Pacific International Brisbane

... this morning and came back up to Brisbane, where we met up with one of my former coworkers from Nexen for drinks this evening. He is an Aussie and he moved back here last year so it was nice to catch up! Keith said to say hi to all of you at Nexen! Tomorrow we are going to check out more of downtown Brisbane (and may stop in at the beach along the way), and in the evening we’re planning on meeting up with a man who is a friend of the Easson family ...

... cleaning the van, the awning or the caravan itself throughout the day! By the amount of washing on the line, to be a true caravaner you bring all your curtains, duvets with you and wash on the sunniest day!! anyway all is well and hats off to the billions of campervanners they seem a happy, clean bunch!!
We have met up with Granddad Bill and his son again, we assured him that we were not stalking them!! Have swooped emails and have ...

... Treasury Casino Hotel - the name says it all really - http://www.conradtreasury.com.au/Accomm odation__Top_Level.cms?ident=VD6RC9QA29 50OCYGEXK7IK6FVNRI65 - like I said, Ruth likes the finer things in life! When we stepped into the front foyer a very tall, attractive blond man walked past wearing a Celtic training top...Gary almost ****** himself, grabbed my arm and said "Claire...is that the Celtic squad?"
IT WAS! We were staying in the same frickin ...

... of reaching the resort from Brisbane airport was to be worked out. A cab/Train-cab would be prohibitively expensive. Self drive was the more convenient option. Whereas intl car rentals operate from the airport and even provide one way rental ( car to be dropped off at sydney as our return flight was to be from sydney) the rates were higher as compared to the brisbane agencies which do not let their vehicles move out of QLD. Had finally narrowed down on East ...

... only one thing - it's weed smoking inhabitants. It's one of these places that has to be seen to be believed. There's only one street but it's full of little shops selling colourful, alternative clothes, unusual jewellery and various herbs! Next was Surfers Paradise which definitely isn't a paradise, more like Australia's answer to Blackpool or the Costa del Sol. Then Brisbane. I wasn't sure if I'd like it here, having loved Melbourne so much for its ...

... tents that Jesse and I had were not much better. We all got wet and didn't get much sleep. Jesse woke up a little confused "Did someone push my tent over last night? I woke up and my tent was on its side, I was naked, and soaking wet." "No Jesse that is just what happens when you drink all day and set your tent up on a hill." Oh yeah somehow he slept in later then everyone. Anyway we are off again to try to beat the rain.

... we decided to take a hiatus from mileage tracking, because it did not make sense (and would not work properly) for the kinds of activities in which we would be participating while in Tanzania.  I can assure though, we did remain active. Week 19 - We had been in Auckland, Australia for a couple of days before we remembered the pedometer.  We ...

... so recently (and it seems still are today). The rain had stopped when we came out of the gallery so we walked to the ferry and came back to the apartment after stocking up on vital supplies and we had a couple of relaxing drinks, which we felt we had thoroughly deserved. We had planned to walk to a local restaurant on the boardwalk nearby for dinner, but the rain came back with a vengeance and Mike and I were sent out to find a takeaway in the 'Valley', which ...

... Gabba) which is quite along distance but a nice walk along the river to get my ticket ready for the Twenty20 on Tuesday. My next day was all about relaxing in the southbank area. I then spent a day with my Canadian friend Paul looking around the city and watching some street performers which was a great laugh. The next day I went on the City Cat which is a boat that is like a bus but goes along the river. This was $5.80 all day to ...

... which was very naughty but very generous. Thanks mate ;)



On the way home we popped into their friendly neighbourhood cocktail bar for some really good cocktails!

I especially liked H's 'espresso martini', which was designed for Kate Moss apparently?!

Simone's brother in Geelong is a cocktail expert, and I think he's got them hooked, could be worse I suppose... ;)

Brisbane, Australia al_fey