Globechadder

This weekend, I made an excuse to once more leave Melbourne this time by escaping north to the mountainous suburbs of Sydney, further than we Atlantans would even recognize as OTP (Outside the Perimeter). Arriving in Sydney’s Central Station, I changed over to a train that would take me two hours outside of the city to the town of Katoomba, NSW. Katoomba is the main town and tourist hold of the Blue Mountains. The Blue Mountains are aptly named from the blue hues produced as the sun’s heat causes the oils of the eucalyptus to evaporate. As usual, the weather was not looking optimistic and showers started in on me before the train ride even completed. Arriving at the backpacker’s hostel, I set in for an early evening, not venturing out even for once more.

Saturday, I was to meet up with some friends whom I had met on my first visit to Sydney. On that first trip, we spent a long night tapping on a Sydney dance floor. This time, though, we were all meeting early for a trip to the Jenolan Caves, which was an additional forty-five minutes from Katoomba. To quote my sainted maiden, Wikenore (Wikipedia):

“The Jenolan Caves are remarkable caves in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia; 175 kilometres west of Sydney. They are the most celebrated of several similar groups in the limestone of the country being the oldest discovered open caves in the world. They include numerous Silurian marine fossils of great interest and the calcite formations, sometimes pure white, are of extraordinary beauty.”

Driving through the eerie weather that face us, we were more than pleasantly surprised at the day that lay ahead as we crossed over Mount Victoria. Arriving at the caves before 10:30 AM afforded us to have a short breakfast and coffee break before starting in on the self-guided introductory tour. Making our way through the mild meander, we were given an introduction in the caverns’ history and geology. These sorts of hands-on documentaries are always more enjoyed and well remembered. Following the introductory tour, we had time to rest near the Blue Lake for a half hours’ time before our main tour was to occur, the Temple of Baal cave. The water was a pristine blue; I imagine this too, from the eucalyptus excretore.

The Temple of Baal is a great tour that only provides two chambers, Moloch’s Grotto and the Temple of Baal, which provide awe-striking beauty and a myriad of features including crystalized helictites and Jenolan’s largest shawl, the Angels Wing. Entering the cavern, we delved down the Dragon’s Throat into Moloch’s Grotto. This chamber provides a wide variety of decoration including Jenolan’s only display of cave pearls, or oolites. Moving forward, we enter the cave’s point of discovery and larger chamber, the Temple of Baal. Much of the decoration is brilliant orange although the chamber is dominated by the white Angel’s Wing; by that Heaven that bends above us – by that God we both adore, a single bright shine, evermore. Finally, the tour completes and we make way for the chamber’s door.

After our second and final cave tour, we engaged in our return venture to Katoomba. Wayne’s musical selection only tempt us to whip our hair back and fore, but definitely bestowed on us a taste to relax in as once before. After a short while, we decided that it was a brilliant idea for Wayne and his mum, Karen, to stay the night in Katoomba and quickly acquired them a room for slumber. The night progressed with wine, hair whipping, and song as we migrated our way into a packed Baroque Bar and Nightclub. Not only were we amazed to find such a venue in such a township, but also even more so when we learned that the avenue really fills after 2:00 AM. Finally, we stumble off after floating on that busy dance floor.

The next day was unproductive, in part to the late night and otherwise to the dense fog and rain that plagued the town. There was no walking in the bush today, so I headed back towards the city for a day of recovery and sloth before making my way back to Sydney’s Domestic Terminal. Jetstar again presents me with the opportunity to see the wonders of the airport by giving me a three-hour delay, indeed such a benevolent airline. I am finally to arrive to my Melbourne quarters at 1:00 AM Monday morning for a quick rest before the workweek begins. Thank you, Jetstar, once more.