A Blue Haze and a Swiss Chalet

A two hour drive from Sydney saw us to Katoomba. It was a glorious bright sunshiny day though the air was icy cold. We arrived soon after lunch, checked into our hotel and armed with our guide book headed off in the direction of Echo Point and what proved to be a really wonderful afternoon. The views from here are out of this world and the haze above the forest does really look blue. We walked the circuit to Skyway, descending the Giant Stairway alongside the Three Sisters

The Three Sisters

and then crossing the Jamison Valley, passing Katoomba Falls to the Scenic Railway. The Railway takes you back up to the top of the cliffs from where you can take Skyway back to reach Echo Point.

Skyway

We'd worked up quite an appetite by the time we returned and it was beginning to get dark. Having had a little look at the local guides and thumbed through the Rough Guide we plumped for a place called the Swiss Chalet just a very short walk from where we were staying. Suitably wrapped up against the cold we headed out. What a wonderful find. The restaurant was, surprise, surprise furnished and set out like an old fashioned Swiss Chalet (picture Heidi and you've got it) complete with cow bells of assorted sizes. It was packed but, luckily for us, they were able to squeeze us in. One rather large fondu later saw us back out into the cold and a brisk walk back to the hotel where the wood burning stove was glowing healthily. Having checked in for our return flights the next evening we settled down for the night. The next day we decided to take another shorter walk this time to see Leura Cascades and view Briday Veil Falls. Although lovely it was obvious that, like the waterfalls in Kuranda, they would be really spectacular if there had been any recent rain to speak of.

The story of the three sisters

Our final check in and then the long journey home. What an adventure – truly a holiday of a lifetime even if it had got off to a wobbly start. Planning it and reading other people's blogs was nearly as much fun as living it and writing it up and reading Rick's accounts has made me feel perhaps another journey might be round the corner!

A Blue Haze and a Swiss Chalet

Katoomba, Australia