Blue Mountains

Last weekend we ventured into the Blue Mountains. The mountains, which get their name from the blue haze that sweeps over them when the sun is out, are a section of temperate rainforest west of Sydney. This trip was targeted towards the geology/ecology/biology parts of our program, so we had a professor along with us taking us on hikes and explaining things around us. We also went spelunking!! I don't think I can technically call it spelunking, because we weren't repeling into the caves...just walking. But it's more fun to say I "spelunked" than "walked" so... Spelunking was pretty amazing, the caves were full of some absolute crazyness. Stalagmites and stalagtites galore! We stayed at a lovely eco-lodge called the Jemby Rinjah, named after a beautiful little bird that resides in the area. We had a big cabin that we all slept in, it was like the summer camp that I never got to experience as a wee child.

Chocolate fountain Stalagmite, the oldest thing ever, I don't remember exactly how old but older than the dinos.

"Cleopatra's Curtains"

Can you spot the cave bacon?

Swimming hole/lunch spot after spelunkin.

Twas freeeeezing.

Feeding the crimson rosellas, also know as "jemby rinjahs" by aboriginals, at our eco-lodge in the Blue Mountains.

Fisheye ferns.

Glorious view at the end of our long hike.

These things are huge, bigger than my hand.

Three sisters peaks.

Now that we've had some free time outside of class and whatnot, i've had a chance to explore Sydney. It's super walkable/busable, and it helps that our location is so prime (it's university housing so it's super close to all the happenin spots.)

A wise man once said that trees are one of the most difficult subjects to capture, and it proves true in this case. I tried to capture the majesty of this honker, these trees are everywhere (i was told they're a kind of fig tree..but i'm sceptical), but it doesn't exactly translate.

In the middle of a huge outdoor shopping center.

Yummy refreshing cider during happy hour at a bar near our place, although happy hour in Australia isn't so happy for us Americans..still 4 bucks for a schooner! C'mon...

A couple days ago we had a free day, no classes, which was intended for us to all spend in the library working on our research papers...so we went to the beach. "Manly beach" to be exact. Not quite sure where the name comes from, yes there were plenty of manly men but there were just as many womanly women. Manly or not it was wonderful. Crowded, but wonderful. Sorry if it feels like i'm rubbing it in the faces of everyone who are all still wearing down jackets, but the sun was perfectly hot and the water was just chilly enough. Day well spent. AND the ferry there was awesome. We got some pretty spectacular views of Sydney and the surrounding area.

Today we went to the zoo in Sydey, Taranga Zoo. Not so sure how I feel about zoos, the allure kinda wore off after childhood when I started to realise the sometimes grim and depressing nature of them. But, it was an organised outing so I said yes I will go see the glorious array of animals you have to offer at your zoo. It was a pretty great zoo, it had a very jungle-like feel and the views were bitchin seeing as it was located on a hillside overlooking Sydney Harbor. Highlights: baby tiger/majestic mama tiger, some crazy gorilla action, and DA KOALAS! They are just too friggggggin cayoooooot.

dawwww. so sleepy and high off his eucalyptus leaves

beautiful

also these crazy mountain goats..which looked like a scene straight out of planet earth.

interesting giraffe/city juxtaposition\

there was also a weird species of giraffe...pretty ugly but kinda cute.

Off to the Blue Mountains in the morrow!!

the start of Sydney

The only good thing about being jet-lagged is waking up at 6 in the morning (which never happens for me) to watch the sun rise on my first morning in Australia. The purple hues had disappeared by the time I got my camera.

View from my deck that I share with three other girls (we have our own rooms but share the deck)..not too shabby.

They took us on a bus tour around town, making us feel extra touristy. So of course we saw the opera house and Sydney harbor with the bridge etc.

Bird watcher alert! This ones for you mama. I'm intrigued by all of the birds here but maybe this isn't that special of a bird? They were just moseying around the park. I also saw a flock of little green parrots today, as well as a big white one. I'm still surprised at how tropical it is here, I wasn't expecting parrots in Sydney.

NOICE! Continuing on our bus tour, we stopped at Bondi beach for a quick toe dipping. And I was pleasantly surprised to find this gem in the water. Probably headed back to Bondi for an actual swim in a couple days. Hopefully I don't get eaten by a sharky.

For the three plus weeks we are here in Sydney, we go to Sydney University for classes/lectures. Upon first glance it looks like Hogwarts. But alas, good 'ol Ron is nowhere to be found.

The campus is absolutely beautiful. Some parts are super modern while others are old and Hogwarty. It's summer vacation for them, so the campus is somewhat empty, but there are summer classes going on.

so far so good.