Australia-Day 15: Sydney

Up early and in the lobby by 7:40, where Kristen and Damien met us promptly. D arranged to have the car parked under the hotel and we headed out on foot for our surprise morning.

They took us through an area on the bay called The Rocks, this is pretty much the birthplace of Australia. This was where the original workhouses for British criminals were placed; the beginning of a nation. Literally a 4 minute walk from our hotel is an archaeological dig where they are excavating one of the original prisons.

Within 7 minutes we reached our destination, the BridgeClimb offices. We ate a light breakfast from the café and looked at photos of all the many celebrities who had climbed the bridge in the past; Nicole Kidman, Matt Damon, Prince Harry, Jody Foster, Sarah Ferguson, Will Smith, etc.

Soon, we were ushered in, filled out some forms, and were given our jump-suits to put on. They were grey and blue, and we were given hats, radios and headsets. The only thing we could bring with us was our sunglasses, but they had to be attached with lanyard, just like everything else.

Once our belts were on, we looked just like astronauts heading to the space shuttle, so of course we had to walk in slow-mo as we all lined up and connected our belts to the line, which we would now be attached to for the next 2 hours. We went through the tunnel, and started ascending the bridge. We were blessed with a very small group. As well as the four of us, there were a father and son from Aberdeen, Scotland and a lone gentleman from Ireland, who's wife refused to accompany him on this exploit.

It was an amazingly beautiful, sunny day, and because it was so early it wasn’t too hot at all. We started climbing up the stairs, between lanes 7 and 8 of the Bradfield Highway which crosses the bridge, up, up, up to the arch, where we climbed to the summit. Every few yards we would stop to take in the grandeur of the outstanding 360 degree panoramic view. All of the bay and the Opera House, but also with the view of Sydney on the west side of the bridge, which we cannot see from our room.

They took photos of us during the climb. Edwina and Kerry, our climb leaders, regaled us with horror stories of when the bridge was built, and the deaths and injuries of the many men who took part in building this amazing structure.

At the summit we took in one of the most wonderful views in the world, whilst the Australian Flag flew above us in the strong wind.

At the top, we crossed to the Westside and descended back to the bottom, where we changed back into our streetclothes and were given a climbing certificate as well as a group photo. In addition, we decided to buy several other photos that we really loved; one of the two of us and one with Kristen and Damien.

Damien had to depart in haste straight after to visit the printers regarding the wedding programs. Kristen walked us back to the hotel, but had to leave shortly after to get some things from her parents house.

This left us with a few hours, so, starving by this point, we hastened to the foodcourt beneath Myer for some lunch. Then we picked up Christians suit and did some more shopping, although we were still absolutely exhausted.

We returned to the room just long enough to change and drop off the suit, then we met Kristen and Damien at the Arthur Murray dance studio off Margaret street, where they have been taking lessons in preparation for the wedding (we still wonder why we didn’t do the same).

We spent the next few hours at the Sydney Opera House and the Botanic Garden behind it photographing the bride and groom with pre-wedding shots as the sun set over the bridge. As Christian was photographer, Kelly had a good chance to take in some of the smaller wonders around her. She saw bright green parrots as well as some stunning black & white birds. This place is an ornithologists dream. We briefly stopped at the hotel so Kristen and Damien could see our incredible room, then piled in the car and they drove us to her parents house in Riverwood, near Beverly Hills (quite amusingly, they inserted palm trees along the main boulevard).

Her parents house is on a cul-de-sac in a lovely neighborhood; with a pool and large backyard. They also have an impressive Lladro collection. We started putting the programs together with ribbon when her parents came home, and we went straight out to dinner at Ryan's. It is a local pub that does amazing steak and mashed potatoes. They insisted on treating us. We love her parents, they’re fun and wonderful to be with. By 10pm we jumped in the car and D&K drove us back to the hotel. The doorman promptly opened the car doors for us, and another ensured the door to the hotel was open as well. In fact, we cannot remember opening a door for ourselves since we got here. They really treat us like royalty at this outstanding hotel.