27.10.2016 Australia # Sydney # Quick tour with a bitter pill

Sydney, the huge metropolis of millions, gives us a massive culture shock in the first moment. After the simple and calm island life of the last two months, we have to get used to the hectic city life again.

After the three and a half hour flight from Port Vila, the immigration process is faster than expected. Since we do not bring any food or similar, customs are only moderately interested in us and we are already at the Air Train after 30 minutes, which is supposed to take us to the city. With the Opal Card for public transport that we purchased earlier, we feel almost like locals. Although we have to change trains once, it is only a few steps from Kings Cross Station to the Quest Hotel, at least if you know where to go. The first attempt takes a bit longer. :-)

Since we are only in Sydney for two and a half days, we don't waste any time and immediately take a hop-on/hop-off city tour. However, the ride in the open bus becomes somewhat uncomfortable over time. In Sydney, despite the sunshine, it feels noticeably cooler than in Vanuatu and we are still dressed for the tropics. In the evening, we take a stroll around the block. When we settle down at the Sugar Mill Bar near the hotel, I realize that my phone is missing. Not the spare part that I use for local SIM cards, but the 'good' one with my German SIM card. Unfortunately, it is in airplane mode, so I cannot call or locate it. With Maike's phone, I have the SIM card blocked, which is a little patience test due to the broken English service employee. The next morning, I make a loss report at the police station around the corner. However, the friendly officer hardly gives me any hope that it might be handed in. Potts Point, the district where we live, is quite lively and known for its nightlife. That naturally attracts a corresponding audience. Nevertheless, I am hoping for a miracle.

The next day, we continue our tour on the water, thanks to combination tickets, after enjoying a great view of the skyline including the opera house and the Harbour Bridge from Macquaries Point. The boat trip takes about two hours and stops at various stations until Manly. As we cross the access to the Pacific, I actually see a penguin in the water. I thought they don't exist here.

After an early dinner at the Bavarian Brauhaus, we stroll through The Rocks and prepare ourselves for the highlight of the day. We have signed up for a bridge climb tour on the Harbour Bridge. At some point, months before, we had seen it on TV and had kept it in the back of our minds ever since. Not a cheap fun, but something we don't do every day.

Shortly after 6.00 pm, we start with the paperwork (waiver and exclusion declaration) and an alcohol test. Then there is a short briefing with an introduction round for the participants. Our group consists of 14 people from different nations. After everyone is dressed in an overall and has removed all jewelry or other valuables, we enter the holy of holies through a metal detector. So if you think you can smuggle in your GoPro, you are clearly mistaken, as the staff here is very suspicious. After all, they want you to buy your photos later for a lot of money. :-) Of course, safety is also paramount. The danger of something slipping out of someone's hands and causing damage further down the bridge is too great. In the next room, everyone gets a waist belt and learns how to hook themselves into the wire rope and climb stairs without making any mistakes. There is actually a training staircase for this, which we all obediently climb up and down in a line. When everyone has a radio (without a microphone, only with headphones) on them, Tatjana, our guide, leads us towards the pylon. It is about 100m to get there, which you cover on a narrow path at an impressive height with a clear view in all directions. For people with a fear of heights, this is already the first challenge, although you are well secured against falling with the harness. From the first to the last meter of the tour, you are hooked into the running wire rope, so nothing can happen. In the pylon, there is another opportunity to catch your breath before we climb ladders to the bridge arch. The view is already impressive here. The ascent is via relatively wide stairs, without being able to look directly down. Basically, it is quite easy, even for people with shaky knees. At about halfway to the summit, we make the first of three photo stops. Despite the dusk, it is still relatively bright, so you can still have a good view of the city. A fireworks display is being set off on the water diagonally behind us, as if it was made for us. When we finally stand at the highest point of the bridge at around 141m, directly below the flags, the city is bathed in light and we enjoy the magnificent view for a while. After a group photo, we start the descent. In the meantime, Tatjana keeps telling interesting stories. At least I think so. Unfortunately, she speaks very fast Sydney slang and I have trouble following her. At some point, when it becomes too exhausting for me, I take off the headphones and focus on the surroundings. Yes, that was definitely worth it. Back at the base, everyone receives a certificate, a cap, and the printed group photo. We also buy our individual photos and a T-shirt, just because. Then we make our way home, exhausted but in high spirits.

For the next day, we booked a tour to the Blue Mountains with Boutique Travel. Steve picks us up shortly after 7.00 am. Before we pick up the remaining passengers, he takes us to Darling Point to give us a very private view of the morning skyline. Nice move from him. In total, there are 9 of us in the 13-seater, so we don't have to sit cramped. First, we visit the Featherdale Wildlife Park and are lucky to be there before the big tourist buses. So Maike doesn't have to wait long to have her photo taken with a koala. After everyone has had their fill of kangaroos, wombats, and other native animals, Steve provides us with coffee and pastries. Then we drive into the mountains and see the Blue Mountains from almost all sides. They look like the Elbe Sandstone Mountains in some places, but are far superior in height and area.

At the Waradah Aboriginal Centre at the viewpoint to the Three Sisters, we see a fifteen-minute show about the life of the indigenous people. Interesting, but somewhat out of place in the commercial environment. Afterwards, a bushwalk to the Katoomba Waterfall concludes our stay in the Blue Mountains. Due to a traffic jam, the planned visit to the Olympic Center only becomes a two-minute stop at the Olympic Stadium. Steve also wants to call it a day at some point. After we have bought a boomerang from him, he drops us off at the Olympic Park ferry station and we say goodbye to him warmly. With his relaxed manner and the interesting stories he knew how to tell during the ride, he gave this excursion a very special touch.

Subsequently, the ferry takes us to Darling Harbour and we have the opportunity to see Sydney from a different perspective once again. After a little stroll through Town Hall, we arrive back at the hotel feeling exhausted. When we have a nightcap on the rooftop terrace, the sales manager of Quest approaches us. As it turns out, he spent a few years of his youth in Bonn and still speaks German quite well. Anyway, he has something to celebrate and has therefore provided pizza, wine, etc. to allow guests and perhaps also employees to participate. We don't say no to a beer and chat for quite a while about this and that. In the end, we are the last ones on the roof and it is time to finally get some rest.

We use the time until departure to Brisbane on the next day for some errands. I finally buy a SIM card and eventually we manage to set everything up as desired. Maike bought hers two days ago and the internet didn't work until today. Unfortunately, you have to do the entire registration yourself here and something seems to have gone wrong. Well, now it works, all good. Well, not everything. A last visit to the police station takes away the last spark of hope of seeing my phone again. I guess I have to look for a new galaxy ... :-(

On the last two days, we have seen and experienced a lot. But one thing is certain: if we travel to Sydney again, we will take more time. This city has so much to offer that it's almost a shame to have to rush through it.

The flight to Brisbane is scheduled for 2:00 pm. We are excited to see what awaits us there.