Happy New Year!

Happy 2014!
We took a dinner cruise in Sydney Harbor to watch the fireworks extravaganza ring in 2014. It was spectacular.

I survived the bridge climb

I climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The 3 1/2 hour guided climb takes climbers along the outer arches of the bridge on catwalks and ladders up to the 440 foot summit, for a 360-degree view of the city, the Sydney Opera House and the majestic Blue Mountains. There are 1390 stairs from the start of the climb to the summit. Taking pictures is not allowed. Each climber receives a certificate of completion.

Sydney Harbour Bridge Walk

After stopping at one of the Pylon Lookouts, I walked across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, taking the pedestrian walkway from The Rocks at the southern end of the bridge to Milsons Point at the northern end.

Sydney and Darling Harbours

We walked around Sydney Harbour, Cockle Bay, and Darling Harbour, went to the Chinese Garden, and shopped at Paddy's Market in Chinatown.

Boxing Day

Boxing Day was traditionally the day following Christmas Day, when servants and tradesmen would receive gifts from their bosses or employers, known as a "Christmas box". Today, Boxing Day is the bank holiday that occurs on December 26. Many sporting events are held on Boxing Day, such as a national cricket game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and the Sydney to Hobart Tasmania Yacht Race. We took a water taxi to see the start of the yacht race in Sydney Harbor. It was very cool, one of the highlights of our trip.

Christmas in Sydney

Merry Christmas! It's raining here today, but we still walked around Darling Harbour. Tomorrow is Boxing Day, another Australian holiday.

 

Sydney Tower Eye

The Sydney Tower Eye, opened in 1981, is 309 meters high to the top of the spire, and is the tallest building in Sydney.