Our adventure is complete! On July 3rd we were sight seeing all that Sydney had to offer. Visits to the infamous, Bondi Beach, Watsons Bay, Darling Harbour and much, much more. Mass in Saint Mary's Cathedral was beautiful, surely Gram would have loved and appreciated it. We also found time to shop at the local markets that were going on. After a long day of exploring we were ready for our real adventure, the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb. Boy was it everything we expected and MORE!

I had some much anticipation about this climb. I talked and talked it up convincing all 6 of them, (Ma, Aunt Maria, Aunt Anne, Mrs. G, Kate and Arlena) that it was going to be the climb of their life. And boy was I right. Anxiously waiting to hear our names called we finally entered into the room. Forms were filled, jump suits were passed, shoes were given, jewelry was off, harness was strapped, practice stairs were climbed and off we were for most definitely the climb of our lives.

The highest point of the arch is 134 metres (440 feet). The pylons are 292 feet high. The Bridge was the highest point in Sydney Australia until 1967. The longest span of the Bridge is 1650 feet. The total length is 3770 feet. The Sydney Harbour Bridge is the fourth longest single-span steel arch bridge in the world, behind Bayonne Bridge in New York, The New River Gorge Bridge in West Virginia and the longest which is The Lupu Bridge in Shanghai. The Bridge is 49 metres (161 feet) wide, making it the widest single-span Bridge in the world. The weight of the steel arch is 39,000 tons.

The Bridge Climb was an 3 ½ hour guided journey to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It took us along the outer arch of the Bridge on catwalks and ladders all the way to the summit, 134 metres above Sydney Harbour. The steady incline to the summit left us free to focus our attention on our Sydney experience, with opportunities to witness 360 degree views of Sydney, including east to the Sydney Opera House, west to the Blue Mountains and the Harbour city surrounds.

When we reached the top we had a sense of achievement that we will remember forever - we've conquered an Australian icon recognised the world over! The Bridge Climb was certainly the ultimate Sydney experience.

It was such a great experience being able to do it with everyone. They all were thrilled to have the opportunity, as was I! Probably the highlight of my trip on the East Coast! It was the absolutely perfect way to say goodbye to Australia. Perfect end to a perfect Journey! Couldn't have asked for more!

xoxox