SYDNEY–IMPRESSIONS (Part III, 2/25/12)

∙ WHAT WE DID/SAW/EXPERIENCED
          ∙ We departed our hotel in the “burbs” on a “quest” to locate our ship in downtown Sydney!  After much circling, searching and frustration, we found it docked at Darling Harbor.  Getting there through these city streets was another matter.  We finally gave up trying, parked in a structure and grabbed a cab to the dock.  We quickly hopped back on board to reorganize ourselves.  In short order, we headed out for our climb of the Sydney Harbor Bridge – followed by a night at the Sydney Opera House.  What a day!

          ∙ The Bridge Climb
                    ∙ Ever since I saw Oprah take her (entire) audience to Australia and climb its majestic Bridge, I just HAD to experience this for myself!
                    ∙ The Bridge Climb ranks among the Lonely Planet’s top ten biggest adrenaline rush experiences ever (along with running with the bulls in Spain, rock climbing in Yosemite, etc.)!
                    ∙ This adventure had us suited up in a “Bridge Suit”, headset (so we could hear commentary by the Climb Leader, Bernie), souvenir baseball cap and even a hankie (“for those emotional moments”, or more accurately, to wipe the sweat and/or snot from your face)
                    ∙ We were latched to a static line on the Bridge, for safety
                    ∙ We climbed in a group of 12, crossing over catwalks, ladders and stairs, and touching raw steel and rivets along the way
                    ∙ Along the way, Bernie described the Bridge’s history and the engineering marvel that it is, e.g.: it is the widest long-span bridge in the world and the highest steel arch bridge (app. 430 feet above the harbor); it was constructed from 1928 to 1930; the two arch halves were successfully joined (much to the amazement of the world) in a “feat” of engineering brilliance
                    ∙ Its road, train and trolley tracks were completed in the midst of the Great Depression in 1932, when the first test train safely crossed the Bridge
                    ∙ It’s also known as the “coat hanger”
                    ∙ Alas: Amazing 360° panoramic views of Sydney Harbor!  And a photo taken by our guide, since they didn’t allow us to take our own cameras


          ∙ The Opera at World Famous Sydney Opera House
                    ∙ If ever one was to see “the opera”, this was the place to do it!
                    ∙ We got “A” seating for a performance of Turandot at the world-famous Sydney Opera House!

∙ THOUGHTS/IMPRESSIONS
          ∙ Driving in the city continues to be a major headache.  If you’re coming here and staying within the city limits, take cabs.  It’s almost like NY, where you can only effectively get around by cab.  If you have the country or suburbs in mind, then by all means rent a car.
          ∙ As for the Bridge Climb, the Oprah Show somehow had me thinking it would be a breeze – no big deal really. Oh my, was I wrong. I’m afraid of heights. This was scary, but still fun (and fulfilling to have done it).  I’ll never do it again, but I’m glad I did it once!  The operators run the tour with incredible efficiency and attention to detail and safety.  Everything from how to latch your sunglasses to how to tie and tuck your hankie are covered before we left.  Everything is latched down, due to the wind.  A tether connected us to a safety line at all times.  That didn’t change the fact that we were walking, often on narrow walkways, high above streets, the Harbour, Bridge traffic and the world at large!!  The steps were insanely steep at times, and we kept going up – and up – and up again, until we reached the crest at the very top of the Bridge.  What scared me most of all were the walkways where you could see down below your feet.  Show me steel or a “floor”; I’m “good” with that.  Show me water 40 stories down, and I’m a nervous wreck!  But I focused intently on the man in front of me wherever these frightening parts would come.  “Don’t look down”!!
          ∙ The opera was downright magical, with larger-than-life sets, penetrating music, Oscar-worthy costumes and a love story!  Can love melt a cold heart?  Indeed!  “Hail the power of love and life!”  The program included the famous anthem, “Nessun dorma”.  The performance was presented over three hours, with two “intervals” (intermissions), the first for 30 minutes and the second for 20 – time to drink more champagne!
          ∙ It was, in short, an incredible day in which we truly experienced Sydney’s most remarkable and iconic landmarks!!
 

THE BRIDGE

THE OPERA HOUSE

OTHER STUFF