aussieland adventures: blue mountain day trip..

on saturday, the 29th, AIFS took a trip to the famous Blue Mountains. we first stoped at a wildlife park where we were able to feed kangaroos, pet koalas, and play with dingoes. (okay, we didn't play with dingoes, but it sounded like a fun idea :]] ).
after the park, we stopped at a town called "Leura," where we ate lunch and had a stop at an amazing candy shop. it was similar to what i imagine a country town in holland would look like, haha. really, i don't know if it looks anything like the netherlands, but i like to pretend it is what it would look like.

we next stopped at a place called Echo Point to see the "Three Sisters" up close.
the story behind these three rocks is: three sisters fell in love with three men from a neighbouring tribe, but since marriage was forbidden by tribal law, their father (a witch doctor) told them to run away and as they did he turned them into stone as to protect them. as he was running, his wand fell and turned him into a bird, thus preventing him from turning his daughters from stone back into humans. there's a certain bird that is commonly seen with it's beak pecking the ground, in search of his "wand."
really, the rocks were just caused by erosion. maybe acid rain. :)

after that awesome view of the sisters, we got back on the bus and headed toward the actual bushwalk in the mountains. it was a beautiful day and perfect for treking across the mountains. the mountains are known for the blue haze that is seen in the sky above the mountains.
the blue haze is created from particles in the sky scattering. the particles come from the eucalyptus that cover the mountains. the mountains were once seen as a way to keep the convicts from escaping because they were too extensive to cross. in some year in the 1900s, the mayor wanted to use the mountains as a money maker, so he sponsored two men to hike through it finding a path from one side to another. after this, the mountain was then used to coal mine.. i'm not sure how accurate i said that, but you get the point :)
we bushwalked 1,000 steps down the mountain to the "scenic view," where we could drink from the spring and see the three sisters from a different angle. the tour guide we were with gave us a "surprise" which was a ride on the skyrail back to the top of the mountains. it was a 52 degree angle going up. we were practically vertical!
it was a wonderful day and i'm glad i was able to experience it.
as for now, i'm not so glad i have a test and a paper due friday.
xoxox
dustialynn.