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Published: November 27th 2008
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Brisbane city
Sorry...was the only photo I took. 13/11/08 = Welcome to Australia
Arrived in Brisbane on time but had to wait 2 hrs for hostel to pick us up - not too bad though because airport nice. Staying in Moreton Bay = right on water. Not really swimming water though (not that I'd swim in it anyway), more watersports water.
Unpacked bags a bit then went into common room to chat to some people about area and things to do. Not v.nice though and felt quite uncomfortable. Other girls had stayed and worked in area a long time and were quite territorial - felt like we had crossed over some kind of invisible boundary. Then a poor girl came in who had red lumps all over her arms and face. There were so many lumps that some of them had merged together and formed giant lumps! Eavesdropped on converstaion and heard that they were bed bug bites from hostel we were staying in. PANIC. Territorial girls were trying to tell her that it was normal to get bitten and that everyone gets bitten here and that she must have just had a bad reaction. Complete panic. They carried on and toldf us that our room was one of best rooms and we were lucky - didn't feel lucky! Went out for a walk and tried to clear head, half panicing and half laughing about bed bugs! Thankfully we found the 'Baywatch' cafe and got some fish and chips to calm our nerves. Not bad either - not as good as ours though. Chips were like oven chips and fish had some kind of Bernard Matthews breadcrumbs on it.
Called at supermarket on way back, then back to bed bugs. Didn't last long...straight in, straight out. Went to tourist information to find out about how to hire campervans. Phoned some companies and planned to go an visit some vans next morning. Was a nice English guy and 2 German girls in room when got back. German girls had been moved into our room from another room with bed bugs. They had to have all clothes washed aswell because apperntly live in clothes - gross! Made us feel better though because been in ourroom for a week and not seen any. Yes...'seen' any. Cannot believe you can actually see bed bugs. Supposedly about half size of fingernail, black and look like little beetles - uurgghh!
Tough choice between sitting in bed with bugs or going in common room, but took common room option. Watched TV and talked as little as possible when got there. Eventually had to go to bed though. Lights off when got there, so slid into bed, squeezed eyes shut, and imagined I had developed some kind of thick, bug proof, protective orb around me!
14/11/08 = Campervan Nerves
Up early. When sharing a room, 1 up = all up. Had cheapest and worst ever cornflakes (didn't soften at all in milk) and then got free shuttle bus into Brisbane town to visit vans. Didn't really look round much, but very big city. Lots of usual city buildings + an unusual number of churches! Walked into Fortitude valley first for 'Wicked' campervan shop, but were rubbish really - not helpful and vans not as cheap as they should be! So headed into Bowen Hills where found cheapest quote at Travellers Autobarn. Had a look at van and ended up booking it. Really good deal and guy had to phone head office to check quote we had been given; ended up half price - brilliant! Got really nervous after that though. Biggest amount of money spent so far at 450pounds each, but no turning back now. Booked van from 15th November to 24th December = 40days and 40nights (no parallel to Jesus intended).
Walked round Brisbane for a little while and bought few things for the road (not including a good camping atlas that we ummed and aahhed over for 30minutes in shop) and then caught train back to Moreton. Then I did something that am incredibly proud of....went on my first run since been away. Was really looking forward to it too - really needed to clear my head. Turned out to be a very disagreeable experience though. Got stitch within first 5 minutes, had to walk a little of way and then ended up running so slow on way back that I'm sure an old lady walking overtook me! Very disappointed...confirmed worst suspicions of devastatingly poor fitness level. *Note to self - Must put in more effort with exercise!*
Got back and had a typical dinner of tinned spaghetti on toast - living the high life! Watched a film and then were going to get an early night, but rest of people from room going to bar, so was rude not to really. Girls told us all about their work on a pig farm and how they each ended up adopting baby piglets whose Mums had died - totally made me want to work on a pig farm. Piglets had to sleep on their necks in bed with them and everything! Played a little pool and got a little better; actually potted 2 balls for aour team - rest were still on table at end of game - ha! Listened to music and chatted for a while then went to bed about midnight.
Miles = 7.5 (+3 miles OAP running)
Steps = 17, 285
Calories = 466
BED BUG BITES = 0 (still can't wait to leave though!)
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