Australia Day 7 - Harbour Bridge Climb, Rocks street market

Today is my last full day in Australia.   

Tomorrow Carrie will be driving me back to the airport to catch my flight home - 

I'll leave Sunday 11:30 a.m. Sydney time, and arrive Sunday 6:45 a.m. Los Angeles time. 

 Sue is staying on for one more week to just hang out with her sister, 

so I will be flying by myself.  

But that's not until tomorrow, we still have big plans for our last day all together today!

Today we are climbing to the top of the

Sydney Harbour Bridge! 

This has been on our agenda since this trip was in the planning stages -

When Pete and the twins were here two years ago they climbed the bridge,

and it was an amazing experience.  I was so happy they had the chance

to do it, and always hoped I'd have an opportunity as well.  

Aubrye climbed the bridge when her grandparents were in town last year,

but Bryson only reached the legal climbing age of 10 last year.

Now that he is old enough, and also due to the fact that he turns 11 next week

he is accompanying us on the climb as an early birthday present! 

Pete and the twins two years ago before their climb 

The climb starts in a giant airplane type hanger - inside we are outfitted

for our climb in jumpsuits complete with hats, headphones, hair clips, and, for today, 

detachable rain ponchos if necessary.  We are prepared for our ascent by 

making a mock climb up and down some steep ladders, stairs and suspended

walkways, all the time tethered to to sliding rope as we will be on the bridge.

We are not allowed to bring ANYTHING with us on the climb, no

chance that anything can drop and fall into the traffic or harbour below. 

Groups of about 15 people are formed to climb together, lead the entire time

by one single guide, and assisted along the route by other workers. 

We meet our group which consists entirely of a group of Californians,

So Cal Orange Countians no less, who are in Australia on a working

vacation for a bead company out of Brea. Bryson points out that he's the

only one from our entire group who has never lived in California.  

He is, however, the only one here to celebrate his birthday! 

When our group sets out from the warehouse directly onto the bridge,

Bryson is placed in the first position, directly behind our guide. 

We walk single file along, tethered to the bridge, just like

a chain gang.  Our guide speaks to us through our headsets, so we 

are able to spread out a bit yet still be aware of his instructions and

points of interest along the way.  The tour is a mix of little seen

vantage points, interesting history and breathtaking views. 

It is hardly strenuous, although I did feel it a bit in my calves the next day.

Although it is a bit windy and overcast, we are not rained on,

and the view is still amazing, from the scenery directly below us to

the far off horizon, and everything in between.  It is fun to climb

up directly between the lanes of traffic whizzing across the bridge,

and we even encounter a train that is passing by. 

It seems almost no time at all that we are nearing the top of the bridge. Our

guide Simon has us all stop at one point, and together as a group

we heartily sing "Happy Birthday!" to Bryson.  How cool is that?!

Happy Birthday Bryson! 

Bryson and Carrie 

Since we are not allowed to bring cameras along with us on the climb, every so often

our guide would stop and snap pictures of us that we would have the opportunity

to purchase.  There are no redos, so first time pose is it. 

At the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Opera House in the background.

A picture with our group, in this nifty paper frame, is included with the climb. 

As you can see patrons are encouraged to pose with their arms sticking out. 

Pete and the twins from their bridge climb two years ago, which 

was during the 10 year anniversary of the bridge climb. 

This was before the free hat was included in the climb. 

I'm putting this next to the very similar certificate I received (purchased) 

at the top of my climb along the Great Wall of China. 

 

All in all I'd say this was a highlight among a trip of highlights.  One interesting

thing I learned was that the pylons were not part of the original bridge design, and

don't actually support, or even touch, any part of the actual bridge.  Someone along

the way decided that the bridge itself wasn't enough design-wise, and needed a little

something more to make it more distinctive.  I agree, the pylons anchor it perfectly.

back on terra firma 

For our last few remaining hours out and about in Sydney

we walk over to the Saturday street market held in The Rocks

neighborhood.  I buy my second to last souvenir here, a block of

wood with an image of the bridge burned onto it.  (My last souvenir

is an aboriginal art inspired book mark for Pete at the airport tomorrow

bought with my last few Aussie coins) 

Here is the booth and vendor - my block came from

what is now the empty space on the bottom left corner 

At 5:00 the market closes up, we pile into the car, and head back to the Halls.

Taylor greeting us from the balcony as we arrive

Well, now that I've spent some quality time with my overseas niece and nephews,

aptly admired the Opera House, snuggled a koala, gotten my feet (and more) wet at Bondi,

  gone on walkabout and set up camp (sort of) in the outback, 

dined on crocodile, kangaroo and desert moth, not climbed Uluru,

gazed at the Southern Cross, bought both a boomerang and a didgeridoo, 

 been over, under and across the bridge, gotten a small taste of the life of a Sydneysider

and stocked up on all of my favorite skin care products courtesy of Nu Skin,

it is time for me to say good bye to my Hall hosts (thanks again Halls, you are the best!)

 and bring my Australian adventure to an end.