Koo-Wee!

Well, I just got back to my apartment from a weekend in the Blue Mountains, and it was fabulous!!

We hit up a cheesy tour bus for a quick ride out of the city to Glenbrook and Katoomba. Our crazy guide, a woman named Ned, took us to see the main sights. We got to check out some kangaroos, so aboriginal cures for the cold, and the reason the Blue Mountains are blue (a chemical released from leaves that creates a blue haze). After a walk down the Furber Steps (over 1000) we hopped on the Katoomba Scenic Railway, the steepest railway in the world, topping out at at 52 degree angle!!!

After some pasta and a trip to the local pub, we stayed the night at the local YHA (youth hostel association australia) and woke up early to embark on our day of abseilling (australian name for rappelling) and canyoning (for you montreaters think crazy extreme rock hopping) in the Blue Mountains.

We met up with our guides, Lee and James, geared up and headed to the abseil training course. I was awesome. We started at about 15 feet and worked our way up with 30 meters (about 90 feet!). It was completely sick and had crazy views.

After a morning of dangling from midair, we ate some lunch and then hiked our way down to the Empress Canyon. We donned our wetsuits, since the water is still only about 6-8 degrees celsius, and took to the canyon. After walking for just about 25 meters, we took our first 15 foot water jump. We then trekked our way through the canyon doing 2 more jumps and then finishing off with a 30 meter abseil down the famous Wentworth Falls with a water jump at the end.

The day was tiring but awesome! We had a great time conquering our fears, taking hold of the rope, and dropping down the side of cliffs.

Everything else is going great. Start full time classes tomorrow and then headed to Cairns next weekend!

Miss you guys, and check my flickr soon. I'm working on getting pics up sometime in the next couple days.

Cheers!
Liz

P.S. Koo-wee! is what you yell if you're ever lost in the bush - hopefully someone will answer.