Driving and flying around Australia for seven weeks, three of us covered lots of territory, and lived in very close surroundings (three beds in one room). Yet, we still love each other!
Seven weeks was not near enough time!
Adjusting to driving on the left side of the road results in not only a warning ticket, but both Marilynn and I were alcohol breathalyzed by police on separate occasions. The cops must have thought that we had been drinking.
Opps! Found this waiting for us at home in the USA.
We wrap up the adventure with several hikes in the Blue Mountains, a popular area only 1 and 1/2 hours away from Sydney. “Get there before 9:00 am to beat the tour buses from the city,” our motel manager says. “The tourists don’t speak English, and don’t know how to que.” (form a single line)
The Blue Mountains
Katoomba, the main small town in the region, provides an excellent home base for day hikes. Numerous cafes and the unique residents, including a Tennessee-based messianic Christian sect, make the town a cool place to hang out in the chilly evenings when not hiking.
Katoomba
Many trails traverse this temperate rain forest that blankets canyons and mountains. Some of the main attractions include “Three Sisters” rock formation towers and “Echo Point” lookout.
Three Sisters
The “Grand Stairway” proves to be a heart-pumping hike with over 1,000 narrow steps out of the canyon, past waterfalls and odd rock formations.
Just part of the Grand Stairway
Many waterfalls. Many steps.
The forest canopy shields us from the sun, while wild Cockatoos fly in flocks and squawk as if they are mad at somebody.
Cockatoos
We avoid the crowds of tourists and children at “Scenic World” which we affectionately nickname, “Wally World.”
Scenic World cable car
To its credit, a person can access views of the canyon if unable or unwilling to hike, via the glass-floored cable car that goes across the canyon, and a different cable car that descends into the valley at a 52-degree angle.
Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk
We found that the large cities in Australia share at least one thing in common – fantastic walkways.
Breakfast!
After a breakfast of salmon/shrimp/pea frittata on our last day in Australia, we walk from Coogee to Bondi Beach (where we kept our clothes on) and back on the Clifftop Coastal Walk.
Coogee Cliffs
This 5.5 km walkway could not be more scenic and was especially pleasant on this overcast day. What a perfect way to prepare for a 13-hour flight back home!
Ron,
Thanks for the “adventures”… Totally enjoyed.
When do you return to Phoenix?
Skip trngptst@cox.net
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So glad and thanks, Skip. We’re back home, preparing to head for Alaska!
Ah continuing to live my dream. Looks like another grand adventure, and as always enjoy your blog posts. Ha I got breathalyzed once in Seattle, and of course I was not drunk. But the funny part was making me walk a straight line, do the alphabet backwards, etc. Hope you didn’t have to do all that! Cheers mates!
Cheers, Jill. I could probably walk a straight line better after some cold ones!
Sharing breathalyzer tests are the experiences that make a relationship stronger. Bucket list, done. Fun post.
That’s funny. If it’s not fun, what’s the point?
Wonderful. Sorry we didn’t get to catch up however always great to read your posts
Cool blog…. beautiful scenery……
Yes, the scenery is what takes us the most!
This is gorgeous. I love traveling through your spectacular photos!
Thank you so much. I love Marilynn’s photos also, and use them for writing muse!
Yes, I’m an obnoxious american, but I grew up on Warner Brothers cartoons and when I’m exposed to the concept of Tasmanian Police, I can think of only one thing. In dress blues.
But I seriously want that frittata.
Oh, you NEED that frittata!