This is an excursion on Leg #2 that interests me, but if I don't have the nerve to do a canopy tour, how would I handle this?

Picture here looks really scary:
http://plcolman.smugmug.com/gallery/74005/26/2598354/Original

Olivia....it's a wonderful climb and they have a harness system so you are completely safe. The entire group moves together through the climb.



It's marvelous to see the harbor and Opera House from the top of the bridge...excellent photo opportunities. But if heights scare you, perhaps you should just buy the postcards!

PS: The bridge is a very short walk from where most of the cruise ships dock - you can watch climbers from your veranda.

Here's the link for the Bridge Climb

Margo, thanks, that was a really good website! I think the picture I was looking at scared me because of the scale of things. Taking it "one step at a time" is not so daunting. The ladders look a little steep, but they are not straight up and down ladders. My Joanna tells me it will be similar to the climb I took looking for the waterfall in Asia, but without the monkeys to scare the life out of me! Somehow, I would feel better if she were along with me on this adventure!

Marcie, are you game for this?

Olivia,

If Marcie can zip through the forest in Puerto Vallarta, I am sure she would be willing to join you!!

Anthony

If you just want to do the bridge climb, the shore excursion office will book it for you. It is a short walk from the ship to the bridge. The only problem is the walk takes place rain or shine so it is a good idea to pray for a good day. If you decide to do it, enjoy.

sealover, I have decided to book with the ship, since there is a full day of things that sound like fun. They have the Bridge climb, which takes about 3 1/2 hours, then you go to Bondi for lunch and there is a great walk to Tamarama Beach for which I had researched on www.smugmug.com and it is a very interesting path with lots of art work along the way. Then we come back and take a Harbor Jetboat adventure that sounds fun. I only have one day there, and want to make the most of it!

I am so glad you have decided to take the "leap" or "plunge" or whatever the PC word is for The Climb!!!

Betty, I haven't made the plunge yet! Maybe I am waiting to hear from Ngaire! It sure sounds like an action-packed day for the last day of my cruise! (And then Joanna and Tony board, if only they would agree to come on for dinner it would be perfect!)

Olivia, there is no way!!! Shoot I'm even scared to drive across a long bridge let alone walk over one!!!

I just realized Tony and Joanna will already be there! Any way you want to join in on this excursion, guys?

Don, heights don't really bother me so I think I will be okay. It is negotiating downward steps that somehow bring the ground up to me, sort of a vertigo thing. I think this is too good a thing to pass up. No vertical ladders, and there are rails on either side for grabbing. But a bit of "soft" adventure! With the great beach walk after lunch, and a thrilling boat ride, just a good way to end the trip! (Even though I know Marcie wants to do the hop-on-off bus for the day!)

Olivia, I did this climb during the Olympics and it was very easy. If you want to read about it I wrote a review for Epinions.

http://www.epinions.com/content_6942592644

If you think it may be too much there is a musuem that I list as an alternative to this climb.

Sorry Olivia, I think I'm going to have to pass on this one. I really don't do well with heights. I was OK with the canopy trip in Puerto Vallarta but I don't do well CLIMBING anything resembling a ladder. In my younger years, I learned to swing from a trapeze like the circus acts. I was OK with the swinging part and transferring from bar to bar but really freaked out climbing to the platform.

Maybe Paul is up for this ?...I'm sure you'll have company!!

Climbing Sydney Bridge has NO photo ops since you cannot take ANYTHING up with you. They are concerned that something might fall.
McKeever

McKeever, they take pictures of each group at the top, and everyone is dressed in a jump suit. Have you done this before?

Olivia: If you are interested you should go for it - we arrive morning of the 5th (6:30 am) exhausted so most of that day a loss and Sunday just sight seeing...on ship the 7th Monday - Joanna

Olivia:

McKeever's post is correct...I'd forgotten, we had to put all of our possessions (including cameras)in a locker before we climbed. You can't really carry anything...and they don't want items falling onto the motorway below.

Several of the photos I have were those taken by our climb leader, purchased at the end of the exhilarating climb!

A few notes on the climb which I took February of 2003.
You will gather in a facility where you will recieve a briefing of the climb. Then you enyer a small changing room where you disrobe to put on light gray overalls for the climb. As others stated they do not want loose personal items falling out of pockets down to traffic below.
The next stage is putting on the small harness/ cabel hook up unit.....everyone is checked out and its actually fun looking at your fellow climbers try to act calm. At all times safety is paramount and you are in no way in danger.
As you start the climb (total time is over 2 hours) you will walk along bridge girders below the traffic. Below you is a grass field and some parking...height is probab;y three or four stories up. You wind your way towards the great stone towers that are the base of the bridge. It is here that you will do a verticle climb within the tower...like climging a ladder. Since it is enclosed there is no scarey aspect about it. All the time you are hooked to a safety cable...all the way. You will come out on top of the bridge arch at the lowest level. Then it a walk, not a climb on top of the bridge arch...fully tethered to the bridge. So you actually walk up hill on top of the brige and not really climg as on a ladder...the only true verticle climb is from below the road way to the top surface of the bridge. Its a fantastic experience....and Imight mention in my group we had a 80 year old women that took her teeth out.....and a 4 month pregnant women......so is it safe...yes. is it great......you betcha.
For those with bad backs....do not opt for the jet boat rides in the habour that do 180 and 360 spins..........the pounding is bad.

To those going to climb.......its a most memorable day in your life...enjoy.

Capt. Tom, thanks! I think the "ladder" thing is what concerned me, because I didn't know it was enclosed. Looking forward to the adventure!

Waiting for me Olivia - dont you know I am a real chicken when it comes to this sort of thing. You would NEVER get me to do that. Ken would love to do it but we are always "passing" through Sydney and he has not done it yet. I am sure he will at some point - his "cup of tea".

Olivia, can I live vicariously through your adventure? I would love to do this someday but like Ngaire, I won't ever do it. My fear of heights gets worse as I get older. I don't even like to go on the "down" escalator. So, what do I want to do? All those crazy (and sometimes safe) adventures for people who aren't afraid of heights! Go for it while you can, Olivia.

Do you want me to stand at the base and take photos?? This is about all I can handle!

Well - thesse posts are great because Ken is going to do this when we arrive in Sydney following our Singapore Sydney trip. Thanks to the kind invitation of an LCT'er that will be along and doing it too. He is pretty happy!!!

I sure wish I was on 007 too. How can I be in two places at one time. The thought of all of you being on the Voyager and me not there ---grrr I will think of you.

I am sure when I was posting how much I was missing the LCT bunch when I was on Crystal those that "dont know " will never understand how much fun VOF, DDD and MINT really were.

When Ron and I last visited Sydney, our biggest regret was NOT climbing the Sydney Bridge. Since our flight doesn't leave until early evening on Nov 7 '05 (disembarkation date), do you think we will have time to climb the bridge in the morning? Yikes...if an 80 year old woman can race past me climbing up the bridge, then I've got to do it!

Well you can join Ken. We stay the night but I bet a morning climb could be booked so you could all go.

Is Ron going to do it or can I take Ron away with me for the morning?

See I cant talk to Linda in the office one of us is always on the phone. I have to communicate at night through the boards. Havent seen her since December 23 but all I could do is wave at her today.

I will be the official "bag" watcher while you are all out cavorting on the bridge.

Amen Ngaire!! I'm so thankful we could be on all 3!!! :banana: :banana:

To all those going to climb the Harbour Bridge - congratulations! I would love to do it but hate heights. I can climb stairs (in a fashion if there aren't too many) but ladders - no way! This is extremely embarrassing for me as I'm married to a firefighter! He has climbed right over the arch (not the usual tourist bit). When driving across the bridge, I always look up and see these tiny people dressed in grey and envy them.

For those who really can't do it (and I understand them so completely), why not just walk across the bridge on the eastern walkway? You could walk to the centre and then walk back towards the city (if time or energy is a problem). Obviously the view isn't going to be as good but it's still nice and you can take your own photographs.

Lee, thank you! You mean if I "chicken out" at the last moment, I could walk across the bridge on one side next to the cars on a pedestrian walkway, then rejoin the group where we began and continue on with the things I REALLY want to do on this excursion?

Colleen's and Capt. Tom's versions diverge on the most important part for me, the ladders. Tom says it is enclosed, Colleen talks about traffic and open ladders, I think. This is my whole problem! I don't like ladders especially way up high and exposed. And Donna, I don't like "down" escalators either. I don't even like high "up" ones. On either, I just focus my gaze on the next couple of steps up OR down. Worked in Paris and London and various airports where those escalators are REALLY long.

Hi JHP

Sorry, don't know what else to call you.

I think you should decide whether you think you can do it before you book as I doubt you would get a refund and it isn't cheap (unless of course you plan to do it as a package and they won't deduct the cost of it). The part that is enclosed is getting up to the roadway - after that it's not. I've spoken to quite a few friends who have done it and Capt Tom's description seems spot on. I've been told it isn't scary but for someone who hates heights, it would have to be!

You would have plenty of time to walk across the bridge and back (and even wave to and take a photo of all the brave souls if you're lucky). Good luck for whatever you decide.

Olivia, my escalator fears are worse if I have on open-toed shoes. Go figure. The down escalator at the Atlanta airport is one of the worst. So steep! I have been known to chicken out and take the elevator. I usually make myself take the escaltor for my self-confidence! I really hope you go on this bridge thing, Olivia. Think of the accomplishment you'll feel when it's over. And, the adrenaline rush!!

OK gang.....for everything you want to know....
please go to this site.
http://www.bridgeclimb.com/gallery_frs.htm
Watch the video nad then also click on the bridge route. It will show you pictures of the actual route. The ladders or staircases shown are in fact exposed. But these are really more like steep stair cases. The ladders I remember were enclosed and not shown in the photos.
Do the bridge......fabulous!!!!!!!!! Notice the lady in the video......she made it.
Enjoy.

I don't remember the ladders being enclosed but they did have like metal bars wrapped around every few feet. I would have freaked in an enclosed tube. Most of the ladder is below the road surface with only a bit above before the climb becomes more stair-like. If I remember correctly. But I remember the entire route to be outdoors even the part where you walk under the road for a while. Also, the ladder is not straight up but angled slightly forward .

Also, I went in Sept 2000 so Tom has been more recently. Go by his recollection.