The Blue Mountains

On Saturday, Andy drove us to Katoomba for some spectacular views from Echo Point. We got a map of a nice day walk from the information center and ordered coffees to drink from the balcony overlooking the 'Three Sisters' and 'Jamison Valley'. Unfortunately, service was very slow so we had to quickly down our coffees in order to make it back to the expensive parking lot before our pass expired.

We were, however, able to park for free at Scenic World so we started our walk form there. We walked along the cliff top until we arrived at Echo Point once again. Then we began the descent into the valley. We got to sit just below 'The Three Sisters'. The story goes like this....

Once upon a time there was a sorcerer. He turned the three sisters to stone to protect them from the unwanted advances of three young men. Unfortunately for the sisters he died before he could turn them back into humans again....

We took the Giant Steps down to the valley. It was quite steep. It reminded me a little bit of Day 3 of the Inca Trail when we had to go down the stone steps for hours. This was similar, but we were able to get to the bottom more quickly. When we reached the bottom we realized that we only had 45 minutes to get to the train station in order to catch the last train up to the top again. We had to pick up the pace a little bit. We made it in the end! The train ride was the most exciting part of all. It was originally designed to transport coal up the mountains. When you get into the car you are practically lying down flat on your back. As the train begins to climb you are virtually standing upright. There was a cage over the top to keep the passengers from falling out it was so steep. I was longing for a seatbelt and clutching the cage desperately the entire way up it was so steep! We went through a really dark tunnel and I had the strange sensation of falling instead of climbing. I breathed a sigh of relief as pulled into the station at the top. It was the most exciting train trip I have ever been on ..... and it was probably the highlight of the day!

Blue Mountains - Grand canyon with trees

Good things
Views of trees, waterfalls and Japanese families
Nice vertical train ride takes you back up to the top

Bad things
Families getting in my way on the footpaths.
Drive out from Sydney was like the A40 out of London
Parking 4 dollars an hour. Found sneaky alternative
--