So, quick life update before we get into the scenic stuff! Xavy and I officially escaped the crazy PH heat and are spending his entire school break down under in Australia. We flew out last April 1st—and no, definitely not an April Fools prank, besh, legit umalis talaga kami! Right now, we’re happily crashing at my sister Joyeth’s place all the way in Newcastle. Laking tipid sa accommodation, thank God for family! Makakapag-chill din sa wakas.
But of course, a trip here wouldn’t be complete without a proper road trip. So, over the weekend, we packed our bags, drove down from Newcastle, and headed for a quick weekend escape with Joyeth, my brother-in-law Kuya Nikki, and my 10-year-old nephew David. Destination: The Blue Mountains!
Scenic World: The Cardio Edition
The last time we were here was back in 2019, and honestly, it was a super short visit. We only did the Skyway and called it a day. Bitin masyado, di ba? This time, we were on a mission. We went all out and conquered Scenic World. We did all the rides: the Railway, the Cableway, and the Skyway. Add the view decks and that gorgeous forest walk down below, and my fitness tracker was practically throwing a party. I hit way past 10,000 steps that day! Sakit sa batiis, besh, but breathing in that fresh, crisp air and seeing those breathtaking views were absolutely worth the involuntary cardio.
Cozy Nights in Leura
After sweating it out, we headed to our Airbnb at 7 George’s Rd. in Leura, which Joyeth lovingly rented for us. Let me tell you, this place was an absolute dream. It had three bedrooms, it was very clean, and extremely aesthetic—perfect for resting these tired, overworked 40-something bones.
Because we were all exhausted (at syempre, tamad na mag-dress up), they just made a quick run to Woolies for supplies and we had a cozy dinner right there at the house. Honestly, sometimes the best meals are the ones where you can eat in your sweatpants, wala nang arte-arte.
Pastries, Humba, and Introverts
The next day started right. We headed to Hominy Bakery because they are known for their famous almond croissants. Syempre, we bought a bunch of those along with some savory pies to bring over to Ate Tess and family. Turns out, their place at 1 Canberra St., Wentworth Falls was just right next to the area we were staying!
Good thing we brought treats, because Ate Tess actually cooked us humba for breakfast, and oh my god, it was so good! Walang diet-diet on vacation! It was so nice to finally meet the rest of the family: Bryan and his wife Janice, Ate Tess and her husband Jong, plus Ma’am Delia and Dennis. Ma’am Delia actually had to leave shortly after because she had to meet up with her Agape friends. Grabe, she’s quite busy for a senior citizen! Daig pa ang social life ko, haha! Speaking of Dennis, older dagay ko ni Dennis, not sure. He didn’t talk much, murag introverted kau. In fact, he practically escaped to his room after a very quick chat—which, as someone whose social battery drains fast, I totally get. And let’s not forget their two adorable Pomeranians who completely stole the show!
Trains, Cider, and Autumn Leaves
Next up on the itinerary was the Zig Zag Railway, which was such a cool, nostalgic experience. After all that exploring, our tummies were rumbling, so we drove down to Hillbilly Cider to grab a late lunch.
As the name suggests, the place is known for their cider, and it did not disappoint! Gahulat na silang Te Tess nato didto. Ate Tess had already ordered us drinks (which were quite good!), and Kuya Bryan was a lifesaver—he ordered pizza ahead of time. So pagdating namin, we didn’t even have to order and wait; kain na lang agad! Perfect for tired, hungry travelers.
We capped off the afternoon by heading to Wentworth Street in Blackheath. My mission? Getting those perfect street photos of the maple trees changing colors. There’s something so magical about autumn in the Blue Mountains, you guys. Seeing the leaves turn into vibrant shades of red and orange is just the perfect reminder that change, even when it means letting go, can be incredibly beautiful.
Before we called it a day, Ate Tess actually suggested we go persimmon fruit picking. Sounds so fun, di ba? But it was getting late, our energy levels were crashing, and we still had a long drive back to Newcastle. We might just have to do that some other time!
And that was our long, exhausting, but utterly beautiful weekend. Just a tired solo mom, her teenager, family, and a whole lot of nature.
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