Reaching New Heights: The Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb

Standing in front of the Sydney Harbour Bridge

The tears started before I even set foot on the bridge. It was 8 a.m. and our climb was scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m. I grazed through the gift shop and made back-to-back trips to the bathroom. I walked up one flight of stairs to the ‘holding area’, where I would await my tour guide and watch a quick movie on the climb. It was about 45 seconds into the movie I started to panic. The climbers were making their way up the curved steel structure double-time. Panic stricken, I looked around the room for my friend and when she caught my fear I simply said, “I can’t do this.”

The doors opened and we were ushered inside to another room where we were given breathalyzer tests and asked to sign the obligatory ‘if you die on this tour…’ form. We stood around in a circle and were handed our climbing jumpsuits – polyester slate-blue one-piece fashion disasters that somehow ensured I would be safe. We were asked to go around the circle and introduce ourselves. I learned the names of people from all over the world and when the circle stopped at me and all I could say was, “I’m Melanie, and I’m terrified.”

We harnessed up, lathered on some sunscreen (a sunburn was, quite frankly, the very least of my concerns), took a drink of water and walked into the room of no return. The door shut behind me and I realized there was no handle on the other side – there was no way to get back in. My heart raced, my breath shortened and my eyes closed. “It’s time to climb,” said Richard, our climb leader. “Mel, you go first.” The man was out of his mind, but I took the lead and stepped out onto the steel grate.

The vibrations from the cars speeding across the bridge shook the metal platform that separated me from the concrete ground below. Our harnesses shook as they slid across the one-inch thick cable that kept us attached to the nearly 3,800-foot bridge. We walked along the flat steel-grate surface, ducking under steel limbs and dodging odd-shaped angles that jutted out in our way. One step at a time. One level at a time. With each lift of my leg I was getting a little closer to the arch of the bridge and a little higher from the ground. With every step the city got a little smaller, my breath got a little heavier and my heart beat a little faster…Continue reading on Gadling.com.

24 Hours in Sydney

View of Sydney from The Observatory

“I can’t believe how off-balance and dizzy I felt earlier,” I said to Mary, the marine scientist who works at the Sydney planetarium.

“Well that’s normal,” she said. “You are, after all, standing upside down.”

G’day from down under!

It’s an amazing feeling to know you’re flying over the equator to the other side of the world from a 777 at 36,000-feet. My friend Heather, who’s with me on this journey, slept soundly after a few cocktails and a Ativan, while I spent my 14-hours exploring all parts of the new VAustralia plane. On my journey through the classes, I met families from all over the world and shared a nightcap a few cast members from “Home and Away,” a very popular TV drama in Australia. Approximately 14-hours later, we arrived Sydney safe and sound and made our way through customs where we met Habib, our (very informative) driver who took us to The Observatory Hotel.

The rooms weren’t quite ready, so we took advantage of the spa area for a shower and change of clothes. A hot cup of coffee later and a quick rest hour on the hotel’s sofas, and we were ready to explore our area of Sydney, known as The Rocks. We made our way to the The Observatory and Planetarium, where we caught of glimpse of the sun from a super-powered telescope.

Peering at the sun

Jif, an astronomer, explained how the night sky looks from this part of the world… I can’t wait to see it later this week during a star-gazing hour at the planetarium.

Our rooms were finally ready. The harbor view is amazing and the space is spectacular. Off to dinner for a Touheys New and a pizza, then back to bed to attempt to regulate the jetlag.

Side note: Travel is nothing if not an adventure. Thanks to everyone who checked in to ensure we were safe following the tsunami warnings placed on Australia. Our thoughts and prayers are with those Chile.

Countdown to Oz: So Little Time, So Much To Do

In just a few weeks I’ll be sitting pretty in economy-class on 16-hour flight from Los Angeles to Sydney, courtesy of VAustralia. When I purchased the ticket I told myself, “Economy class will be fine! You can walk around, watch some movies, maybe you’ll make a few new friends… you don’t need to spend the extra money to lie down in business class.” I’m starting to rethink this decision.

In an effort to create a more comfortable environment for my pending economy-class seat I bought myself some new Gap pjs, had my favorite pashmina dry-cleaned and dug out my aromatherapy slippers for the flight. I’m totally ready to go! Now, what to do when I get to Australia?

Thanks to the chaos that has been my life for the past few months, I haven’t had two seconds to plan this trip. I know where I’m staying, and I think I called ahead for a car service from the Sydney airport, but as far as trip planning and reservations – there are none. So, the countdown to Oz is on… and I have no idea what to do. Here’s what I know I want to see/do – if anyone has ideas on how to get this accomplished, please drop me a line:

1. Bridge Climb: Despite my fear of death, I’m committed to doing the Sydney Bridge Climb. I’ve decided it’s best to plan this for one of the last days I’m in Australia – that way if I die from fear on the bridge, at least I would have seen most of Sydney before I go.

2. Sydney Zoo: I’m not really a ‘zoo’ person – I’m afraid many animals are mistreated at zoos – but I’m told the Sydney Zoo is nothing like the zoos in America, and that the animals reside in their own habitats. I’m not sure how that’s possible, but I’m willing to give it a go.

3. Pet a kangaroo/koala bear: I can’t leave Oz without playing with a kangaroo or petting a koala!

4. Sydney Opera House: The Grand Dame of Sydney awaits! I want to play dress up and walk in the icon down-under.

5. Bondi Beach: I forget why I’m supposed to go to Bondi Beach, but it’s on my list so I’ll be going!

6. Chart the stars: The wanna-be astronaut in me is uber-excited about viewing the stars from the Southern Hemisphere. Good thing I’m staying at The Observatory Hotel in the Rocks, where I’m told there is a wonderful viewing room for star-gazing.

7. Shopping! I don’t know what I’ll buy, but you can bet I’ll come back with something fabulous from Sydney.

That’s my list as of today, but I know there’s so much more I’m missing. If you’ve been to Sydney, send along your recommendations so I can add them to the list!

Across the Pacific: Journey to Australia

Sydney Opera House

Amelia Earhart has always been one of my heroes. Her fearless journeys were inspiring, and while I won’t be piloting my own plane over the Pacific, I am heading west on a new exploration. Destination: Australia.

The land down under was always intriguing. Maybe it’s my love of animals that’s calling me to the Outback, or my love of wine that’s tempting me to try new vineyards on the other side of the world. Or maybe it’s the simple pleasure of travel that keeps me inspired, and prepared, for the upcoming 25-hour journey across the Pacific.

I called one of my best gal-pals and proposed the idea. We just returned from Ireland and traveling together wasn’t a problem, so it seemed a natural fit to bring her along for the ride. Her neurosis equals out mine, which makes long flights and turbulance, as well as last-minute crisis in foreign countries, manageable.

“I’ll plan the entire trip. Just tell me your budget,” I said.

A dollar amount later and I was on the phone making the plans. Continue Reading…