You know what your mom always said, “ If your friends jumped off a bridge would you do it too? ” She didn’t think to warn you about friends jumping on a bridge and that’s just what’s happening in Australia. One of the hottest tourist activities is a climb across the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
My best friend and husband, Rich, convinced me to give it a try, even though I’m catatonic on mere Ferris wheels. It was the kind of experience I could dine out on for months which was a good thing since it cost anywhere from 122 to 218 American dollars. Many of you will agree with my sister Jane who said, “You couldn’t pay me 200 dollars to climb a bridge.”
The first thing you notice walking into the Bridge Climb building is a wall lined with photos of celebrities on the bridge’s summit, including Nicole Kidman, Bette Midler, Matt Damon and Jody Foster. Surely, the walk must be safe --no one would put these famous people in danger…then again, did anyone warn Kidman about marrying Tom Cruise?
If you think a shot of courage will get you through the ordeal, forget about it. You have to undergo a breathalyzer test to make sure you’re sober enough to climb the bridge…even if it sounds like something you’d only attempt after a few too many. Next, you strip down to your underwear and slip on a jumpsuit.
Before you leave the building you have to pass a simulated climb on a raised platform. The woman throwing up in front of me did not boost my confidence. A visit to the “accessories” bin follows where you pick out handkerchiefs, hats, and lanyards to attach to your sunglasses. No loose items are allowed on the bridge, including people, so they issue you a safety harness. This device around your waist and attached to the bridge railing makes the groups of climbers in gray jumpsuits resemble a chain gang.
After this buildup, I hate to let you down, but for the most part the climb is similar to an easy walk. Except for the catwalk section which, fortunately for me, is brief. Here you walk on narrow ladders with a grate below you exposing cars whizzing along the bridge. There is one terrifying moment when you have to step over to another ladder and you can only have one hand on the bridge. I have to admit my knees were shaking and I had to force myself not to look down or I might panic. It was the closest I’ll ever come to starring in an action movie.
I found the walk easy, safe and exhilarating…it’s surreal to be above the entire city on a bridge. The views of the city, harbour, opera house and the Luna amusement park are, of course, stupendous. The staff takes a photo at you at the summit to prove you really did the climb, which makes you feel like members of an exclusive club. They also present you with a gift certificate you can frame in your office. No one has to know it’s really a walk in the park.
Back our hotel, the trendy, newly renovated Hilton, Rich and I enjoyed cocktails in the popular Zena Bar with views of the Queen Victoria Building. We tried telling other guests how frightening the climb was until they interrupted us to say they had been on the climb a day earlier. Oh well, the story will work better back in California.
If you broke your bank on the Bridge climb, don’t despair; you can enjoy a popular Sydney tourist spot for about 15.00 US dollars. The Sydney Fish Market leads tours of a live auction every Thursday morning at the ungodly hour of 6:55 am. Be sure and get good directions, Rich and I had a heck of time finding Doyle’s seafood restaurant where the tour meets. Wear sensible close-toed shoes, because the floor is wet.
Huge clocks, which rotate backwards, dominate this warehouse. Buyers sit in bleachers and press buttons to indicate their price in a Dutch auction. Restaurateurs, grocery stores and caterers bid on up to 1000 cases of fish an hour.
The organizer gives you an ugly orange vest just to make sure vendors know you are a tourist--as if they couldn’t tell by our deer caught in the headlight look. Our guide was a charming and funny “mom” type who had no qualms about picking up the fish for us-I passed on holding them, thank you very much. She informed the group that if you eat fish and chips in Australia you’re eating shark. Our group included a professor from Iowa State who wants to bring her agricultural students back here since all they know about is cows. Look for that fresh sea fish in Iowa soon.
Our guide held up fish I had never heard of in the US like, barramundi, balmain bug, mud crab, flathead, leather jacket, and mullet which does not resemble the hair cut. The tour ends in the public section with restaurants offering dozens of different types of oysters, caviar, and clam chowder. There’s also a great bakery and an espresso shop if you’re had enough of fish. Details www.bridgeclimb.com The Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb operates every day (except 30 and 31 December), from early morning through to evening. Climbers depart in groups of 12 at up to 10-minute intervals. It lasts 3 ½ hours
The hotel just underwent a 2 ½ year, $200 million makeover.
www.sydneyfishmarket.com Sydney Fish Market hosts the largest market of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere and the world's second largest seafood market outside of Japan, with over 100 species per day. Each day, around 55 tons of seafood is auctioned and product is sourced both nationally and internationally.
There is one tour guide for every 20 people and the tour takes about 90 minute. The market also has a cooking school open to the public.
One event not to be missed if you are fortunate enough to be in Sydney during the Christmas season, is the annual Sydney to Hobart sailboat race...one of the top five international yacht races in the world. The best vantage point though is from the deck of a charter boat where you'll be welcomed with a glass of champagne followed by fruit and sandwiches. The excitement level is beyond description as over 400,000 people are lining the shores and cliffs of Sydney Harbor, and you are right in the middle of it on what feels like your own private yacht. Check out http://www.flagshipcharters.com.au
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