Australia - Part Eight - Sydney

At the Sydney airport, Catherine and Chris were waiting in the baggage claim to collect us and we managed to pack all the bags in their car and head to the Four Seasons. VERY POSH. They took our luggage and Chris’ keys to park the car. We checked in and were teasing the young girl at reception to give us parking for free. She was very sweet (Edina) and instead upgraded each of our rooms. The room I booked six months ago is quite a nice one – king bed, harbor views – now we had a corner room with L shaped windows overlooking the harbor, the opera house, the Sydney harbor bridge – just absolutely glorious view. There’s a separate television area, and the bathroom is enormous.  Edina also let us know that our room came with Executive Lounge access – drinks, canapes, breakfast all day long – Chris upgraded his room to include lounge access so we ALL got the complete V.I.P experience!

After a quick refresh, we changed into our opera clothes and hung out at the lounge for canapes. I was expecting some crudites and small bites – but this was a full buffet with hot and cold appetizers, salads, full cheese spread, fruits and vegetables – oh my goodness, it was gorgeous! Really feeling the VIP vibes just chilling out being waited on like celebrities.

Soon it was time to leave for the opera house and we walked along the wharf and the piers taking in the sights and sounds of Sydney. There were dozens and dozens of restaurants and many upper end stores (Fendi, Pierre Cardin, etc.) so this is definitely the place to shop if you had an unlimited budget. 

It was a beautiful walk to the opera house – we gook some photos and headed in – our seats were in the first row of the balcony, dead center – we had a FABULOUS view of the show.

Miss Saigon is one of my least favorite shows – but it was a beautifully done production. The talent was amazing – wonderful singing, amazing dancing, and the guy who played the Engineer absolutely stole the show.

They have changed the show a lot since I first saw it back in the 90s – nothing earth shattering – just unfamiliar lyrics and the introduction of at least one new song to a show that was already quite long. Alot of the inside jokes about Americans were lost on the Australian audience (like when they refer to Schlitz beer)

The good thing was the show started at 6, so we were out of there by 8:30 or 9:00. We went to the opera bar – a restaurant just outside the opera house that runs along the waterfront – and had small plates (which took an eternity to arrive, but the food was good) and then we headed back to the hotel and went to sleep. Another wonderful but exhausting day.

The aboriginal flag is flying on top of the harbour bridge along with the Australian flag – there's a referendum that Australia will vote on in the next few weeks which would grant Aboriginal voices a say in laws and decisions related to Aboriginal people.

A few observations from today:

Australians acknowledge the original owners of the land – leaders past, present and emerging – on every flight, in every show, and before each television show.

Australians are incredibly polite on the road – if someone puts their signal on, you generally let them in – a lot LESS road rage and finger blasting.

Even in Australia, the majority of uber/taxi drivers are Indian or Pakistani.

MONDAY

Woke up and headed up to Lounge 32 for breakfast – another incredible spread laid out – I mean, think of everything a nice hotel serves in their breakfast bar and triple it. Cappuchino, eggs, grilled tomato, sausage, bacon, crudites, hummus, babaganoush, pastries, orange juice, carrot juice, fresh berries, muesli, pancakes and maple syrup, and on and on and on. There are days when I wish I could eat more to enjoy so many options – but just the few things I had was enough to set my stomach off. Too much food too fast. But soooo good.

Damian tried vegemite. So proud.

After breakfast Chris and Catherine checked out of their room and we jumped in the car and headed to the Blue Mountains. Stopped first at Three Sisters  Koombura and enjoyed the view (and a toilet and a diet coke). I found Rowan’s opal here, thank heavens. $30 as opposed to $560 near the opera house yesterday. From there we went to scenic park – where we rode Australia’s steepest railroad and steepest cable car and walked through the rainforest, which I absolutely loved. It was touristy and hoaky, but I loved it.

Then went to a little nearby town for a late lunch called Leura. Ate at a café next door to the mooncafe (I remember because there was no wifi) – I bought some carmelized balsamic vinegar to try when I get home. Awesome. We walked around the cute little shops in the town – Cabinet of Curiosities, Art galleries, Geekdom, Fancy chocolates, and lots of little ice cream shops.

We then returned to the hotel – where I won’t lie – my legs are killing me. I asked Damian if it was okay if we just grabbed small plates, so we went up to the club and got some food and drinks and called it a night.

TUESDAY

Damian is exhausted. It’s obvious, and I can’t say that I’m not – I offered him a day off today to rest and recover, which he accepted – and I don’t think I’ve ever been so grateful. We had a wonderful breakfast in the club (the girl remembered we had Capucinnos yesterday and brought them again today).

Honestly, it was very sweet but I’d already had three cups of coffee upstairs hoping to poop. Which finally happened, praise the heavens. We then napped and relaxed all day.

At 4:00 we went up to the club and had small plates – they had sashimi today! And more Australian tiger prawns (heads on) – the food has been incredible every day. Then it was time to meet Chris for the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb.

I’ve really been looking forward to it for this trip – but once we walked down to the meeting place, I got really really nervous. I didn’t wear my knee brace because I was afraid they wouldn’t let me climb.

When the guide (Santiago or Sante) asked if anyone was nervous, I made the mistake of raising my hand so he made me go first – with Damian and Chris right behind me. The other guy (Dan) who was terrified of heights saw that and didn’t make a peep – so he climbed at the back.

Checked in once Chris arrives and the first thing the guide does is breathalyze you to make sure you haven't been drinking.  Thankfully, Chris warned us - not that we would be drinking before climbing!  Then they said we had to remove all jewelry, including watches and fitbits!  Curses!  They even had us walk through a metal detector to prove that we weren't bringing anything that could potentially fall off our bodies and become a hazard.  (You have to have straps around your eyeglasses as well)  They wouldn't let Damian take his hat, which haunted him when we got out in the cold - and they convinced me to keep my hoodie on under the climbing gear, which haunted me in the hour of preparation we did before climbing.  I was getting dangerously close to passing out from overheating when we finally made our way out onto the bridge.   I didn't have any issues with the climb - I mean, it wasn't easy, but we did it at a nice pace and stopped for photos a few times.  Chris and Damian both had vertigo when we walked across the top of the bridge, but I didn't have any issues at all.  EXCEPT when I was coming down the ladder, I didn't realize just how close the train tracks were to the climb and a passing train nearly stopped my heart as it swished by my head.  Scared the bejesus out of me.  There were also a couple of places where you had to pass by obstacles, they were a bit tricky - moreso coming back in the dark - but we made it through injury free!  

After the climb, we had dinner with Chris at the pub across the street - we all ended up having chicken schnitzel and a pint.  We ran into our guide, who was having a celebration for one of his coworkers.  

In SO much pain after the climb – but it was worth it – the views were amazing and there’s a huge sense of achievement that I did it, even though it was pushing the limits of my knee.

Back to the hotel – slept immediately.

WEDNESDAY – last day in Sydney

Slept in a bit – went up to the club for breakfast – it feels weird to be leaving, we have loved it here so much the last few days. Stored our luggage – got on the hop on/ hop off bus – transferred from red to blue line and went to Bondi Beach. Stopped after walking the length of the beach, had a quick drink and appetizer – I took us in the wrong direction and we missed the bus. So I called an uber and got us back to the hotel via a stop at the CBRE headquarters for a quick picture. Damian was really cranky, which happens after 9 days – I know he’s exhausted – I know he misses the doggies. And to be honest, I’m pretty damn tired too – I’d love to stay, but I’m ready to go home.

We ubered back to the hotel and picked up our bags – had a wonderful conversation with Christiano (valet) from Italy while we were waiting for our ride. – the service here has been so so good - then ubered to the last night hotel – Cetadines Connect Sydney Airport – checked in and ordered delivery pizza. Then hung out in the hotel and watched television, rested up, snuggled, and just prepared for the long flights tomorrow to go home. Had some wine. Had some food. Chilled.

Damian took a nap – I worked on my journal and watched shows on my laptop. Not how I planned on finishing my trip – but we’ve done SO much and it’s been remarkable and I have ZERO regrets.