Day 23 ~ G’day, mate from Sydney

“Waltzing Matilda, waltzing Matilda, you’ll come a-waltzing Matilda with me!” ~ Lyrics from the song that’s almost the Australian National anthem. Don’t ask me what they mean!

The DH, me & my new friend Kristy. Her hubby Dave snapped the pic!

That was one of the three songs the Harmony Choir sang as we sailed in at oh:dark-thirty to arguably the most beautiful harbor in the world. By the time we pulled up to our berth across from the iconic Sydney Opera House, I was popping off a high A that reverberated around the pool deck. It was wonderful fun!

But we didn’t get to bask on our laurels. We were booked for a Discover the Blue Mountains tour which met at 7:30AM. So we scurried back to our stateroom to get dressed, drink our coffee and eat a muffin a piece before we met up with the rest of our tour group in the Cabaret Lounge. 

Then we were led through Australian customs, and sent off to our bus. When we boarded, the tour guide said we should take the reserved seats in front. There aren’t too many good things about needing supplemental oxygen, but prime seating and a pretty much guaranteed parking space everywhere we go are near the top of my list.

As this little guy was eating, the sharp smell of eucalyptus filled the air.

After wending our way through Sydney’s rush hour, our first stop was Featherdale Wildlife Park. This was our chance to see the unusual birds and animals of the land down under. The bad thing was that we didn’t have much time. I could have spent half a day there easily, but we were allotted 40 minutes.  We still had a long way to go to reach the Blue Mountains.

This odd fellow is an echidna.

The drive was scenic and our guide entertaining. When someone asked him if he’d lived in Australia all his life, he answered dryly, “Not yet.”

Our destination was Katoomba, a charming mountain town that is the honeymoon capital of the country. The first stop was at Waradah, an aboriginal cultural center. We were treated to some dancing to the droning tones of a digeridoo. I could have done without the smoke and sparks used in the performance. The pattern of the ochre painted on the dancers often consists of three lines signifying Mother Earth, whom we dance upon, God who protects us, and our ancestors who came before us.

From there, we walked down to Echo Point to gaze into Australia’s Grand Canyon. The distinctive rock formation is known as the Three Sisters. An aboriginal tribal elder told our guide that once upon a time, a witch doctor had three beautiful daughters whom he had to hide from the monster who lived in the bottom of the canyon. One day he wasn’t quick enough so instead of hiding the girls, he used his magic bone to turn them to stone. Unfortunately, the monster started after him instead. He turned himself into a bird and flew to safety, but he lost his magic bone. He remained a bird and his daughters are pillars of rock to this day.

After this it was time for lunch at The Mountain Heritage Inn, the oldest purpose-built guest house still in use in the area. The view from the dining room was sublime, but the lunch of fish sticks and veggies was pretty unremarkable until our desserts were brought out—a luscious Pavlova, sweet meringue with tart berries.     

Then we had an almost three hour drive back to the ship because the traffic was so dense.  We snagged an early supper in the dining room so we could attend the 6:45 pm show.  It was an all male choir called Cantorion Sydney. They were terrific and featured a soprano soloist that took my breath away.

It’s been a wonderful Valentine’s Day here. Wishing my family and friends lots of love!

PS. I have lots of pictures I'd love to share, but I just wasted 5 minutes on precious internet time watching one try to load.  When I get better wifi, I'll add them. So sorry.

PPS. This little bit is for my dad, the retired railroad engineer. Australia’s railroads have four different gauges. Evidently the states didn’t talk with each other and agree on a standardized track. They have some that are only two feet wide (used in cane fields), a three foot six inches stretch of rail, a four foot eight and a half inch wide gauge (the most common), and a five foot three inch one. It leads to a lot of unnecessary mucking about.