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Published: November 7th 2005
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Overlooking Brisbane
The waterfronts were magnificent! Hey, Windsor should do this... Well, we're finally ready to wind up our trip in Australia, and boy was it eye-opening! When last we wrote, we were in Airlie Beach getting ready to take a bus trip to Brisbane, en route to Sydney to ready ourselves for Asia. The bus ride from Airlie to Brisbane was approximately 17 hours, and while we had the opportunity to hop off at any time we decided to power through. Honestly, by this point we are getting tired of the small, backpacker-filled beach towns----the east coast is one beach town after another---and welcome the bustle (and perks) of city life. Really, the whole east coast is a dream destination for single partiers aged 18-23, and as neither of us fit into that category anymore, it is often difficult to meet (or desire to meet) other travellers.
We stayed in Brisbane for a grand total of three days. A fine city, Brisbane has the smaller, relaxed feel of Cairns while it looks more like Sydney. The dowtown area is rather compact and surrounded by water (river since Brisbane is not right on the coast), and they've done some great things along their riverfront with shops, cafes and walking trails. Sarah
"Chasing the Mullet"
Appreciate the no-nonsense foreground set against a rather festive background...business up front, party in the back. was thus pestered constantly with comments like "This is exactly what Windsor should do with the Western Anchor". Here we stayed in the best room we've had so far in Australia at the Explorer, just a hop skip and jump from the bus station. It was nice to be able to walk throughout the city, along the water and in the parks....finally something that wasn't a beach!! Brisbane is even home to the Queensland Museum of Art, which we were able to enter FOR FREE. We had no clue, but most art museums in Australia have free entry -- a fantastic idea for those who like to get out of the sun for a bit, but have seen all the latest worthwhile movies. Nick is not quite as sophisticated as Sarah, and at one point decided to sit on these great little wooden benches facing a painting called "Chasing the Mullet" (which he just HAD to get a photo of)....fine until we came to an art label that said "Two Wooden Benches", by such-and-such. Oops. You just never know what they'll call art these days. We spent the rest of the tour ranting about how, as art becomes more abstract
"Two Wooden Benches"
Of COURSE this is art, you idiot! it becomes inaccessible to the audience and therefore (in Nick's mind at least) useless. How are we supposed to appreciate the fact that a black squiggle crossing a red squiggle symbolizes the fall of communism, etc etc.???
Anyways, while we were in Brisbane, the country was paralyzed for a whole day for a horse race. Yes, a horse race. Grandparents, parents, children, and probably babies were all placing bets on a major annual race called the Melbourne Cup, which this year involved a horse named "Makybie Diva" which won for a record third straight time ----retired shortly afterwards, straight into the history books (and probably into the glue factory...shhh!). It is the only day of the year in which people strive to appear in formal attire (especially women who are fond of bizarre hats), attend luncheons and parties in order to watch the mid-day race. We also think it's the only day of the year that women can't be arrested for wearing hats that resemble dead birds or reef coral, but that's our opinion. Regardless, it was certainly fun to sit at a cafe overlooking the main pedestrian shopping square and people watch for an hour or so.
Wine Connoisseur
Even the dogs outclassed us here. After enjoying the relaxed atmosphere of Brisbane we hopped back on bus for yet another marathon ride south to Sydney. While this one was "only" about 15 hours long, it killed us. Neither of us could sleep properly and for some reason even the movie didn't help. Oh well, that was the last marathon ride for AT LEAST four or five days. We got back into Sydney and immediately tried to contact a couple that we'd met in the Daintree while working at the Mangroves. We'd gotten along great with them and they'd offered their place for a few days, and offered to show us around some of the wineries in the surrounding countryside.....well twist our rubber arms! We did indeed hook up with Jen and Murray, who live in a flat about two hours south of Sydney in a little town called Moss Vale (affectionately known as Moss Vegas, because it's such a "big city") in an area known as the Southern Highlands. Considering we'd only met them for a few days three weeks prior, their hospitality is some of the best we've experienced yet on the trip --- took us to lunch for SUSHI, which Sarah has been
craving for three months, brought us home, gave us a real bed, cooked us dinner both nights we were there, drove us around for a full day showing us the country, homes and wineries. We honestly cannot wait to show them Vancouver and return the favour. Ah, I guess we'd better get a place first, eh?
Incidentally, the Southern Highlands are no stranger to Hollywood---the movie Babe was filmed in one of the hillly properties in the area. Next time you decide to watch this movie look at the background and that lush greenery covering rolling hills is what the highlands look like. Beautiful!!!
We've booked a flight for Wednesday to take us from Australia to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, and that's as far as our planning has gotten. No idea whether we'll spend some time in Malaysia first before heading up to Thailand and the rest of SE Asia, or whether we'll try to immediately take the train to Bangkok and hit Malaysia just before we leave the region. We'll see what it feels like when we arrive.
As for Australia, we'll say a fond farewell. To be honest, we hadn't really expected to have such
Nick and Murray
We are NOT drunk! a wonderful adventure, since the trip had been focused on countries that would present more culture shock. We are ashamed at having felt little or no anticipation before coming here, just seeing it as a skipping stone on to SE Asia....this massive country has so much diversity, so much to offer, and is definitely worth a visit! It's so easy to get around, one could easily bring a family, rent a camper van and just drive. To top it all off, the people are so amazingly friendly (with the exception of the grumpy guy that runs the afternoon shift at our Sydney hostel) and welcoming. Coming for a second trip we would avoid most of the backpacker hotspots and minimize the beach regions, but definitely head back to the Daintree region, the Whitsunday islands (a MUST see if you're in Australia) and maybe explore more of the south. The Great Ocean road between Melbourne and Adelaide is supposed to be amazing (Nick's cousin Karen can tell you all about it), and the Simpson Desert in the centre of the continent is apparently breathtaking. Murray says he knows people who have been travelling for years in Australia and who have yet
Breakfast in Sydney....
means a stop at our favourite little cafe for fat-free chocolate croissants and cappucinos. to see all of it. The country is probably like Canada in that respect --- so big and diverse.
Hints and tips for anyone planning on travelling here:
---Rent a camper van (just remember they drive on the wrong side of the road here😉....if you don't have a vehicle, the best bet is a Greyhound Bus Pass which allows you to hop on or off wherever. Another more touristy venture is the Oz Experience, which combines Bus Pass with activities along the way -- more expensive but sounds cool.
---In Sydney, if budgeting, the best room for rate in the centre of town is the George Private Hotel, good price, most of staff friendly
---In Brisbane, book a room at the Explorer hotel from the bus station and get a cheaper rate by ten bucks.
---Make sure you see the Whitsunday Islands and try to get to the Reef, these were definitely highlights of the trip
We'd like to say Ta to all the Fair Dinkum Blokes and Sheilas we've met who've offered us a quick "How you goin'?" or "G'day", with No Drama....
So long Australia, I think we'll be back.
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Muzz
non-member comment
What about the guy with Tourette's?
Hi Guys, Just read your last journal. Thanks for the rap, I'm just surprised you didn't mention the guy with Tourette's we passed after lunch - he really is doing great things for our tourist image!! Once again, have a great trip, stay in touch and we look forward to reading more journal entries. Regards, Jen and Muzz