Why I Didn’t Marry Heath Ledger

What do you do with your last day in Oz? If you’re me, you go surfing. I’m hooked like a crackhead. I didn’t get up much on this run, but it was the greatest way to spend my last few hours. Now I’m bruised all to hell from the board, but I have a pretty decent January tan. Not many other people were getting up either, and I think I had the bad part of the beach (based on the fact that no other surfers were close by). I LOVE that I looked like I knew what I was doing with my Rashie and my Board Shorts. The water was INSANELY cold, as it was the entire time in Sydney. But now I’m confident I can attempt surfing anyplace I go in the world. That’s another check on the “Things Carrie Has to Do in Her Life” list. Yeah.

To get to the airport, I, of course, took the Manly ferry. It was cold and windy for a summer day, but I started the trip determined to sit outside and enjoy my last ferry ride in Sydney. My resolve weakened when the boat started rocking and I was splashed with spray from the harbor. Too cold for that. I went inside and shut the door. Immediately, a lonely old man began talking to me. I’m not sure what most people do in that kind of situation, but I let him talk. I have to consider it some sort of “pay it forward” for the day when I’ll be a lonely old woman talking to strangers on the ferry. In retrospect, I should have recorded every word that man said. He spoke rapidly and forcefully, as if he were trying to convey a lifetime of wisdom in the 30 minute ride. Most of his advice was sound, and well known:

Get your exercise. His old running coach told him over and over how endorphins make you feel better. That coach dropped dead at 80 from lung cancer.
Write letters to your family. They’re way more personal than receiving an email. Maybe I’ll start sending my Mom postcards from abroad. She could keep them in a notebook or something.
When everyone in your surroundings is well, you feel better. Take care of your fellow man and you’ll be rewarded with a clear conscious.
Keep a journal. Only write one line each day including the greatest thing that happened to you. Even if your day was crap.
Be careful about travel. After you’ve been traveling a few years, you can’t settle down to real life like normal people because it’s all too sedentary.

I have to agree with them all, particularly the last. Unfortunately for me, I already crossed that threshold. The man was hard to get away from. He followed me off the boat and down the pier. I was running late, but I just couldn’t be rude. I finally escaped with thanks from him and the knowledge that I can always go back to find him on the Manly ferry. You should always listen to people, you never know what you’ll learn.

– Carrie

The weather was a little sketchy for my last full day in Oz, so I didn’t get my “full on” beach day. We got up and had a yummy breakfast at the Barking Frog in Manly. Elizabeth took off to the city and Heather, Hugo and I headed out for a bush walk in the Sydney Harbor National Park. That makes for a pretty decent hangover cure. After lunch, I decided to take off my surfing training wheels (otherwise known as the foam board) for a 7’1″ monster of a fiberglass surfboard. Those puppies are as slippery as an eel. I finally now the real reason for Sex Wax (Hehe). It’s not just a funny name to laugh at, it’s to rub on your board so you don’t slip off. Hmmm. I did manage to get up a few times even though the waves were crap. Apparently that’s more than the girl who owns the board can say.

Want to know how to leave Sydney with a bang? Watch the moon rise from the top of the Harbor Bridge.

After a rushed dinner with Elizabeth at Circular Quay, I sprinted to the Harbor Bridge Climb in The Rocks. I can tell you now, if you’re looking for thrills or an adrenaline rush, this climb isn’t for you. It’s basically a photo op, but a very good one. But the views are spectacular. You can pretty much bank on getting the photo for your Christmas card next year. I also got an “I Climbed the Sydney Harbor Bridge” certificate to add to my collection of useless certificates like “Belaying Certified,” “Best Rookie Female Kickball Player,” and “Amature Mahout (elephant trainer), which was exciting.” I’m working on one hell of an I Love Me wall.

Before you begin your climb, you’ll have time to peruse the mandatory gift shop and photos of the bridge. Of course, that include celebrity photos with autographs. I found it interesting that they had pictures of Pierce Brosnan and Frankie Munez, but not of Paul Hogan. Hmmm.

North Sydney with Luna Park was by far the most stunning of the views with the creepy face and the pink and blue reflections on the water.

It was fun being in Harbor Bridge Climb Training and having my guide say “Oh yeah, you guys (the Razorbacks) had a really good year this year. That may have been worth the price of the climb in and of itself.

Here’s what you do. Stand at the back of the line. Listen to the guide’s commentary on the way up, then unplug your headset and enjoy the views without the distraction. They have fantastic stories, but you can listen to them on the way up and down.

At the end of the climb, everyone “jumps” from the 4 inch ridge back to terra firma.

I like that you can walk around Sydney at all hours with out much concern for your personal safety. That’s pretty rare in the United States. I left the bridge climb after 1 am and headed to the bus station. The bus back to Manly wasn’t bad, as traffic is minimal at that hour. Even though I was dead on my feet, I had to go see the beach at night one last time. Really, I have a thing about that. As always, it was spectacular, with only me and the gulls to witness. I think you should take any opportunity you get to see the beach at night. I can now pick out the southern cross. This is a big personal accomplishment, as I’ve always wanted to see the cross. Now I can check that off the list.

– Carrie

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