An Australian Adventure

Monday, November 15, 2010

           I woke up to oppressively sticky stale heat. Had a big day planned ahead at the Blue Mountains in Australia. Pulled on some shorts and a light top fully intending to survive the sticky hot day ahead. We hopped on the bus to the train station. Then we jumped onto the train for a couple of hours and it began to bucket (bucketing: the Australian phrase for torrential rains:) Once in Katoomba Tamara and I dodged the gushing gutters and sloshing rain to the Common Ground Café. The Common Ground Café had a rustic,  warm, wooden cozy feel. They served good wholesome food! I partook of a lovely Dandelion Latte’, Pumpkin Curry Soup and an onion, bean sprout melt. It was heavenly! And, YES, my Dandelion Latte’ was heaps better than Tams’ Chai. Coerced by adventure, out of the warm, cozy, rustic café we lunged across town. Traversing through the puddles and drops, searching for a couple pairs of decent trousers. Frozen and damp we dashed into a store and found some warmer bottoms. Better prepared for the day ahead, we boarded the tour bus full of vigor, while praying the rain away. Upon arrival to the mountain edge all you could see as far as the eye could reach was fog. Yes, cold damp, achy, wet fog. The white mist continued to grow and thicken, like clam chowder soup. While fog was thickening we were trekking through the mountain paths discovering waterfalls, making new friends and dodging the plague of water puddles. Finally after two foggy treks and buckets of rain with an epidemic of water puddles, we were slightly discouraged and quite soaked up to our shins. For a diversion while waiting for the warmth and dryness of the tour bus we decided to make a video about our mis-adventure. Then, no joke, the clouds parted and thousands of miles of wet, tropical, rocky mountains were revealed. We stood in awe of the Three Sisters and the view of the Blue Mountains from Honeymoon Outlook. We were elated. As we joined up with our new friends, a couple from London, we decided to attempt another soggy journey out into the wilds of the Australian mountains. Dodging puddles like bullets, splashing in the mud and soaking in the dripping water we were propelled by adventure along our last trek. The trek ambled alongside a wide, shallow stream that was falling swiftly through the mountainside. A thousand shades of green were on display in the infinite expanse. The fog had lifted and left a few misty patches upon the forested mountainside. We came out upon a lookout of a magnificent waterfall, steep mountain cliffs, emerald green forest and Sulfur-crested Cockatoos soaring about. On the train ride home our new friends sat across from us and chatted. Enjoying the winding down of an incredible day, we passed the time sharing photos and our memories of the trip. With a rustle and a shout of surprise a 3inch long blood-sucking leech was discovered by our English friend on the train floor beneath his feet and gushing bloody wound on his ankle. Frantically, everyone in the party began searching our own feet and ankles for dodgy creatures. Thankfully, the rest of us were free of leeches! HAHA! What a way to end such a crazy day! Gratefully we arrived home, leech-less and soggy; but also, exhilarated and ready for a rest and another adventure tomorrow!