Blue Mountains

Hey guys!

Well today was a blast We took an Ozexperience bus to the Blue Mountains this morning for a day of grueling hikes I'm kidding, it wasnt really that bad.

The morning kicked off really early at 7am!! eeewww, but the driver was awsome. Adam the driver was possibly the most interesting person I've met out here. He plays the Digereedoo, or umm Walunga I think he called it, and he knows alot about the aboriginal people since he was a tour guide up in the North for so long. He gave me some real insight into the culture up there, as well as some inside info on where the best Chasms and stuff were. Looks like Kakadu up in Darwin is really really good.

Oh right! the Blue Mountains, anyway, we kicked off the day by seeing our first Kangaroos! a whole little family of em, Joey's and everything they were more than 10 weeks old, since they were out of the pouches now, but still cute. Adam taught us how to identify the males as well... lets see, how did he put it? Oh right, the um Potatoes are infront of the meat ... lovely picture at 7am >.<
The 'roos let us get really close to them too, which was great. We even got to see them hop a bit. Interesting factoid, Kangaroos dont sweat.

Next off we had a quick stop at a quaint little mountain town in which I saw my first trees shedding their leaves for the fall. I think I got a picture of it, but I'm not too sure, after all, it was early after et another late ass night.

After the pit stop it was off to our first walk which took us down the mountains into the rain forest. It was amazing! So cool under the canopy despite the heat and sun. I got loads of pictures down there. We also unfortunatly saw tons of funnel web spiders (I managed to not shriek!) which for those who dont know, is the most deadly spider in the world. Lucky for us, breeding season was just finishing. Fun Factoid : Funnel web spider females eat the males after breeding, and die shortly after laying eggs.

I spent most of the walk chatting with Adam the guide, and Charlene. It was nice the view of the falls was amazing.

After our walk we headed for lunch and met up with another OzExperience group. Their lady guide was a little eccentric. She picked up a dead possum because she didnt want it rotting on the walk. eeeww! A couple of the guys thought it would be fun to dress it up with a cigarette in the mouth and sunglasses on. ick!

Anyhow, I got my face painted with an aboriginal tatoo, and played a digeredoo Adam is good at it, he can make all sorts of noises, and he is able to do the circular breathing needed to play it properly. Apparently, I'm a natural or something hahahaha. I actually managed to get a drone going.

Speaking of those instruments, I dont know if I mentioned, but over at the Circular Quaye (pronounced Key) on um Wednesday, there were two guys playing to some background music. It was really awsome! I'm going to buy their CD if they are there tomorrow. really great dance music.

Anyway, after lunch it was off to the Three Sisters and the world's steepest train Up in the mountains by the Three Sisters there used to be a ton of coal mines. There are something near 957 stairs to climb down, and back up again... guess how thrilled we were to learn that? Luckily though there is the train to take you back up if you are willing to shell out a couple bucks. (it was included for us) so down the stairs we went, seeing yet more evidence of funnel web spiders, some hanging swamps, and one of the more gorgeous views I've seen in a long time. Some dude even has a house over looking the valley! Imagine how much that would go for?

Anyway, there is a story to the three sisters, I'll post it when I get the photos done. For those of you wondering, I'm going to hit a cafe tomorrow to do it. I just havent had time. Tomorrow is a free day though, so no excuse.

In other news, funny store signs include a dutch one aout sex machines, a convenience store that said "Lin X - multiple business" and a giant billboard advertising tantric sex.

Tomorrow i head down the the Quay and hopefully off to Glebe and Newtown where the comic shops, used clothing and book stores, and generally less judgemental types are Then there is the pub crawl. Ug another non sleeping night. thats gonna get to me soon, but I'll be moving on soon enough.

I've decided on a 5 day tour up the coast to Byron Bay doing Surfing. Im determined to do more than just ride a wave on my belly Its gonna put me back about $500, but it includes accomidation, travel, and meals, which would be about 300-400 anyway, so its not that bad. I need to find out if they have full wetsuits though, so I dont get the rash on my arms again.If not though, Michael told me about a place at Bondi Junction to buy 2nd hand wet suits for dirt cheap

Anyway, photos to come tomorrow! (I swear ... sort of)

Amy