Woke up this morning a little before 8am. Mum, Frank and I quickly got dressed and ready as we were meeting some of the family by the wharf at Homebush, as we were having a family outing today and we were meeting each other just before 10:20am as the ferry to the city would arrive at 10:40am. Even though I really didn't get up to anything much yesterday, I still felt as though I could use another day of rest for today. But I had no time to ponder that as there was a big day ahead of me.
When we met everyone at the wharf and said all our greetings, we waited patiently until the ferry arrived. A lot of people where wondering what type of day it was going to be, considering that yesterday was a complete washout, and no one really wanted to be in the city when it is pouring with rain. Though with the sunny sky so far, it didn't look as though it would rain.
Frank had a bit of a chat with the doc worker who mentioned that he was dreading tonight as Soundwave was on, and it would just mean a bunch of drunken people catching the ferry causing all sought of disturbance. Before we knew it, the ferry arrived and we were making our way slowly to Darling Harbour. It's bit a few years since I personally caught the ferry into the city, and even though it may be a slow journey it's always a great feeling to be out on the water.
With each and every stop as we made our way into the city, the ferry started to get full as more people caught the ferry. But before we knew it, we made in to Darling Harbour by 11:30am, and we decided to stop over for a bit of lunch before we go and visit Madame Tussauds. We we went into the nearest open pub (next to the Pontoon Bar - I can't remember what it's called), and had a quick lunch and a bit of a chat. They were playing the on the TV a game of the NRL trials, so just means one thing...NRL season is about to start! Once our bellies were full, we headed over the Madame Tussauds.
Now about a month ago, I had already been here with work, and it took us about an hour and a half to go through the whole thing. That isn't just looking at the wax figures, but you also get to interact with them as well. The experience that I had last time, was nothing compared to what we did today! It's one thing going through an attraction with your colleagues, but it's a whole other ball game when you're going through it with your family. I think it had mostly to do with the fact that this time I wasn't wearing my work uniform, so I didn't feel as though I had to be a little on guard (not that I really was to be honest). But this time it wasn't just me who was running a muck, it was basically the whole family. And you know what? We had an awesome time doing it! Even my uncle Leli from Malta got in on the act, and I can't remember a time when we were all just mucking up and having a good laugh. From putting on the the wigs to sit next to Captain Cook, to Frank giving a high-five, while my mum is pretending to yell at Alfred Hitchcock while she is in the shower... we all had a blast! We were in there for just under 2 hours and I swear it only felt like we were in there for less then half an hour.
Honestly, there were so many great photos that we took that I wish that I could put them all up! So what I decided to do, was just put a group of them at the bottom of the blog to share them with you all. The ones that I am choosing to share with you, are only the tip of the iceberg compared to all the photos that were taking that day. I'm so glad that everyone had such a fantastic time. Mum even bought herself an Oscar (award) and had it engraved with her name.
After we did our appearance at Madame Tussauds, we all headed to the the Lindt cafe for some coffee and ice cream. It was a bit of a nice break from all the chaos that we've just caused. It was also a great place for us to all unwind and catchup with each other and just chat for a while. Especially for mum and her brother who rarely get a chance to have a chat with everyone around. We all chilled for about another hour or so, before Nathalie and I had to take off, as we were both going on the bridge climb and wanted to get there at a reasonable time. Plus the rest wanted to head off home as well. So while Nathalie and I caught the ferry to Circular Quay, everyone headed off home.
Once we arrived at Circle Quay, Nathalie wanted to go up close and personal with the Opera House, as she has always seen it from afar and has never been close to it. So we headed up the steps and had a bit of a walk around and also took some photos for her. At one point I pointed up to the Harbour Bridge and mentioned that it wouldn't be too long that we would both be up there soon.
Nathalie also received a call from a friend of her Reece who's been wanting to catch up with her since she arrive. So while we slowly made our way to the location for Bridge Climb, Reece and his girlfriend caught up with us and came with us to the Bridge. I had met Reece and his girlfriend last year when my other cousin Mark was here, so it was great seeing them again. When we arrived, my session for the climb was earlier than Nathalie, so I waved and took off. When they called us in to the room, they made the group all introduced ourselves and mention why we were here. There was a family who's father was celebrating his 60th birthday, and this was his present. I mentioned that I was here because of my cousin, but her group was filled up. But that didn't deter me away from wanting to do the climb, as it is a rare opportunity.
While the group got dressed in our jumpsuits and put away our belongings within the locker, one of the girls from Bridgeclimb came up to me and mentioned that they were going to try and get two people from my cousins group to join the group I was in, just so that I could be with my cousin. The managed to convince a couple to join the group that I was in and I got to join my cousin, her friend Anthea (who is my cousin Mark's girlfriend) and her family as well. So I was overwhelmed with excitement that I could be with them all on this great experience.
The putting on the suit and the equipment didn't take that long, plus they also made us do a small obstacle dummy climb of s set of stairs which we had to climb up and down of just to see what we were in for. We were told that only one person could be on a set of stairs at one time for safety reasons, and to make sure that we all took our time and didn't rush.
Before we knew it, we had all our gear on and made our way to climb the bridge. When we first walked out, I saw Reece and his girlfriend sitting on a bench within the street, and I called and waved to them and they waved back at all of us. As we made our way further and further along the bridge, all I wanted to do was touch all the steel parts of the bridge. So I can say I actually touched a part of the Harbour Bridge where not many people can lay their hands on. I know it's a little ridiculous, but it's the similar urge I had in Egypt when I just wanted to touch the pyramids, as not everyone has the opportunity to touch them either.
Along the way up the bridge, we made frequent stops for photos and just for a bit of a rest. But once we reach the top we all burst out in excitement and gave a really big cheer! We were all told that the group before us (the one I was originally in), a guy just proposed to his girlfriend and she said yes. Then we were told of a time where a guy proposed to his girlfriend while doing the climb and she said no. But apparently he had proposed the day before and she said no then as well.
We took loads of photos while we were on top of the bridge, especially with my cousin Nathalie and Anthea. I also had one taken of myself to right on top of the bridge! it's definitely an experience that I'll remember for a long time. The three and a half hours in total that it took, didn't drag on at all. The whole way up the bridge you know you are climbing up slowly to the top. It was especially fantastic as by the time we reach the top and started to head down, it was already dark and we had some great photos taken.
We slowly made the journey back down, and I don't think it took as long as it did on the way up. But then again we were doing downhill which would explain how fast it went. When we all got back to the lockers, Anthea mentioned that she got a message from Mark (my cousin), and wanted to take a photo of us 3 before we changed back into our normal clothes.
When we bought out photos and got our certificates to say that we've done the climb, we headed back into the foyer and Reece and his girlfriend was there waiting for us, just to meet one more time before we all had to head off again. Nathalie and I then got a lift home from Anthea's relatives, but we stopped over quickly at McDonalds on the way as we were all starving and also a little leg sore from the events of today.
It was one of the most amazing days I had experienced in a long way, and I'm so glad that I got to spend a lot of it with my family as well! With a day like today, I can only imagine what is install for Nathalie and I when we both go to the Northern Territory next week!
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