Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - Caves of Wonder (Premium)

Episode Date: August 16, 2021

This is a preview episode. Get the full episode, and many more, ad free, on our supporter's feed: https://getsleepy.com/support. Caves of Wonder Tonight we head to the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, Australia. We'll take a long, relaxing hike, before exploring the mesmeric Jenolan Caves. 😴  Sound design: forest ambiance, breeze. 🏕🍃 Narrator: Thomas Jones About Get Sleepy Premium: Help support the podcast, and get: Monday and Wednesday night episodes (with zero ads) The exclusive Thursday night bonus episode Access to the entire back catalog (also ad-free) Premium sleep meditations, extra-long episodes and more! We'll love you forever. ❤️ Get a 7 day free trial, and join the Get Sleepy community here https://getsleepy.com/support. And thank you so, so much.  Tom, and the team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hi, Thomas here. You're listening to a preview episode. You can enjoy the entire story tonight by subscribing to our supporters' feed. There you'll get access to the entire back catalogue, bonus episodes, and more, and it's all completely ad-free. Click the link below to learn more and thank you so so much. Me and the team really appreciate your support. You're standing at a tree-lined trailhead with your two guides, Kyle and Zoe. They know this land well and are discussing the upcoming trip with bright smiles. Volging backpacks lay it to their feet in matching sea-green canvas. You can see the outlines of water bottles and source bins pushing against the sides of the packs which are filled to capacity.

The irregular shapes remind you of all the effort that's gone into getting ready for the journey ahead. They and you are well prepared to begin your hike along the 6th-foot track, a trail that will lead you through the blue mountains of new south Wales, Australia. Two days from now, you'll arrive at the marvelous and mysterious Genolan caves. Hidden within the extensive cave network are abandoned mines, colorful lights that dance on the walls, and tiny passages that twist and turn like an unraveling string. Along the way, you plan to camp at two lovely and remote sites.

Nothing more than isolated clearings that will allow you some space for your thoughts. The entrance to the trail is marked by the explorer's tree. Once it was a tall and proud gum tree that was reduced to a blackened stump by a mighty flash of lightning some years ago. You're grateful for the pleasant weather now. The wind nuzzles your cheeks gently, as the sun splashes warmth over your nose. You've decided to head out in the early afternoon, in order to make it first campsite by nightfall. Kyle and Zoe nod at you, and all three packs are hoisted up in unison. It's time to head out onto the trail. The rustling canopy of leaves and branches fends off the sun as you take your first steps towards Genolan caves.

The descent begins soon after. Here and there, splotches of green paddock, mingle with swaves of sturdy eucalyptus. The track is well maintained, with wooden retainers creating a staircase through the forest. Crisp brown leaves carpets the floor, crackling beneath your feet. Illusive bellbirds chime and echo from the tree tops, flitting between nests hidden from sight. You and your guides chat casually for now, filling the space between footsteps with easy conversation. The air is fresh and smells of the sun retreats silently from the valley. As you watch a flash of yellow rockets through the trees,

sparkling amongst the understated greens and browns. A bell-bird lands on the track ahead, sending up a small plume of fragile dust in its wake. Unconsumbed about your presence, the bird hops around, swiveling its neck this way and that, before letting out another delighted call. You watch it for a few minutes, careful not to disturb it. Eventually, it takes off into the trees and you continue down into the valley.