Blue Mountains (OZ part 5)

Blue Mountains is just a train ride from Sydney and where the bride and groom (G&C) grew up. We knew the place had to be special since G&C who had seen the whole world still choose to live there so we wanted to check this presumably paradise out for our selves.
After recommendation, we took base in an idyllic little town named Leura, named after the many volcanic stones found there (Lava means Leura in aboriginal).

Leura was a sweet little oasis. Grand old-fashioned Victorian inspired houses, lovely (in the word’s English sense lovely) boutique shops selling all these things you didn’t know you needed but totally need to own like luxury stationary, inspiring notebooks, handmade candles, art craft and a well assorted candy store, which we have heard can enchant people with all its candy, so they show up late for obligations, like a wedding. Oooh and Leura has a fantastic coffee shop: A wooden house with panorama views of the landscape all the way to Katoomba,- the neighbouring tourist hub.

Katoomba is a must-do place if you want to see the Blue Mountains landmark, - its grand cliffs named the three sisters. On a map Leura looked pretty close to Katoomba, we just needed to follow the canyon, so we packed a back and went hiking near the edge.
Blue Mountains was supposed to be really cold as it was winter, but we had more than 20 degrees most of the day. The hike was beautiful but much longer that expected. Midways we made a detour to find lunch and stumbled across a gorgeous place where families, dog walkers, business people and sightseers like us (though more refined than us in our hiking boots) were taking in the mild winter by eating lunch in the large sun filled garden with an amazing view of the canyon. Here we started to realize that Blue Mountains is indeed a special place on earth. So relaxed and blessed with beauty, natural and isolated, yet with all indulgences within reach…though the goat cheese tart was sold out. Could we live here? Indeed we could!

As the Blue Mountains is a World Heritage site, the area around the main sites are highly developed. A short, though steep train ride takes you down the cliff side through the green foliage where a web of trails leads you through the forest.
A cable “Skyway” with glass bottom takes you across the valley in 200 meter height and offers a breathtaking view. We spent great hours there with highlight of the day being watching the Australian native Lyrebird picking for worms (?) while speaking a sound we couldn’t quite decipher. The Lyrebird is famous for being able to mimic natural as well as artificial sounds from its environment.

The Three Sisters:
One evening we met G&C for a splendid dinner, H and G eating kangaroo – of cause. It was really great to have a little quiet time with them (can’t believe they made time for it the day before they were going on honeymoon!). Participating in the wedding was a beautiful experience and an important event, but to have relaxed quality time to catch up is invaluable. We are glad we had this opportunity.