Sailing to Happiness

Sailing The Whitsundays, Australia

I was recently out with some friends and the topic of conversation led to a question: "have you ever had a moment in your life when you felt 100%, truly happy?" By 'happy' we meant deliriously happy - a time when life just seemed to make sense - where the world was your oyster - where nothing could have changed in that moment to make it any more perfect. I knew mine instantly because it was an experience that was etched in my mind the second that I felt this overwhelming feeling of happiness in its purest form. I was a young, sprightly 19 year old travelling the world at the time. More precisely, I was sailing on Condor, a world famous Maxi sailing yacht which has won every major ocean race in the world twice including the Sydney to Hobart. I was sailing with a group of like-minded, adventure-hungry travellers up in Queensland, Australia. We had been sailing during the day; soaking up the Australian sunshine and snorkelling alongside some amazing marine life in the Great Barrier Reef. It was whilst up on deck watching the sun set that I had this overwhelming feeling of complete happiness and gratitude to be in such an inspiring place and to experience beauty that some could only imagine. The sky was glowing gold then became a mix of deep red, purple and dusky pink. The water was still and calm and I remember not being able to stop smiling and just repeating out loud, 'wow, I am so happy'. That night I fell asleep on deck under the unforgettable Southern Hemisphere stars, that is, until I later got woken by a cool breeze followed by rather a lot of rain, which prompted me to speedily make a run for it and go below deck! If I think of being truly happy, it's this image that rushes straight into my mind...

The Sydney Harbour Bridge: The Iron Lung of Australia

7 years and 354 days, 2,500 men, 53,000 tonnes of steel...

"Every day those men went onto the Bridge, they went the same way as a soldier goes into battle, not knowing whether they would come down alive or not." (Lawrence Ennis, Director of Construction, 1932).

"Life Down Under"

It was dark; I hadn't long arrived and I wasn't quite sure where I was when I caught my first glimpse of Sydney. I climbed up a few steps to see the city lit up against the dark, night sky with not a single person around. In my travels, I've often found that the best views are just stumbled upon by chance when the guide book is packed away in your bag. Inside I was bursting with excitement to see the Sydney Harbour Bridge, but at that moment I was content at taking in the view of the skyscrapers from afar and trying to believe my luck at being in a city I'd dreamed of visiting.

"Under the Bridge"

The next day, I went straight to the Bridge, or the 'Coathanger' as it is also known. It was no ordinary coathanger, that's for sure. There are several places that give terrific views of the Bridge, but the first time I saw it was from The Rocks - an area steeped in historic charm. The Bridge looked majestic in size and beauty and I was surprised to see Sydneysiders taking the ferry to work. Now that is what I call commuting in style! 

A Symbol of Australia
Recognised the world over, climbed by 'adrenaline junkies' and photographed by tourists from every nation, the Sydney Harbour Bridge has become a symbol of Australia. More often than not the only images we have in our minds of the Bridge come from glossy holiday brochures and TV programmes promising families a 'better way of life' if they opt to move Down under. Whilst those images have the power to excite even the most unadventurous people, they are just part of a glossy exterior. The Bridge represents the achievement of boiler makers, carpenters, engineers, ironworkers, blacksmiths, painters, electricians, riggers, stonemasons and countless others - many of whom came from Britain. It represents the 800 families who were relocated because they fell in the path of the Bridge. It represents the homes of those 800 families that were demolished with no compensation given to the families. And it represents the sixteen workers who lost their lives during the construction of the Bridge. In October 1929, five years into the construction of the Bridge, the Wall street stock market crashed. The hard times that followed were eased for workers on the Bridge. Individual working hours were reduced to take on more men. The Bridge became aptly nicknamed, 'The Iron Lung' .

"Where Nerve is Needed"...

The sixteen men who died in the construction of the Bridge were rightly recognised and to this day remembered. What should also be remembered is the effects building the bridge had on its workers. Painters regularly suffered from swollen limbs, dizziness and sickness as a result of the 'Bridge Grey' lead-based paints that were thought to provide the best surface cover for the Bridge. Engineers coped with working inside the dark chords with a lack of oxygen; whist dealing with hot and cold/damp steel in summer and winter respectively. Workers outside had to put up with the rain, wind and Australian heat. Sadly, many workers went deaf in later life.  

19th March 1932:  750,000 of Sydney's 1 million population came to celebrate the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Today it is still a place where people gather in celebration: most recently to bring in the New Year, 2012. 

"Today is the day of days, when political differences are forgotten. New South Wales unites in the glorification of Our Bridge, and added attraction to Our Harbour. The building of this gigantic Bridge is just as much a national milestone as Anzac." (Source: Labor Daily, 1932).

Top 5 Facts
1. It took 272,000 litres of paint to give the Bridge its initial three coats.
2. It took approximately 6,000,000 rivets, the largest weighing 3.5kg.
3. The pylons are 89 metres above mean sea level.
4. The total weight of the steelwork is 52,800 tonnes including the arch and mild steel approach spans.
5. The length of the arch span is 503 metres.
Figures obtained from the Australian Government website (Sourced from: Mackaness, C. (ed.) 2006, Bridging Sydney, Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales, Sydney)


Watch this short film, Sydney’s Harbour Bridge Finally Completed (1933) to see the construction of the Bridge in its various stages, and to find out more about life around Sydney Harbour and Circular Quay in the twenties and thirties  (Source: Australians At Work. © Film Australia 2005).

Admiring the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House in 2005

A Very Merry Christmas Down Under

Christmas in Sunny Sydney

Ever thought about spending Christmas in sunnier climates? It might not suit everyone to say farewell to turkey and stuffing and opt for a cheeky Barbie on the beach or an Aussie Christmas dinner complete with freshly caught prawns; but it is certainly something different to try. It didn't take me long to get over my fear of seafood and have a taste of               

everything - including oysters!

Relaxing in Sydney

Christmas is a wonderful time to visit Sydney. With temperatures hitting the mid-30s it's a great time to relax on one of Sydney's 37 beaches. From Bondi and Coogee beach on the south side of the harbour, to Manly and Palm Beach in the north; whether it's surfing, sunbathing or snorkelling you're into, you are sure to find the perfect spot! If the beach isn't your thing, the Royal Botanical Gardens are the perfect place for a picnic, sunbathe or stroll. You may even spot a lovely summer wedding as it is quite a popular spot to tie the knot!

Royal Botanic Gardens, a truly memorable place

Shopping in Sydney

You'll be spoilt for choice if you want to do your Christmas shopping in Sydney or pick up some treats for family and friends back home. One shopping gem not to miss is the richly decorated Queen Victoria Building (QVB), built in 1898. It is filled with stained glass windows and beautiful Romanesque architecture and even has an original 19th century staircase. The giant Christmas tree below is located in the central dome and is definitely not to be missed! If it's designer fashion you're looking for, the Strand Arcade is the place to be. It is the only arcade built in Victorian Sydney left in its original form today.

Giant Christmas tree in the Queen Victoria Building

Things to see and do in Sydney
If you're looking for waterfront restaurants, an IMAX cinema, aquarium or maritime museum then look no further than Darling Harbour. What used to be a dockside area, Darling Harbour has become a major tourist site. My top tip is to head to St. Moritz Chocolate Cafe and grab some Belgian waffles smothered in chocolate sauce! You may even get to see Santa and his elves surprise you by turning up on jet skis whilst you are listening to Christmas carols ...

Darling Harbour by night

St. Mary's Cathedral

Nativity scene outside St. Mary's Cathedral

Sensational Sydney

No trip to Sydney would be complete without visiting Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is well worth climbing the 200 stairs to the top of the Pylon Lookout for some fantastic views (it is also a lot cheaper than the Bridge Climb, though perhaps not as exhilarating). Visiting the Opera House is a real treat. Whether you go on a tour, watch a performance or just admire it from afar, it will certainly be a highlight of your trip!

Christmas Eve at the Pylon Lookout

View of the city from Watson's Bay