Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountains are just a 2-hour drive away from Sidney so we decided to check them out.  We boarded an Ozzie tour bus full of European students and had a blast talking to them and the tour guide as we rode along.  So - why Blue Mtns?  Well, it's because there is a blue haze around them caused by light striking droplets of eucalyptus oil that evaporates from the leaves of the dense surrounding forest. 

We arrived at Katoomba where we visited dramatic overlooks of sandstone rock formations.  We hiked downthe Furber Steps into the Jameson Valley through waterfalls, fern valleys and unusual looking trees complete with white cockatoos with yellow plummage.  Since the walk was quite strenuous, we decided to take a funicular railway, the world's steepest at 52 degrees, back up to the top - and it was quite a thrill. 

On the way back, the driver took us by some protected Australian Government Land where we saw kangaroos moving around.  I was surprized how large they were.  The tour driver had visited the US and he gave us some of his random thoughts of Australia compared to the United States.  For the record, here is what we can remember...
    - We don't play cricket and much rugby (these are big sports here!)  However, rugby isn't followed much until there are international matches.
    - They are still a commonwealth of England and get a day off for the Queen's birthday - but Great Britain doesn't!   No days off for us for Obama's birthday!
    - The US has the fattest people in the world - and Australia the second fattest.  However, he thought our country has more morbidly obese folks than they do.

    - Their Prime Minister is very unpopular and they've heard our President is, too.   They don't seem to have any good candidates to challenge her...and well, probably, we don't either.
    - They don't tip for anything; consequently, their customer service is just not as good as the U.S., especially in restaurants.

    - The internet has changed everything in Australia.  They buy many things "on line" from the U.S. at much cheaper prices. There is no duty on obtaining our goods. This is having a bad effect on their retail industry.

    -  Their average worker makes more money than a U.S. worker.  However, they are taxed at much higher rates and think the U.S. has very low taxes compared to the rest of the world.  They have health care, but many people buy supplemental private policies to obtain better access and care.  Their homes are much more expensive and the younger folks cannot afford their own home.

All in all it was a great day!  Pictures