Sydney, Australia

March 8
I landed at the airport but spend about 2 hours waiting for my hotel transfer. Finally, another driver stopped to see which hotel I was going to. I paid him to take me to my hotel. Checked in and walked over to Chinatown and had a big bowl of won ton soup... yum! Walked around a bit but it was getting dark and I didn't want to be out in the dark because I didn't know the neighbourhood.

Back in the hotel room... took a nice hot, long bath! ahhhh!

March 9
I didn't have a very good sleep... as usual. Tossed and turned, I don't think I'm used to sleeping in a real bed! Headed out to find breakfast, I tried McDonald's but they didn't have anything healthy (duh!) nor did they have green tea. So off I went to forge for food. I found a really cute French Cafe. Their doors opened up to the street letting in all the traffic noise. As I was eating breakfast, I heard traffic noise, sirens, people and I started to panic. How am I going to get around town? I'm here for 4 days.... yikes! After breakfast, I walked back to the hotel to talk to the concierge. He gave me so much information.... free shuttles, where to get them, where to get off, tours that would be helpful, and a map. Armed with my map, I walked up to the bus stop to catch the free shuttle. It's been years since I took a bus! It was scary, pulled out my map and followed the roads so that I would know what stop to get off at. Funny thing happened.... I didn't have to worry about what stop to get off, the whole bus got up and emptied out at Circular Quay. It's where you catch the ferries to go to Manly, harbour tours, etc.

I twas so exciting to see the Harbour Bridge. All those New Years Eve, seeing the bridge in the background of the New Year's fireworks. Then I turned to my right and there it was... the Sydney Opera House. I couldn't believe that I was actually there! The Opera House is enormous and beautiful. Walked up the stairs and into it.

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As I walked towards the Harbour Bridge, I could see people on the bridge getting ready to walk it. I walked to the bridge and got the information I needed for my climb.

March 10
Got a late start today. I took the tour to Bondi Beach. The tour bus gave me all the history as we drove along. Bondi Beach is a beautiful golden colour crescent shaped beach. I stood and watched the surfers for awhile, then headed off on the walk to Coogee. It was nice... sandstone cliffs. Got back on the tour bus after lunch. Saw some beautiful house... Sydney is a mixture of old and new. Back at the hotel, stayed in the rest of the night.

March 11
Up early and off to do the Bridge Climb. Scheduled in for the 10:45 am climb. The safety they take is unbelievable. We all had to change into one piece jumpsuits, no watches, bracelets, cameras. We were given a cord to secure our eyeglasses around our necks, all lace up shoes. We were given a safety talk, a breatholyzer test, all harnessed in and attached to a safety lead. The start of the climb (under the bridge) was a bit scary, The see-through metal walkway and the ladder climb up. Once on the side span on the bridge, the view was unbelievable. It wasn't scary more. The sun was shining and it was hot, but the wind at the top was awesome.

After the climb, I stopped for lunch and then walked over to the Opera House again. Took the free shuttle back and headed to Hay Market (like a Mexican market). After a short nap, I headed back to Darling Harbour. A thunder/lghtening storm rolled in. I love them, so I spent some times watching the skies.

Well, tomorrow I pick up my van.