Blue Mountains have no WOMBATS... I WANT MY MONEY BACK ! ! !

 Now it's been three weeks and my sightings of the furry beast known to the people as a Wombat, number on zero. This catuliwatuli bubble of living cuteness is about fifteen:ish centimeter high and only Darth Vader can match it's cuteness (at gun point). As we walked in the slopes of Katoomba, a city which is built on a ridge between two valleys of lushes greens and superior bird life, we noticed signs of certain nature. (Rock Climbing with bbq and champagne, only 15 AUD "Conditions apply". Camper van renting as low as twelve  dollars "Conditions apply". Australia "Conditions apply". Wombats "Conditions apply").

Blue Mountains national park is humongous and we only saw a tiny portion of it during our three day trip there (The Wombats must dwell in the other parts). We left Sydney on the eleventh of this fabulous month on a train and this special transport machine took two hours for it's one hundred kilometer journey to the city of Katoomba in the mountains. The cost for us was eight dollars and twenty cents. Wombo "the person" had booked us a hostel (the cheapest she could find) and it came to be the best hostel I have ever slept in. Arriving the hostel was was easy and hassle free. We got a room of plenty in the halls of this mighty compound, it had eight beds and shared facilities, but no roaches. Cleanliness was the name of the game and this hostel also featured a pool table, huge kitchen and  helpful staff of people.

Our first stroll took us to the three sisters and although it might sound kinky to the untrained mind as mine, the sisters are sandstone pillars that rise above the valley floor and tower as a sign of trust to a weary traveler. This experience reminded me of a song by a master of singing Leonard Cohen.  We unfortunately had wasted much time making delicious food at the hostel kitchen including garlic potatoes with loads of spices in oven, spices we unfortunately did not have, so we had to stick to soy sauce. This is why we only allowed our eyes to witness the last of my dearest enemy's light. Finally a place worth watching. The valley of Jamison (not Eli and certainly it held no books) is magnificent piece of earth that erosion and being left alone by humans, it can remain in it's pristine state and still hold no WOMBATS.

I was guided by ranger Pocket, who claimed to be a professional bush-ranger. She apparently had never had a bad review given by a customer. As I asked how come, for her conduct and knowledge of the bush was non-existent, she replied "at gunpoint no one dares". From this point on I became an agent of self-preservation.

We walked many hours in the jungle and took many pictures of things stationary. We found a waterfall or two, few loud birds, an abandoned intergalactic cruiser and took it for a spin around town. Katoombas location makes it an ideal choice to people wanting to see the Blue Mountain national park, for it is build in the middle of the forest and houses some awesome views.

As budget is looked at I thought that Katoomba could have been lot more expensive, as we only used about 100 dollars per person to come, stay for three nights, eat a lot and finally get out of there. The tourist buses in town numbered more than backpackers and sometimes that means elevates cost of things, but not here.

 A recommendation for this patch of rock is a must. If you ever come closer than ten thousand kilometers of this thing, get a papaya milkshake and get a ride to Katoomba, for it won't be here forever.

 

  

 

  

 

Ranger Pocket in full gear.