Sunday, February 21, 2010

Trying to catch up – In Brisbane

It’s been so long since I’ve updated my blog that I’ve lost track of when my last entry was. But, I’ll try to do my best to make sense of all that’s happened in the last week or so… using pictures!

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Annie sitting on the docks of the Hobart harbor marina writing a postcard to home.

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This picture is evidence that sometimes we eat good food (a steak and roasted vegetables) as meals. Here we are at Launceston Backpacker’s, a hostel we stayed at for one night in between our two-day bus ride from Hobart to Devonport.

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Making the most of our short stop in Launceston, we took a difficult one hour hike up to Launceston’s Basin to see what the world’s longest single chairlift span looks like (at 308 meters). The Basin was absolutely gorgeous with a giant reservoir to swim in (as well as a public swimming pool) surrounded by beautiful landscaped hills that offered bridge walks and waterfall photo ops. Riley was the only smart one in the group who thought of packing a swim suit.

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Another view of the Launceston Basin.

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Annie, on our walk around the basin.

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The other Spirit of Tasmania ferry boat; taken as we passed them out in open waters 5 hours off the coast, which marked it as the half-way point back to Melbourne.

Once in Melbourne we booked a hostel for two nights in the city center with no intentions to stay longer. We had already booked a flight from there to Brisbane that would leave on the 20th.

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So, we did it! We made it to Brisbane after a short two hour flight from Melbourne and are happy to be here. The city is absolutely stunning with its mix of public space and pedestrian-friendly streets.

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Annie felt sorry for a street performer dressed as Charlie Chaplin, who would unfreeze from a position when paid a dollar, so she paid him to move. Turns out he wanted a hug; and, in return he gave her a piece of bubble gum.

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Brisbane River nightscape.

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Huge Ferris wheel we could’ve ridden for $15, but didn’t.

 

 

 

 

 

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On our walk along the river’s waterfront we stumbled across a free public theater arena that we’ve heard plays something new every night. On this night, we watched the screen for 20 or so minutes before we figured out that it an Australian Short-Film Festival. I think this’ll be part of our nightly routine adventures.

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We also found this place on our walk… the Southbank beach! It’s a man-made beach (with a huge heated swimming pool) just a few meters inland from the river’s shore. It’s free to the public and open all day and night. Annie and I are definitely going there tonight.

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