Reaching New Heights

Yesterday started my day with Dad who was in town for a meeting, so met up in the city for a light breakfast. It is always quite bizarre to meet up with someone elsewhere in the world who is also visiting at the same time... there is something quite synchronistic about it. Afterwards went shopping and having limited space in my pack was not tempted by all the designer labels, didgeridoos and other such Australian souvenir essentials, instead bought very exciting things like sunscreen and jandals (do you know how hard it is to buy jandals in winter even in Sydney!!). Have made one exciting purchase though - an MP3 player (a creative zen) which will make the long drive days on the truck a lot more bearable. Although haven't purchased much of consequence suspect that my pack will weigh in a bit heavier than the 16.2kg I left NZ with. Had some yum sushi & sashimi for lunch at a sushi train place and it is always dangerous situation as when all the food innocently passes by, you just can't help but try one more plate... had a little bit of a pigout actually as thought I would need the energy to climb the bridge (well that was my excuse anyway!).

By forgoing the afternoon beer that I was craving on a sunny 21 degree Sydney afternoon, I managed to pass the breathalyser test so I could climb the bridge! Was quite a process to get onto the bridge - first we donned rather drab jumpsuits and attached to little metal rings all the accessories one might possibly need at 134 meters above sea level - beanie, nightlight, fleece, cap, radio, headset, hankies and hairties - all provided as not allowed to take any personal belongings on whatsoever... which of course means no cameras and the group photo provided does no justice to the view. You are fully attached on a little rail so no danger of falling, which is quite comforting as while I'm not scared of heights, am not really that fond of them either and walking over the catwalk part and up the narrow stairs was not the best moment to look down!!

I had booked in a twilight tour so climbed up at around 4pm and got to the top as the sun was setting which was just stunning with all the colours and hues lighting up the skyline with the blue mountains in the distance. By pure co-incidence had booked on the day it was full moon which meant the view over the other side was just as spectacular with the moon peeking up over the opera house. Climbing down got the Australian version of Champs-Elysées rubies and diamonds with the cars beneath and then a hell of a fright as the train thundered past right next to me on the western arch - if it wasn't for a bit of mesh, it is so close you could put your fingers on the track. Seeing Sydney sprawled out beneath me and twinkling into life as the sun went down was definitely worth it.

To finish off the day had dinner with Liz and Mark at a Thai place in Balmain that had fantastic views of the bridge. If it hadn't been for the squashing a few bugs that crawled down the wall every few minutes would have been perfect!! Still they appeared only on the wall and not in dinner which was good and am sure have to brave more nuclear-sized insects in Africa!

Today went into town to go on the monorail, a nice floaty sensation that gives a really interesting perspective to the city. Only bought a single ticket and for a $4.50 price tag, I decided to do a few loops to get a good look around and my moneys worth! Finally disembarked in Darling Harbour and walked down to the fish markets. The markets were more shops and food stalls than an actual produce market (at least the part that was open to the public) and wandering round couldn't help but partake in some of the delicious offerings - scallops, calamari, kingfish and octopus on the brunch menu! Headed down through Darling harbour again and went into the Chinese gardens that are in the central city. A surprisingly refreshing and quiet space, it is well worth a look and the only indication that you're in the city is the skyscrappers in the background. Strolled through China Town back to George St and caught a bus back home. Needed to give myself a few hours to cram things into my pack again as suffered from a reasonable dose of pack explosion on arrival so knew it would take some time to put it all back!

Flying out of Sydney tonight and will be in Africa sometime tomorrow - seems quite surreal!!