Since I've gone too long without a proper haircut, Steve threatened to repair the damage my self styling has done to my bangs. Instead, I booked an 8:30 AM appointment. This was the first time I have ever treated myself to any kind of beauty treatment while on vacation and I was delighted by the entire experience.

I don't know how 'senior' 28 year-old stylist Brooke was but she was so much fun to be with and she really listened to my demands. She had so many questions about America. I loved it all. Onward to discover!

When we passed this opulent and intriguing building, we had to U-turn and explore. Covering over ½ of a mile of hilltop, it was built by the retail magnate Mark Foy. The Medlow Bath Hydro opened in 1904 as a hydropathic sanitorium and health resort, offering visitors the opportunity to “take the waters” in European style while enjoying superb views over the Blue Mountains. However, in the absence of natural mineral springs, foul-tasting mineral waters were imported from Germany. When the appeal of the health resort waned (only 2 years later), the hotel was re-branded as the Hydro Majestic and promoted as a luxury getaway.

The project was an ambitious one, involving the employment of 200 to 300 workmen for more than a year. The impressive dome was imported from Chicago, transported to the mountains by bullock cart and reassembled on site.  Mr. Foy was even successful in having the name of his hotel’s location changed from Medlow to Medlow Bath.

As well as around 100 bedrooms, the resort included a ballroom, billiard room, lawn tennis courts, a bowling green, a cricket ground and a “swimming bath”.

We got lost in its vastness. The Hydro is unexplainable in its WOW-factor.

Over the years the hotel attracted many famous guests, including Australia’s first Prime Minister, Sir Edmund Barton, who actually died there in 1920. The Hydro Majestic was extensively damaged by fire in August 1922 but reopened in time for Christmas that year. Rebuilding took some 14 years, but for some decades the hotel remained a favorite destination for a luxurious holiday. By the 1990s, the glory had faded. The hotel was acquired by the Escarpment Group in 2008 and a lengthy process of restoration and renovation has returned it to luxury status.

Peacock feathers adorn all of the heavy velvet drapery. Former luxury status indeed!

The walls were lined with amazing artwork done by Swiss artist Arnold Alois Zimmerman (1897-1985). He came to Australia in 1923 and was a painter, designer, architect, and pictorial artist. In the 1930s, he oversaw the redesign of the interior of the Ballroom, now known as the Casino. He was also commissioned to paint the animal paintings which were in the specially designated spaces that surrounded the walls of the Ballroom, mounted just below the ceiling. They are truly museum quality.

And the views... Masterpieces!

We ended our explore, after meandering for 1 km, in the Pavilion for coffee and more history.

Visitors to the world-famous historic hotel can discover the heritage of original owner Mark Foy’s Palace in the Wilderness through interpretive displays and multimedia screening areas. See historic collections of ice skates, cutlery and crockery, porters’ uniforms and the original Casino Lobby stage. Look up to see Hydro Majestic chairs through the eras. Glance at the screens to see photos of celebrities..." This was definitely a surprise find and so completely worth the detour.

Upon exiting, we stumbled upon a group of guys with some really cool rides.

We were impressed with this Lele by ISO Rivolta, a unknown-to-us Italian car and motorbike manufacturer active in the motor vehicle sector since 1938.

Next was a trip to Blackheath for attaining more of our back-to-nature goals.

After yesterday's strenuous day, we were looking for an easy dose of Vitamin N. We found it beginning at Evans Lookout. A brilliant introduction to the wonders of Blue Mountains National Park, this lookout offers breathtaking views towards Grose Valley, with the sandstone cliff walls.

A visit, to ogle and briefly visit, was a must at the Grand Canyon.

Confession: I did not take this photo but had I been quicker, I would have. What a beautiful burst of color hidden within the hues of the bush. Wild.

Lunch was at Blackheath's delicious and delightful Victory Theatre Café.

I had the most amazing chickpea pancake and Steve's ragu was perfect.

After lunch, we stalked these characters for a photo. They were heading to a Titanic party celebration (remembrance). There were quite a few of them.

This was just one of the many gorgeous vehicles in which they arrived. Style!

Our last dose of nature's beauty came at Govetts Leap Lookout. The view includes sandstone escarpments, sheer cliff walls, the deep canyons of the Grose Valley, and tall waterfalls. It was the ideal conclusion of our day.

"Bring nothing but silence.

Show nothing but grace.

Seek nothing but shelter

from the great human race.

Take nothing but pictures.

Kill nothing but time.

Leave nothing but footprints

to show you came by."

-John Kay