Sept 16 - Train Ride and Blue Mountains

Today we checked out of Brado's (goodbye and good riddance) and boarded a train to the Blue Mountains. It was a couple hour ride, which was alright because it gave me time to cycle through some music I hadn't listened to yet on my iPod. Plus, the views were spectacular once the train ascended into the mountains. Hopped off at Katoomba; the last stop on the line and hurried over to our new hostel, The Flying Fox. I say hurried because the wind was bitter and we were dressed for the warmth of Sydney. Now this was a hostel! Way better vibe rolling in here than at Brado's in Sydney. The other guests were chatty, the proprietor explained the building and the area and the common room had a nice, cottage feel with a wood burning stove, lots of art on the walls and comfy furniture. We dumped our backpacks and walked down the hill to the street with shops/restaurants on it for some grub. Settld on a tasty chicken burger with chips (fries for anyone from Canada) and salad with a kettle of Earl Grey tea to warm the core. Just what the doctor ordered; with a full belly and some new energy we trekked over to the trails around the blue mountains. At the first lookout point, the Three Sisters mountains were in plain view, as well as the more distant Solitary Mountain. From here we headed down the trail to the Katoomba waterfall, and some lookout points across the valley from where we began. Very beautiful views and well-maintained trails through the forest, with interesting trees everywhere. What's neat here is that Parakeets and Cockatoos fly wild through the trees. It's odd to see sred and green or white and yellow birds zipping past you screeching like crazy. Headed back to the hostel at this point, which was a lengthy uphill walk. When we got back, there was a nice fire going with a hot wine concoction (sort of a cider with red wine instead of apple cider) on the stove to drink, which helped to warm the body up after the few hours in the chilly outdoor air. Played some poker with a German and Brit, then called it a night. I'm proud to say I stayed up past midnight for the first time since I arrived in Australia. Now I get to fend of the 2 degree temperature and get some sleep. Yes, 2 degrees, it's colder than Saskatoon, what the hell!? The jet lag finally wore off I suppose, though it doesn't help putting in a lot of miles walking everyday...