Day 62 Brisbane

There was no urgency to the morning and we spent our time with the kids catching up on their journals and relaxing around the caravan park.  It was nice to slow down for a morning.

Our plan was to go into Brisbane on public transport, so we headed over to Carseldene Train Station which is only around the corner.  Parking was free Hooray!  The joy of free parking though was swallowed by the cost of the public transport.  I thought that it was expensive in Perth to ride the transit system, but it cost us $21.00 each way to get into and out of the city.  We are staying in Aspley which would be no more than 20km from the CBD, but the height of the Prado prohibits us from parking in town here as most parking is underground...and we just don't fit.

Roma Street Station was our destination so we left the train and walked into the heart of the city.  I almost had to pinch myself as I was reminded that it was Saturday afternoon.  The centre of Brisbane was a series of pedestrian malls, and they were so packed with people that we were very concerned about losing the kids.

We had gone looking for the tourist bureau to purchase tickets for the theme parks, and when we eventually found them, they were as much use as a chocolate teapot.  They had no idea of what we were talking about, and in the end we just left frustrated with some direction to an on line site that sells tickets.

It was lunchtime, so the kids ate as we made our way back up the mall, and across the Victoria Bridge to Southbank.  The city of Brisbane is quite a lot like Perth other than people actually go there for entertainment and socialisation, and also reminded me quite a bit of London with the river system, and foreshore (Just not as much rain). 

The weather was very pleasant without being too hot, so we strolled down the Arbour Walk which runs the length of Southbank.  Lisa and I found some Kebabs for lunch, and ate whilst the kids had some fun in one of the playgrounds.

There was so much activity on the water with the Central Area Transit (CAT) ferries rushing up and down the river.  I found myself watching their psychotic dance between tour boats, paddle steamers and jet skis that were all utilising the same piece of water.  Hats off to the skippers of all of the water craft on the river. 

Once Lisa and I had filled our bellies, we continued our walk down the Southbank park lands.

We came across the lagoon, which is a series of waterways for public swimming.  I was very impressed to see that even on a cold day with only one person in the water, there were still two lifeguards on duty patrolling around the waters edge.  There were other people sunbathing, and building sandcastles in the fine white sand.  I found myself wondering why this sort of thing doesn't exist in Perth...Then I remembered that it's Perth, and all the backward thinking, tree hugging hippies oppose this sort of progress. 

There was a really pleasant feeling to the CBD, like you were welcome and that there was actually life in the city.  The Arbour Walk was lined with sculptured trellises that various flowering vines were growing on.  The result was that you were walking through a tropical flowering tunnel.

Also along the foreshore were various stages where people were performing, and Suncorp Plaza which looks like some sort of venue for larger events, but still with an open arena feel to it.

As we made our way down the Arbour Walk, we came across a food and wine expo (Free entry) which we wandered around for an hour or so.

There were vendors selling jam, wine, liqueur, chutney, chili sauce, beef jerky, spices, fresh foods and all sorts of fine fair.  We had to stop and buy some more fudge because we just don't have enough with the six blocks we picked up yesterday, but the mango fudge was just so delicious.

The highlight of my day would have to have been at one of the chili vendors when Ashley showed some great bravado, and asked if he could try some of their produce.  He started with the nice sweet and mild chili jam.  Then he made the mistake of asking for the spicy one. 

I too tried the 10 out or 10 spicy habanero chili sauce called "The Widow maker."  Pretty hot I thought.  Nice flavour, really good burn, comes on slowly.  Thought I better check on the boy and he had tears streaming down his face and he was gulping water. 

"You OK?" dad asks.

"Yeah dad, that was awesome!" was his reply...

Now I think he was super brave for not only trying it, but also for not whinging about how hot it was...I just don't want to know about any bathroom visit in the morning.  All I can think of is..."Love is a burning thing, and it makes a fiery ring!"

It was back to the train and caravan from there.  Tickets were found and purchased on line for the theme parks, so bring on the Gold Coast...The Johnson's are on our way.