HOW FAR HAVE WE COME?

We left Boeing Field in Seattle on August 19 and arrived in Sydney, Australia, on September 12.

We have flown more than 10,000 nautical miles

KBFI	PANC	321°	(NW)	305°	(NW)	1,256 nm
PANC	UHMA	298°	(NW)	281°	(W)	899 nm
UHMA	UHMM	261°	(W)	260°	(W)	803 nm
UHMM	UHSS	203°	(SW)	214°	(SW)	833 nm
UHSS	RJNA	203°	(SW)	213°	(SW)	745 nm
RJNA	RCSS	237°	(SW)	244°	(SW)	1,004 nm
RCSS	RPMD	167°	(S)	171°	(S)	1,098 nm
RPMD	WABB	128°	(SE)	129°	(SE)	801 nm
WABB	AYMD	113°	(SE)	111°	(E)	629 nm
AYMD	YBCS	180°	(S)	175°	(S)	698 nm
YBCS	YBCG	149°	(SE)	142°	(SE)	800 nm
YBCG	YSSY	199°	(S)	187°	(S)	367 nm

CONQUERING OUR FEARS

Some of the adventurous ones of the group opted for a morning climb while in Sydney. What type of climb you ask, the Sydney Bridge Climb! Eight of the group, three of which have a fear of heights, made their way up to the top of the Sydney Bridge for sights of Sydney below. Unexpected by the group was the steady 55 knots of wind with occasional gusts of 70 knots! Thankfully, everything, including us, was attached to either ourselves or the bridge. They provided attractive grey jumpsuits with a fleece, beanie hat, handkerchief, glasses clips and a headset to hear our guide. Thank goodness because those winds were no joke. At times placing your foot on the next step was difficult because of the gusts.

No one counted the number of steps and we weren't allowed to wear our fitbits for the climb out of fear they could fall on the moving traffic below. Sydney Bridge is the busiest highway of the area with over 200,000 cars traveling across it daily.

It was quite the adventure and all were happy to have completed it! We weren't allowed to bring cameras so I only have the pictures from Anais. Here is the group shot and a few pictures from the bridge.

wind blown

Sydney Bridge - you can see a group mid climb on the top arch of the bridge

SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE

Our discovery of Sydney continued with a private, behind the scenes, visit of the Sydney Opera House. We learned the full story of the site, the initial stages, proposals, the architect and the completion of one of the most iconic buildings in the world.

The idea for the Sydney Opera House arose when Sydney decided to build a music hall on Sydney's harbour, a unique waterfront site. Sydney officials launched a worldwide competition for architect's to submit their designs - the winner was a relatively unknown Danish architect Jorn Utzon. His inspiration for the Opera House's unusual design was nautical sails. His design was initially rejected until a new judge was added to the panel and requested Utzon's design be re-entered into the potential winners.

Ultimately, Utzon's design won.

A change in government delayed the progress of the Sydney's Opera House's completion and resulted in Utzon leaving the project and Sydney all together, never to return. Jorg Utzon never returned to Sydney to see his world famous design in real life.

The building is incredible from all angles. Luckily, we are able to stare at its beauty our entire time in Sydney thanks to our amazing room views.

The 2 latest Ballet Stars of the Sydney Opera House 

mirror mirror

SYDNEY'S BOTANICAL GARDEN

We set out to discover Sydney while learning the history of Australia. First on the agenda, a visit to Sydney’s Botanical Garden located in the heart of the city.

This vast area of land is home to indigenous plants as well as foreign fauna that has been brought in to educate their visitors all while being surrounded by the bustling city and surrounding waterways.

Our tour was led by Terry, an Aussie aboriginal from Barkindji, who has been living in Sydney for several years teaching locals and foreigners alike about Australia’s indigenous plants and their many uses in aboriginal history/culture.

Terry shared with us great stories from his past, his family’s past and the origins of the country. We were mesmerized by his knowledge and the aboriginals innovation.  

Sydney's Botanical Garden

Our guide Terry