June 4, 2013

Day 57 & 58 - Blue Mountains

About 2 hours’ drive out of Sydney are the Blue Mountains, an extensive and impressive canyon land that was not "officially" crossed until 1813... a good deterrent for the prisoners of Sydney, who dreamed that beyond this impermeable barrier lay China, fertile farm lands and freedom...

They are arid on top, with the airborne oil from the Eucalyptus trees creating the blue haze they are named for, and a dense rain forest below, held together during high winds by an extensive network of vines.
 

 
 
A train that goes from the top canyon ridge to the rainforest below is the steepest in the world. Ahhhhhhhh!!!!!  and very cool!
 

 
 

 
 
 
The nearby towns are charming - especially if you like chocolate and pastry.  At one bakery, even the local cockatoos hang out on the roof and window sills, waiting for it to open.
 
 
 
 

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