On: Katoomba, NSW, Australia

by Donnie Hayden

Guhday Mates, from Dahni your Aussie Katoomba travel guide — Guhday Mates, from Donnie your Aussie Katoomba travel guide

On April 11 through the morning of April 14th, 2014, we went to The Blue Mountains and rented a cottage (see last post) in Katoomba, New South Wales, Australia.

Today, I want to share with you some of the flavor of Katoomba. It was a quaint, charming and eclectic community – MY KIND OF PLACE! Besides the fact that it is located in The Blue Mountains and is quite hilly to walk the streets, it reminded me of Telluride, Colorado in the United States. Telluride is a community in the Rocky Mountains where people come to ski in the winter and it is also a hub to get to Aspen or Vale when those areas are closed to airports or other transportation, due to the weather. Although Telluride and Katoomba do not share the same type of weather conditions, it’s their common flavor that is similar to me. Telluride basically started as a ‘hippie communue’ back in the sixities. I suppose as many of them grew up and decided to get jobs and start a ski resort? 🙂

In Katoomba, there are many young people, arts and crafts, just like in Telluride. Our pictorial journey below, begins with an example of some local artwork, a mural painted on a brick wall of an abandoned garage across the road from our cottage. We saw this as we were heading into town.

In Katoomba, we noted many wonderful and fashionable hats on the heads of many people, young and old, male and female. ‘The Hattery,’ where I found and purchased my Akubra hat you see me wearing in the picture above, is from Katoomba. For more information about my hat in a previous post on this blog see: Hats

But Kotoomba is more than just a young/artistic/eclectic community, it is a travel destination! Katoomba is the city host or gateway to The Blue Mountains and both attract many people from around the world, every year. We noted many differnet people, accents and languages being spoken while we were here. There are several popular and international establishments and connections here. A friend from the United States informed me that soon after we returned from our trip to this area, Prince William & Kate of England were planning on visiting the following week. The English and Australian connection is just one example of many international connections.

Our first night here as we were walking to downtown for some food, some one-hundred (at least) sulfur crested cockatoos flew over our heads. Caitlin stayed at the cottage with baby Felix and she saw them fly right over our deck and into the eucalyptus trees of the Blue Mountains, right around sunset. Even though I did not get a picture of this amazing sight, in a future post, I will share pictures of four of these beautiful birds and sppecifically one that certainly seemed to want to pose for me, from the huge evergreen near the deck of our cottage.

But this night, on recommendation of a local librarian, we went to dinner at an authentic Korean restaurant. Susan and Jonathan ordered each a different entree and I chose one that is supposed to be one of the most popular among street people in Korea. Dduk Bok-ki was so incredible, both Susan and Jonathan wished they had ordered it! It was a sweet rice, shaped like tube pasta, but not hollow. It was made from rice flour and steamed. It was included in this huge plate of steamed vegetables. You could have it mild, medium or hot. I chose medium. It was inexpensive, delicious and so filling and yet, I can’t believe I ate the whole thing, even sharing a lot with Susan and Jonathan, I was stuffed with delight!

Other foods include the best coffee I have either ever had or it’s been so long, I cannot recall any better. This we purchased from a little, almost a hole in the wall, cafe from the Elephant Bean Coffee. Then there was the most incredible fresh-baked croissant from a cute little bakery, I’ve ever eaten and shared the crumbs with a local pigeon. 🙂

In another post in the future, I will share about some Australian beverages, including the chili wine we tasted and bought in Katoomba. Yes, you read that correctly, Chili wine made entirely out of 100% chili. It was sweet and hot. We intended to bring it home, but we opened it as soon as we got back to the cottage and finished it off the next day when we got back home to Camden. It was fantastic with cheese and now that I’ve come to appreciate oysters (at least Australian and Apalachicola, Florida oysters in the US), DEFINITELY WITH OYSTERS!!! I’m almost sorry we drank it with out purchasing another bottle to bring home, but “no worries,” this Australian exclusive product, has a website and this wine can be ordered online and shipped to your door!!!! 🙂

We had dinner and some chocolate at the Paragon restaurant. This place could have a post and then some, all its own. It was a mixture of Greek/Romanesque architecture and art-deco and hand carved reliefs on the walls. It does make me wonder if the garden area behind our cottage might actually be owned by the owners of this restaurant or some related family members? The food was fabulous and but of course, WE HAD TO TRY THEIR CHOCOLATE! According to their interior signage, it’s the chocolate that made Katoomba famous. I have no way to prove or disprove that statement, but this place has been here since 1921 I believe, has a US connection (the wife of the owner was from the United States), and there are many pictures throughout the place of famous people that have signed their names and have eaten here. So what does that say to you?! Some of the pictures I recognized and some I did not. Art Acord (silent film western star), Clark Gable and Peter O’Toole. So, that’s pretty telling. You can search for the Paragon Cafe online and find many interesting things. They also have a page on Facebook.

There were many unusual and wonderful things to experience in Katoomba, but time and words fail me. The best that I can offer you are some humble pictures. I hope you enjoy them! 🙂

As stated previously, Katoomba is quite hilly and it exercises your heart, lungs and legs to walk here, but well worth the effort! The air was crisp, cool and clear at this time of the year during Australia’s late fall or early winter. Days were nicely pleasant with a couple of layers of long sleeve shirts and the nights build-a-fire cool. The downtown district is home to many cafes, shops and stores from the unusual, the bizarre and the, just lovely. There are examples of fine architecture in beautifully restored or well-maintained hotels and other buildings.

There were many unusual and wonderful things to experience in Katoomba, but time and words fail me. As I said, the best that I can offer you are some humble pictures, my personal recommendation to COME HERE if you ever have the opportunity and a link to some Irish music I recorded live, on my way back to the cottage one day. I hope you enjoy all that follows here! 🙂

Mural on Wall — Mural on wall of the Three Sisters and etc., of The Blue Mountains at Echo Point

Downtown Katoomba – sure why not espresso and waffles! 🙂

The Elephant Bean Cafe (notice anyone familiar?)

The Elephant Bean Cafe (Awesome coffee) — The Elephant Bean Cafe
(awesome coffee)

Bakery with fresh baked almond croissants. YAY! :) — Bakery with fresh baked almond croissants. YAY! 🙂

If you must eat croissants, why not artistically!

And the pigeons enjoyed your crumbs :) — And the pigeons enjoyed your crumbs 🙂

My first ever female street performer. She was actually very good.

Little Aussie squirrels picture, for my sister Carol Lee

Ducks or Kiwi birds in boots? I dunno, but they were cute, so I had to take this! :) — Ducks or Kiwi birds in boots? I dunno, but they were cute, so I had to take this! 🙂

Hotel Carrington Entrance — Carrington Place (hotel) Entrance

Hand carved wall, Carrington Place Entrance

Want to Wassail me for some mulled wine? :) — Want to Wassail me for some Mulled Wine? 🙂

The circus in town? :) — The circus in town? 🙂

Paragon Chocolate "The chocolate that made Katoomba famous" — Paragon Chocolate
“The chocolate that made Katoomba famous”

Whale out of wooden sticks in window of Lost Bear Gallery

Oh, there the lost bear is! :) — Oh, there the lost bear is! 🙂

Interesting Walk II (same walk, different view) — Interesting Walk II
(same walk, different view)

Last stop before back to cottage and look what I saw and heard! : — Last stop before heading back to our cottage and look what you saw and heard! :

Locals, quite possibly of Irish roots, gathered in this pub for grub, beers and cheers and playing some really nice Irish jigs. There were children present and other watchers/listeners like me. Flutes, violins, guitar, banjo, a concertina (similar to an accordion) and one gent (laddie) played the Uilleann pipes. The bar was open and run by another international connection. She was anice lady from Vietnam. It was a gorgeous day and the windows were open in the pub.

Several falutists — Several flutists and violinists and concertina far left

The uilleann pipes are the characteristic national bagpipe of Ireland. Earlier known in English as “union pipes”, their current name is a partial translation of the Irish-language term píobaí uilleann (literally, “pipes of the elbow”), from their method of inflation.There is no historical record of the name or use of the term ‘uilleann pipes’ before the twentieth century. It was an invention of Grattan Flood and the name stuck. People mistook the term ‘union’ to refer to the 1800 Act of Union; this is incorrect as Breandán Breathnach points out that a poem published in 1796 uses the term ‘union.’

The bag of the uilleann pipes is inflated by means of a small set of bellows strapped around the waist and the right arm (in the case of a right-handed player; in the case of a left-handed player the location and orientation of all components are reversed). The bellows not only relieve the player from the effort needed to blow into a bag to maintain pressure, they also allow relatively dry air to power the reeds, reducing the adverse effects of moisture on tuning and longevity. Some pipers can converse or sing while playing.

Source: Wikipedia

And a good time was had be all! :) — And a good time was had by all! 🙂

Please click on the following link to a recording I made of these musicians. It’s only about a minute clip, but I think you will enjoy it.

https://soundcloud.com/dahni-4/irish-music

April 22, 2014 0

On: The Blue Mountains

by Donnie Hayden

Guhday Mates, from Dahni your Blue Mountain guide — Guhday Mates, from Donnie The Blue Mountains guide (yours). 🙂

Australian late Fall – April 12th, 2014

Today, we journey into and through the Blue Mountains near Katoomba, New South Wales, Australia. It is an awe inspiring journey into some of the finest, picturesque and photographic adventures, I have ever experienced. But our adventure is for more than just the area’s calling card which is, The Three Sisters Rock formations. For more on the Three Sisters, their lengends, The Three Exploers and etc. from this blog, click The Three Somethings

Our trip begins at Echo Point and The Three Sisters, then we will hike around the mountains and through the forest to Katoomba Falls. The trek is quite rigorous, but I am sixty years old and if I can do it, so can you! My Keene sandals are more than up to the task. Wear warm clothing (long pants, a nice wool shirt and an undershirt, a hat and some sunglasses if you like, but we will be passing through the forest floor of shade and shadows). Grab some water and a camera and prepare yourself to transcend into an incredible state of mind as we ascend the mountains and descend towards the falls. The air is crisp and clear. The sun is full and the clouds are gorgeous. We may even see some bird of prey, soar the thermals above the mountains.

Caution: There will be times that you feel as if you are all alone. You may be able to hear yourself think? You may at times be so at peace within the quiet that the only sound you may hear if you stop moving is, the sound of your own heartbeat. That my friends and companions, is the sound of exuberant joy! 🙂

Glad not alone, for you are not alone. We are all pilgrims here, just passing through. It is a gift to us and to all. The Blue Mountains was made for all to enjoy. For joy, get en (in) to it, all of it and all of your all – en-joy!

Our trip below Echo Point along the mountain side to the falls, will take about 2 hours in and back another way. It is a well made path, but there may be some water from many small mountain streams that may trickle over it sometimes. This will be some good exercise, but well worth it. I do highly recommend this trip to most anyone of fair to good health. Take it slowly if you must, as they say here down under, “No worries!” Catch every breath from every moment that leaves you breathless from such breathtaking views! 🙂

Immerse yourself in this, perhaps a once in a lifetime experience. So, this ends and your vicarious adventure begins with photographs and captions. Enjoy!

Dahni

Note: The Haze over the mountains from which it derives its name is from the oils released from the thousands of many varieties of eucalyptus trees that cover the mountains.

The Three Sisters from another point of view

Our journey ends here as close to the falls as we could reach as the lower path was closed. We will just have to return for more views and closer views sometime in the future or in our dreams. My sincerest thanks for allowing me to be with you in this place of beauty. You are beautiful and Donnie Luvs Yah!

Donnie

P.S. WE THANK YOU AUSTRALIA, FOR SHARING YOUR TREASURE!!! 🙂

All Photography by Dahni

any photos you would like either as enlarged prints to purchase or to share for FREE, by purchase or permission ONLY

contact me for more information: Dahni1@gmail.com

April 19, 2014 0

On: Out N’ About I

by Donnie Hayden

Today, I would like you share with you, a mini-walkabout in the neighborhood. Let us just see visually, some house and shops within 2-3 blocks of where we are staying. But first, what is a “mini-walkabout?”

OB20 — House on the corner of Little Street

Walkabout refers to a rite of passage during which male Australian Aborigines would undergo a journey during adolescence and live in the wilderness for a period as long as six months. In practice they would trace the paths, or ‘Songlines’ that their ancestors took, and imitate, in a fashion, their heroic deeds. Merriam-Webster Dictionary, however, identifies the noun as a 1908 coinage referring to “a short period of wandering bush life engaged in by an Australian Aborigine as an occasional interruption of regular work”, with the only mention of “spiritual journey” coming in a usage example from a latter-day travel writer.

To white employers, this urge to depart without notice (and reappear just as suddenly) was seen as something inherent in the Aboriginal nature, but the reasons may be more mundane: workers who wanted or needed to attend a ceremony or visit relatives did not accept employers’ control over such matters (especially since permission was generally hard to get).

Another great possibility is that the Aborigine had no concept of time. If given a job to do, we may not completely finish the work in a day and would return at it’s end and continue the following day and so on until it is finished. The Aborigine would just take off and not return until the job was done.

So, my mini-walkabout is just a short period of time, walking the neighborhood to see what I can find.

Most of the homes here have tile roofs and the rest have metal roofs. The ceilings inside most homes are around 8′ (eight feet) high. These construction materials and methods are to keep the interiors as cool as possible, for this area can reach temperatures as high as 115 degrees + Fahrenheit in peak summer.

Sometimes the relative humidity can be upwards of 90 percent, but at 115 degrees F., the heat burns off the humidity and it is a dry heat. This would be similar to the desert southwest in the United States. It is hard to imagine such beautiful and fragrant things surviving in such climates, but they seem to thrive.

Even though there are tropical birds, trees and plants here, it can become very dry and parched, due to lack of rain. Things could quickly turn brown, but as they say in Australia, “No Worries,” because everything adapts to these extremes and fluctuations.

In the United States we might freak out if our grass turns brown due to lack of rain and start watering like crazy. But in this area, brown can be normal, Again, “No Worries,” the rains will come again and everything will turn green again, almost instantly. At present, most everything is nice a green here, so we are happy about that.

The weather of their fall is between 70-80 F. by day and 65-68 F. at night. It has been very nice during the day and pleasant sleeping. The air is clean and fragrant although I seem to be allergic to something and have a little upper respiratory congestion. I am told that it never snows here, but it can get somewhat cold in the winter, but it is short-lived. They may have around five seasons here. Spring, early summer, late summer, fall and a short winter. I am sure this has to do with Australia’s position below the equator and I am told the hole in the ozone layer, its effects are greatly experienced here. I’m not sure of the accuracy of this, but I’ve heard 1 out of every 2 people experience some type of skin cancer. This country does have the highest rate of melanomas in the world. THE SUN IS HOT, AND BLINDING HERE! Cover up and where skin protection.

In another post, I mentioned that everything needed to live here, is within a short walking distance. I meant it! And actually, within seven minutes!

There is A family practice, Chiropractor, Orthopedic surgeon, a lawyer, hairstylist, Thai massage, a caterer, shed builder, engineer, daycare, a hospital, ambulance service, MRI & X-ray place for diagnostic images, cottages, houses, apartments and condos.

In a later post, I will share pictures of the downtown area. It’s only seven minutes from here on Little Street where we are staying. There you can get everything else you need!

And God forbid, there is even a funeral director in the neighborhood. 🙂