Blue Mountains – Part 1
18 February 2012 – I spent a week in Sydney and, well, as much as I am very happy to have caught up with Jonathan and Maelle, I couldn’t wait to get out of town.
So after five days of paperwork, forums, embassies and consulates, after I had lost the one and only set of keys for the apartment, which got us a night in a backpackers downtown, after we celebrated Jon’s 31st birthday, I hit the road.
First stop, Perry’s Lookdown, near Blackheath, to meet up with a bunch of CouchSurfers who’d came up here on Thursday. Tom (Chili) who organised this getaway, Matt and Kat (Germany) and two US girls, Zoe and Lisa (Chicago, IL). Tom went home on last night with an upset stomach, either he had too much to drink the night before or he ate something off. And the four remaining spent the night with me, then left this morning. I may be wrong but calling a cab in the middle of nowhere to get to the train station in time, rather than walk the five km is very unusual to say the least! Or is it very American ?
So I took my time to reorganize the mess in the car, then head off. Lunch at the Hassan’s Walls. I overtook a German guy touring Australia on his bicycle and we exchanged our views on overlanding. Great view on the valley but I had to hit the road once again. The basic map I bought gave me limited knowledge on the terrain so I thought I’d use as much sunlight as I can.
Off to “Lost City”, pass Lightgow and Bungleboori Camping Ground. 90min of mud, sand, forest and more mud. I passed three 4×4, had a chat with the Landrover guy, passed two more 400cc bikes and I am now all alone.
The track ends here, at Lost City, which is great because the lookout is just spectacular. Almost 360degrees view, overlooking some sheer cliffs, and what looks like an old Thai or Cambodian temple city. It’s just superb. I didn’t know what “Lost City” actually meant, maybe an old mining town, now I get it.
The only things I can hear are birds, the wind, and the thunderstorm which just missed me. I can see the lightning on the other side of the valley, but I’m almost dry. Not much wildlife though, I was expecting a couple of wombats or possums, but nothing so far.
I’ll camp here tonight, because I don’t want to share my space with a caravan or a tent or a bunch of loud teens, and in a few minutes I’ll enjoy my cold beer and the sunset. The view guys, the view!!!
Aah, life is just glorious!
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It was an excellent week. Thanks again for the amazing night with the beautiful four girls. No one ever gave me such a fantastic present for a birthday. I understand now the sense of “Best friend”. Cheers Mate!