we go along a very narrow walkway –  a bit disconcerting – since all you see below is water.  We keep moving and eventually come to the first set of ladders   – as long as I go slow and steady everything is fine.    Guides are positioned at the ladders to make certain everyone is doing okay  -- Pete goes ahead to take our photos as  we approach the top of the bridge..  We spend about 45 minutes at various spots on the top of the bridge as Pete explains the sights and takes more photos.   The view from the top is indescribable – such a vast vista to take in.   We all feel very comfortable .

Going down is easier until  the ladders appear  -- this time we are on the other side of the bridge over the train tracks.   A train does come by while I am on my second of four sections of the ladder – but  it doesn’t bother me like I thought it might.   Getting out of our gear takes less time than getting into it.   We are asked to complete a brief survey – and by the time we change to our street clothes – Pete is handing us  our “free” group photo and certificate of completion.

“Bridge Climb Sydney” is a well oiled machine – we were told this would last three and one half hours --  Patte and I walk out of the building at 12:55 pm – with photo and certificate in hand.

Our legs feel a little strange -- we have a wobbly walk to the hotel to meet Phil and Dave who have taken the Captain Cook Coffee Cruise around Sydney Harbor.   

Phil has the afternoon and evening planned and mapped for us.   After lunch at Aurora on Central Quay --- our first stop is the New South Wales State Library – a spectacular building.  It is just as lovely inside – with stained glass in the mammoth reading room – a map on the floor of the entry and beautiful finishes everywhere you look.

Moving on to St. Mary’s Cathedral – which is the Mother Church of the Catholic Community and Australia’s largest cathedral  --  consecrated in 1882.   Since it is Lent – all the statues are wrapped tightly in purple shrouds.   I haven’t seen this done in the U.S. for many years.   It is a beautiful structure --- the enormity of this building rivals  churches several centuries older that we’ve seen in Europe.

Next is a stop at Paddy’s market in Chinatown – purported to be the best place to buy anything.    We stroll through Hyde Park to get the “555” Shuttle bus – a free bus that makes a loop through the shopping areas.   It is a perfect day to stroll through the  park –we’ve been fortunate to have good weather for this entire trip.

The “555” comes right along and after a 15 minute ride we are deposited around the corner from Paddy’s Market which dates back to 1834 as home to traders in hay and grain.    Currently the building has three floors – 1^st floor is stalls where you can buy anything – upper floors have individual outlet stores.    Phil and I go one way and Patte and Dave another with a meeting place and time determined. 

Even for an inveterate shopper such as myself – this is overwhelming – stall after stall with so much of the same merchandise – it is something to see.  

At 4:45 pm – we meet and stroll to the “555” bus stop –  buses come fast and furious.  In Sydney you have to hail the bus if you want it to stop – otherwise it keeps going unless someone on board wants to get off.   We don’t see any “555” buses – finally Patte reads the sign which indicates the free shuttle stops running at 3:30 pm.   

It appears we will have the experience of taking a real bus in Sydney.  It’s a process – 1^st –purchase a ticket – not on the bus but in a store close to the bus stop -- in our case a Chemist shop nearby sells tickets. 2^nd –determine which bus to take -there are signs and the clerk in the Chemist shop is helpful.  3^rd –hail the correct  bus  then run for it to be sure to get on.   By the time we were lucky enough to be seated – we are exhausted.  The bus drops us a couple of blocks from the hotel.

After a brief respite in our rooms to freshen up – it’s back on the  streets of Sydney.    The top floor (36) of the Shangri La Hotel is supposed to have the best views of the city – so we go for a drink.   As soon as the four of us walk into the lounge the average age of the crowd increases by tenfold.    But – we order and stay while the sun sets – Phil and  Dave peering out the floor to ceiling windows at a comfortable distance.

Dinner tonight is at The Hero of Waterloo Irish Pub – in the Rocks section of Sydney.  This pub has been serving libations and sustenance for 160 years.   There is music in the bar which we can hear at our table  -- the food is good – the beer is good.   We have had a long, tiring but lovely day.

Thanks for Reading.

Pat