Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Blue Mountains


The Blue Mountains is one of the major destinations and a must see icon for tourists visiting Sydney. I have been here when i visited Sydney the first time. No matter how often you go there, there will always be something to see, do, experience and explore in that vast area. The first feeling is awe, grand, spectacular, then trying to sample the smaller details eventually will make the visitors feel more awe, more grand, more spectacular. I think the feeling gets bigger as you try and explore the smaller details. Here those smaller details are endless.

Blue mountains gets its name from the blue haze as you look further to the horizon. That blue color has a very scientific explanation because the eucalyptus trees fully vegetating the area produced oils that react to the sun's light producing the much obvious blue color. But of course, there is still the explanation from the color spectrum where other colors are absorbed, while blue is reflected.

It is only about 2 hours by bus, train or private cars from Sydney. The roads are beautiful and safe, with the route views also worth seeing. The circuitous roads to the top makes a lovely ride. Most of those vegetation are Eucalyptus trees, with all its plenty of species within that genus. Of course there are smaller trees, shrubs, wild flowers, or grasses not visible at the grand scale.
Geologic and historical data record millions of years ago pointing even beyond the dinosaur era. And they further report that a few volcanoes are responsible for some of these geologic and vegetation characteristics.

Those layers of rock formation mean a lot, but for us tourists they just mean awesome and spectacular. No matter how long you stare at those vast forests of eucalyptus trees, the awe will not fade, it will even heighten more enthusiasm to explore and look for details.

The rock formation above was labeled Three Sisters, it is a bit funny maybe, or it could have started as a joke and it stuck. I wonder why they didn't call it Three Brothers or Three Musketeers, or even Three Spikes! By the way, there is bridge at the side of the 1st sister to the left, it is visible from the major lookout. There is a good trail going there, unfortunately it was closed when we reached halfway. We just returned and took  photos of wildflowers on the way back. That can be a subject of another post next time.




22 comments:

  1. The rock formations and the forest are wonderful. What a relaxing spot.

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    1. Maria, you should not pass Australia and New Zealand to visit. I strongly suggest for you, am sure you will love them.

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  2. I did not know there were any type of mountains near Sydney... thanks for posting. I always love when I learn something new :-)

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    1. Hi Lisa, i cannot see your country of residence in your site, i also tried commenting on the blogpost but i can't get through. Then i tried a few times until the system deleted my comment.

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  3. Love the last pic - so beautiful!

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  4. What an amazing place. I would so love to go to Australia to see all of the different plant and animal species they have there. I am looking forward to your next post about the wild flowers!

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    1. Hi Nick, it really is an amazing place. You should not relegate Australia for the 2nd or 3rd visit abroad, it has to be soonest. You will not be disappointed, trust me, hahaha. But of course you must continue to New Zealand especially the South Island. That is the best in the world. Oh you should come here quick coz the wildflowers already has a draft.

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  5. Beautiful shots. They remind me a lot of mountains in West Virginia of the U.S. Especially the rock part is very much like a range I visited in WV. The first shot also reminds me on the North Carolina mountains.

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    1. Yes i suppose so, there's a lot of wonderful mountains and rock formations in the US, unfortunately i just see them in pictures. I haven't been to the mainland yet, only to Hawaii. Thanks for dropping by.

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  6. Lovely views. I have been there 3 times, it's a gorgeous area.

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    1. Thanks Karen for dropping by. I hope you will visit my posts again.

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  7. Your photos certainly show how beautiful the area is. It is magnificent. I just love everything about the Blue Mountains. Great post.

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  8. Very beautiful, a place on my bucket list.

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    1. haha Donna, you should visit also New Zealand, at least Milford Sound and Queenstown.

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  9. Thanks for posting these wonderful scenic shots this week. Blue mountains are just beautiful for sure.
    JM, IL-U.S.A.

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  10. How beautiful and how interesting about the blue hues. It is a country I would like to visit among others. I would love to visit all my Nature Noters... Michelle

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    1. Thanks Michelle. Actually it was my first country visited abroad and after so many countries in between it is still my favorite, not until i visited New Zealand last December.

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  11. Andrea this is a beautiful spot....how tranquil the blue mountains look...and I love your explanation for their name.

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