Wednesday, September 2, 2009

From the highest Mountains to the deepest Caves <2009.8.20>

The last stop of our Journey through Oz brings us to the highlands which seperates Sydney from the Outback - The Blue Mountains.



Just an hour drive (if you are lucky and escape the rush hours)and you reach Katoomba the gateway to this area. They called "Blue" because the valleys are mostly covered in blue haze from the oil of the millions of eucalyptus trees.
Can you see it?



We drove along the cliff drive and stopped nearly at every lookout on the way - its hard to resist such view:





The celebreties of this area are called "3 Sisters" - there where more of them in the past, but this is what is left so far:



The first one reminds me of the Muppet Show:



:-)



How can such formations been established?
Just by the power of very little drops of water! Just plenty of them - like the famous Katoomba Falls



Best to view them from the Scenic World where we took the skyrail to the other side:



Here you view them from the beginning



until the big drop off



Idealy you stay here overnight to experience the sunset when this area becomes quiet as the tourist busses have left the showground and last chinese whisper as faded away when the blue haze starts to turn in all different kind of colors to welcome the cool night.



Than just lay back - 900m high over the cliff and feel the power and charm of mother nature at its nap:








On the next day we leave Katoomba and head further west into the country. I love to spend more time around here as this was just the beginning of the great lookouts - don`t miss blackheath city!





600m waterfalls




Searching for inspiration we head to the Jenolan Caves - one of the biggest and most impressive here in Oz.





Already when you arrive you pass through a huge cave-cathedral short before you reach the tour center. As you need to be on a guided tour - we quickly checked us in on the River Cave Adventure tour.

And here we are - 2 hours and 1.278 steps are waiting for us x-)



Already the first 5 minutes I saw more than at any other cave tour I experienced before. And this was just the way TO the cave ... hungry for more!



Clear underwater rivers & picturesque crystal cathedrals are waiting here for you since 430 mio. Years! Hard too grasp - isn`t it?!









And all made by single drop of water ...



But be careful - in those ancient caves also prehistorical creatures may await you...



Your Caveman

More On:
http://picasaweb.google.at/marco.schoeggl/FromTheHighestMountainsToTheDeepestCaves#

Natural Gems of Sydney <2009.08.17>

Being back in Sydney for 2 days doesn`t mean we are stuck in the city and lost in the huge shopping centers...
No - Sydney has more to offer than just downtown and we are ready to conquer those hidden gems!



Just north of the city center lies Manly Beach - famous for hours of walks along the shore or its buzzling surf beach.







With great views back on Sydney down town





... can you hear the "Love Boat" song in the back ground ;-)




Search for something more quiet - just stay a bit up north of Manly lies Long Reef where its just you and the sea:











If you ever go there - look for our track and follow this footprints ...



Finally we found the ultimate City escape - a place the size of Vienna, just 15 min off the city limits, spectecular cliff zones, powder sand beaches and NO SOUL around you!
Impossible - no - just simply the Royal National Park - the first in Australia.

















Was worth the search!

More on:
http://picasaweb.google.at/marco.schoeggl/NaturalGemsOfSydney#

Hunter Valley - A Spiritual Journey <2009.08.15>

What would be a trip to NSW without visiting the prestige vineyards of Sydney - the Hunter Valley!



Just a short 1hr drive north of Sydney and you can dive in to a complete different world - no hassle, no traffic, no skyscrapers ... just you and an endless selection of tasty wines!

After we checked in our van park in Cessnock which lies also within a vineyard we first head up to one of the deserted lookouts to get an overview of this beautifull area.







And then quickly for our first wine tasting as most of them close at 16:30 and we need to get a nice drop for our last lamb BBQ tonight.







Next day we explored the area and landed finally at the tourist center here - the Hunter Valley Garden - the biggest garden display in Australia.



Here you can do everything your heart can dream of:

You can taste to heavenly sweeties





Or stroll through lush laid back gardens





Enjoy the first spring blossoms



And where there is spring - there is love in the air



And for the quick deciders - you can even have your wedding here



And for the poor little fellows - even a place for those who came straight from the wine tasting to the wedding chappel



Amen & Prost

More on:
http://picasaweb.google.at/marco.schoeggl/HunterValleyASpiritualJourney#