I took a day tour to the Blue Mountains with Sydney Tours-R-Us. I picked this agency from brochures and the booking was good. Just one short phone call and scheduled it one day before the trip.
waiting for the pick up at Pitt Street around 7am.
It was cold that day. Regret brought the slippers instead of shoes.
Itchy, watery and swollen eyes. Switched to glasses to avoid allergy attacks!!
Can't wear contact lenses for temporary!
The group is small, only 12 of us, which is good with expert guide. Our tour guide, Vince introduced us all and sharp at 8am, we were off on an amazing journey. Funny things, we became all like friends at the end of the trip.
1st stop - Olympic Park
The day tour takes us past the Sydney Olympic Park, site of the 2000 Olympic Games featuring state of the art sporting venues.The Olympic Park was a brief stop, not much to see or do expect for some photo takings.
behind me is Sydney largest stadium, ANZ Stadium
The centerpiece of Sydney Olympic Park
2nd stop - Historic township of Leura
I love this village so much. Peaceful with fresh air. The village centre lies on Leura Mall, which is divided at this point by wide median planted cherry trees.
According to our tour guide Vince, the scenery is beautiful when a rows of cherry trees with bright colors of berries during fruit season. Too bad, I got no chance to see it ;(
Leura was famous for its charming antique shops, fine coffee and the famous candy store.
Leura Post Office restaurant, isn't special?
Visited the famous icon, THE OLDE CANDY store, an old time lolly shop with an unique range of sweets and chocolates from all over the world. I bought some Hello Kitty candies home ^^
surrounded with lotsa candies
Walked around the pretty village of Leura with its manicured gardens.
fall in love with this white fur Labrador ^^
3rd stop - Scenic World Blue Mountains
Stopped at Scenic World, Blue Mountains Australia to ride the Scenic Railway and Scenic Cable way.
In front of Three Sisters and Witch doctor sculpture.
There is a story behind the legend.
The Aboriginal dream-time legend has it that three sisters, "Meehni", "Wimlah", and "Gunnedoo" lived in the Jamison Valley as members of the Katoomba tribe.
These beautiful young ladies had fallen in love with three brothers from the Nepean tribe, yet tribal law forbade them to marry.
The brothers were not happy to accept this law and decided to use force to capture the three sisters causing a major tribal battle.
As the lives of the three sisters were seriously in danger, a witchdoctor from Katoomba tribe took it upon himself to turn the three sisters into stone to protect them from any harm. While he had intended to reverse the spell when the battle was over, the witchdoctor himself was killed. As only he could reserve the spell to return the ladies to their former beauty, the sisters remain in their magnificent rock-formation as a reminder of this battle for generations to come.
Sad story huh?
nyiak nyiak, naked Witch doctor
Then we were guided to ride the World's steepest incline railway. The 415m descent will take you through a cliff side tunnel down into an ancient rain forest.
The steepest incline railway in the world at Scenic World katoomba
Ready to do down to the elevated timber boardwalk which meanders through the picturesque rain forest.
replica of the original "Mountain Devil", Scenic railway car.
steepest railway just like roller coaster except its moving slow
From here, we are free to explore the Scenic Walkway which will guide us through the forest to the scenic cable-way platform.
walk past the coal Mine exhibition which just a few minutes along the Scenic Walkway
refreshing drink of pure Blue Mountains water. Safely drinkable, so no worries ;)
Take the time to watch a audio visual display located in the coal mine entrance
part time mine worker ;p
We also can see the life size bronze sculpture of a mine worker and his pit pony
and a display of tools used by the miners
Continue our journey to look around and find some fascinating facts about the local floral and historic of the valley.
"Kissing trees"
The Scenic Cableway took us on a 545 metre ride into the World Heritage listed rain forest of the Jamison Valley.
The steepest aerial cable car in the southern Hemisphere & Famous Three Sisters
Once at the bottom, we took the Scenic Walkway to the base of the Scenic Railway. 
Before leaving for lunch, here's Mary's lookout with scenic Mary Valley
Lunch at Chinese Restaurant was good. There were many options such as Chinese buffet, roast beef, fish and chips or lamb. Like most Aussie tours, they don't provide drinks.
4th stop - Cahill's Lookout
Further west again, along Cliff Drive is Cahill's Lookout which offers outstanding views west along the Megalong Valley.
Cahill's Lookout with beautiful view of the cloud streaming over Narrow Neck Plateau
Cliff view lookout
famous "Boars Head Rock"
5th stop - Echo Point
Stopped at Echo Point to see the world famous "Three Sisters" and view Australian's "Grand Canyon". FYI, the "Three Sisters" have huge significance with the Aboriginal people.
The "Three Sisters" is what Echo Point famous for
viewing platform at Echo Point
An Australian Aborigine playing a Didgeridoo.
Vince told us, he acts before in "Indiana Jones" movie.
After that we were brought to Featherdale Wildlife Park to get up close and personal with all native animals, pat and cuddle Koalas, Kangaroos, emus, Wombats, Tassie Devils, Dingo's and many more. But I will blog about it in the next post. That will be our last stop before heading back to Sydney city.
Gain more knowledge about Aboriginal Culture by learn more about the Boomerang and entertaining our homeward journey with legendary Aussie Folk music.
Our trip ended with a boat cruise to return us to Sydney. With Sydney Ferries, we cruise back to the city along Parramatta River under the Sydney Harbour Bridge to Sydney Habour where our tours end.
two cute guys from Vegas
tiny Sydney tower from far far away
some great pictures of the Sydney Harbor Bridge and Opera House at the end of the day from the boat.
Sydney City 
Thank you Tours-R-Us and our tour guide Vince, for a wonderful experience!
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