For my last full day in Sydney, I took the day-long Blue Mountain tour. I originally planned to do this on Monday, but because of the rain, I put it off.
The tour bus picked my up at the Marriott near the loft at an un-godly 7:20AM. The driver and tour guide, Michael, was full of information and wit. He really made it enjoyable and made a couple of detours off the itinerary so we could get the best views of the mountains. Why called Blue Mountains? The mist of the eucalyptus trees gives the area a blue tint in the sunlight. Even though it was kinda overcast, you could still see the bluish tint.
The first stop, however, was at Featherdale Wildlife Park, a zoo with indigenous birds, animals, and reptiles. I would finally get to see kangaroos and koalas up close.
Wallaby
Too cute!
You asked for me in a picture. What’s better than with a koala!
Kangaroo
Penguins again!
Safe in November in Australia
Yes, I have to–“That dingo stole my baby!”
Tasmanian Devil
Feeding time
After lunch, it was on to tour the Blue Mountains. There was a lot of fog at the first stop, so our guide Michael made a detour off the beaten path for a better view. Then it was on to Scenic World where you could either take a rail car and/or tram up and back. Or walk 1000 steps up and down. Uh, rail car down and tram up. The rail car was a really weird seating arrangement. You sat in and down with a cage over the top of you. The cage sloped down over the right hand seat and I would have had to duck to not hit it. Suddenly, it speeds down the hillside through a dark tunnel. Good thing for the cage because you really need to hold on to something. It was lots of fun but a bit disorienting. Once down the mountainside, you were in a 4-season rain forest with a boardwalk that explains the history of the area, especially for its coal mining.
The final part of the itinerary was a boat ride back to Sydney from the Olympic Park area, a section of Sydney rebuilt for the 2000 Olympics. Fortunately, a smooth ride since I forgot the dramamine. But before, Michael had time to give us a demo on throwing a boomerang.
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The Nomadic Writer 
Wow, the koalas are CUTE. And a penguin! My favorite! Is that one koala sleeping, or are its eyes just closed? Love your photos throughout your trip but had to comment on these.
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The koala was sleeping. Amazing how they just hold that position in a tree and sleep!
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