Blogs by Morenchi Factory: Australia Travelogue

Day 7 - Marathi Traditional Way of Haldi

We were back from Canberra late night and the next day was a off for any travel or activity. We had a small family function planned which was the traditional Haldi making ceremony.

So in our traditional way we set-up the night with some songs singing and creating memories for life atleast for us and the couple who was getting married.

The entire family had come together, we further had families come in from Melbourne, they had driven all the way. The travel is around 900 kms but they were all cheers even after the long journey. When you have immigrated from India, the extended and the Indian families with whom you make friends with remain your life-long friends for ever.

Finally some portion of the haldi (turmeric) was ready which was to be used a couple of days later. We then began taking Ukhanaas. Ukhana is a way of telling a riddle of your partner with a twist at the end. Usually a Ukhana is not more than a few lines and is funny and unique most of the times.

Bride was enjoying the entire attention and the fulfilled activities. I was able to record a few Ukhanas. Well this one is taken by me hence uploading the same.

It was a long night and everyone after the program were fast asleep as we had a travel day the next day. We were to visit the Blue Mountains and the Jenolan Caves. These scenic places were far away from Sydney and from each other as well and we had to make a run for them

Day 8 - Blue Mountains and Jenolan Caves

The journey to Blue Mountain via the Great Western and A32 highway was awesome and fun filled. Mamaji's friend had volunteered to drive us to Blue Mountain and Jenolan Caves as we had booked a 14 seater. Not all from the extended family came along. The ones who were here on their first trip went on this journey.

We started our day at 5am in the morning. As this is a tourist and scenic destination, we also have a lot of people visit from various countries and that too in large numbers. It is important for everyone to be on schedule. We reached Blue Mountains at around 6.15am in the morning. The Blue Mountains National Park is located in a town called Katoomba. The name of the town is aboriginal in nature. We quickly parked the car and were off to the lookout.

Blue Mountains

The view from the lookout is mesmerizing. The mountain structures that you see first is known as the Three Sisters. This too has a aboriginal meaning as the aboriginals were the first people of the land.

The castle at a distance from the 3 Sisters. Usually this is also considered a trekkers trail where people travel from the 3 Sisters into the wild. The Blue Mountains are also called so because of the abundance of trees, especially Eucalyptus trees and when the sunlight reflects, it creates a Blue hue across the region.

The rock structure too is very different. In India where I stay, the rock formation is mostly Igneous rock, but in Australia the formation is very interesting. This is evident in some of the views across Blue Mountain Ranges.

Post viewing some of the scenic lookouts we were off to the cable cart ride, this takes you from one end of the Blue mountains and back and you can hop on to any that goes to and fro. You can also walk from between the 2 sides of the cable cart but the endurance needed is more than the effort needed by the cable cart.

The cable cart with the breath taking view of the nature all around

View of the cable cart in the middle of the mountains

A similar scene showcased in Avatar movie where the team goes to the floating mountains and this is what they see there.

Birds flying across the Blue Mountains

The Upper Wentworth Falls at the Blue Mountains

Post enjoying the cable cart view we were in for a surprise as well further. When the blue mountains were explored and further were mined for minerals, there was a coal mine train tracks which were used to ferry the minerals out of the mines. Since mining has stopped, the rail lines are used as adventure attraction for the tourist. It takes the tourist around 600 meters below the mountains at a angle of 53 degrees incline. The rush is awesome way to experience what the miners would have experienced on a daily basis.

That was all about the Scenic Blue Mountains, time was short and we had to yet to travel to Jenolan Caves. Off we went to our car and drove off.

Jenolan Caves

We started for the Jenolan Caves at 3.30pm and reached the caves at 5pm, the Jenolan Caves usually closes at 4.30pm when the guide takes the last tour to close everything by 5.30pm. We requested the tour guide to take them with us and we would pay the fee once the tour is over to which they agreed considering that we had come a long way and had a rough ride on the way to Jenolan Caves. The tour guide was sweet enough to allow us through the experience.

Caves with their names

The road that goes through the mountains in Jenolan Cave

The rock structure at the entrance of the tour

Before we entered the caves

The caves are a prime example of preservation of stalactites and stalagmites that have been formed naturally over a long period of years. The caves are made of minerals like sand, lava, mud, peat, pitch amberat and sinter etc. Entering the cave reminded me of the movie "Sanctum". It was difficult to fin you if you were to be lost in the trails of the caves.

And with that we ended the Jenolan Cave tour. We some how made it and our request to consider paved way. We were to return to Glenfield from there as the next day was power packed again with Haldi celebration planned for the next day. On our way back we saw a few Kangaroos on the way which made the memory of this day even more sweeter.

Day 9 - The Mehndi Day

It was Mehndi time and the preparations had began, we were all running around as we woke up late due to the previous day chaos of travel as well as we had to set-up a few decorative lights for the Mehndi celebration. We helped Mamaji set-up the backyard.