Well, it’s been a fun week with a LOT of learning on our end, but today it was time to say goodbye to the Campervan. We awoke this morning to find a whole flock of cockatoos dining around our campsite. While we are getting accustomed to seeing (and hearing!) them everywhere, it was still quite a sight to see this many so close by, and they didn’t care one bit when we walked by. 😂

We got all packed up and checked out of our Blue Mountains campsite this morning and headed into Katoomba for a last breakfast. We found a cute little brunch spot called The Bowery that was an old church converted to a restaurant (like the one we went to in Brisbane!). Good food and a nice atmosphere. Plus, when I ordered the French toast, they asked me if I wanted “ricotta or ice cream on it?” Umm- what? Like any sane person, I said “ice cream”! Is this a thing in Australia? And if so, how do we spread the word back home?!

After brunch we did a bit more exploring around Katoomba, and came across some fun things. We noticed that several cities across Australia have repurposed old phone booths for the season and they are now “Santa Calling Booths” where kids can step inside anytime from now until Christmas and place a free call to Santa. So cute! We also found the “Apprentices Arch Bridge”, a pretty little neighborhood bridge that has an interesting backstory on how it came to be (https://www.bluemountainsgazette.com.au/story/2341502/bob-the-builders-honour-leaves-him-tickled-pink/ ).

At last there was no more delaying and it was time to return the Campervan to Sydney. Rob dropped me off at a Sydney airport hotel where we will be staying tonight, as we have an early morning flight to Uluru/Ayers Rock tomorrow! We will be in the actual Outback, baby! Rob got the camper checked in and returned to the airport hotel via the clean and efficient Sydney train system, which he was very impressed by. Dinner at the food court in the airport tonight (yumm! Just kidding 😭) and now laundry, email catch up and bills to pay (how did people travel long term before e-billing and online payments?!).

Tomorrow marks the halfway point of our trip, so look for some mid-point reflections coming soon as we ponder the greatness that this trip has been. Thanks for adventuring with us!