Instead of BC and AD, I figured Sydney blog entries should logically be broken into BNY (before New Years) and ANY (after New Years). With the largest New Year’s Eve fireworks celebration in the entire world, it just seemed right.
Tim and I Xmas Eve
Intermission
We flew into Sydney on Christmas Eve without a cloud in the sky and the sun beating down upon the Christmas trees scattered throughout the city. We dropped our bags in our sixty second floor apartment and headed straight to the most iconic building in all of Sydney, the Opera House. Built in 1974 from a Danish architect's winning design, the Sydney Opera House is the only 20th century building on the World Heritage List and stands as the backdrop of the beautiful Sydney Harbor. We arrived for a quick photo op outside before excitedly entering for a "Christmas in the House" Christmas Carol Concert. Unlike any other Christmas carol concert I've attended, Australia's top four opera singers belted out the Christmas classics, asking the audience to join in every so often (not enough if you ask me!). Between the ambiance of sitting in the Opera House on Christmas Eve and the beauty of the music projecting from the stage, my arms were filled with goose bumps and my eyes a tear or two. It was a truly magical experience! I even learned a new Australian Christmas classic ("Six White Boomers") with accompanying joey hop dance moves that I ensure you will come out at next year's Christmas festivities. With the idea of snow somewhat unfathomable for the holiday season, the Christmas trees on stage were decorated with white kangaroos instead :) After an unforgettable concert, we stumbled upon a packed house at a gorgeous Chinese restaurant. Spring rolls, ginger lobster, barbeque pork ribs, eggplant—YUM, YUM AND YUM! The night concluded with the kids leaving out carrots, cookies and long notes for Santa; it was fantastic to be around kids for the energized anticipation of Christmas morning.
Who doesn't wear a moustache for Christmas?
The kids awoke at 6:15, the adults a little later, to open presents and stockings from Santa. As my stocking stated, I had been good all year and was rewarded with a bookstore gift certificate, new adorable coffee mug, Australia stickers, and a pink cockatoo (my favorite new bird) bookmark! After a sugar filled breakfast, the next meal was already on our mind as we dressed in our Christmas best and headed downstairs to catch our ride. A white limo awaited us, ready to drive us to the Berowra Inn, a famous Sydney restaurant only accessible by private boat or plane. Not only was I introduced to the English and Aussie firecracker tradition equipped with plastic moustaches and corny jokes, but enjoyed a delectable meal in which each course seemed to outdo the prior in both taste and presentation. With a full tummy, a long walk around the beautiful city followed. The pictures just don’t do the city justice as Sydney provides 300 kilometers of harbor coast, large lush green parks with water features and numerous skylines. Although we couldn’t find National Lampoons Christmas Vacation on TV that night, we all changed into our p.j’s and called it an early night!
Sydney Hobart Yacht Race
The holiday events continued as Boxing Day marks the start of the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, an iconic open water yacht race famous for its 628 nautical miles of grueling conditions from Sydney to Tasmania. We hopped aboard a sail boat for the starting line to watch the 80 plus yachts bust out of the gates once the cannon went off. We all picked our favorites (mostly based on sail designs) and the adrenaline on our boat, and hundreds of others could be felt in the water! What a rush! The water resembled an apocalyptic movie as a hundred plus boats chased the boats by water and nine plus helicopters chased by air. This definitely added to the once in a lifetime opportunities I’ve had the privilege of experiencing on this trip! The thrills keep on coming as I took Tess and Sam to Megamind 3D in the evening, while the rest of our crew was getting evacuated from a bridge climb due to treacherous weather.
Bridge Climbers
Sydney is world renowned for their outdoor water activities, but also rate right up there with their fantastic museums. I spent one whole afternoon at the Museum of Contemporary Art completely mesmerized in the two level Annie Leibovitz photograph exhibition and another whole afternoon admiring China’s First Emperor’s entombed warriors at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Possibly one of my favorite activities of the entire trip came that night as Hannah and I climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the largest steel arch bridge in the entire world. We arrived at 6 pm to start our pre climb activities—changing into our climbing suits, strapping on our harnesses, proving our climbing ability in the simulator and taking a necessary breathalyzer. Starting underneath the bridge, we completed our climb along the outer arch of the bridge on catwalks and ladders until we reached the summit to take in the 360 degree panoramic views of Sydney. Apart of the twilight climb, we were able to watch the city beautifully transform from day to electrically lit up at night. I felt just at home, as once people found out I was from Chicago the Oprah climbing stories and pictures came out in full force; as well as gusts of wind that would make the Windy City proud. The climb is a definite must do in Sydney and one of my favorite experiences so far :)
The kids awoke at 6:15, the adults a little later, to open presents and stockings from Santa. As my stocking stated, I had been good all year and was rewarded with a bookstore gift certificate, new adorable coffee mug, Australia stickers, and a pink cockatoo (my favorite new bird) bookmark! After a sugar filled breakfast, the next meal was already on our mind as we dressed in our Christmas best and headed downstairs to catch our ride. A white limo awaited us, ready to drive us to the Berowra Inn, a famous Sydney restaurant only accessible by private boat or plane. Not only was I introduced to the English and Aussie firecracker tradition equipped with plastic moustaches and corny jokes, but enjoyed a delectable meal in which each course seemed to outdo the prior in both taste and presentation. With a full tummy, a long walk around the beautiful city followed. The pictures just don’t do the city justice as Sydney provides 300 kilometers of harbor coast, large lush green parks with water features and numerous skylines. Although we couldn’t find National Lampoons Christmas Vacation on TV that night, we all changed into our p.j’s and called it an early night! 
Sydney is world renowned for their outdoor water activities, but also rate right up there with their fantastic museums. I spent one whole afternoon at the Museum of Contemporary Art completely mesmerized in the two level Annie Leibovitz photograph exhibition and another whole afternoon admiring China’s First Emperor’s entombed warriors at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Possibly one of my favorite activities of the entire trip came that night as Hannah and I climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the largest steel arch bridge in the entire world. We arrived at 6 pm to start our pre climb activities—changing into our climbing suits, strapping on our harnesses, proving our climbing ability in the simulator and taking a necessary breathalyzer. Starting underneath the bridge, we completed our climb along the outer arch of the bridge on catwalks and ladders until we reached the summit to take in the 360 degree panoramic views of Sydney. Apart of the twilight climb, we were able to watch the city beautifully transform from day to electrically lit up at night. I felt just at home, as once people found out I was from Chicago the Oprah climbing stories and pictures came out in full force; as well as gusts of wind that would make the Windy City proud. The climb is a definite must do in Sydney and one of my favorite experiences so far :)
You make your mamma proud! Love you.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mom :) Love you too!
ReplyDeleteKatie - love your blog, wish I were there but with your writing, I feel like I am!
ReplyDelete