Round The World and other travels
A frequent flyer's collection of trip diaries
This is: Tasmanian Devils (2010)
Rural NSW: The Blue Mountains
As I had arranged to pick up my
latest rental car at 0930, I set my alarm to ensure a reasonably
on-time departure from the InterContinental. First, of course, I
took breakfast in the club lounge, enjoying both the harbour and
city views on this clear, sunny morning. I eventually checked out
around the time that I should have been picking up the car, but the
tiny delay was of no consequence whatever. I only had to move myself
and my luggage a couple of blocks to the nearby Marriott hotel and
its front-of-house Avis desk - as I have pointed out many times,
these trips aren't just thrown together, you know!
On completion of the customary formalities, I had to relocate
somewhat ignominiously to a nearby alleyway while the agent
retrieved my car from a car park - so much for having a desk at the
front door of the Marriott! Anyway, I survived the undignified
experience and my Astra was soon loaded up and on its way, bound
for the Blue Mountains.
Once again, I'd brought a detailed set of directions printed out from the Internet, and once again they proved to be worthless when the listed right turn from George Street was in fact for buses only. I gave up, in favour of relying on my memory and my instincts. I found an alternative way onto the ramp and was soon driving over the iconic Harbour Bridge, continuing on the M2. A little further on, my memory and confidence were both starting to wane a little. Both recovered when I had to stop at a toll booth and the collector, detecting that I wasn't from these parts, asked where I was off to. "The Blue Mountains," I called out. "I hope I haven't gone wrong!" "You're absolutely fine," came the reassuring reply. "Just make sure you take the M7 up ahead." And that was it. I didn't look at my papers again until I had reached Katoomba, when it seemed like a good idea to check the exact location of the hotel.
I soon found the very swish-looking Lilianfels resort and spa. Given that it was still morning, I wasn't in the least surprised or disappointed to find that my room wasn't ready. I simply picked up a map and walked the short distance to Echo Point to begin my explorations. This is one of the main scenic lookouts in Katoomba, situated on the edge of the gorge-like Jamison Valley close by the rock formation known as The Three Sisters, with clear views across to Mount Solitary. I spent some time just taking in the vista before having a rather basic lunch in one of the self-service eateries just outside the viewpoint itself. I then walked one of the shorter trails before returning to Lilianfels and settling into my room. I had noticed immediately on arrival how the temperature was noticeably cooler here compared to Sydney, and it seemed to be dropping further as time went on.
Not wanting to waste the available
daylight, I set out for a second walk, this time on the trail along the
valley rim to the Cliff View Lookout, returning on the street. One
memorable moment from this walk was seeing a young Australian, in
stereotypical but inappropriate dress, jump over the guard rail at a
projecting rock and stand far too close to the edge for my liking.
Returning to Lilianfels, I was in my room for less the five minutes
when the heavens opened and heavy rain just poured down. It seemed
as though I'd timed it just right!
I took dinner in the hotel's standard restaurant, having failed to secure a reservation at the prestigious Darley's. It turned out to be a most enjoyable experience, which I think could be fairly described as plain food cooked to perfection, with a dash of style.