Brisbane

So we woke up, checked out of our room and then hung around Surfers until our bus for Brisbane at 12:40pm. On arriving at the bus station I got out to double check the bus time and saw that we had been booked on the 10:30am bus - doh! Emma asked if we could squeeze on this bus but no, full. oh dear. We then spent an hour trying to figure out how to get to Brisbane as the next bus wasn't until the next day. This was the 1st of many things to go wrong on this day

We called Ronan, an Irish guy that we had met on the clubbers night out as he said he was driving up to Brisbane and had offered us a lift. We'd not taken him up on the offer as Emma was a little concerned he might be a murderer, but now we were desperate and willing to take the risk! Unfortunately Ronan had just arrived in Brisbane so we had to get the train - number 2.

Australia has the slowest trains ever.

We eventually got to Brisbane, got off the train and rang the hostel to collect us. They couldn't (number 3) so we got back on a train, after swapping platforms about 8 times (well twice but it felt like 8 cos our bags were heavy and it was hot and we were fed up!) - number 4.

We eventually got to the hostel and waited about an hour to get checked in - number 5.

Up in the room we had, 2 girls were in bed (it was 5pm) and complained that we made too much noise - number 6, moody room mates.

In order to save our souls we decided that a nice glass of wine or cool glass of beer was in order and then something to eat. Now, Queensland have this ridiculous law that on Good Friday, no one is able to sell alcohol unless they are serving food. We didn't know this so spent a good few hours walking around trying to find somewhere to have just a little drink without having to spend $80 on food (as they also apply extra charges on the holidays!) We couldn't - number 7.

By this time we were very hungry so we walked back to where the hostel was as we had seen a Thai place that was fully licensed. We went in and ordered food and asked to see the wine list only to be told that despite legally being able to sell alcolol they had decided not to. Probably the only licensed restaurant in Brisbane not selling the wine they had stacked up behind the bar - number 8.

The food was rubbish too - number 9.

We left, walked around a bit and found an area with loads of nice restaurants all serving wine - number 10.

Now, we are not alcoholics, all we wanted was a glass of wine and in Brisbane on Good Friday this is virtually impossible!!

The saving grace of the night was that they were showing Monty Python in the TV room so we went in there and laughed, a lot - you can imagine!!!

The next day we were up early eager to explore! Despite being called a city and being Australia's 3rd (or 4th) largest city it is really quite small and sleepy. We had a walk around town (that took 11 minutes) and then I went and had my hair done and Emma did some emailing.

In the evening we met up with TJ, my friend that I met in Melbourne, and went for dinner and drinks. We went to some bars where Emma had to wear TJ's size nine shoes which was hilarious as Emma has officially got the smallest feet ever! (They don't let you into bars if you are wearing flip flops). We got asked for ID!!!! Yippee, I do look young! We also met up with Ronan and some of his Irish friends and had a great night out and staggered in (from tiredness mum, not alcohol!!) at about 5am.

The rest of our time in Brisbane was spent wandering around, seeing the sights, and taking in some culture at the museum and the art gallery. We also booked our flights and tour to Uluru.

I liked Brisbane, Emma thought it was OK. Obviously visiting during the holidays meant that things were closed so we couldn't organise any trips to see the sites but I would go back and would recommend a visit.

Next stop Noosa....