CLIMBING SYDNEY'S ICONIC HARBOUR BRIDGE

A thrillseeker slash cityphile's dream come true. There's nothing better than seeing this stunner of a city from the top of its iconic bridge - one of the timeless symbols of Australia and Oceania's most populous city, a very close second to the Opera House's enduring sail-inspired architectural design.

Despite the chilly 10C temps the morning of the climb back in August 2013, the sun cast a dazzling spotlight across the city - so much so that I could see all the way to the Blue Mountains and Manly Beach! The air was that clean and crisp. Everything was so VIVID!​

An activity that's definitely not for the faint of heart: I proceeded up the steel steps and rungs after a full safety briefing and a quick check of their gallery. Our group started slow and the guides regaled us with stories of celebrities who had done the climb - totally fangirled when he told us how down -to-earth our favorite Martian, Matt Damon was, by joining the common queue so quietly that no one even realized he was there until the climb finished! *Collective AWWWW.* On the flipside, Nicole Kidman apparently demanded for the entire bridge to be closed to commoners when she did the climb. Talks of reporters on helicopters ensued as well. Didn't realize a day at the Harbour Bridge could resemble an E! talk show! :)

Ascending via 90-degree angled stairwells & 1,300 steps.

Wearing a very flattering onesie plus a bulky winter jacket. But who cares when you're (feeling) on top of the world, right?! :) 440 feet above sea level, to be exact, at the summit.

From the top, and with the weather showing off, Sydney has that unmistakable sparkle that draws everyone in: picturesque harbours, architectural gems, patches of emerald greenery, yachts and ferries lazily plying the waters... one can endlessly wax poetic about this gorgeous city.

HAPPY TRAVELS! x

HOW TO BOOK THE CLIMB: There's only one operator: BridgeClimb Sydney. It can be a tad expensive at AUD270 (US$200) a pop for the full BridgeClimb Experience, but I prefer the route of this one vs. the Sampler or Express. This climb type takes you to the longer, higher, and more scenic route, providing those spectacular views of the city! Photos and a video were handed to me after the climb on a very handy USB stick; they also give you a free cap, a printed group photo, an official climb certificate, and free access to the Pylon Lookout!

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