Day 88 - Sunrise Heights, Opera Magic & Skyline Dining

Today started bright and early, with the sunrise gently lighting up Sydney—perfect timing, as I needed to be at the Sydney Harbour Bridge for 8.15am to prepare for the climb. What a fantastic morning and another big tick off the bucket list ✔️



I was in a group of 14 people, a lovely mix of tourists, locals, and even a few children. Our guide, Pete, was absolutely brilliant—he’s been doing this for over 22 years and kept us thoroughly entertained with stories and facts throughout the climb. He was also our official photographer, which meant I could simply enjoy the experience without worrying about capturing it. The climb was incredibly safe, well organised, and while going up was definitely more challenging, coming down felt much easier. All in all, it took about three hours, and with the warmer temperatures I was very glad we were the first group of the day.



On the walk back to the hotel, I stopped for a coffee from a local café, a small but satisfying post-adventure reward. While I was busy conquering bridges, Joe had been equally industrious—he’d headed out and bought himself another suitcase, specifically for medications, sunglasses, and watches. Priorities! 😄

I just had time to shower and change before meeting Ellen, as we were heading to the Sydney Opera House to see Turandot. We all jumped into a taxi, with Ellen and I hopping out first, while the two Joes carried on to the fish market for lunch. It had only just reopened and, with it being Australia Day weekend, it was incredibly busy—but between charm and determination, they somehow managed to secure a table without too much waiting.



After lunch, the boys returned to the hotel with plans for a swim, but the pool area was in shade, so they decided against it and opted instead for a rest before dinner. Ellen and I grabbed a drink and a snack after the opera, enjoying a gentle wind-down after such a beautiful performance.

Dinner was booked at the Altitude Restaurant, on the 36th floor of the Shangri-La Hotel Sydney. The views were stunning and the food was delicious—although very pricey—and the service wasn’t quite what you’d expect from a five-star hotel. We planned to walk back, but Ellen’s Joe struck a deal with a taxi driver and had us back at the hotel in minutes.



Back in the room, we discovered the evening cleaning service hadn’t happened, so Mr C will be having a word with reception tomorrow. As I write this, Joe is catching up with the kids, and the day gently comes to a close.

🌿 Daily Reflection

There’s something deeply empowering about starting the day by quite literally rising above the city. Today reminded me how capable we are when we step just outside our comfort zone—and how sweet it is to come back down to good company.

⭐ Highlight of the Day

Climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge at sunrise—a breathtaking, confidence-boosting experience I’ll treasure for years to come. 

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