Mo here,
During the long Christmas Day drive to Sydney we shared our
secret Santa gifts with each other. This was the only thing that happened that
day that made it feel like Christmas. Being on a bus all day, the hot weather,
not being with family and the two McDonalds meals we had didn’t really make it
feel like Christmas.
Upon arrival in Sydney we quickly checked into the hotel and
those of us that signed up for the Sydney Bridge Climb were dropped off there.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of Australia’s most well known landmarks and
the world’s largest steel arch bridge. To climb the 134m bridge to the top we signed
away our lives (for the 4th time), suited up into onesies and were
fitted with all sorts of gadgets: headlight, touque, radio, handkerchief,
raincoat and harness. The bridge climb
started on the south side where we walked underneath the roadway to just past
the main concrete pillar. There, we climbed a series of steep ladders up to the
lower end of the arch. We climbed all along the arch to the top where the flags
are to get an amazing panoramic view of the city. Luckily we had our rain suits
because it rained all climb which made the experience more exciting and
dangerous. Once at the top we crossed the bridge at the top and went down on
the other side back to where we started.
After the Bridge Climb we went back to the hotel to relax
and rest up. On boxing day we headed up North to Manly Beach and spent the
beautiful morning and afternoon there. Quite a cool little town away from the
big city. We took a ferry back from Manly Beach to Circular Quay which
is right between Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. We took a
little walkabout tour outside the Opera House and made our way back to the
hotel walking through the Botanical Gardens and along the seawall. After
freshening up we went out for our last supper with the group at a cook your own
steak restaurant. The meal was bittersweet knowing we would all be leaving on our
separate ways the next day.
In the morning we drove 2 hours inland to the Blue Mountains
which are known for the 3 Sisters rock formations. We did a hike around there
and had a nice lunch in the small town of Leura.
When we returned I had to say goodbye to most people on the
tour and anxiously waited for Cass to arrive from her long roadtrip from
Melbourne. When she did arrive it was so good to see her but it strangely
didn’t feel like it was actually her. We had a little Christmas together,
exchanged gifts, had dinner and went for a nice walk down to the harbour. Was
so cool to finally be in Sydney together after talking about it and looking
forward to it for so long.
The next morning we went to the famous Bondi Beach to go
body boarding and hang out in the sun. Cass recognized some of the Bondi Beach
TV show cast members! Later that day we drove about 3.5 hours inland to the
small towns of Blayney and Orange, NSW to meet up with our friends that we met
on our European tour back in May 2012. Cass let me drive her car, which was
strange but easy to get used to. The hardest part was learning that the wipers
are not used to signal your turn. It was so relaxing to hang out with the gang
to catch up and reminisce of our previous travels. I even learned how to play
cricket with an automatic bowling device. Thanks again to the Sligar and Finlayson
families for taking us in for the two nights!
In the morning we all drove back into Sydney to meet up with other European Tour friends. That night on New Years Eve Eve, as a Christmas present, Cass took us on a tall ship dinner cruise in the harbour. Some of us got a little more tipsy than others and not because of the rocking of the boat. On the way back towards the wharf we watched the sun set with the bridge and opera house in the distance. Very nice Christmas present!
On New Years Eve Day we made our way to Mort Bay Park around
14:00 to set up a picnic area and wait for the New Year to be brought in. We
met up with a bunch of tour friends and had one big party in the park. The 10
hour wait was a long one but well worth it for the spectacular Sydney New
Year’s fireworks and celebrations. What an amazing way to bring in 2014!!
That morning [afternoon] Cass and I woke up, packed up our
things, said goodbye to our friends and drove off along the coastal highway to
Narooma, NSW on our way to Melbourne, VIC. Sorry for the long post, but so much
has happened since Christmas Day in Coffs. Also wanted to wish a Happy New
Years to everyone back home and around the world!!
Mo out.
