Brisbane is a great city to walk and see the varying differences in architecture from old to today. The city started transforming in late 80’s and is growing. Brisbane has come a long way since WWII when it was base for General Douglas MacArthur and the Pacific 7th fleet.
We travelled to Brisbane on Tuesday January 2nd via Qantas Air. The one advantage for Qantas is that they are part of One World and our American airline frequent flyer status transfers. We had no bag allowance issues and were able to go to business club to relax prior to our flight. I left my passport in the hotel safe and had to tell the Uber driver to turn around and go back to the Marriott. My anxiety level went up 100% until we finally arrived at the airport. The problem became a challenge met and resolved. Thanks to the Uber driver, Luigi, and the hotel day manager. We also had made the decision to leave early for the airport. You never know when extra time comes in handy.
A FYI to all travelers. Sydney airport security personnel do not allow anything that looks like or acts like a tool. My little metal pen (2 inches long) with three different screw tips was confiscated. I had travelled with it for years to many countries in my bag for fixing little things while travelling. Currently in the US, the TSA rule is greater than 3 inches especially if tool shaft is continuous.
Travelling to Brisbane we were very cautious. Our first two tours were cancelled due to severe flooding and storms in Queensland. We stayed in the Central Business district in Brisbane at the Hiton Brisbane. A really nice hotel which reminded me of Embassy Suites style hotel with centrum open to the skylights 25 floors up.
Wednesday morning January 3rd, Giddy was excited since he had some old friends who lived in the City Botanical Park along the Brisbane River. We had an enjoyable morning stroll among the trees and gardens and Giddy introduced us to two of his kin from West Putford, England. Giddy’s kin folks were shy and not sure we caught them in picture as they disappeared up into the tree.
Checkout the size of garden orb weave spiders which is only 1 of 10 poisonous spiders
Thursday morning January 4th – we got up early and hiked to our pickup point to head out to Australia Zoo. The zoo is Steve Irwin’s dream of a global zoological destination and conservation. Remember crocodile hunter. The zoo does research relating to both wildlife and their habitat. Did you know Australia has the most lethal animals in the world? Top 5 of the list are spiders, snails and jellyfish. We had a great day viewing the various animals: Dingos, Quokka, Roos, Wallaby, Tasmanian devils, crocs and other wildlife in natural settings. The wildlife animal hospital is also located onsite and is World-class facility. Equipped with a surgical theatre, x-ray room, intensive care units and pathology lab, the dedicated group of wildlife veterinarians and nurses.
They even have the world’s tallest Giraffe,
Friday morning January 5, and we had scheduled a Vino tour in Mount Tamborine area.
As previously mentioned, that Queensland had severe storms. We saw first-hand what the Christmas day tornado did to the ridge areas. We saw trees 3-4 ft in diameter uprooted and twisted, residents and utility crews just cleared the road the day before and were working in full force as we visited some wine stops. Our wine stops had power only with generators due to the destruction of the electric grid in the area. This was only the second day they were open since the storm. The wines were good. We purchased some Port at two venues. For lunch we had beef fillet and French pastries at one of the wineries. one of our stops had a nice cabernet sauvignon, which had a ionic label. We also stopped at Tamborine Mountain Distillery which had some interesting libations. Our top choices were the lemon/lime-cello and chocolate mint.
Our wine stops had power only with generators due to the destruction of the electric grid in the area. This was only the second day they were open since the storm. The wines were good. We purchased some Port at two venues. For lunch we had beef fillet and French pastries at one of the wineries. one of our stops had a nice cabernet sauvignon, which had a ionic label. We also stopped at Tamborine Mountain Distillery which had some interesting libations. Our top choices were the lemon/lime-cello and chocolate mint.
It’s Saturday and we went to the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mount Coot-tha, recognized as Queensland’s premier subtropical botanic gardens. Yes, the name is Mt Coot-tha. The gardens were founded in 1970 and officially opened in 1976, with 56-hectare gardens. We made a photo stop at the summit before being dropped at the garden entrance. We meandered through the gardens and its many pathways for a few hours.
Today Sunday morning we took a river cruise down the Brisbane River and had lunch at Breakfast Creek Hotel est 1889. Nice pub atmosphere and decent steak. Enjoy the river cruise, and commentary about changes along the river.
We saw small dinosaurs – some call them lizards. The largest was approx. 2ft in length. At the zoo, we first thought they escaped but they are everywhere in Brisbane area.
Have a great week, were heading back to Sydney on Monday to catch the Ovation of the Seas later this week.