Sydney Field Trips!

Just like in every other city we’ve been to so far, in Sydney our Biology class went on two field trips: one to Long Reef and one to the Blue Mountains.

            While we were at long reef, we were collecting data to see what types of animals lived in different parts of the tidal zone. However, after we were done with the actual work, we got to look around at the critters in everyone else’s’ data areas and take lots of pictures! Here are a few of my favorites:

            The Blue Mountains are said to be “Australia’s Grand Canyon”. When we were first entering the area, the land looked like ocean waves during a rough storm had been frozen in time, turned into land, and grew trees. They were huge and dipped and dove as far as the eye could see. What’s also cool about this area is that the world’s oldest genetic tree (as in every tree alive in the world today descended from this one) was found here in the Blue Mountains. It was thought to be extinct, but a very small population survived for hundreds of years after it was thought to be extinct, and now there is a population of about 100 of them in rebounding in the wild.

            One of the biggest features in the Blue Mountains is the rock formation called “The Three Sisters”. There are many legends that accompany the name, one of which our very talkative bus driver told us during the two hour drive. Our hike took us right down the side of one of the “sisters”, which is where we had a picture of our hiking group taken.

            The most daunting parts of the hike were the “Great Stairway” that led us a good way down the mountain and then the Furbur Steps that led us all the way back up. Throughout the day, I believe I climbed about 2000 stairs. Needless to say, I’ll be taking as many elevators as possible for a while.

            The highlight of the hike was being able to see Katoomba Falls- a 250m tall waterfall that cascades down the side of a mountain. It’s broken up into a series of small waterfalls ending on sets of boulders. When you can actually see where the waterfall begins and not be able to see the bottom because it’s blocked by foliage and giant rocks, its easy to be in awe.

            Now I’m not going to go out hiking every weekend or anything, but this study abroad program has definitely sparked my interest in going on more hikes. I’m finding that I’m enjoying them more and more, especially when I go with a fun group of people. It’s something I’m going to try to keep up with when I visit places that have nice trails.

            On a side note, I officially made it through Australia without getting leeched!