Travels with Tam

These Koalas and Kangaroos in the Blue Mountains are Amazing and Magical!

July 8, 2016 By Tam Warner 5 Comments

What comes to mind when you hear “Australia”? I’m betting that Koalas and Kangaroos are at the top of the list, along with the Great Barrier Reef and the Opera House. Australia has so many creatures who appear only on the Australian continent, and that alone makes these animals special…not to mention adorable. And they truly are adorable.

On my tour of the Blue Mountains with Blue Diamond Luxury Tours our last stop of the day was at an animal sanctuary. Many of the animals are not able to go back into the wild, though some are born onsite. To see Koalas (they aren’t bears, they are marsupials), Kangas, Wombats, and Wallabies is a rare treat. Just watching them brings joy!

koalas, kangaroos, magic — Yum. Love those Eucalyptus leaves! They eat 2 and a half pounds of them a day!

koalas, kangaroos, empty nest — Koalas have one main interest: eucalyptus leaves.

blue mountains, wombats, empty nest — Yellow foot kangas have pretty yellow tails and feet

Here are some awesome birds!

A Glorious Day in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia

July 6, 2016 By Tam Warner 4 Comments

empty nest travel, blue mountains, australia — The Blue Mountains Jamison Valley, larger than the Grand Canyon, is thick with sixteen species of Ecualypt trees. It is known as “the Valley of the Waters”.

As I carefully planned my itinerary for Sydney, I knew I had to have a day to visit the Blue Mountains. I have read several books where they figure prominently, their blue haze a romantic background to so many stories. The Blue Mountains definitely lived up to their romance.

Shying away from large tours and tour buses, I asked the concierge at the Four Seasons Hotel, who recommended Blue Diamond Tours, a small tour specialist, taking a maximum of fourteen people. Luxurious, specialized tours! One learns so much more from small tour groups where the guide can actually take the time to tell stories. Blue Diamond Tours picked me up at the Four Seasons Sydney at 7:10 a.m for a full day tour. They use Mercedes mini buses for transport, and they are as comfortable a tour bus as I have ever been on. Our guide was Mina, very outgoing and gregarious, telling the worst jokes ever! It was a fun tour with him, absolutely!

In keeping with a luxury boutique tour, our first stop was in the Blue Mountains for morning tea. After tea or coffee with scones, jam and cream, we were on our way to amazing views and cold mountain waterfalls. The Blue Mountains are so called because of the Eucalypt trees which thickly cover the valleys. The Eucalypts give off a bluish haze which is quite beautiful and ethereal. Our first visit was to the Three Sisters, a rock formation said to be three sisters who were turned to stone. The legend is an aboriginal dream time story, and you can get the details right HERE. I do love the story.

empty nest travel, blue mountains, three sisters — The Three Sisters, a rock formation in the Blue Mountains.

Close to the Three Sisters is Scenic World, in the main Blue Mountains town, Katoomba (meaning shiny in aboriginal language) a company which runs two cable cars over the valleys, and one train ride through the forest. They also have walk ways so you can get down into the rain forest. Yes, under the canopy in the blue mountains you will find a temperate rain forest! I was stunned by the beauty of the plants and trees, especially the tree ferns. Their foliage is so delicate! There also lives in the forest a genus of Dwarf Pine Tree which predates the dinosaurs. The tree has been found in numerous fossils.

After our walk and rides at Scenic World we headed to Katoomba Falls, one of the many waterfalls of the Jamison Valley. It was so cold and clear, just beautiful. The sun was in the wrong spot for photos, but I’ve tried! We then went to Flat Rock, now known as Lincoln’s Rock in honor of a climber who died tragically of cancer. The views from Flat Rock are gorgeous. While at Flat Rock I heard another tour guide talking about how the mountains were once under the ocean. He showed his group shells in the rocks, and demonstrated how the aboriginals used the red rock as paint. Fascinating!

Then it was off to a yummy lunch at a pub, and the second part of our tour. To be continued!

What I Love about The Four Seasons Sydney

July 4, 2016 By Tam Warner 7 Comments

Four Seasons Sydney, circular quay, Sydney — Art work in the lobby, of Sydney.

The Four Seasons Sydney! I could do the usual hotel review and tell you all about this luxurious 5 Star hotel in Sydney, but instead, I will tell you what I loved about it! (Check out the hotel facts at the Four Seasons, Hotel Facts). [Read more…] about What I Love about The Four Seasons Sydney

My First Look at Sydney, Australia was Sensational!

July 1, 2016 By Tam Warner 6 Comments

My First Look at Sydney, Australia was Sensational! Whenever I go to a new city, I take a bus tour in order to become familiar with the layout of the city. In Sydney, this included a wonderful harbor boat tour, which was awesome. Here is my first glimpse of Sydney Australia…inphotos! [Read more…] about My First Look at Sydney, Australia was Sensational!

Taking a Tour of The Rocks in Sydney

June 29, 2016 By Tam Warner 10 Comments

the rocks, walking tours rocks walking, walking tours, tour with the rocks walking, sydney opera house — The Rocks Walking Tours

Check out my Tour of The Rocks in Sydney!
Australia has a fascinating history. Many of those who settled Australia were convicts, sentenced to be “transported” by England, did you know that? I wanted to learn more about this history so I took a tour with The Rocks Walking Tours, located on Harrington Street, in The Rocks. They were recommended to me by the concierge at the Four Seasons Sydney, and I was very happy with the tour! It was so fascinating! [Read more…] about Taking a Tour of The Rocks in Sydney

A Hot Mess on the Way to Sydney!

June 27, 2016 By Tam Warner 18 Comments

Hot Mess, Sydney, Packing — The beginning

On my way to Sydney! I have been so proud of myself! My packing actually went okay….it took 2 or 3 days, but I was very careful, followed my list, and checked everything off. Preparing for my epic month long journey has been arduous. I’m packing for two seasons, and have electronics, a cpap, camera gear, scuba gear, clothes, etc. A lot of packing. I made it though…in 3 bags. One to check, one to carry on, and a backpack.

So, granted they are very heavy, but really, I am about as good as it is going to get. So, off to the airport, a connection through LAX, then Sydney.

First, my flight to LAX was delayed. I called AA immediately and after a protracted conversation, was booked on Qantas, direct to Sydney. My first flight on Qantas, and my first flight on a double decker airplane. I’m on the top floor…the plane seems so big! That’s the good news. Typical Tam events soon followed.

I arrived at the Qantas Business Lounge, and settled in happily to charge up and work on my computer. I brought the wrong cord for my iphone. Then I spilled a drink. Then I went to put on my glasses (I cannot see without them, they aren’t for looks) and … no glasses. Shit! I went through my bags, compartment by compartment. No glasses. I left them somewhere, so I left in search of them. They were at TSA. Relief! On my way back to the Club, I stopped and bought a bag of chips at the Travel Mart. I paid my money and left without my chips. I went back to get them. I think this is the definition of a “hot mess”, is it not? I mean, I haven’t even boarded yet!

At this point, I am going to sit here quietly and hope I get to the gate without incident. I’m taking my roaming gnome as a good luck charm, so I can wander wisely! I will check in from Sydney!