Maji's blog: "Life shtuff..."

I have to say that out loud because the days are starting to run together. I have done and seen so much Im finding it difficult to recall with ease where I was yesterday, so this is helpful to me to keep it all in perspective.

Yesterday, the 4th rather, headed north to the Blue mountain range. Going in was miles of twisting roads thru rolling grassy hills, cattle peppering the landscape. Was almost reminiscent to notheast USA (Pa & NY) up in the diary country, all except for the euciliptis and gum trees drawing their shape against the sky with their puffs of branch clusters and birchy peeling bark.

The roadsides eventually changed to the carved face of rock and no shoulder as the ascent began which opened up periodically into country townships, 2 of which matched names of nieghboring towns back home.

Finally arrived at Katoomba, only to find it foggy and unyielding to the expanse of view I had heard so much about. Hung around awhile and fate was kind as a swift breeze cut across the valley and revealed the Three Sisters and the horizon of mountains. I have to say the vastness was unsettling and took a little while to take it all in. Im not particularly afraid of hieghts had to chuckle at myself at how nervous I was about my camera phone, not having a tether. Its a wonder I didnt break myself from clutching it so tight as I snapped shots over the railing.

The Aboriginals Ive encountered have named me Baza, which has stuck with the local aquaintances, but instead putting the accent on the last syllable to sound like bazarre, lol.

From there it was on up more twisties and hairpins to Jenolan Caves. The enormous natural archway entrance gave idea to what was in store for the rest of the day. And right that idea was, as the hours that followed spelunked thru a series of caverns with emaculate undisturbed calcite formations and finally down to the underground river. Timeless, sanctified, its contruction born of nothing but eons of dripping water. The vistor center topside in the valley had a tudorian tinge, and the hotel was antiquainted in the best ways. The hike up the mountain to the Carlotta Arch was tasking after so much walking & climbing thru the caverns, but so worth it when reaching the top.

The trip back to sydney was late and many of the restaraunts were closed, so despite my persistance to keep with the local quisine, McDs, or Maccas as they call it here, was the only food available at the hour. The smoked salmon wrap and orange-poppy seed muffin  I had at Jenola earlier will serve as my recollection of sticking my guns on the food detail.

Today, the 5th, was an easier trek to the city and down Watsons Bay to take in the views of the catamarans and ferrys, and more fish n chips from Doyles. I spent the rest of the day across the way at Gap Bluff park, as once there, I decided there was no where else to be. The sheer cliffs and bluest of water caressing the jagged shore, filled my senses til well into the afternoon. I hiked the paths atop the bluff for hours, which offered spectaculars vantage points of both the rocky ocean side and a full overview of the city across the harbor. On up the road was a cove beach running into the point or cape per se which was not visible early on. It is the piont lookout for the harbor, to which I learned was once a WW2 standoff gunnerry bunker that now is closed off.

Tomorrow when I awake, I think will consist of a more concentrated eploration of the city, a twist from all the natural wonders Ive withnessed this week.

Off to bed...have a great day stateside and elsewhere. More updates to come!