Solo in Australia Part 20: Sydney Blue Mountains
July 19 The day after returning from Brisbane, I booked a Blue Mountains day trip. The discounted price of AUD 20 only covered transportation. Australia has many zoos. On the way to the Blue Mountains, we passed another zoo; the entrance fee was AUD 25.
After leaving the zoo, it was nearly noon. The guide arranged for us to have lunch at Fenglin, a Chinese restaurant along the way. It is said to be the best Chinese restaurant in the area. There we had kangaroo meat with black pepper flavor. It was cooked without any strange gamey taste, with a tender and chewy texture comparable to beef.
After lunch, we drove along Highway 32 straight up to the Three Sisters at an altitude of 1100 meters in the Blue Mountains. This is the landmark entrance to the Blue Mountains, consisting of three peaks. When you see the famous mountains, I will tell you a story. This attraction is free to visit, so you can see local residents who are not tourists leisurely coming and going.
Why is it called the Blue Mountains? Because the eucalyptus trees here release oils that evaporate into the air and refract sunlight, creating a blue haze, hence the name Blue Mountains. Whether it is misty or sunny, it is always covered with a light blue veil, appearing very beautiful and mysterious. Can you see the blue tinge?
The most famous are the three peaks on the landmark. Legend has it that long ago there were three beautiful sisters named Mi Ai Ni, Wen La, and Gan Ni Du. They were born in the Katoomba tribe. Unfortunately, they all fell in love with three brothers from the Nepean tribe at the foot of the mountain. This was against the tribal feuds and rules, and their fathers did not approve. Eventually, their love sparked a war between the two tribes. At that time, a wizard turned the three sisters into stone to protect them from the war. However, the wizard was killed in battle, leaving the three sisters' rocks guarding the valley. Thus, the Three Sisters became the most famous scenic spot in the Blue Mountains. The three rock formations are 922 meters, 918 meters, and 906 meters tall respectively.
Here you can purchase a cable car combo ticket for AUD 28, which allows you to ride three types of cable cars! First, take the downhill cable car. On the way, you can see shadows of clouds over the eucalyptus forest and sunlight streaming through gaps in the clouds onto the trees.
After descending to the bottom, we walked through the valley and forest to take the world's unique nearly 90-degree steep cable car.
The inclined cable car emerges from underground!
The final leg of the journey was taking the Skyway cable car across the park's valley and waterfalls.
Due to the itinerary, we did not climb the Three Sisters for a close encounter. Instead, we drove to Jenolan Caves, costing AUD 30. Formed 340 million years ago, Jenolan Caves are a masterpiece of nature, featuring magnificent stalactite caves of various shapes. With soft and clever lighting effects, the cave gives a surreal feeling of entering a fairyland. It is one of the earliest discovered caves in the world and the oldest open underground cave system, attracting about 250,000 visitors each year to explore this magical underground world. It is an award-winning tourist attraction. Our guide was a local old man who slowly told us stories.
Here is a pool of water. Take a sip and see if it is sweet.
These rocks look like curtain drapes at a ball, so this place is called Katie's Banquet Hall.
This is just one cave. The guide said we must go see the more amazing caves. Coming out of the cave, it was bright.
It was afternoon tea time! Today we had an authentic English afternoon tea in an Australian mountain hut.
The dim yellow light in the room felt very warm.
Look at Ricky, a handsome Taiwanese guy traveling with us, recording this wonderful day.
So delicious, doesn't it make you hungry!
Jenolan Caves are 185 kilometers from Sydney. It took nearly three hours to get back to the accommodation. Tired after a long day, I lay down to rest. Good night.
Traveling Solo in Australia Complete Series
Traveling Solo in Australia Part 27: Shopping
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/australia100048/1885842.html
Traveling Solo in Australia Part 26: Wandering Around
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/australia100048/1885841.html
Traveling Solo in Australia Part 25: Sydney Taronga Zoo
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/sydney236/1885160.html
Traveling Solo in Australia Part 24: Paddington Market
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/sydney236/1885838.html
Traveling Solo in Australia Part 23: Sydney Bondi Beach
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/sydney236/1884686.html
Traveling Solo in Australia Part 22: Sydney Rocks Market
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/sydney236/1884684.html
Traveling Solo in Australia Part 21: Wollongong
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/sydney236/1884683.html
Traveling Solo in Australia Part 20: Sydney Blue Mountains
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/australia100048/1884682.html
Traveling Solo in Australia Part 19: Gold Coast Sunrise, Koalas, Q1 Building
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/goldcoast456/1884681.html
Traveling Solo in Australia Part 18: Gold Coast Movie World
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/goldcoast456/1885391.html
Traveling Solo in Australia Part 17: Gold Coast Sea World
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/goldcoast456/1884680.html
Traveling Solo in Australia Part 16: Brisbane, Capital of Queensland
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/brisbane323/1884679.html
Traveling Solo in Australia Part 15: Gold Coast Whale Watching
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/goldcoast456/1884678.html
Traveling Solo in Australia Part 14: Gold Coast Rainforest 4WD
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/goldcoast456/1884677.html
Traveling Solo in Australia Part 13: Gold Coast Glowworm Cave
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/goldcoast456/1884676.html
Traveling Solo in Australia Part 12: Port Stephens Dolphin Watching
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/sydney236/1884675.html
Traveling Solo in Australia Part 11: Melbourne City
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/melbourne312/1884672.html
Traveling Solo in Australia Part 10: Melbourne Gold Panning
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/melbourne312/1885390.html
Traveling Solo in Australia Part 9: Melbourne Great Ocean Road
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/melbourne312/1884671.html
Traveling Solo in Australia Part 8: Melbourne Phillip Island
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/melbourne312/1884670.html
Traveling Solo in Australia Part 7: Canberra
http://you.ctrip.com/place/canberra321.html
Traveling Solo in Australia Part 6: Parks, Markets, Zoo
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/australia100048/1885275.html
Traveling Solo in Australia Part 5: Sydney City
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/sydney236/1884668.html
Traveling Solo in Australia Part 4: Integration
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/australia100048/1884667.html
Traveling Solo in Australia Part 3: Transportation & Communication
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/australia100048/1884875.html
Traveling Solo in Australia Part 2: Arrival
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/australia100048/1884873.html
Traveling Solo in Australia Part 1: Preparation
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/australia100048/1884664.html
