23 November 2008 - An early start with a beautiful sunrise!

14th November

So, as decided the previous night we got up at 5.15am, already the sun had coloured the sky purple and red so armed with some blankets and our cameras we headed to find the best viewing platform! It was very windy but thankfully we were quite well shaded fro the wind in the spot we choose. As sunrises go this was one of my favourites, as the mist was still covering the lower parts of the valley whilst the sun silhouetted the mountains with vibrant reds, purples, pinks, oranges and yellows!!

The sun was up by around 6.30am, it was too windy to have breakfast on the top of the mountain so we moved down to a supermarket car park, it was still early so we didn’t have to worry about any spectators!! People do seem to stare at you if they spot you making food by the van, it sometimes makes you feel quite self conscious.

Due to our early start we reached our destination the Jenolan caves by 10am, we bought our tickets to view the Temple of Baal, they had at least 9 different caves on this site but we decided just to view one as it was a bit more expensive than anticipated and we weren’t to sure how good it would be.

Our tour started at the 10.15 and lasted almost 2 hrs, the cave was fascinating, and the lighting was very well done. Some of the crystals formations were mid blowing to imagine how may years it had taken to form. The sight where the caves are has been turned into a small village with a café, restaurant and hotels on sight.

After lunch we set off 50kms east to Black heath, the area we had been the last few days has all been in the blue mountains, they are called this as most of the mountain range always looks blue, people believe this is because they are covered in eucalyptus trees which secrete oils giving the mountains a blue haze.

When we arrived drove down an unsealed road to Perrys lookout for another night of free camping. It wasn’t our best pitch w have been to but it would do! Even though we were up a mountain we were still pestered by a multitude of flies, it was another sitting of eating inside the van to get away from them. I can not describe the irritation they cause, sometimes they make me feel physically sick and like I’m going to go insane if another one crawls in my mouth or buzzes into or anywhere near my ear.

Next we were graced by a swarm of flying ants followed by a particularly impressive thunder storm, we watched some of it from the view point once it had move across the valley, until it started raining again then we moved back to the camp and went to bed.