Blue Mountains in the Sun ... then, Sydney

We wake to a beautiful blue sky and look forward to seeing the Blue Mountains in the sun!  Our first stop this morning is a park with the unimaginative name of "Scenic World."  It seems a bit of a tourist trap, but truthfully, as a tourist, it is not something one should pass up.  Since our time is limited today (we need to drive to Sydney this afternoon), we arrive at the opening time of 9am.  As advised when we bought our tickets ($35 per adult), we first take the Skyway over the canyon to view the Katoomba Falls.  They are really impressive and really this view from the Skyway provides us probably the only opportunity to see them from top to bottom.  Here is what the Skyway looks like from the ground:

It is pretty high up!

Next, we take the Railway down to the valley floor.  This railway started as a way for miners to get down to thier mines, but gradually got taken over by tourists.  Well, today, the mine is long gone, and the railway has been replaced by a more modern system, but it is still a little harrowing as it is the steepest railroad in the world!  It is a short ride, though.

At the bottom, there is a nice 45 minute walk through a rain forest,  We are in the shade for the entire walk as we are under the canopy of the rain forest. 

Several of the trees are identified for us in signs.  The most beautiful is called the Blue Mountain Gum (Euchalyptus), which is a very large tree with gorgeous white bark.  We ride back up to the top in another enclosed car, called the Cableway.  We enjoy views of a rock formation called Orphan Rock.

After leaving Scenic World, we stop at a nearby park to take a short walk to the Katoomba Cascades (term for small waterfalls).

We still have some time to do a little more sightseeing before we need to head to Sydney, so we decide to return to Blackheath to admire the views we had seen yesterday in the rain and fog.  This was a good decision!  The views of the Grose Valley (as opposed to the Jamison Valley, which is what you see from Echo Point and Scenic World) are stunning in the sun.  The waterfall known as Govetts Leap is super good!  It is the tallest waterfall in the Blue Mountains.

We admire other views of the valley from a spot called Evans Lookout.

Well, that's it for the Blue Mountains -- glad we had enough good weather to enjoy them!

Driving to Sydney is mostly uneventful.  What is amazing is that the divided highway called the M4 ends about 12 miles from the city center and then one must take streets to get the rest of the way!  Seems like someone should do something about this!  As we enter Sydney, I of course make a wrong turn, but Rob's navigation skills get us to the Budget rental car return place.  The map provided by Budget at the airport is not helpful!  Anyway, we return the car and take a cab to our rental apartment at 528 Kent Street.  We check in and are very pleased with our one bedroom unit.  It is on the 49th floor with stunning views way off in the distance and Darling Harbor up close.  We can peak at the Harbor Bridge between buildings from the bedroom window.  Before we relax, we go the Cole's grocery store about two blocks away to stock up on supplies.

Researching restaurants on Yelp, I find an Italian place not too far away called Berta.  The reviews are very positive including raves for the friendliness of the staff.  The downside is that it is supposed to be difficult to find.  Well, we find it and it is quite busy (and small), but we are accommodated at the bar overlooking the kitchen.  The food we ordered is meant to be shared plates, and it was fantastic!  The descriptions on the menu are as follows:

"fiore di burrata red cabbage parmesan" -- Burrata cheese served with toast and some type of spread (the parmesan?) and pickled? red cabbage, very good.

"cauliflower walnuts mustard" -- Unbelievable good, roasted cauliflower drizzled with lemon aioli with walnuts; I guess the mustard was in there somewhere.  We could eat this every day!

"ricotta caramelle fennel sumac" -- This was a pasta dish with pasta filled with ricotta and spinach?  twisted and served in an asian flavored sauce with fennel, super inventive and incredibly delicious!

"snapper almond picada marjoram thyme tomate" -- Very nice piece of fish in a tasty sauce.

We also have a side of a Leaf Salad.  The staff, as adertised, was very friendly.  We make the acquaintance of Stuart who provides some restaurant recommendations for us in Sydney.  That is most appreciated!

We return to our apartment and watch Andy Murray defeat Tomas Berdych in an Australian Open semifinal, then to bed.