Brisbane

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Ahh Brisbane, home of . . . . not sure what really but city seems quite nice! Its the fastest growing city in Oz apparently. didnt like it too much when we arrived ( 'just another city'!) but it grows on you! Spent first day here just wandering around, walked down along South bank of river ( posh gardens and nice walks ), took ferry back across from Kangeroo Point and headed home to hostel through city. Checked out Art Gallery too - fabulous giant chandelier ( will try and put photo on at some point!)! We had now separated from Em & George who were staying with a family friend, whilst we headed to Tinbillys hostel. fab hostel with bar underneath - much fun had there most nights we were there! got to know a couple of girls from UK and 2 Dutch guys in our room, who became our drinking buddies! Spent day 2 at man made beach ( wierd but true!) along south bank of river - they had imported sand for it and everything! shame the water was chloriney and there were no waves! Day 3 was spent at Australia Zoo - we thought we had to really, if just to see Steve Irwin's lifes work! Amazing place - the hugest enclosures i have ever seen at a zoo! even the little wombats had acres to run about in! a merchandisers dream though - anything they could possibly have stuck his face/name on, they have! Croc display was pretty impressive - got to meet Graham - the only croc at Aus Zoo to have bitten both Steve and his assistant Wes ( you guys who have watched the Croc Hunter Diaries on tele will know who i mean!). Mean looking giant killing machine he was!! however it was pretty informative, and i do now know what to do if we get bitten by a poisonous snake here ( apparently the percentage of women getting bitten of virtually non existant as most dozy guys get bitten whilst trying to pick up/wind up/kill the snakes - d'oh!! machoism at its stupidest i feel!) We dragged ourselves out for a mental St Paddys night in Brisbane with Colleen and Fiona from dorm ( oh my god they do celebrate in style here!). Managed to score an excellant St Paddys day hat though which i need to try and get home some how!! just another thing to carry! Spend last 2 days in Brisbane over on Moreton Island just off the mainland. Amazing place that i highly recommend for a visit. it is 1 giant sand dune, with a resort at one end! No roads though, so you have to go everywhere in 4x4s on sand tracks - very bumpy!! tried sandboarding ( the hardest part of this was climbing the hill/mountain again after flying down at 100 miles an hr!) which was fun, then checked into the luxury resort that we spent the night at ( gorgeous to have your own bathroom and comfy bed again - we had to take pics of the room!!) In eve went down to the marina where we hand fed wild dolphins which was awesome! they have around 10 wild dolphins that come in every night for a feed. they are very gentle about taking the fish from your hands, although Shadow, the one i was feeding, got bored waiting and nudged my leg for more - very cute! Next morn got up early and snorkelled in and out of the Tangalooma wrecks just offshore. lots of lovely fish (even 'Fish called Wanda' fish - a Banner fish - v..pretty!) and even got to see a Wobblegong shark ( very wierd and bobbly looking sharks!) in under the wreck. Shattered now - had a busy few days- think a few days rest by the beach needed . .
Off to Noosa today where we should catch up with em & george for 2 days which should be good! See ya sn
b xxx

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Photos

Moreton Island
Sunset at Moreton Island

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Looking out from the point over Moreton Island bay

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Croc Show in the 'Crocoseum' at Australia Zoo

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Me n large Salty Croc at Oz Zoo