Sydney!

This past weekend, I did something I've wanted to do for a long time. I took a trip all by myself. I had an absolute blast! Traveling alone is quite freeing. Due to my lack of personal mode of transportation, getting there was an adventure in itself. I had to walk to the bus stop, take a bus to the train station, take a train into the city, a shuttle from the city to the airport, a plane from Melbourne to Sydney, a train to Circular Quay wharf, and a ferry to Cremorne Point, and then walk to my hotel. Whew. Then I had to do it all again in the opposite direction going back.



My first evening, I had fish and chips (of course) at a 24-hour restauarant that overlooks the harbor. Saturday morning, I did the BridgeClimb. THAT was an experience. I was in a group of 12 plus one guide. Three people in my group were viciously afraid of heights and at one point, all 3 were shaking uncontrollably. Thanks to steps, handrails, and being connected to a static line, it was quite safe, but quite a rush! I had an amazing 360 degree view of Sydney from the very top. Like my sexy BridgeClimb hat? I begged and begged to keep it but they wouldn't let me....

The history nerd in me was thrilled beyond measure at the walking history tour of the historical section of Sydney - the Rocks. This was the first convict colony of Australia.

Saturday night, I had a lonely romantic dinner at an Italian restaurant on the wharf with a view of the Opera House lit up at night. Then, I saw the Westminster Abbey Choir perform at the Opera House!! Boy choir, pipe organ, 13th century-esqe robes, the whole shebang. Flippin' sweet.


Sunday, I went on a guided bike tour around Sydney. I hadn't ridden a bike in years, so I looked a little special at first, I'm sure. About 3 minutes into the ride, we were going up a hill. I forgot to change gears and my bike stopped and I smacked into a fence. Special. I got the hang of it. It was just like...riding a bike. We weaved through crowds of tourists and I didn't knock down a single unsuspecting child or adult. Through this tour, I got spectacular views of Sydney Harbor, Darling Harbor, the Botanic Gardens, Chinatown, and Hyde Park. We even rode across the harbor bridge! Halfway, we stopped at one of the oldest pubs in the Rocks - worn sandstone walls and a wooden floor and ceiling and prison cells in the basement. sweet.

Traveling alone enables one to meet all sorts of interesting people. In my Rocks tour group was a guy who had just moved from California to Melbourne to do IT consulting. He was a history nerd just like me. One afternoon at lunch, I met a really sweet elderly couple who were sitting at the table next to me. They were locals and were just over at the harbor for the day. I also met a couple from france and a guy from New Zealand.






I'm playing badminton tomorrow with Larry from work and some "guys from down the hall." I dont' know who these people are. This should be interesting.

I'm tired. I think I'll eat a TimTam.

Listening to: Counting Crows