March 3, 2013 Sydney, Australia

The sail in was a bit rainy. (just a drizzle really) Had breakfast and watched us sail in from the outdoor dining area. With the Opera House and the bridge it’s a beautiful sail in.

 

We grabbed our carryon luggage and waited until the ship was cleared so we could disembark. We were first off the ship around 7:00 in the morning. We walked the very short distance to the Marriott and checked in and left our bags until our room was ready. The night before we had a call and an email from our tour company for the Blue Mountains   www.sydneywildernesstours.com.au saying they didn’t have enough bookings to run the tour and gave us the name of another tour company that had a very similar tour. So, before we started touring we called and confirmed the tour with them. So, first off we walked to the Royal Botanical Gardens and it is a beautiful HUGE park and gardens. Since it was a Sunday there were a lot of locals enjoying the day.

 

 



We wandered our way to the Opera House and walked around soaking it all in. We found some gelato in Circular Quay and then we walked to an area called The Rocks, which is right on Sydney Harbour and is where Sydney began. Traditionally the home of the Aborginal Cadigal people, The Rocks is the place where the first European settlers stepped ashore on 26 January 1788.



We started by going to the Visitor’s Center and picking up the self-guided walking tour. It was easy to follow and very nice to read the history at each site. We found ourselves at the Australia Hotel where the pizza menu caught our eye and it was past time for lunch, so we stopped. We ordered the Coat of Arms Pizza which was half Emu and half Pepper Kangaroo (marinated in native pepper roasted with capsicum & cranberries) with red onion, bush tomato, capsicum & cranberries. YUM!



We finished the walk and scoped out where to meet for the Bridge Climb we had reserved, before going back to the hotel to settle in and then we walked until we found a place for a light snack before checking in for the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb.

The day was a mixed bag of weather. Partly cloudy & windy, but no rain, so far….. We checked in for the Climb and we were taken back to fill out the medical and release forms while they administered an alcohol breathalyzer on each of us. Then we were taken to a room and given our one piece jumpsuits. We were taken to changing rooms where you took off everything except your undies. Then, we were taken through a metal detector and they wanded you if you set it off.

Next we were introduced to the rest of the gear we would need to wear which included a utility belt with our tether line, a headset, a jacket enclosed in a pouch if needed, a “hanky” that had to be worn wound around your wrist and held on with elastic, and a cap. The cap was too big for me and with all the wind, flew off instantly. (which is why everything you carry is attached to you so it doesn’t fly away.) Then, we had a test set of ladders to climb. That really was the most “difficult” part and if you were fine with that they knew you would be able to handle the climb. Then, we were off! There were a few narrow catwalk type areas and a couple places where you had to duck and step over areas, but the actual climb was a gradual set of stairs.  AMAZING views of the city and the bridge. With cars and trains either above or below you depending on where you were on the bridge at the time. You aren’t allowed to bring your own camera, but they do take pictures of you. (yep, for a fee)

It was very windy and a bit cool. Then on the way up we saw a rainbow. Really a big one with all the colors clearly showing. Then another on appeared for a lovely double rainbow. Since it wasn’t raining at the time we knew it was coming. Luckily, it was just a mist. Then, was we were at the top, it really started to rain. So, I put on the jacket they provided. That really helped! Then we crossed the top of the bridge to come down the other side. The only stairs were 1 set on both sides. On the way down we were rewarded with another double rainbow. It takes about 3½ hours from start to finish. (including the pre climb stuff as well). While the weather could have been better for our day, it was a fantastic experience.



We found a place for some fish and chips and went back to the hotel. We had a room on the 23^rd floor with a beautiful view of the Opera House and we watched our ship sail away around 10:00 that night. The Elite lounge on the 30^th floor had a great view of the bridge and our cruise ship before it left.

 lobby of hotel

our perk of fresh berries in the room