Up for the Craic in Queensland

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We emailed Chris (who we'd met trekking in Nepal a couple of years ago) to let him know we were coming to Brisbane, and to see if he'd be around to meet us for a few beers. What we hadn't expected was to be picked up from the airport, given Chris's bed, taken on the City Cat along the Brisbane River, entertained by Chris and his housemates, Ben & Monica, and wined and dined by the Kirby family!

Over only two days, discussions ranged from "Why is the Thames called the Thames?" to "How much money would you need to be given to chop your own little finger off?" to "Scientology - what's wrong with it?" to Wyn fine-planning the next 10 years of our lives! (By the way, answers to any of the above questions would be most welcome!)

We had the BEST time and are looking forward to returning the great hospitality we received, when Chris, Ben & Monica, Tanya, and Wyn & Peter come to London.



After Brisie, we took a trip four hours north to Fraser Island, the Biggest Sand Island in the World. Backpacker hostels offered 3-day, 2-night, self-drive 4x4, camping packages with 11 random passengers. We decided to go for it, despite being worried about being in a group of 18-year-olds and possibly feeling like their parents.

At the briefing the night before, we were warned about the perils of driving on sand and the danger of dingoes, then put into our groups of 11 and given an alcohol order form to fill in. This was going to be interesting ...!

We got REALLY lucky with our group: 8 Irish (all up for the craic, and who humoured us by wishing us "Top of The Morning"!), 1 Scot and us. We set off the next morning, our 4x4 buckling under the weight of the Chilly Bin full of beer! (oh, and the tents, food, cooking equipment and utensils).

We had 3 great days ... visiting all the must-see sights on the Island - Eli Creek, Indian Head, the beautifully clear Lake Mackensie & Lake Wabby ...

... and 2 fun nights ...choosing good camping spots, cooking delicious meals, drinking beer and chatting away under bright starry skies, whilst shoo-ing away cocky dingoes.

We had one more great night back in Brisbane, before flying up to Singapore and beginning the SE Asian leg of our trip ...

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Photos

Brisbane "Beach"
A completely manmade beach on the South Bank

At the Bangkok Milton with the Kirbys
From l to r: Peter, Wyn, Tanya, Jane, Nige, Chris

Comments

[Steve]

Q & A
No one knows but lots of people argue, £1 million and a new pair of gloves or £500,000 if it's my left hand (don't ask), Tom Cruise is one (surely that's enough of an argument).

[SuperNick]

swiss army "backpacker"
Nige I have a Swiss Army knife called a "Backpacker". I've had it for years and haven't really given the EVIL BLADE much exercise. To this end, I hereby offer to cut your little finger off for FREE. No Charge. It's not technically "chopping" it off, and I guess the necessary sawing action may prove a little uncomfortable and time-consuming, but think of the money you will save. You might want quite a lot of loo roll to hand (at least 20 sheets) as I have done some research and understand this procedure can be quite messy. I would also recommend a bit of brandy: before, during and afterwards - for medicinal purposes. Let me know if you want to take up this offer, which is valid for 30 days. p.s. you love me

[chris]

it was sooooooooo fantastic catching up with you both again and i hope to see you at the end of the year in london. it certainly was a packed couple of days, well worth chucking a sickie for. a couple ideas of london name came from can be found at these websites http://chr.org.uk/legends.htm http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=1006012908163 anyhow enjoy the rest of the trip and keep up with the blogs