A Day In The Blue Mountains
Today, I’ve been reliving my day in Australia’s Blue Mountains. Leading up to this day, I had spent a grey and rainy week in Sydney. But when I decided to head west along CityRail’s Blue Mountains Line to the small town of Katoomba, the sun shone brightly making the already incredible scenery sparkle.
In this video, I take in the impossibly beautiful rainforest-filled gorge, then, after descending the Giant’s Staircase, I walk through the rainforest to the cable car station that takes me back up to the top of gorge again.
Look out for a brief appearance by a Superb Lyrebird. I’ll always remember my first encounter with this extraordinary species on a BBC nature documentary. It’s ability to mimic any sound almost 100% accurately amazed me. The thought of seeing one in the wild had never crossed my mind, let alone on the day I found myself in the temperate rainforest of the Blue Mountains. But one scuttled out in front of me that day and I have a tiny fragment of that encounter on video. Thankfully, I kept my composure, despite an overwhelming urge to dance around on the spot, to keep the camera still and even to pan away in an artistic fashion.
A beautiful ecosystem coupled with a remarkable ornithological experience made for a truly unforgettable day.
In which I eat my breakfast with another wild bird and I recount my jetboating experience.
5 April 2011 - 1146 New Zealand
I’m in Friends Cafe this morning awaiting a Big Breakfast. Out the window is the vast expanse of Lake Taupo. It’s really difficult to comprehend it’s a volcano crater. It’s enormous! And it’s scary to think it could blow again any day. Well, not scary. There’s not much point being scared of a volcano. Either you’re in the vicinity of it’s destructive power, in which case you’re definitely going to die and die quickly, or you’re not in the vicinity. I am definitely in the vicinity and if the volcano were to blow, I’d be dead in seconds. Doesn’t really trouble me now I think about it. I’m more concerned over the whereabouts of my food.
I know its ridiculous, and I keep going on about birds, but there’s a sparrow in this cafe! It’s hoping about on the floor looking for crumbs. I don’t know what’s happening to me. I’ve always attracted birds. They just seem to like hanging out with me. But it’s getting a bit silly now.
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The Jet Boat ride yesterday was incredible. We zipped across the surface of the Waitomo River at 85km/hr, jumped into the air over rapids and got drenched as the boat did 180 degree spins. After the 30 minute ride, my heart was racing and the adrenaline was pumping. Loved it! But I need more now! Genuinely considering throwing myself off of the Auckland SkyTower in a week or so now. Reckon I could do it. Could I?
Got no plans today. None at all. Need a rest day after two solid days of fun. Tomorrow, I’m off to Rotorua, New Zealand’s tourist capital, where my list of things to do is massive! So this rest day will come in handy.
Look Out! It’s Birdman!
I’ve got a problem. It’s a lovely problem to have, but it’s a problem nonetheless.
Birds love me. They just like hanging out with me. Wherever I go, they fly in or wander over and just stand with me for a bit. It happens all the time!
Here’s an example of such an incident. I was at a rest stop during a six hour coach journey in New Zealand earlier this year when suddenly, I was surrounded by chickens! No explanation.
In which I leave Wellington and heads for Taupo where I am challenged into eating a very mild curry.
2 April 2011 - 1440 New Zealand
At Flat Hills, a rest stop on a 6 and a half hour coach journey from Wellington to Taupo. It’s a strange name. It’s the opposite of flat. It’s rather hilly. It’s been a good journey so far. Very relaxing. The driver is a nice chap, as all long distance coach drivers tend to be. Helping people with bags and giving little commentaries as we go along. When we get going again, the terrain is due to get mountainous. Well, I’d better get going again, especially as I’m now surrounded by chickens. Birdman strikes again!
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Now on the Desert Road. Yes, New Zealand has a desert.
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Arrived in Taupo. I’m staying at the Rainbow Lodge Backpackers just outside the town centre. Got shown around and to my room which was nice. I have three full days here. I already know what I’m doing for two of those and I think the other day will be a rest day where I’ll go to a naturally hot spring for a dip. Also decided to buy something and cook my dinner tomorrow. Figured it’d be a less-forced way of trying to talk to people. Tonight though, I’m at an Indian restaurant where, when I ordered a hot korma, the cocky British waiter smirked. I’ll show him.
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Oh dear, was that supposed to be hot? Please! A baby could have eaten that… for breakfast!
In which I visit the beautiful and amazing Blue Mountains and have a surprising and jaw-dropping ornithological encounter.
22 March 2011 - 0935 Sydney, Australia
So finally, I’m off to Katoomba and the Blue Mountains. Well, not right now I’m not. I’m waiting at platform 5 of Central Station for the departure of my train. The return ticket cost an unbelievable $7.60, a total bargain in expensive Sydney. The train is already waiting in front of me, doors open expectantly. It’s an ageing corrugated metal affair, the sort you’d expect to see on New York’s subway. Plenty of character, though if the seats are anything like those on the last train from Circular Quay to here, I’m in for an uncomfortable 2 hour ride.
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Seats a way better. This is the sort of train-ing I like. Plenty of character inside too. Driver is doing pre-journey checks on the outside of the train. Despite rolling stock on opposite platforms moving about, he’s strolling along the side of the train opening panels and looking at whatever’s inside. Wouldn’t get that in Britain.
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Forget to mention, this is a double-decker train. I’m on the lower deck, facing forward and on the left as the Lonely Planet guide to Sydney suggests. Amazing views to be had from this position apparently.
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Wow! This passenger just came on and did something amazing! He reversed the facing direction the seat he wanted. With a quick pull on a handle, he could sit down and face the direction of travel. Ace!!!!
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Wow! Finally Australia pulls out all the stops. I’ve arrived at Echo Point to stunning views. I then descended the Giant’s Stairway, 900 precarious steps clinging to side of the gorge. Water drips from the rocks and down the narrow, steep stairs. The steps eventually led me to a category 1 rainforest dating back to the Jurassic period. During the 2km walk, I encountered muddy tracks, streams, and the majestic Katoomba Falls, a roaring torrent 500m high. Then, into Scenic World, the Disneyland version of the rainforest with well-constructed boardwalks and species markers and information and displays on the mining history of the region. Then, the ascent of the gorge by Swiss built cablecar.
But way above all that was being able to see Superb Lyrebird in the wild. In fact, I saw two Lyrebird in the wild. Beautiful, nimble creatures with a unrivalled and staggering vocal range, able to mimic any sound 100% accurately. I stared open mouthed when Sir David Attenborough went to see Lyrebird on one of his BBC natural history shows, but to unexpectedly happen open one in the wild, scratching about in the trees was extraordinary and something I’ll never forget.
As I write this, a Red Wattlebird has just landed in the seat next to mine. Seems my status as ‘friend of birds’ has been renewed.
