Thursday. July 1at We arrived bright and early to Brisbane … 6:45 a.m. along with a throng of tourists… so different to Korea where most of the international arrivals were Koreans. Well – my friend Rose and I recognized each other quickly after 17 yrs! We had worked together in England many moons ago. Rose’s husband, Steve is a consultant and she has two daughters, Alannah, age 12 and Aoife, Age 10. Rose’s sister and brother-in-law, Ona and Brian were also visiting from Ireland so we had a full house! Rose and Steve live in East Brisbane about 2 km (about 1 mile) from the city… a city with an “S” shaped river moving through it. Lots of ferry traffic and boats of all sorts.
We settled in and had another delicious breakfast of pancakes, cereal and fruit. The children played together and we planned our day. We decided to go to the South Bank Arts Center to see the Art Museum and the Science Center. By the time we were leaving Elizabeth had fallen asleep…. So I waited home with Alannah and Brian were were a bit under the weather and jet lagged respectively. Elizabeth was completely out – despite trying to revive her a couple of times so we decided to head for the park (across the street) when she woke up. I met a very nice neighbor who had lived in Houston so we got to talking about US and Australia.
The Science Center was a big hit! Lots of fun and a ferry ride home. We had a very nice meal together and an early night… after the red eye the previous night. Even Elizabeth!
Friday, July 2nd
After a great sendoff breakfast – we went to a real “WOW”! place… the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary… unlike any other animal experience… you really felt you were a part of the animal’s world. This was a HUGE highlight for Mom and the kids… we were in enclosures with kangaroos and emus…. Birds, farm animals… koalas… A real thrill!
We were able to have our picture taken with a koala – such a treat. They are very, very cuddly… they ARE NOT bears (so we learned)… they DO have a distinct scent We loved this place – and the surrounding area. This was the first time we thought ‘yes, we could live here…!”.
We ended our day with a bus ride back into time and a bit of shopping – UGGs all round (Mom got some gloves… girls, boots). We found some good souvenirs too.
We had a delicious Italian take-out – there are an amazing number of immigrants here – so being from NY area, we felt at home with this piece… there is also a huge British influence and our hostess was from Ireland.
Saturday, July 3rd
We had a day that was hanging out and recovering a bit! We did a good long walk were we saw ‘flying foxes’ at rest in nearby trees (aka bats)… spent some time watching “Aussie Rules Football” a bit like rugby (Michael was very interested in this game that his dad played at his age when he lived in Perth, Australia). We also hit the local soccer ground for a local game.
Tonight was our very first Aussie “Barbie” (aka BBQ)…. We had friends/relations over and had all sorts of great meat (sausages, steak. Lampchops)…. Followed by our new favorite cookie the Australian “tim tam” which they serve frozen (due to the heat) and are amazingly chocolately. We love them…
Sunday, July 4th
It is strange not to be in the US for this special holiday. I actually had my first bit of cardio exercise – running. The weather was beautiful – about 60 degrees. It was a delight. Lord knows when I will go again.
We had a lovely walk around Brisbane’s Botantical Gardens, their local markets, huge lunch and a ferry ride back. We sadly said “good bye” to our friends – alas, friendship renewed! We were off to Cairns – a holiday spot up the coast. Our dear friends, Sandra and Ashley were meeting us at the airport with a ‘people mover’ – an 8 seat van.
We made it on a lovely VirginBlue flight – Elizabeth met a nice girl from Cairns on the plane – who we hope to meet again when we are here. The flat is right on the Pacific Ocean – three bedrooms, just beautiful (found on www.homeaway.com). It is finally warmer here… high 70s.
Monday, July 5th
We woke and had a real “WHOA” as we walked down to the beach. This has to be one of the most beautiful beaches I have seen – just pure sand, palm trees, gorgeous palm trees – not many people… love it … stretching mile after mile. We are staying in Palm Cove, just north of Cairns – pronounced “Cans”. This is heaven on earth – with beach and mountains all together… it is surprisingly unspoiled (as opposed to American beauty spots which are not national parks). Very low, tasteful development/attractions.
After having a super long walk/frolic in the surf – we had a lazy lunch and decided we needed to see a bit more… so we headed to an interesting Aboriginal cultural center – Tjapanji. There, we tossed spears, boomerangs (Michael and girls were awesome – mom, fail!) - learned about native foods, beliefs and what it is like to be an aboriginal in today’s society – very difficult to keep the culture in tact.
Tuesday, July 6th
Hartley’s Crocodile Farm! Today’s adventure. Crocs, crocs and more crocs. This country has more crocs than any other – they weren’t kidding with ‘Crocodile Dundee’. You wouldn’t think there would be enough to keep you intrigued for 5 hours… but it is true – we were! We saw crocodiles being fed, lazing in the sun, swimming and jumping… we also saw a crocodile farm where they raise about 20,000 crocodiles for meat and leather products. We also saw another first… a baby koala in its mom’s pouch. That was something! The kids had their picture taken holding a croc … and Michael had a lovely snake “scarf”…. Ahhhhh! I didn’t but was tempted w/a red croc wallet to replace my Big Buddha one… price tag stopped me. $1000.
Wednesday, July 7th
Up, up, up and away! We climbed aboard the Kuranda railway b4 9 am… and made the slow, winding train ride up to Kuranda atop the Great Dividing Range – this lovely journey took us away from the ocean up the mountain for 1.5 hours with a few stops along the way. We saw hairpin turns, waterfalls, sweeping rainforest views…. We appreciated all of the amazing turn of the century labor that put the railway together…!
Kuranda is a place for the original aboriginal people, artists, “hippies” and lots of shopkeepers!! There is much shopping and rainforest related fun. We stopped by the butterfly sanctuary to see the amazing Australian butterflies. My personal favorite – the Cairns Birdwing…. We shared some time with the aboriginal and local children in the park – coloring, petting zoo and more. There were some adorable puppies … we were tempted
We settled in and had another delicious breakfast of pancakes, cereal and fruit. The children played together and we planned our day. We decided to go to the South Bank Arts Center to see the Art Museum and the Science Center. By the time we were leaving Elizabeth had fallen asleep…. So I waited home with Alannah and Brian were were a bit under the weather and jet lagged respectively. Elizabeth was completely out – despite trying to revive her a couple of times so we decided to head for the park (across the street) when she woke up. I met a very nice neighbor who had lived in Houston so we got to talking about US and Australia.
The Science Center was a big hit! Lots of fun and a ferry ride home. We had a very nice meal together and an early night… after the red eye the previous night. Even Elizabeth!
Friday, July 2nd
After a great sendoff breakfast – we went to a real “WOW”! place… the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary… unlike any other animal experience… you really felt you were a part of the animal’s world. This was a HUGE highlight for Mom and the kids… we were in enclosures with kangaroos and emus…. Birds, farm animals… koalas… A real thrill!
We were able to have our picture taken with a koala – such a treat. They are very, very cuddly… they ARE NOT bears (so we learned)… they DO have a distinct scent We loved this place – and the surrounding area. This was the first time we thought ‘yes, we could live here…!”.
We ended our day with a bus ride back into time and a bit of shopping – UGGs all round (Mom got some gloves… girls, boots). We found some good souvenirs too.
We had a delicious Italian take-out – there are an amazing number of immigrants here – so being from NY area, we felt at home with this piece… there is also a huge British influence and our hostess was from Ireland.
Saturday, July 3rd
We had a day that was hanging out and recovering a bit! We did a good long walk were we saw ‘flying foxes’ at rest in nearby trees (aka bats)… spent some time watching “Aussie Rules Football” a bit like rugby (Michael was very interested in this game that his dad played at his age when he lived in Perth, Australia). We also hit the local soccer ground for a local game.
Tonight was our very first Aussie “Barbie” (aka BBQ)…. We had friends/relations over and had all sorts of great meat (sausages, steak. Lampchops)…. Followed by our new favorite cookie the Australian “tim tam” which they serve frozen (due to the heat) and are amazingly chocolately. We love them…
Sunday, July 4th
It is strange not to be in the US for this special holiday. I actually had my first bit of cardio exercise – running. The weather was beautiful – about 60 degrees. It was a delight. Lord knows when I will go again.
We had a lovely walk around Brisbane’s Botantical Gardens, their local markets, huge lunch and a ferry ride back. We sadly said “good bye” to our friends – alas, friendship renewed! We were off to Cairns – a holiday spot up the coast. Our dear friends, Sandra and Ashley were meeting us at the airport with a ‘people mover’ – an 8 seat van.
We made it on a lovely VirginBlue flight – Elizabeth met a nice girl from Cairns on the plane – who we hope to meet again when we are here. The flat is right on the Pacific Ocean – three bedrooms, just beautiful (found on www.homeaway.com). It is finally warmer here… high 70s.
Monday, July 5th
We woke and had a real “WHOA” as we walked down to the beach. This has to be one of the most beautiful beaches I have seen – just pure sand, palm trees, gorgeous palm trees – not many people… love it … stretching mile after mile. We are staying in Palm Cove, just north of Cairns – pronounced “Cans”. This is heaven on earth – with beach and mountains all together… it is surprisingly unspoiled (as opposed to American beauty spots which are not national parks). Very low, tasteful development/attractions.
After having a super long walk/frolic in the surf – we had a lazy lunch and decided we needed to see a bit more… so we headed to an interesting Aboriginal cultural center – Tjapanji. There, we tossed spears, boomerangs (Michael and girls were awesome – mom, fail!) - learned about native foods, beliefs and what it is like to be an aboriginal in today’s society – very difficult to keep the culture in tact.
Tuesday, July 6th
Hartley’s Crocodile Farm! Today’s adventure. Crocs, crocs and more crocs. This country has more crocs than any other – they weren’t kidding with ‘Crocodile Dundee’. You wouldn’t think there would be enough to keep you intrigued for 5 hours… but it is true – we were! We saw crocodiles being fed, lazing in the sun, swimming and jumping… we also saw a crocodile farm where they raise about 20,000 crocodiles for meat and leather products. We also saw another first… a baby koala in its mom’s pouch. That was something! The kids had their picture taken holding a croc … and Michael had a lovely snake “scarf”…. Ahhhhh! I didn’t but was tempted w/a red croc wallet to replace my Big Buddha one… price tag stopped me. $1000.
Wednesday, July 7th
Up, up, up and away! We climbed aboard the Kuranda railway b4 9 am… and made the slow, winding train ride up to Kuranda atop the Great Dividing Range – this lovely journey took us away from the ocean up the mountain for 1.5 hours with a few stops along the way. We saw hairpin turns, waterfalls, sweeping rainforest views…. We appreciated all of the amazing turn of the century labor that put the railway together…!
Kuranda is a place for the original aboriginal people, artists, “hippies” and lots of shopkeepers!! There is much shopping and rainforest related fun. We stopped by the butterfly sanctuary to see the amazing Australian butterflies. My personal favorite – the Cairns Birdwing…. We shared some time with the aboriginal and local children in the park – coloring, petting zoo and more. There were some adorable puppies … we were tempted
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