Last Weekend in OZ. Its Going to be a Good One.

After the Thai meal and Karoke exploits from last Saturday (see Dianes earlier blog) we settled back into a more traditional Australian past time for Sunday night. A fair dinkum barbie on the roof. Meat meat salad meat and beer. Marvelous.

The next day was a cracker. A day trip to the Blue Mountains (yes they are blue!). An early rise was neccesary to catch the 8 o'clock train from Stanmore to Sydney Central from which Diane Denise Greig and I changed to the train for Katoomba, home to the Blue Mountains. Two hours later we were in Katoomba and after a short jaunt in a taxi, including the customary "which part of Ireland are you from" question we were at the Blue Mountains (named such due to the blue haze given off by the plants). This place is stunning. There are many walks and hikes to do meaning you could spend days exploring. We had one day and made the most of it. The steepest train ride in the world takes you down into the forest from where we roamed for a couple of hours before catching a cable car back up and then another across a gorge (with a glass floor in the carriage) to the side from which you can explore three sisters. For free. No joke. Sadly the three sisters are ancient rock statues but they are mighty impressive all the same, all around the scenery at this point is breathtaking. Having trek'd for the best part of 6 hours there was only one thing left to do. A beer in the bar over looking the mountains. And then another. We headed back into Hillbilly town (Katoomba) for some well earned grub. Found a restaurant with an outside balcony overlooking the street. Result. Now picture this if you can. I'm as dumbfounded now as I was then. There were three two seater tables on the balcony, all of which were free. There was four of us. I asked the waiter if he would mind if we joined two of the tables so that we could sit together. He replied no as he wouldn't have anwhere to seat other guests that might want to sit outside, these were meant as two seaters. I pleaded my case to no avail. Funnily enough we never saw him again. The train journey got us home for just before 10 in the evening. A magic day at the Blue Mountains.

Tuesday was the first day without our super tour guides Greig and Denise who sadly had to return to work. Diane and I were a bit lost at first but a trip downtown, followed by a spell in Hyde Park and a look round some shops (where I bought a pair of thongs for myself). We rounded off another Sydney day sunbathing on the roof terrace.

The following day saw us back in full flight tourist mode, in some style, with a walk over the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Not just over the pedestrian walk way but a walk up the outer arch of the bridge to the peak where North meets South ie the very top of the bridge where the flags are! Its a guided walk with a small harness to keep you from falling 140 metres to the sea below. The views of the city and beyond are incredible. Before you leave the base station you see pictures of famous folks that have climbed in the past. If its good enough for Will Smith its good enough for me.

And so to yesterday, Thursday, and a day where we had to repeat a previous activity. Shame. We dragged ourself on that 30 minute boat ride to the beach at Manly, probably one of my favourite places that we've been. A cool little surfer town with a stunning beach and some cool waves. Magic.

And here we are on the Friday morning of our last weekend in Sydney. It promises to be a good one.

Adios for now.

Scott on the blog once more