Australia 2002!

The “3 Sisters” in the beautiful Blue Hills of eastern Australia outside of Sydney.  These “sisters” were alleged to have been turned to stone to protect them from a villain…the sad part of the story is that when the danger was gone, so was the magic stick that was used to cast the spell, and until it is found, the sisters remain as stone.  

The “Blue” in Blue Mountains comes from the haze that rises up from the eucalyptus trees that fill the valley.  It smells like a cough drop and the oils emitted by the trees cast a blue vista throughout the valley.  Oh, and these aren’t mountains either…it is a flat table land with a billion years of erosion from rain water washing away minerals.  A grand canyon of sorts without a river doing the work. 

Totally buff version of me with a lizard I caught along the sidewalk in Darwin.

Lizards were EVERYWHERE it seemed.  I took every advantage of chances to get my hands on Aussie reptiles.

Eastern Grey Kangaroos in a Blue Mountains Park.   They were calmly feeding along this waterway among the ghost gums and other amazing Aussie trees.

This mama kanga had quite a load when this joey decided it was time to take it easy and go for a ride in the comfort of his mom’s pouch.

The collection and bower of the Satin Bower Bird.  The bird was elusive and we only saw him from a distance.

One of my all time favorite photos.  This White’s Tree Frog was staying at the same hotel we were.  Ok, he was outside on a misty rainy night at the Ritz Carlton Darwin…but I was THRILLED to meet him!

Yep, it looks just like the postcards!

Fireworks in Darling Harbor on my second night there.  I am sure they weren’t for ME, but you know, I would still like to think that was the case!

The infamous Sydney Harbor Bridge, or as Aussies call it, the Coat Hanger…Climbed to the top on the outside of the span that night.  Oh yeah, the view was amazing.  I highly recommend the “Bridge Climb” experience.  If you look closely there is a group of climbers you can see in this picture on their way to the top.  Get reservations in advance and DO IT!

Previously known as Ayer’s Rock…the huge monolith in the Red Center of the continent.

As the sun rises on Uluru the colors change giving it the sense of having magical powers…

Spinifex Grass is spiny and animals won’t eat it.  When the clumps overgrow and get too close together they present a terrible fire hazard in the dry heat.  Fires are common and can be devastating.

Camels , although not native to Australia, thrive there.  The dessert habitat is perfectly suited for them.  These feral beasts are captured, used as beasts of burden to carry tourists around on tours, and some are eaten as well.  I have to say…delicious!

Spinifex Grass is spiny and animals won’t eat it.  When the clumps overgrow and get too close together they present a terrible fire hazard in the dry heat.  Fires are common and can be devastating.

Camels , although not native to Australia, thrive there.  The dessert habitat is perfectly suited for them.  These feral beasts are captured, used as beasts of burden to carry tourists around on tours, and some are eaten as well.  I have to say…delicious!

Sunsets in the Red Center are as beautiful as dun rises.  Can’t beat ’em.

A Darwin Harbor Sunset.