A COMMENTARY ON AUSTRALIANS

A COMMENTARY
On Australians

The Australians were generally big-bodied and white-complexioned but I honestly did not find them appealing. Something was lacking in them though they could be considered as “beautiful people”. Most of them were in a hurry as if catching up for a leaving train. They were not freckled like most Americans but their noses were too long and too sharp while their mouths were mostly wide. There was some kind of a balance that was lacking… the “it” that makes the heart beat faster.

But I thought they were the most disciplined people in the world. They too were the most hygienic although it looked awkward to see a well-dressed man biting on a sandwich while walking. This was pretty common in downtown Sydney.

OUT OF THE CITY
Sept. 7, 2000

Today, we joined a Tour of the Blue Mountains and the Canyons. Early in the morning Paul drive us to Artarmon train station for a train ride to the city. From the Central Station we proceeded to Eddy Avenue, at Bay 14 to wait for Dal Myles 19-seater bus that we’ll use for the tour.

With us were a pretty Canadian Lady and her 3 year old son; an American who have visited the Philippines before and another aging American lady. The seven of us including the driver started on time at 8:30 a.m. We made a few turn in the city, shown some of the important landmarks already familiar to us and before we knew it we were out of the city, at the Homebush where the Olympic Park was located. We felt short charged because we were only shown the Olympic site from the outside. We did not have the chance to see ‘live’ the well-talked about Stadium Australia of the New Millennium.

After traversing along highway thickly forested on both sides with brightly colored flowers here and there we soon found ourselves at Featherdale Wildlife Park. It was indeed very cool down there but the lure of the wild animals was irresistible. We wondered among Kangaroos, Emuses, Ostriches and Peacocks. We saw real Wombats, giant Crocodiles, exotic Birds, Fairy Penguins and many more. Most of all we had a chance to cuddle a Koala.

We crossed the Howkenburg River to begin our climb to the foot hills of the Blue Mountains, traveling via the beautiful Bilpin, an orchard district famous for its apples and peaches. Terry bought some fruits while I took a cup of coffee before we swiped majestically from ridge to ridge revealing new canyons and cliffs at every turn.

At Mt. Victoria, in the grand old pub with a history (1878), the Imperial Hotel, we were served a country roast chicken that was gebnnerous and fresh. We viewed Govetti’s Leap, Bridal Veil Falls, Cross Valley and Jamilson Valley. From the foot of Mt. Tomah the road entered the Blue Mountains National Park were we saw seven Kangaroos freely jumping around . One of them was carrying a “joey” in her pouch. We did not ride the Katoomba Scenic Railway or the Skyway but we enjoyed watching the Three Sisters, the spectacular sandstone formation rising from Jamison Valley. We f ailed to try t he Echo Point because it was showering mildly.