Down to Brisbane

Sunday 27th December 2009:

We arrived in Brisbane early this morning, had to hang around the bus station for a good few hours before the hostel opened; can be quite annoying when you just want to get settled and have a nap! It was hilarious when we did arrive, walked into the dorm room to be met by a pungent smell of wet dog and urine. Oh yes this had to be the least hygienic of all the dorm rooms that we had met so far. Having dumped our backpacks, we walked straight out and without even looking at one another, Izzy and I both knew that we had to find another hostel. After calling round, turns out we couldn't afford anything else! Haha, so the urine smell would have to linger in our nostrils for a few nights after all. Anyway, it turns out that the dorm room was the only negative at this hostel; the people were amazing, the most friendly hostel I have ever stayed at. So that made up for the room, which we got used to, and ended up staying longer than expected. Ha.

The weather in Brisbane was slightly disappointing, lots of rain, but you can't have it all! The town centre was a nice vibrant area; lots of food stalls, great place for shopping (oh the restraint), and a general good feel about the place. Every backpacker in Brisbane migrates on a daily basis to the State Library, because of the free internet they offer! Amazing. Big queues, but brilliant idea. Also, a really lovely library, a great space that everyone can use- could do with more of this sort of thing in the UK. I like.

Monday 28th December 2009:

Today we visited the Lone Pine Koala Santuary! We got our student cards out- any discount we can get on this trip is a bonus. We sat with kangaroos, amazing animals, so great to be able to see them up close and in their natural surroundings. Obviously they are quite tame and used to having lots of people around, so not entirely natural, but they seem pretty happy! (Animal expert) And then to the koalas. They are such adorable animals, so lazy ha ha. Apparantly they can be quite vicious- deceptively cuddly? They're alright if you don't piss them off anyway. So Isobel and I paid a bit extra to have ourselves a koala cuddle and a photograph- when in Rome. They may be adorable animals, but they smell pretty unpleasant ha. Not often do you get the opportunity to cuddle a koala- loved it. Was a great day out. Lapping up the tourism.

On Tuesday evening we went on the City Cat ferry around the city. Such a great way to get around if you live here, pretty cheap fares and beautiful city views at night. A peaceful way to spend an evening, especially if one is too broke to go out on a big night out that is. Making the most of an experience without the necessity of money- my new philosophy. (Not by choice ha)