AUSTRALIA #8 -Farewell!

Our last two days in Sydney. We were up bright and early for our outing to Featherdale Wildlife Park, the Blue Mountains and to Leura Village for lunch. Since we had already been to Kangaroo Island and saw an abundance of animals in their natural environment, we scoffed at the thought of seeing animals in a “zoo-like” environment. It was fabulous.

Kangaroos and wallabies were bouncing around the park and koalas were smiling for pictures from their perch in a eucalyptus tree. In one area you could actually feed and pet the kangaroos and wallabies. When they had “had it” with tourists, they bounced off to a roped off area where no tourists were permitted. We even saw a wallaby with a joey in her pouch, sticking its head out to check out his new surroundings. So cute!!!

We walked through the park, amazed at the abundance of animals and the interesting and well-kept areas in which they were housed. I finally saw a tasmanian devil…strange looking with a disproportionate head and prominent jaw and teeth.

I also saw an albino kangaroo for the first time. I didn’t even know they existed. And I finally saw a Glossy Black Cockatoo (we looked in Kangaroo Island but never did find one in the wild.) It was an amazing morning and none of us wanted to leave the park. If you’re planning an outing outside Sydney, Featherdale Wildlife Park is a must. If you’re an animal person plan for at least two to three hours, you won’t be disappointed.

Next on our agenda were the Blue Mountains and the famous “Three Sisters” rock formation. The Tree Sisters is one of several well-known natural attractions, a unique sandstone rock formation towering above the Jamison Valley at Echo Point. The name of the formation is from an Aboriginal legend about three sisters who fell in love with three brothers from another tribe, whom they were not allowed to marry. This caused a tribal battle. To make the story short, in order to protect the three sisters they were turned into stone by a witchdoctor. It was supposed to be a temporary spell, but the witchdoctor died and no one could reverse the spell. I love these romantic tales.

The Blue Mountain region is absolutely beautiful with many hiking trails, waterfalls and amazing rock formations. While most tourists come out to see the Three Sisters rock formation, there are lots of places to visit if you have the time and enjoy the great outdoors. On our way back to Sydney we stopped for a late lunch in Leura, a small village with quaint shops and a really nice restaurant, the Bon Ton.

Sunday, our last day in Sydney. Carolyn Groves and I walked down to the Rocks, near the base of the Harbour Bridge, to an artisan outdoor market that stretched on for blocks.

Several members of the group visited the Sydney Aquarium and spent the afternoon in Darling Harbour. And then there was Dave and Lisa Lunzer and Sabina and Alan Duke, who had reservations to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge at 11:00 that morning.

I’m glad to report that all went well and they had a great time on the climb. They reported in at 10:30, changed into the grey climbing suit and met with the other eight brave souls for an orientation meeting and a class on Bridge Climbing 101!!! According to the climbers, the view was magnificent, the climb down a bit scary, and the exaltation and realization that they actually climbed 440 feet above Sydney Harbour, priceless. Check out their smiling faces--they really enjoyed the climb. If you are planning a trip to Sydney the cost of the climb is $125 (AUS) per person and reservations are a must.
We met for cocktails at 6:00 that evening at the Shangri-La lounge to share our days’ adventures and then to the Summit Restaurant for our farewell dinner. The restaurant was delightful and we thoroughly enjoyed the revolving 360-degree view of the city skyline. According to Lisa and Sabina, it was a lot easier seeing the view from the restaurant and taking the elevator up 47 floors than it was climbing the bridge that morning!!!

Usually after a three-week trip I’m ready to head home. I wasn’t ready to leave Australia. The trip was wonderful from the rainforests and reefs of Cairns to the bright lights and excitement of Sydney. For nature lovers to city slickers, Australia has something for everyone.