Down Under: Sydney

Feb 22 0800 Hrs:

Our day out at the Blue mountains. We had booked a bus tour to this place. Parked our car at Epping and took a train to Central Stn. With a lot of road searching, finally reached at our coach terminus. 

We had a mix of all nationalities traveling with us. Surprisingly, no kids were on board. Only couples from Denmark, Ireland, Spain, Germany and a host of others. We found ourselves to be the odd one out. 

1000 Hrs:

After an hour's journey, we stopped for some refreshments. 

We were then taken through the Eucalyptus forest to the Wentworth Falls. The Eucalyptus trees are known for their medicinal properties. 

These are also used by meditators who roll the leaves of this tree into their nostrils and inhale the scent. 

Blue Gum tree

The Falls weren't something to rave about. The Weeping rock was a feature

Wentworth Falls

of the falls. 

1400 Hrs: 

After an
hour's break for lunch, the next on the itinerary was the major attraction of this trip.

"The Scenic World". It had 3 sections namely: 

Scenic Skyway 

Scenic Cableway

Scenic Railway - the steepest train

Scenic Walkway - a picturesque and green walk through the eucalyptus forest. 

The other major highlights of the Blue Mountains were the 3 Sisters Rocks and the Orphan Rock - both have folk tales behind their existence. 

3 Sisters Rock

3 Sisters being turned into stones by the witchcraft of their father when they were about to elope with the warriors of a neighboring tribe - sounds romantic and interesting, isn't it? 

1730 Hrs: 

A visit to the picturesque Lincoln's Rock and a fossilized kangaroo engraved on a rock, ended the bus leg of the tour. 

           

1900 Hrs: 

Transfer to the Boat cruise over the 

Opera House

Parramatta river. 

The Harbor bridge, Darling Harbor and

The Opera were the prominent sightings. 

2100 Hrs: 

It was back to home followed by a quick meal - a generous dose of Egg Curry, made by Raju and Mamta and then readying the bags for the departure the next morning. 

Sleep had been disturbed for the last 2-3 nights and today didn't seem like an exception. Anyways, would have to wake up early the next day for the return journey.  

Feb 23 1100 Hrs: 

Waiting at the lounge at Sydney Airport, after catching a train from Epping and switching over to the Airport bus at Central. 

A teary goodbye to Harshul with a promise to see him soon. 

Not enough words to describe this sojourn.

I would sum it up by this very popular Hindi song: 

दिल कहे रुक जा रे रुक जा

यहीं पे कहीं । 

जो बात इस जगह 

है कहीं पर नहीं ।