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My Trip
So as Matt and Clare were exploring the highlights of Sydney, yours truly was stuck at work! Totally unfair I hear you all scream... well you would be completely right. However Clare text me on Wednesday letting me know that they were hiring a car and going to The Blue Mountains. Me, being as prepared as I was for this whole world trip had no idea what or where the Blue Mountains were.
"Australia - that's not for a while... I'll just look it up when I get there... in that great book that Mum and Dad got me"
As anyone who knows me knows that didn't happen - I kind of like flying blindly into a place...adds a sense of exploration! And it being Australia, how hard could it be?
So The Blue Mountains are a range, 2 hours drive out of Sydney due West and a popular tourist spot.
Ok why not...lets take the day off work and go sightseeing - after all that's what I am here for right? So I met Matt and Clare in Kings Cross at 6am. We met up with a friend of theirs Nina who was staying in Manly and went to hire a car. A nice Toyota Corolla in white for $20 each wasn't bad, and Clare had invested in a picnic lunch, which was much appreciated. Al together we were looking at $30 for the trip including Petrol, not bad when the train and bus is $50ish and the Oz Experience sets up at $85.
I was knackered on the route there so slept like a baby. Our first stop was an old village called Leura on the outskirts of the National Park, where got a Curry Pie and wandered around for a while. Again this village is very quaint, out of the Cities reach. I know I say it a lot but it reminded me of Park City Utah, tranquil and homely. What I would picture a Swiss village in the Alps to look like, one central road separating the simple shops and buildings, like Bakeries, Churches, Cafes and Ranger Stations I suppose it was Art Deco from the 1920's. It was a clear day with virtually no cloud, which was perfect for us, not too hot and not too cold. We then drove to our first view of the Blue Mountains.
I was aware this would be a shock to me, cos I knew nothing about this place, but I was thrown for 6. The first view was simply breathtaking, a canyon stretching for miles, and miles, as far as the eye could see. I have seen places like this before (like the Grand Canyon for example) but this was covered in forest, with a purple/blue haze in the distance.
I was about to learn why they called it The Blue Mountains! - It is caused by rays of light striking droplets of oil dispersed from the ever-present gum trees. Fascinating hey! However when you see it with your own eyes the sheer vastness of this place was striking. We walked for a while in this stop, note to self... never eat pies and drink coke when hiking! See the pictures for more accurate view!
Our next stop was Scenic World in a place called Katoomba, which Clare loved to say... an old abandoned Coal Mine that is now the home to Australia's longest forest walkway, cable car and vertical railway! So it was the Railway down and the cable car back up. The Scenic Railway is literally vertical, and before you set off, they play the Indiana Jones Theme...funny as. Clare's face was petrified as we sent down into the abyss! I think it used to be used to transport Miners/Coal and reputed to be the steepest railway in the world. The Railway leads down to the walkway which is a simply a walk through the jungle, passing the mines and into the depths of nature.
The Walkway is awesome, simply a quiet, picturesque, not too strenuous afternoon walk. The Cable Car back up gave us a view of the Valley from mid air that was inspiring. I could imagine artists coming here to paint or draw. Hundreds of people must have walked all the routes possible, yet it still conserved its beauty and feeling of the wild.
We drove on to a place called Echo Point and I couldn't believe it when I saw the Number 11 Double-Decker bus for Fulham Broadway go past.... How surreal is that?
This was our lunch stop and my god the view was tremendous, a rock formation called the 3 sisters' stands clear as day, literally feet from the lookout. The sisters are simply a rock formation made from erosion, but the Aboriginal legend is way more fun. , They are 3 sisters imprisoned by their father to protect them from Bunyip!
Anyhow the view is awe-inspiring; I could have stood there for hours just looking into the vast Canyons. Cheese and Ham sarnies followed with a quick walk along the look out. Nina and I saw a real wild Parrot too! So exciting... (Sado!).
We ended our exploration with a hike along the ridges, and then as if fate would have it, the Dirty Dancing soundtrack enroute home...SAVE ME! Muppet you would have been so proud. We stopped at the Olympic stadium where Nina and I had a race, I won naturally! Funny sight though.
We went for drinks in Kings Cross and Matt decided once again to destroy everyone at pool...NOTE Matt is a Hustler, stay clear!
I had work the next day so called it an early night but all in all a wicked day out, and I'm so glad they were here.
Definitely something I would recommend anyone heading to Australia to do, simply magnificent!
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