I have wondered down to Circular Quay again to make use of the Opera House's free internet! I have been really busy, cramming things in before I go! Only 4 days left now, going so fast... Still having a great time I am pleased to say. Life is very easy here :)
Sunday I decided it was a good time to finally enter a Madame Tussauds. I have never been to the one in London, so it was all new for me... (obviously I knew the general premise...) There were different categories of celebrity such as sportsman/sportswoman, politicians, red carpet celebrities, TV and film stars and finally specifically Australian celebrities who I mostly didn't recognise! My favourite was Obama who was incredibly realistic... My first thought when I saw the very first wax model was: that's incredibly creepy. They are eerily realistic! There was a video showing how they are made. It takes them months to create, as well at the celebrity themselves having to come into the studio for a 2 hour sitting for measurements and pictures... I was wondering how they managed to get the Queen and Obama in for a measure?! Surely, too busy... Well, the Queen maybe not... Also, old figures of fame who have died. How did they recreate them? The models were made after their death... very strange. I also liked Leonardo Di Caprio, Mark Webber (F1 Driver), Shane Warne (even though his wasn't very good...) and Johnny Depp. Well worth the visit all in all! No pictures for here as I forgot the memory card for camera... Oops. I have some on my phone to remember it by... You get the idea though...
So Yesterday was my trip to the Blue Mountains. Or for me, the White Mountains. Yes that's right, I managed to choose the day where the mist was very heavy making the views, well, white. I took a 2 hour train to Kootomba (which is translated to: 'shiny flowing water' in Aboriginal dialect.) From there I took a hop on, hop off bus which takes you to all the "lookouts" and other attractions. Upon alighting at the 'three sisters' stop which lets you see the wonderful landscape and the famous three pillars of rock, I wondered down to the lookout. I looked across to see this...
Well worth the 2 hour trip right? Sorry for lack of other photos, but the visibility was so poor...
I wasn't very happy. I should have guessed really when the bus driver said to me in a rather irritating happy Aussie fashion: "G'day mate, you here for the bus tour? Really? You a big fan of mist?" Other stops were much the same meaning I didn't get what I came for really... Which was very disappointing. I did however manage to walk down the 'Leura Cascade' which is a path that follows a stream right to the end where it meets a huge mountainous waterfall. It was hard work hiking, but a really striking view at the end. Probably the only time that I felt I was in the mountains! Other stops included small villages and towns with family run shops. I had a quick wonder round but there was nothing which caught my eye particularly. Many shops had beautiful postcards on display of the views I was missing out on. I pretended they weren't there...
So today I walked straight across the Sydney Harbour Bridge. I thought it must be worth doing as it is free. It gives you amazing views and it's one of those things you can say you've done at the end. It was a fairly long walk in the drizzle, but well worth it! Got some great pictures looking out to the city. After, walking the whole way across and then back, I jumped on a ferry to Cockatoo Island. Now, this is an attraction many people haven't heard of and generally don't visit when coming to Sydney. I heard it's well worth a visit if you like history. I for one have a thing for 'ghost towns' or abandoned places. I find them fascinating and hugely interesting. Cockatoo island is a historical island a short ferry ride away from central Sydney, that was home to Convicts and world war ship builders for many years. At one point, it was off limits to anyone for 100 years. It is now officially a world heritage site, with many volunteers working here to keep it running. Initially, a place of Aboriginal settlements, it was deserted for many years. Then a British Navy officer decided to use the island to hold prisoners and convicts. Many of the convicts were second time offenders, including the very worst criminals around. The convicts were kept in appalling conditions which was later investigated by the authorities. They were forced to work long days with very little food. They built shipping docks, which were then used to travel in and out of the island. In later years during the world wars, the island was used at the primary location for shipbuilding and repair work.
What makes it such a great place to visit, is that it has been amazingly preserved and left in it's original state from all those years ago. The convict precinct has hardly been touched. As well at the officer's swanky house next to the prison cells, boasting his tennis court and amazing views. The industrial area was also brilliantly preserved. Extremely old machinery was still there, having been used to make ships and other materials. The warehouses were vast, and pictures showed the hustle and bustle of them back during the war. To get around the island (which was very small), they built tunnels. These tunnels were used as air raid shelters during the war. Once again, they haven't been touched. The place was eerily quiet and wasn't very busy. It felt strange how quiet it was. Almost like the place is at peace now after it's turbulent years. It was left a ghost town. Completely abandoned by it's inhabitants. It only re-opened to the public in 2005 so I feel very privileged to have had the chance to visit.
The weather has drastically changed! It's been far cooler the last few days, and the rain has decided to make a regular appearance. I keep telling myself I HAVE to wear shorts as I will be hot. I'm then cold and wet a few hours later. I can't predict this Australian weather! The next few days will be Manly beach (weather permitting!), the SGC tour and generally relaxing. Always easy to do here :')
