Monday, November 19, 2012
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Monday 19th - our last day in Australia
I'll take pictures of the cabin and do another posting tomorrow. It's a self contained, off-grid, cabin built from recycled building supplies. It even comes with it's own worm composting toilet! I prefer sawdust composting toilets. :) and Kevin prefers flushing toilets.
What an interesting night! Heather slept great. Kevin heard every noise...something was gnawing on something on the roof...scratching at the patio doors + a screeching sound. He thought something was trying to get in our cabin or maybe out.
Kevin woke up and made a fire in the fireplace to take the cold away. He made breakfast...bacon, eggs, hash browns while Heather enjoyed a bubble bath, which was open to outside. There are so many unique singing birds.
We got ready for a 'short' hike on the property. It's called Bowen's Creek walk...on the walk you will drop about 250 meters (~875 feet) below the ridge to explore the pristine Bowen's Creek area of the property. Towards the bottom of the hill the fire trail does a sharp left and narrows into a foot track then continues to the creek.
This short walk really was a descent down the mountain (~30 degree incline). At multiple points Kevin asked "Are you trying to kill me?" The way down was much harder than the way up...lots of short steps and zigzag across the steep path. The sandstone rock faces were impressive. It was neat to feel the air temperature changes - the cold air fell down the mountain. We did not give up! We made it down and back up and we are still happily married :)
We made lunch back at the cabin - sandwiches, chips and nectarines. Next we decided to hop in our rental SUV and drove the curvy mountain roads southwest to the other side of the Blue Mountains. Our hope is to see the Three Sisters rock formations and other great views. We drove through rain and the fog was setting in. We thought it would be a repeat of our foggy view with Simon and Martha.
Kevin needs a rest break, so we pulled over into a look out park area. Heather updated blog entries and then took a picture of Kevy sleeping :)
Next we drove on a rugged Blue Mountain National Park (washboard) gravel road to capture the amazing views...many pictures and breath taking moments. Heather's favorite was Eagle Hawk Lookout. It was super windy, a massive sheer face drop-off, but incredible views. Wide open vast space with sunshine casting it's amazing light and glorious colors!!
Next stop a coffee shop with wifi access and delicious cafe mochas!
Tomorrow morning we'll leave the cabin around 7:30am and drive to the Sydney airport. It will take anywhere between 1.5 - 2.5 hrs to get there. Our flight leaves at 11:55am and we'll arrive in LA early Tuesday morning. Talk to you soon!
What an interesting night! Heather slept great. Kevin heard every noise...something was gnawing on something on the roof...scratching at the patio doors + a screeching sound. He thought something was trying to get in our cabin or maybe out.
Kevin woke up and made a fire in the fireplace to take the cold away. He made breakfast...bacon, eggs, hash browns while Heather enjoyed a bubble bath, which was open to outside. There are so many unique singing birds.
We got ready for a 'short' hike on the property. It's called Bowen's Creek walk...on the walk you will drop about 250 meters (~875 feet) below the ridge to explore the pristine Bowen's Creek area of the property. Towards the bottom of the hill the fire trail does a sharp left and narrows into a foot track then continues to the creek.
This short walk really was a descent down the mountain (~30 degree incline). At multiple points Kevin asked "Are you trying to kill me?" The way down was much harder than the way up...lots of short steps and zigzag across the steep path. The sandstone rock faces were impressive. It was neat to feel the air temperature changes - the cold air fell down the mountain. We did not give up! We made it down and back up and we are still happily married :)
We made lunch back at the cabin - sandwiches, chips and nectarines. Next we decided to hop in our rental SUV and drove the curvy mountain roads southwest to the other side of the Blue Mountains. Our hope is to see the Three Sisters rock formations and other great views. We drove through rain and the fog was setting in. We thought it would be a repeat of our foggy view with Simon and Martha.
Kevin needs a rest break, so we pulled over into a look out park area. Heather updated blog entries and then took a picture of Kevy sleeping :)
Next we drove on a rugged Blue Mountain National Park (washboard) gravel road to capture the amazing views...many pictures and breath taking moments. Heather's favorite was Eagle Hawk Lookout. It was super windy, a massive sheer face drop-off, but incredible views. Wide open vast space with sunshine casting it's amazing light and glorious colors!!
Next stop a coffee shop with wifi access and delicious cafe mochas!
Tomorrow morning we'll leave the cabin around 7:30am and drive to the Sydney airport. It will take anywhere between 1.5 - 2.5 hrs to get there. Our flight leaves at 11:55am and we'll arrive in LA early Tuesday morning. Talk to you soon!
Buying Groceries and headed to the Blue Mountain cabins
We went to Cole's Market across the street from Hillsong. Kevin had fun picking items...chicken kebabs, asparagus, mushrooms, corn, salad, fresh bacon by the slice in the deli, lunch meat, cheese, eggs, beautiful fresh fruit - peaches, nectarines, strawberries. Everything is so fresh!
The further outside the city we got, the more confident Kevin was with driving! The curvy mountain roads were awesome to drive through. Kevin did great! They led us through cute and quaint towns.
We found the Love Studio after a brief discussion about directions. Our GPS worked wonders, however Heather had the paper folded in half and realized the important next step was hidden. Kevin said history just repeated itself!
We unpacked. Kevin took a good nap. Heather read all the journal entries and looked over the walking trail maps while sitting outside in the glorious sunshine in the bush.
We took a short hike to Bowen's Gorge Lookout. Wow!! My eyes can hardly believe what it is seeing. We walked around to the other cabins that Lionel Buckett built - such creative intricate craftsmanship!
We enjoyed a fabulous dinner at the Apple Bar in Bilpin:
Kangaroo fillet - tender, juicy with non-gamey flavor
Honey King Prawns - simply sweet and scrumptious
Pomegranite salad with oranges, fennel feta with cinnamon and a local mesmate honey dressing
We could get used to this!
The further outside the city we got, the more confident Kevin was with driving! The curvy mountain roads were awesome to drive through. Kevin did great! They led us through cute and quaint towns.
We found the Love Studio after a brief discussion about directions. Our GPS worked wonders, however Heather had the paper folded in half and realized the important next step was hidden. Kevin said history just repeated itself!
We unpacked. Kevin took a good nap. Heather read all the journal entries and looked over the walking trail maps while sitting outside in the glorious sunshine in the bush.
We took a short hike to Bowen's Gorge Lookout. Wow!! My eyes can hardly believe what it is seeing. We walked around to the other cabins that Lionel Buckett built - such creative intricate craftsmanship!
We enjoyed a fabulous dinner at the Apple Bar in Bilpin:
Kangaroo fillet - tender, juicy with non-gamey flavor
Honey King Prawns - simply sweet and scrumptious
Pomegranite salad with oranges, fennel feta with cinnamon and a local mesmate honey dressing
We could get used to this!
Hillsong - Hills Campus
Well we survived our drive here. It was the first time Kevin drove on the "different" side of the road. We are still speaking to each other :) it was a test of communication, trust and patience. Only once did we miss the turn and ended up driving on the right side of the road which is the wrong side! Thankfully no one was on the road!!!
We safely made the drive to Bauklin Hills community and entered the huge parking lot for the mega campus of Hillsong for the 9am service. Worship songs were amazing. We were seated in the second room, so super close! Sr. Pastor Brian Houston gave the message this morning. The key message was about "not being stuck in the middle or being luke warm". He spoke about using what's in your hand (gifts / talents God has given you) to fulfill what's in your heart (who and what's this is all about!) The danger is when the focus of your treasure in your heart changes. You being a superstar in your own mind, gets in the way of putting Him first. Brian prayed that we would all be filled with foundation, purpose, blessing, and opportunity. An not let anything shift in our hearts. He closed with these final thoughts "Confident Humility"...don't be caught in the middle...live for Jesus, love for Jesus, serve for Jesus!
We safely made the drive to Bauklin Hills community and entered the huge parking lot for the mega campus of Hillsong for the 9am service. Worship songs were amazing. We were seated in the second room, so super close! Sr. Pastor Brian Houston gave the message this morning. The key message was about "not being stuck in the middle or being luke warm". He spoke about using what's in your hand (gifts / talents God has given you) to fulfill what's in your heart (who and what's this is all about!) The danger is when the focus of your treasure in your heart changes. You being a superstar in your own mind, gets in the way of putting Him first. Brian prayed that we would all be filled with foundation, purpose, blessing, and opportunity. An not let anything shift in our hearts. He closed with these final thoughts "Confident Humility"...don't be caught in the middle...live for Jesus, love for Jesus, serve for Jesus!
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Saturday...shopping and Hillsong!
This morning we enjoyed a nice skype chat with Ryan, Riley, Nancy and Jim. We had a late breakfast then went shopping in the open air markets.
We took the train this evening to Central Station then waited at the bus stop for the Hillsong bus. This evening went so fast! I am thankful that God had planted the right people in our paths this evening. We met James from Houston, Texas at the bus stop. It was a blessing to worship with him. Everyone at Hillsong was incredibly welcoming. Daniel (a +20 year Hillsong member) greeted us, engaged us in conversations, answered questions, and met up with us after worship for coffee and fellowship in their welcoming area. We left church a bit before 10:00pm and we arrived about 6:30pm.
We check out of the hotel in 6.5 hrs (Sunday morning). We may not have wireless connectivity over the next 2 days. So here's our plan:
7:30am rental car is delivered to hotel
You know they drive on the left side of the road and the steering wheel is on the right side of the car. Kevin is going to drive and Heather will be the navigator. This should be an interesting adventure!!
We are going to drive to the main Hillsong campus for their 9am service. Then stop at the grocery store on our way out to the blue mountains cabin. We are looking forward to the quiet of the outdoors :)
Thanks for reading and following our trip. I'll update if I find a wireless connection in the next few days. Otherwise, I'll make some updates at the airport on Tuesday.
We took the train this evening to Central Station then waited at the bus stop for the Hillsong bus. This evening went so fast! I am thankful that God had planted the right people in our paths this evening. We met James from Houston, Texas at the bus stop. It was a blessing to worship with him. Everyone at Hillsong was incredibly welcoming. Daniel (a +20 year Hillsong member) greeted us, engaged us in conversations, answered questions, and met up with us after worship for coffee and fellowship in their welcoming area. We left church a bit before 10:00pm and we arrived about 6:30pm.
We check out of the hotel in 6.5 hrs (Sunday morning). We may not have wireless connectivity over the next 2 days. So here's our plan:
7:30am rental car is delivered to hotel
You know they drive on the left side of the road and the steering wheel is on the right side of the car. Kevin is going to drive and Heather will be the navigator. This should be an interesting adventure!!
We are going to drive to the main Hillsong campus for their 9am service. Then stop at the grocery store on our way out to the blue mountains cabin. We are looking forward to the quiet of the outdoors :)
Thanks for reading and following our trip. I'll update if I find a wireless connection in the next few days. Otherwise, I'll make some updates at the airport on Tuesday.
Friday, November 16, 2012
Random thoughts...
1. They drive on the left side of the road in Australia.
2. So my thought is the same rules apply when walking on the busy sidewalks. I've struggled with this. I keep staying on the right side and people are swerving around me.
3. Tipping: there is no tipping in Australia. People in the restaurant and services industry make good money. Tips and taxes are included in the expense food cost. Prices on menus are rounded to the nearest dollar.
4. This city is filled with many suits, short, short skirts, and super high heels! It's crazy on Friday and Saturday nights.
2. So my thought is the same rules apply when walking on the busy sidewalks. I've struggled with this. I keep staying on the right side and people are swerving around me.
3. Tipping: there is no tipping in Australia. People in the restaurant and services industry make good money. Tips and taxes are included in the expense food cost. Prices on menus are rounded to the nearest dollar.
4. This city is filled with many suits, short, short skirts, and super high heels! It's crazy on Friday and Saturday nights.
Our Friday all day trip
It's rainy and cool today, but that won't stop us! Simon, Martha, Kevin and Heather boarded a bus at 7:20am. At Featherdale Wildlife park, we got to pat a koala while we got our picture taken with them. Heather and Martha fed the kangaroos right from their hands. The emu likes to try to get in their way.
Next stop the cute town of Lenorie for lunch. The food was good - we were able to connect to wireless and enjoyed skyping. It was so good to hear their voices and see their precious faces. Then we went to the candy store to get some 'lollies' and 'sweets'.
We stopped off at a few scenic stops to see the Three Sisters formation, but could not see through the fog and rain. Oh well we still had fun! Onto Scenic World, where we rode a train type cart down 52 degrees incline. Heather was scare of heights and angle of the cart, however we all survived!
We walked around on the trails in the lower part of the mountains then rode the sky cable car up to the top straight through the fog. It was supposed to be breath taking views...just not today.
The four of us went out to dinner. Hard to be believe it's Friday night already. Simon and Martha fly home tomorrow. I know they are very excited to see Sammy, but we will miss them!!
Next stop the cute town of Lenorie for lunch. The food was good - we were able to connect to wireless and enjoyed skyping. It was so good to hear their voices and see their precious faces. Then we went to the candy store to get some 'lollies' and 'sweets'.
We stopped off at a few scenic stops to see the Three Sisters formation, but could not see through the fog and rain. Oh well we still had fun! Onto Scenic World, where we rode a train type cart down 52 degrees incline. Heather was scare of heights and angle of the cart, however we all survived!
We walked around on the trails in the lower part of the mountains then rode the sky cable car up to the top straight through the fog. It was supposed to be breath taking views...just not today.
The four of us went out to dinner. Hard to be believe it's Friday night already. Simon and Martha fly home tomorrow. I know they are very excited to see Sammy, but we will miss them!!
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