Blogs from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, Oceania

It's a beautiful morning in Brisbane Australia as I watch the sunrise from BNE International Airport. The flight from Chicago to Dallas went smoothly. The lady sitting next to me and the couple behind only spoke Spanish so I was able to translate overhead messages and serve as an interpreter with flight attendants. That was pretty neat. The flight from Dallas to Brisbane was 16 hours long, but thankfully the plane was not even close to being full. No one was in my row so I got to move over to the window and spread out. That made for delightful sleeping (and I had 3 pillows to myself). The rest of the flight was filled with on-demand movies and delicious airline food (it honestly wasn't bad). The biggest answer to prayers came when we found that ... read more

Dear All. Hello, and welcome from Australia, the worlds most expensive country to do anything. Australia is a land where foreign people stumble around trying to figure out literally the cheapest way there is to survive whilst having fun. Basically, every traveller here carries with them a blue cool bag (always blue...we have two) full of bread, nutella and pasta, and a 2l box of wine they call 'goon'. This is all that anyone foreign eats and drinks here it seems. Its pretty tragic. On average it costs about $25-30 to stay in dorm rooms with loads of other people, where we have to fight in dirty kitchens over dirty pots and pans so that we can cook pasta for the tenth time in a week. If I'm being honest, I don't really think this represents ... read more

Today I decided to explore the South Bank, Brisbane. In 1988 the EXPO exhibition was held on this site. Today there are a few relics from that time also some refurbishment of the area which took place after the exhibition. The South Bank is where most of the cultural centres lie, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, The Lyric and other theatres etc. As you cross Victoria Bridge from CBD there is a parkland area which stretches along the side of the river. As you begin the walk past the theatres the first thing you see is the Ferris Wheel, not sure if this was there during the EXPO exhibition or whether it was a later addition. Further along are cafes, a concert hall, pleasant walks through a small rainforest area and pathways with metals structures supporting bougainvillea ... read more

Arrived in Brisbane to much cooler temperatures a mere 26 compared to 33-36degrees in Cairns and humidity of 90%. The place I am staying is very nice with a decent sized swimming pool which is great. Caught the bus into the centre of the city yesterday. The city is on a river which runs pretty much through the centre. I visited the city centre but it was very busy and decided to go to a concert by the Queensland SO which included circus performances and classical music. brilliant!! The South bank is the cultural area with a big wheel a bit like the London Eye. Didn't get much time to explore this but will probably go back tomorrow.... read more

I started my day with a ride in my uncles 1966 Ford Mustang which he has maintained for a number of years. Its his pride and joy and its really cool. Later that morning we collected my cousin Harry and we went to Mt. Coot-tha where there is a fantastic lookout point which gives you a great view of Brisbane. We stopped for a milk shake and I tried my first pink magnum lolly. From there we went on to Simpson's Waterfall and although we did not reach it because the walk was too long we did walk along part of the river bed on the rocks that border each side. Harry and I then played football and saw a goanna in a tree. A goanna is a large lizard which can grow up to 4 ... read more

Today I went to the Gold Coast and en route I stopped at the Strawberry Farm for a special strawberry sundae. When I got to the Gold Coast I stopped at Surfers Paradise where I went for a swim in the South Pacific Ocean to jump some big waves. There was a helicopter flying over as people were swimming to look out for sharks because they often get washed up to shore because of the cyclones. There were lifeguards patrolling the beach for any danger and shark nets around the beach area just out to sea a little. I left Surfers Paradise and went to Burleigh Heads further along the coast for lunch and then we did some shopping where I bought some goggles, togs and a rash shirt. When I got back home I did ... read more