Caves

I want to hitch hike to the Moon and this could be the start.

Somehow, managed to get a ride and we were on dirt road. Although slightly off the beaten track, Wombeyan Caves is a perfect weekend escape. On the way, we saw camel like animal grazing quietly in the bushes. 'It's llama', Caroline said. Irony, she's allergic to chocolate, to the extreme. I have never met anyone allergic to chocolate. I love them. 

Joeys in Pouch

Many from our group had an overnight stay camping on a lush green picturesque location, bushland area setting with kangaroos around (with Joeys in pouch). We paid $18 per head and got a token ( literally, the door was token operated) into the Dark Depths of Wombeyan Caves. We spared 3 and half hours in and around the caves with head torch and sun hat replaced simultaneously.

After our cave exploring, we went to a beautiful historic town, Goulburn for lunch. This small town is known to be the oldest inland city in Australia and as such has some lovely historical buildings. 

Merino Ram

Lunch in a local café and we headed for a big concrete Merino Ram wrapped around with a scarf. The gift shop next to it had some Nepalese (Himalaya, on the tag) products on display. Although appealing, I ended up buying local hand made goat soap.

Made in Nepal

The war memorial lookout was next. One could see the whole town from the height; excellent view over Goulburn and the surrounding agricultural land.

Goulburn's War Memorial

War Memorial

Inside the cave

Cave exit        

Yellow tree

Wild roses and focus

4 hours of ride, back to Sydney and I was dozing off. Although a bit tiresome, it was a good escape.

Wombeyan Caves and Goulburn- NSW Australia

I found peace

St Mary's Cathedral

This is where I found peace.
This was last Sunday, I had to visit Australian Museum (I wouldnt go otherwise). On my way, from the relaxing confines of Hyde Park, St. Mary's majestic was inviting. 

Sydney Tower from Hyde Park

This is the place where I found peace, first time I came to Australia. I felt an incredible sense of peace and calm when I entered this old Cathedral. This has nothing to do with religion. Even if you are not of Catholic faith, you will find this church beautiful. It has some sort of majesty. It is one of Sydney's most treasured historic buildings and one of the finest example of English-style gothic churches in the world. Photos were not allowed inside; however, I managed to take few with my phone. The church has some stunning altars, paintings, artefacts and stain glassed windows. The entry is free unlike Australian Museum just across the road at College Street.

Framework of survival

With limited time on my hands, I paid $8 (concession) to get in. I did not take much notice on native livings, birds, insects and gem stones but bones, basically of dinosaurs, elephants and human(Framework of survival). Beside the permanent exhibits, there was 'The Alexander, the Great' on show. 

Parade

Pretty warm day to be inside and enjoy the exhibitions but since I was in hurry, I had to leave. I saw a parade on my way back, I couldn't tell what was the parade for. Also, I met Pope (I guess he is) in Cathedral giving his blessings to visitors.

'The Alexander, the Great'

Inside the Cathedral

Wireframe birds

Wireframe

The Cathedral

 & I pose like a tourist. Yes, I did!

St. Mary's Cathedral & The Australian Museum - NSW, Australia

Kuring-Gai Chase

Kuring Gai Park

The regime(2013): I will probably have to add a few more things to my regimen, but I will hike more frequently if not every week.
Started our walk at Lady Davidson Private Hospital in Bobbin Head Road, North Turramurra. The route followed Cowan Creek, past extensive areas of mangrove swamps, through to Bobbin Head then followed Cockle Creek back back to North Turramurra. 

             

A first time hiker, my sister (not blood) was excited to see the wilderness. She was more anxious when we encountered few unwanted visitors. When the team leader would stop by for a brief. Say, he would explain why water creeks would be favourable spots for snakes and lizards. We would watch around for possible attacks, and that would creeps us out thinking there's no way out (we being the last in the line). There were few screams in the group. Yes, leeches and lizards, on the trees, under the hoods and a huge one crawling our way . Besides, we had a wonderful time. 

Red hooked crabs

The route offered an amazing view. We explored Cockle Creek at water level. We witnessed, thousands of little red hooked crabs in the mangroves and a wallaby in Kuring-gai chase National Park. 

Suspension

We also passed through few rock overhangs and cave like, must be old aboriginal midden (just a guess). We popped into the cafe at Bobbin Head for a light meal. Well, our light meal was not light, therefore I had to feed the fish (although the sign said Not to); that was the fun part of the walk. I fed them Vitamin 'J' (Junk, as the team leader says).

Feeding Vitamin J

That was the thrill of the Kuring-gai chase...  chase of the creep.

Bobbin Head, Kuring-gai chase - New South Wales, Australia 13 km Grade medium

  

South Australia

This is what I miss the most.

This is what I am going to miss the most, lying in bed and watching TV all day, not worrying about alarm or not knowing which day of the week. I am not sure if I will be planning again for a very calm and civilized South Australia but sure I will miss the time spent and my cousins.

Some here and there photos:

Soft as feathers

Museum

Art Gallery

Museum

Inside museum, another museum ( I was scared at this point, going around mummies inside the boxes)

Art Gallery South Australia

Port Adelaide

Add caption

Watch me dive

Dolphin Watch

Museum

You wait so long for holidays and with a blink of an eye it's over. Good things come to an end.

Victor Harbour

Port Elliot

Another tour to the township of Victor Harbor & McLaren Vale. 9.15 am we started our journey and stopped for our Morning tea stop at the Scottish town of Strathalbyn on the banks of the Angas River. Continued along Old river port of Goolwa where we saw Murray meets Lake Alexandrina.

Morning tea in the park.       

Port Elliot was another stop by with a beautiful view and finally a harbor with a southern ocean frontage, Victor Harbor. 

Horse Ride Victor Harbour

Victor Harbour

As soon we were dropped, we took Horse tram to Granite Island. Powerful Clydesdale horse(looked bigger in size) pulled the tram over the bay across the spectacular Causeway that joins the mainland to Granite Island. The tram was carrying about 50 passengers running on roller bearings; just so it is easy work for the horse (yes, one horse). After, was the fun ride, Camel ride.

Camel ride

Tour continued along southern coastline to rolling vineyards, iron stone cottages, olive and almond groves of the McLaren Vale region and with the stop by for wine sample at cellar doors in the main street of McLaren Vale, the tour ended. Not really, we were driven back to our starting point. Awesome adventurous day!

Church by the park-morning tea break.

Bell for the pedestrians 

Port Elliot

Victor Harbour & McLaren Vale, South Australia

Mt Lofty, Hahndorf

For couple of days, Mt Lofty was declared a catastrophic fire danger ranges. It was this stranger, an old guy who tour-ed us to the peak; very thankful to him. Mount Lofty Summit's panoramic views across Adelaide's city skyline to the coast was spectacular. We spent some time drooling and continued our tour to Australia's oldest surviving German settlement, Hahndorf. 

Handorf Village

Just as it says in the slogan, Walk the past, taste the future, old and new combine a brilliant blend of activities. Small good outlets, bakeries, several boutique cellars, souvenir shops, craft outlets and galleries line the bustling main street. 

Handorf Village

With trendy eateries, fresh and local products there still was a strong German flavor. The flavor we tried was home made ice-creams and bought some organic products. I could spend a whole day and see more of what this historic village has to offer.

Mt Lofty

German village

Deeps under the shade

As old as the village

             

Mt Lofty & Hahndorf, South Australia