I wonder why they call it Kangaroo Valley?

Blue Mountain Majesty

Mom and I drove two hours west of Sydney to see the majestic Blue Mountains. I had taken my brother to see these beautiful, eucalyptus covered cliffs a few months ago, and we had amazingly clear views of the well known, "Three Sisters" formation (you can read more about the mountains at http://www.triblocal.com/Oak_Park_&_River_Forest/Detail_View/view.html?type=stories&action=detail&sub_id=66592 ).

Mom and I arrived at Echo Point near the Three Sisters early in the morning. We parked, paid the ridiculous parking fee, and walked to the overlook for the Three Sisters. Mom had read about the Blue Mountains and was anxious to see this well photographed formation. Well . . .  it's a good thing it's well photographed because we couldn't see a thing due to a fog invasion.

Here's a picture of what it's supposed to look like.

For Plan B, we took a hike to the top of the Three Sisters. Though we couldn't actually see them, the sky cracked open and we were gifted with gorgeous views of a fog cloaked valley. 

As we headed back to Sydney, we stopped by Wentworth Falls. Mom thought her trip to the Blue Mountains would end without a view of its namesake blue haze, but then something unexpected happened. For the briefest moment, the fog dissapated, and Mom's jaw dropped in awe of an expansive range.

Dogs + Mud

Yesterday Mom decided to join me at work. Fortunately for the dogs, the park was in ideal, dog-preferred conditions. Unfortunately for Mom, that meant a day of mud and rain. 

My white shirt was clean for a brief thirty seconds. I still can't get the paw-shaped stains out.

Mom has just a few days left so we're off to explore southern New South Wales tomorrow. I'll keep you posted on our adventures.

 

That's what my Mom said

My Mom arrived in Sydney this morning, so I took her on the 'Bob and Allie's First Day Tour.' We took the train to Town Hall and explored the decorative interior of the Queen Victoria Building. We then meandered to Hyde Park and walked through Saint Mary's Cathedral. Then said, "Hello" to the bronze boar statue of Il Porcellino, where my Mom made the astute observation, "Two parts of him are shiny."

At the Royal Botanic Gardens I led Mom down a forested path and pointed to what looked like hundreds of pine cones in a tree.

 Once she realized they were actually bats, she said, "I'm quite ready to move on." So we did.

We moved along to the harbour, and there, on a chilly but sunny day, glistened the Sydney Opera House. 

And Mom exclaimed, "Oh how lovely!"

So ended day one.

 

***

Not only was it a great day in that my Mom came to visit me, but my sister-in-law Colleen gave birth to the first baby of the family! Congratulations Colleen and Tim. And Zachary - welcome to the world!

 My Mom is currently in the air, and I'll get to pick her up at Sydney airport in the morning. I can't wait to see her and show her Australia!

Return to Oz

Bob and I survived our 5 states in a week trip to America. We got to visit our family, friends, and our cat Dingo. Bob's sister Kristy graduated from medical school on a Sunday, my twin brother Jonathan graduated from a different medical school on a Saturday. 

We now have 2 doctors in the family, and as I'm a natural klutz, I'm sure that will come in handy.

After our whirlwind U.S.A. trip, and after a previous 7 weeks with family visitors here in Australia, Bob and I took this weekend to do absolutely nothing. It was fantastic. We slept in, cleaned our hovel of an apartment, Bob cooked elaborate meals, I ate and cleaned up after said elaborate meals, we played frisbee in the park, it was - in an oddly domestic way- lovely.

Now the work week has started once again but Bob and I finally feel we're on solid ground. We are no longer tour guides, our apartment is no longer a hotel, we are appreciating our clean and empty home. Until next week, when my Mom comes to a visit.