Blue Mountain Experience-Mandarin

What your day looks like

Yes, we depart from Central Station, Bay No.9 on the Western Concourse at 8 am. And yes, we do a pick-up at the Furuma Hotel at Darling Harbour. Everyone onboard, good. Seat belts on, sit back, relax, and as they said in the old Hollywood westerns, “Go west, young man and woman,” and that’s what we are going to do. However, in a luxury air-conditioned modern coach as opposed to a horse-drawn covered wagon. Ironically, even though we are heading west along the M4, our first stop is at Eastern Creek, home to Sydney’s world-famous new ‘Sydney Zoo”. The zoo opened in December 2019 and has delighted hundreds of thousands of domestic and international visitors since opening. Sydney Zoo is home to over 4000 animals. As you enter the zoo, your first encounter is usually with the giant western grey kangaroo, which hails from the appropriately named Kangaroo Island in South Australia. You will be provided with feed from the zookeepers to be able to hand-feed the ‘Roo’s’. Please don’t feed our babies any junk food, only food that is provided to you by the zoo staff. You will also see Australia’s largest flightless bird, the Emu, hanging with the roos in this precinct. The Emu and the Kangaroo are the only native animals on Australia’s coat of arms, supposedly selected because they don’t walk backwards, and it is said this is reflective of the Australian character. One of the all-time favourites for all visitors is Australia’s most loved marsupial, the Koala. That’s right, the Koala Bear is not a bear. The Koala is the most loved member of the marsupial family, which needs to be protected for all time. There are plenty of photo opportunities by the zoo staff to capture the Koalas perched in the fork of a eucalyptus tree, their most favoured resting place, with you sitting or standing below the Koala. Smile, you are on ‘Koala Camera!’ As you wander down the path of the zoo, you will see the Lion King in all their splendour. Three of them were usually lazing in the morning sun. You will marvel at these regal animals of the African savanna. And just like the African savanna, you will see giraffes, zebras, and even Rhinos in the same spacious plain. Now you will come to my favourite, the Asian Elephants in their open range precinct. Alas, we must push on westward to the mountains, so everyone boards. The Blue Mountains are called the Blue Mountains due to the blue mist or blue tinge that is emitted by the thousands and thousands of eucalyptus trees, or gum trees as they are colloquially known. Droplets of eucalyptus oil and dust mix with the spectrum of the sunlight to create a beautiful blue haze over the mountains. When in the mountains, breathe in the air. People visit the mountains to cleanse their lungs and souls. It is a magical place with rich, pure, clean air, rainforest walks, stunning vistas, and the innocence of village lifestyle. And that is why it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our first stop in the mountains is the beautiful village of Leura. This village is home to hip cafes, artisans, bookstores, and great places to enjoy your lunch. After lunch, we travel the world-famous Three Sisters as seen from Echo Point. The three sisters are the Hawkesbury sandstone formation, dating back to 250 million years ago. The whole Blue Mountains area was once under a shallow sea, hence the formation of sandstone outcrops. However, the Aboriginal Dreamtime version of their formation is a lot more interesting. Three brothers had fallen in love with three beautiful sisters from another tribe. Under tribal law, it was forbidden for the three brothers to marry the three sisters. An Aboriginal elder with magical powers turned the three sisters into rocks to protect them from the three brothers. The three sisters Meehni, Wimlah, and Gunnedoo remain with us until day and for all eternity. Our last stop for the day is Scenic World. Some say we saved the best for last, and it’s not called Scenic World for nothing. This is a combination of breathtaking views of the Jamison Valley, the heart-pumping Scenic Railway, the world’s steepest railway, cable car rides, and tranquil rainforest walks. It certainly is the best till last. Now that you have breathed in the mountain air and cleansed your mind, body, and soul, it is time to head back down the mountain to the city of Sydney. Hopefully see you next time on our coast wonderland tour of Port Stephens ‘One Perfect Day’ or our ‘Night City Tour!”. English speaking version: PRD121323