Monday 6th June 2011

Blue Mountains

After our 5nights in Sydney was over, we had leaflets about the Blue Mountains. We said we would go and 2days there before flying to Cairns. Also instead of having to book a hostel for Sunday night because we was flying at 6.30 am, Jamie suggested we just rough it and sleep in the airport, which for some crazy reason, we agreed.
We caught the train to the Blue Mountains and arrived at around 1.00pm. The place is basically just one long street with shops cafes and hostels etc. we had booked in another YHA which was at the far end of the street right next door to Aldi (felt like home). The hostel was really good- more of premier inn travel lodge. We dropped our bags off and then went for a walk down the high street and had fish and chips for dinner. There was a famous lookout spot over a valley which is full of blue blossom in the spring (hence 'Blue Mountains') and also looks out on to the 'The 3 Sisters' rocks so we took a walk down there in the afternoon.
We had wanted to do the abseiling trip down canyons but because of the time of year, the water would be too cold so instead we booked to do the Jovelan Caves.
We arrived in the morning but our tour didn't start till 1.00pm so we was able to have a walk around the place by ourselves. We went in this massive cave that had all different walk-ways in it and then we went on a pathway that went into the forest and at the start there was a sign that read 'Caution- Reptiles' with pictures of crocs and snakes. Ouch!
At 1.00pm we went for our tour which was really good fun. We first had to abseil 10m down into the start of the cave. At some points throughout you could walk through the cave normal but then other passage ways would be some tunnels you had to crawl through or drops to jump down. Was a really good day out.
When the fun was over it was time to catch the last train back to Sydney where it was time to sort the sleeping arrangements outs. After going to the domestic airport where we was flying from, we found out that closed at 11.00pm so obviously we couldn't sleep there. So I went and asked a shop worker and he told me to catch the train along to the international airport, where you can sleep then get the first train back in the morning. We did this and as the night got later and we was sat on some seats in the entrance, more and more people were coming in to do the same. Some even had sleeping bags and went round by the toilets and slept on the corridor floor which we did the same after. I may of only got 3/4hrs sleep but looking back it was a good laugh really and it did save $30 for a hostel so happy days.
The next morning we caught the flight and was on our way to Cairns for some proper Aussie weather and hopefully some jobs where we plan to stay and work for 6-8weeks...