Blue Mountains and Indigenous Animals

We took a great excursion out to the Blue Mountains.  The first picture and video is about the Three Sisters.  Check it out!

The equivalent to the Grand Canyon but full of euclyptus trees.  It was magnificent.  We took a rail car to the basin, had a chance to hike around, then a cable car back up the mountain.  The reason it is called the blue mountains is due to the oils released by the euclyptus trees and water mixing and evaporting in the sun causing a blue fog.  Kind of cool.  We had tea and bread (the Australian equivalent to tea and biscuits) which was really good and about $12 a person--yikes!?

After the hike we had a huge lunch at an eco-lodge followed by a trip to a private zoo.  We got to see many of the native animals of Australia and actually pet many of them.  They wouldn't let us touch the 23-foot long crocodile, I couldn't understand why?!  It was quite an amazing experience to be surrounded by kangaroos and emos out in the open.  Although, we're both convinced the koalas are high on euclyptus leaves or something.  Kiara--we got your kahola ber picture for you!

The three sisters...turned to stone by their father (be careful girls)

Shelley making friends as always!

Old mine, they wouldn't let us in

Erik's favorite tree in the mountains...HUGS

Doesn't give the area justice, but you get the idea

Shelley wanting to BASE jump. "Keep your feet planted on solid ground, woman!!"

To the animals:

Shelley is not too sure at this point...

Hey Erik, it's looking at me!

Check out the "high" koala bear in the background

My face hurts from smiling soooo much...see if you can find the koala (not a bear according to Aussies and Shelley)

Group shot!

Too many animals around me...help me Erik, get me outta here!

Not interested as I had no food to share

Happy Feet!!  Shelley got a pic of her penguins...YAY!