2013_03_14 SYDNEY BRIDGE CLIMB AND SYDNEY HARBOR CRUISE

WOW!

Here is a image of the image they took of us as high as we went this morning on the Sydney Bridge Climb!  Simply amazing views from on high.  Perfectly safe, never was the slightest bit uncomfortable!  The Sydney Opera House is right there in the background.

This day is finally over (in a good way).  Long day started with the Sydney Bridge Climb.  We had our buffet breakfast at The Four Seasons and walked about ten minutes to the bridge climb office.  

Here we are outside the Bridge Climb starting point.

At 9:10 (almost exactly) we were briefed about the bridge climb.  First off, no phones or cameras allowed.  Since you are walking above 8 lanes of traffic and two train lines the chance of dropping something is pretty good.  First off a breathalyzer test to make sure you were sober.  Our guide then handed out jump suits and we went thru a metal detector to make sure nothing was being snuck in.  If the detector beeped you were wanded.  Then into another room where a belt was slipped over your head and cinched up.  This belt had a tether on it that attached to a cable that was not disconnected until the end of the climb.  

We started upwards for a bit and then started walking under the bridge platform where the cars were driving.  We were on narrow catwalks that gave you a sense of security.  You walked towards the harbor itself (half way across the bridge) and then progressively higher on the bridge structure.  Our guide was pretty informative and dryly humorous.  

At the highest point we walked across to the other side of the bridge where the group photo (above) was taken.  So basically we went to one level under the highest point on the bridge and only about halfway through the bridge.  We went back to where we had started on the other side of the bridge to where we started.

We took off the belt and jumpsuits and collected our group photo which was included in the ticket.  You got to keep a Bridge Climb cap as well.

We were in a bit of a hurry and waiting outside for us in a small bus was Andrew the owner of Sydney Harbour Cruises.  He took us to Rose Bay where our day long harbor cruise was to start.  Andrew has a job as a policeman and takes people on harbor cruises when he is off duty.  Nice guy - really accommodated our group as we started the cruise about an hour later due to the bridge climb.

Here's Andrew telling us one of his many stories.

Along the way Andrew showed us a bunch of celebs' homes.  This is Russell Crowe's penthouse (the entire first floor). 

A row of Australian naval ships are lined up right next to Russell Crowe's house.

Headed over towards the Sydney Bridge and the Opera House.

Close up of the tiles that make up the Opera House roof.

We stopped for a lunch - Fish and chips a salad and a drink and then headed over to Manley.

A surfer at Manley Beach.  Way over in the left part of the frame.
Back in the boat to a remote beach that we only stayed at a short  there as there was a brush fire (controlled burn) directly above the beach.  Really smokey there so we went to yet another beach where some swam a bit.  

Headed to another stop where we walked up to the top of some cliffs.  It began to rain a bit so we headed back to a pub on the beach for a libation.  Nice view back towards downtown Sydney and the bridge.

Returned quickly to Rose Bay where we were all taken back to our hotels at the end of a wonderful day.

After dinner tonight we took a short walk to see the Bridge and Opera House lit up at night.

Time for sleep!  Up early tomorrow.  Taking train to Sydney International Terminal for 3 hour flight to Queenstown, New Zealand!  On to Kiwi Land!

2016_03_13 SYDNEY

Arrived in Sydney 8:35 their time

Bondi Beach, Here we come!

Took a 6 person from the airport to The Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Sydney.  Rooms were not ready s we showered up a bit (felt great) in the spa area locker rooms.  Just before we were ready to leave 2 rooms became available and we moved all luggage up to those rooms.  

Here are Bobi Steingart and Connie outside the Four Seasons as we waited to check in.

Shortly after we started our way towards Bondi Beach.  A Sydney iconic spot a great example of a urban beach.  The water was clean and clear and we had a ball.

First look at Bondi Beach!  Some of us over there on the right.

Where's Harvey?  I'm in there in the water for a bit.  At least waded for a bit.  Water was pretty cold to me.

The other end of Bondi Beach.

Stopped for some iced drinks right on Bondi Beach.  Bobi Steingart, Gayle Rediker and Connie waiting for the drinks to appear.   Iced coffee's had ice cream in them.  Delicious.

Pool at club called Bondi Icebergs.  The waves from the ocean crash right over and into the pool.

Check out the name of this Bay!  Connie and I especially liked it.

We walked around for most of the afternoon on a portion of the National Geographic Sydney walking tour.  We walked the portion from Bondi to Bronte Beaches on the Coast Walk.  Eventually made it back to the Four Seasons by bus and train.  Showered up and headed to Farmhouse Kings Crossing for a nice salmon, trout, lamb dinner with mashed potatoes, grilled veggies and two desserts!  Locally sourced food at a communal table for 20 some.  People to the left were from Sydney.  People to the right of us were from Malaysia, Japan and Shanghai.  Interesting conversation and the food was amazing!

Here is most of the group (except for the cameraman (me) at the table tonight.

Trout - delicious

Lamb plate with veggie plate and some condiments to share.

Really tired, time to go to bed.

2016_03_11 TIME TO GO!

WELL, IT'S FINALLY HERE!

Been waiting for quite a while and today is the day!  Later today we will head to O'Hare for our first flight of the day.  United #617 departing 5:20pm for Los Angeles.  After a 3 hour layover in the United Club Lounge we get ready for the    L   O   N   G     one, United #839 a 15 hour 5 minute (don't forget those final 5 minutes) flight to Sydney, Australia!  We eventually arrive in Sydney at 8:45am Sunday morning.

The Rediker's and Steingart's are departing from New York for their first flight to Seoul, Korea.  After their layover they will arrive about 20 minutes before us in Sydney.  Pretty amazing that we arrive so close to each other.  I would say great planning but that's just how it worked out.  We hope to meet up after clearing customs, get some Australian $ and head over to our hotel by cab. The 6 of us will be together for the entire trip.  Others are joining in at various times and then leaving us.  

Pretty excited!   I actually slept until almost 6:00 this morning.  Been getting up around 4 or 4:30 thinking about the trip.  Probably a good thing to be tired for the long trip ahead.  Maybe I'll sleep better on the plane.  Still hoping for last minute business class mileage award to open up but not looking good.  Done with last minute stuff - waiting now for 2:50 when taxi guy is scheduled to pick us up.  

9:40 PST and we landed in Los Angeles.  Went to the United Club awaiting our flight to Sydney.  So far, so good.  

Connie looking happy to not be in an airline seat!  United Club L.A.

NEXT STOP SYDNEY!

2016 Australia, New Zealand and French Polynesia

REVVING UP FOR OUR NEXT ADVENTURE!  HERE ARE SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS:

Flying from Chicago to Los Angeles on United Airlines flight # 617.  Departs ORD at 5:20 p.m. and arrives at LAX at 7:44 local time.  After a 3 hour layover United flight # 839 departs at 10:45 p.m. to Sydney Australia.  It's a 15.5 hour flight to Sydney and we are still waiting for business class tickets to become available.  We currently have booked Mileage Plus tickets with a bit more space but they aren't fully reclining!  15.5 hours is a LONG flight!  I'm just saying!   Arrive in Sydney two days later (International Date Line) around 8:45 in the morning.  HOPE to be able to check into The Four Seasons for our 2 night stay early.  The reservation was made by Rich Rediker and their flight is supposed to arrive about 20 minutes ahead of us.  We'll probably grab some Aussie $ and take a cab right to the Four Seasons. If we meet up with the 4 others we can try to cab it together in 2 cabs.  The Four Seasons is a very nice location (right at the harbor and close to where we will be doing things). 

Web site for The Four Seasons

Once we all get settled and hopefully checked in we will see what we are up for after the long flight!

There seems to be a tremendous bike path system and we may rent some bikes to get over to Bondi Beach.  Or, there is a walking path that takes you around the edge of the harbor as well.  Bondi Beach is another famous Sydney landmark about 6 miles from our hotel.  Get over there and enjoy the beach and hopefully the sun.

Wikipedia link to Bondi Beach

More Bondi Beach

We have reservations at Farmhouse King's Cross later that evening.  Seating in one big room for 20.  Locally sourced Aussie Food.  We have determined that it's about a 40 minute walk to the restaurant that will take us through a botanical park along the way.  Probably cab it back to a well deserved night's rest!

Web site for Farmhouse King's Cross

The next day is going to be awesome!  5 of us will have the early morning buffet and walk 8 minutes to the Sydney Bridge Climb Center.  We will have a meeting explaining what we will be doing and shortly after up on the bridge.  We are asked to be there by 9:10 to begin the climb.  We decided to do The Bridge Climb Express.  A shortened version of the bridge climb we will be on the bridge for only an hour and a half and will not reach the summit.  The entire Bridge Climb would have taken 3 1/2 to 4 hours and we decided we needed more time for the rest of the day.

Web site for Sydney Bridge Climb

After the bridge climb Rich has arranged for a day boat tour of the harbor.  We'll have to connect with Richie Steingart back at the bridge.  Richie has a tremendous aversion to heights and there was now way he would climb the bridge.   Rich has arranged for the boat tour people to pick us up right near the base of the bridge and take us to the boat.  That should keep us busy for the day.  

Link to Sydney Harbor boat tours

We plan to have dinner at the Four Seasons that night to end a wonderful day!

Next morning we had back to the airport for our Virgin Air Australia flight #7464 a 9:20a.m. flight from Sydney to Queenstown, New Zealand.  With a 2 hour time change, we are due to arrive in Queenstown around 2:25 after a 3 hour flight.  We will get to our hotel (The Waterfront Apartments) and see if we can check in.  Rich has reserved two three bedroom apartments for all 12 of us at a location right in the city center!   We are supposed to meet the people leading our three day trek on The Routeburn Track and get all information.  It's only a 6 minute walk to the trek center.  That evening dinner at Mai Thai Restaurant which is walking distance from the hotel.

When we leave the following morning we will be gone for 5 days returning back to The Waterfront Apartments after that.  We can leave luggage in storage until our return since we will have to carry everything with us on the 3 day Routeburn Track tromp.  In between the tromp is 2 days on the boat on Doubtful Sound that starts the following morning.  We may have to plan for 5 days of clothing and gear that must fit in a supplied duffel.  

Link to The Waterfront Apartments

Link to Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise

After a full day on Doubtful sound we will sleep and have another day on the Sound before returning to our starting point.  We will be driven a short way to the town of Te Anau where we will have a accommodation for the night.  We have planned to go to a glowworm cave that is very close to our hotel.  Connie and I went to a glowworm cave on the North Island the last time we were in New Zealand.  Pretty cool.  Eat some dinner and get to sleep.

The following morning the people from the trek company will pick us up at our hotel in Te Anau.  Most people start in Queenstown so we will be able to get up a bit later as it will take them some time to get to where we are.  Nothing wrong with that in my mind.  I can get up and do some exploring!  Transported to the Routeburn Track trailhead where we will commence our 3 day hike.  We will be walking (tromping) for three days stopping at nice cabins each night.  No where near to what we had to do in Peru walking to Machu Picchu!  There is one slight side trip along the way up about 800 feet to a wonderful viewing point Key Summit.  Connie and I have been "walking" this very trail on video treadmills at our health club.  Real easy on the treadmill, not too many elevation changes (on the treadmill at least).  The view from the top of Key Summit is pretty amazing.  I plan on going up there unless the weather is too overcast.  The end of the first day ends at Lake Mackenzie!  Connie and I look forward to that.  The remaining two days should be fairly easy and there is hardly any elevation gains along the way.

Link to Routeburn Track site

Below I have listed each days itinerary for that web site:  Should be a piece of cake!

• Day 1 : The Divide to Lake Mackenzie

  • • 13km (8 miles)
    • 5-6 hours
    • Lunch, dinner

    
    
    
    Your adventure begins with a coach ride from Queenstown to the Divide on the scenic Milford Road, stopping at Te Anau for morning tea. You will climb the wide and well formed track from the Divide to the optional ascent to Key Summit. Here you can sit among the alpine plants and gaze down three valleys from which water flows to three different coasts.
    
    You then descend to Lake Howden hut for a hot drink and picnic lunch, before gradually climbing through lush silver beech forest to the base of Earland Falls, quite a sight in wet weather! You will look over the Hollyford Valley to the ice capped Darran Mountains before descending to the splendid lodge at Lake Mackenzie where refreshments, a hot shower, three course meal and comfortable beds are waiting.

  Day 2: Lake Mackenzie to Routeburn Falls

  • • 15km (9 miles)
    • 5-7 hours
    • Breakfast, lunch, dinner

    
    
    
    You leave the ancient forest draped in moss and lichen and enter the world of daisies, buttercups, gentians and edelweiss. Here you have a full vista of the Darran Mountains across the Hollyford Valley, which slices through Fiordland to the distant Tasman Sea at Martin's Bay. After lunch at the Harris Saddle, you can ascend Conical Hill for a panoramic view of the surrounding peaks. After walking around Lake Harris you descend into the upper basins of the Routeburn Valley, with the towering mountains above. Spend your final night of luxury at the beautifully located Routeburn Falls Lodge where you will be treated to a special dinner.

  Day 3: Routeburn Falls to Routeburn Road

  • • • 10km (6 miles)
      • 3-4 hours
      • Breakfast, lunch

      
      
      
      Take time to enjoy the dramatic landscape around the Falls, before descending to the alpine pastures of the Routeburn Flats. Your guides will take the scenic route through the meadows and find the deepest green pool for you to picnic beside. The track shadows the river as it roars through a magnificent gorge before plunging beneath the unyielding rocks at the Sump. From here it is a gentle walk through the beech forest to the Road End. A coach will take you back to Queenstown, stopping at the small town of Glenorchy on the way.
      

      
      

  After the trek is completed we will be transported back to The Waterfront Apartments to be reunited with our luggage.  Perhaps a time to get some laundry done in the apartment?  There are washing machines and dryers in the units.  
  
  The following morning we will take a one and a half hour steamship cruise on the TSS Earnshaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm.
  
  

  Link to steamship cruise

  
  This probably will be the most touristy thing we will do on the entire trip.  Connie and I stayed on a working sheep station on the North Island for 3 days and it was awesome!  We will see a demonstration of sheep dogs herding sheep.  Perhaps a sheep shearing and then a lunch before heading back to Queenstown.  The vessel returns at several different times and those who wish to stay a bit longer certainly can.
  Sometime before sundown we are going to take to gondola up to the top for a spectacular sunset.  Dinner the Stratosphere Restaurant at the top with great views of Queenstown for all 12.  Back down the gondola for our final night in Queenstown.
  
  

  Link to Queenstown Gondola
  
  

  
  The following morning Rich and I will go to the Queenstown airport to collect a 12 person bus and a rental car that we will use for the next two days to get around.  We thought the 12 person van would be too crowded so Rich will drive the van and I will drive the Toyota Corolla hatchback.  Leaving Queenstown we will hear northwest for about an hour to Lake Wanaka where we have reserved kayaks for a three hour paddle.  I saw video of this place and it is magnificent.  Glad we were able to fit this in!  
  

  
  Link to what got my attention!

  
  Link to Lake Wanaka kayaking trip

  
  

  Image of Lake Wanaka kayaking

  
  After the paddle we drive for about 4 more hours to our next stop for the next 2 nights - Lanarch Castle.  The only "working" castle in New Zealand should be a blast!  We plan to stop in Dunedin on the way for a dinner at a Vietnamese restaurant and then on to Lanarch Castle for a great night's sleep.
  

  
  Link to Lanarch Castle!

  
  

  The following morning we have arranged for a 4 hour bike excursion along old railroad right of ways.  9 of the 12 will be enjoying the ride, returning to the castle at 1:30.  This leaves some time for the tour of the castle grounds that is included in our rate.  Around 4:30 the other 10 are going for a 1 hour boat ride on the Otango Peninsula to hopefully spot a albatross breeding ground.  
  
  
  

  

  
  

  
  Connie and I decided to skip this to spend a bit more time at the castle. We saw this Albatros guy on Kauai a few years ago!  Dinner (a pretty special event) at the castle with a spectacular menu at 7:30.  

  
  

  After an early breakfast we will pack up and drive the van and rental car to the Dunedin Airport and check in for Air New Zealand # 672.  The 9:50m flight to Auckland arrives around 11:35.  Head from Auckland Airport to the Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour conveniently located on the water near the Ferry Terminal.  GREAT location! 

  
  

  Link to Sofitel web site

  
  

  
  

  Around 3:30 that afternoon we will be picked up at the Ferry Terminal by Auckland Sea Kayaks and taken to their launch point.  We will paddle for a half hour to Rangitoto Island in the Auckland Harbour.  A half hour hike takes us to the summit for a spectacular sunset with amazing views of Auckland from above.   Back down to the beach for a hearty healthy Kiwi dinner.  We paddle back to the dock in the dark.  They say they the stars sparkle like diamonds.  This is going to be so cool!  We return about 10:30 to be transported back to the Sofitel.

  
  

  Link to Rangitoto Island kayak trip

  
  

  The following day we have until mid-afternoon to explore downtown Auckland.  Connie and I hope we can find the Maori Cultural Center that we visited the last time we were here.  Awesome.  We could also walk over to the Sky Tower and go to the top of the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere!  They also offer the Sky Jump - a bungee jump from near the tower top.  No thank you!  There is a clear plexiglass panel you can walk out on to look down.  We did that before.  No matter how safe you know it is, your body just doesn't want to go out on it very easily.  
  
  
  

  Link to the Sky Tower

  
   At 3:30 we will head to the airport for Air New Zealand # 42 a 6:35 p.m. flight to Papeete, the capitol of French Polynesia on the island of Tahiti.  Because of the International date line we arrive at Papeete the same day we we left real early in the morning!  Pretty cool - we get to spend March 25th TWICE!  We can walk from the airport to The Tahiti Airport Hotel for a whole night's sleep.  Or maybe a taxi?

  
  

  After breakfast at the hotel we will take a cab to the cruise terminal and drop off our bags for checkin later that afternoon. There is a great market within walking distance of the terminal.  Supposedly you can get anything you want there for better prices than on the individual islands. Should be fun to walk around and see a bit of the Tahitian culture on display!  After doing some shopping at the market we will board the Oceana Marina our home for the next 10 days.  Cary and Lisa Claver will be joining us for the cruise portion.  It will be great to see them again!
  
  
  

  Link to Papeete Market

  
  

  Itinerary

  Voyage Map

  

  DAY		PORT  = Anchor Port	ARRIVE	DEPART
  Mar 25	Fri	Papeete (Tahiti), French Polynesia	Embark 1 PM
  Mar 26	Sat	Papeete (Tahiti), French Polynesia		5 AM
  Mar 26	Sat	Moorea, French Polynesia	8 AM	11 PM
  Mar 27	Sun	Cruising the South Pacific
  Mar 28	Mon	Raroia, French Polynesia	8 AM	6 PM
  Mar 29	Tue	Fakarava, French Polynesia	8 AM	6 PM
  Mar 30	Wed	Rangiroa, French Polynesia	8 AM	5 PM
  Mar 31	Thu	Bora Bora, French Polynesia	10 AM
  Apr 1	Fri	Bora Bora, French Polynesia		7 PM
  Apr 2	Sat	Raiatea, French Polynesia	8 AM	7 PM
  Apr 3	Sun	Huahine, French Polynesia	8 AM	6 PM
  Apr 4	Mon	Papeete (Tahiti), French Polynesia	Disembark 8 AM

  

  
  Link to Hilton Moorea
  
  

  

  
  

  After we depart the ship for the last time we will take a short ferry boat ride back to Moorea from Papeete.  The trip is only a half hour or so.  We will spend the next day and a half at the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa.  Connie checks off a major bucket list item with a cabana over the water!  Rich thinks he can get us a late checkout the following day after which we will take the ferry back to Tahiti.  Our last dinner at the Blue Banana Restaurant with one more  sunset right on the water.  Taxi  to the airport for a long flight home.  Johnson/Ellis, the Rediker's and Steingarts will be flying Air Tahiti Nui from Papeete to Los Angeles. As Rich mentioned, the options are few to get home from the middle of the Pacific.  At least we're 5 hours closer to L.A. than we would have been from New Zealand.  ONLY a 8 hour flight back to the US.
  
  I know that the Steingart's and Johnson/Ellis are using American Airlines miles.  Right now American has us flying from Los Angeles to Fayettville, Arkansas and then home to Chicago. American tells us that a direct flight from L.A. to Chicago "should" open up and they will make the change for us.  Fingers crossed!  Not really sure I need to see the site of the 1st Walmart!  Right now none open.
  
  Eventually, home sweet home!