Brisbane and around

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Been in Brisbane since Wednesday morning and done so much in a few days due to my fabulous hosts Janet and Alex.

Arrived on Wednesday morning at half seven after very little sleep on my overnight flight due to a screaming child behind me and being excited about arriving in Australia, but after breakfast and a shower was raring to go. We headed North to the Sunshine Coast, shopping at Edmundi markets where I launched into the Aussie dollar by buying several (probably)non essential items such as a sarong for the beach. Then we went to Noosa which I really liked - a very chilled out surfing town with a great beach. Went for my first swim in the sea in a very long time which was ace - big waves, lots of fun, but the start of finding sand in everything for some time! On the way back to Brisbane I discovered jet lag for the first time when I very suddenly lost the power of speech and fell asleep instantly in the back seat of the car - had to go to bed for another three hours when we got back to Janet and Alex's place in Brisbane.

Thursday we went into Brisbane city centre and took the city cat ferry along the river which winds back and forth to show you all sides of the huge city. Went up mount Cloo-tha on way home to get view out over city. Pub in the evening to meet the locals which became a trend for every Brisbane day - nice!

Friday we went to Byron Bay and Brunswick Heads but no swimming in the sea as it was a bit cloudy - beautiful beach although when we went up to the lighthouse, the wind was so strong we almost got blown off the cliff - have not included the photo where my hair is flying upwards vertically!

Saturday was Australia Zoo day which was brilliant - the photos say it all, but got to pet all the animals and it's so well done - Steve Irwin's legacy is quite something. Then had my first Aussie BBQ on Sat night and I think Ally mayhave disowned me if he'd been there and seen how much meat I ate - was excellent when washed down with a few real Australian 'Bundi & cokes' (still keeping the Diageo shares going while on my break!)

Went to Stradbroke Island yesterday and today sorted out all my onward travel and wandered around Brisbane city - need to repack the rucksack tonight as Alex is kindly driving me to Hervey bay tomorow where I'll take my tour of Fraser Island from.

Did I mention it's been 30 degrees most days - loving my January this year!!

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Photos

Byron Bay beach
Janet and I at Byron Bay - beautiful even in the very windy conditions!

Crikey - it's a Croc!
Close encounter with the concrete version at Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo

Kangeroos Up Close and Personal
I was a bit scared to pet them at first, until Janet laughed at me and I saw three year olds happily cuddling them

Elephants in Australia?
Strange but true - they arrived as part of the circus from Asia and liked it so much they stayed

Comments

[ally]

chq
lobbed that £35 chq into your RBS account by the way

[Janet]

Our pleasure!
It was a pleasure having you stay with us Tracey and gave us a chance to see the beautiful spots around Brisbane again which we haven't done for a long time. Sorry the weather was a bit crap, incidentally it has been perfect blue skies ever since you left LOL... xx

[Liana Mellotte]

I remember that lighthouse! Isn't it the most Eastern tip of Oz too? I went whale spotting there. So glad you are safe and sound lass x

[Seonaid]

Animal Petting
No need to worry about all the wild animals out there Tree...you've lived with Ally for long enough and met all of his family so you should be used to it!!!!!

[Hazel]

Hiiiiiiiiii!
Finally got to look at your blog, looks like you're having an amazing time, am soooo jealous! Look forward to hearing about USofA so write soon. Keep safe happy and have a cocktail for me!Hazel xxxx