More
a milestone than a destination, we stop for a night in Queensland's capital -
Brisbane. With the exchange rate now roughly 3:1 and tourism in a steep decline,
its time to take advantage of the specials on offer - a decent five star hotel
and a stunning meal overlooking the neon lit harbour.
Well fed and well pickled, we pick our way back to the hotel via the Moroccan
palace themed casino where we lose more than a few dollars. It seems our luck
with the 'Pokies' has finally run out.
Walking
back early in the morning, we find the city alive with the sounds of workmen
preparing new trendy stores for business - Brisbane is catching up with the rest
of the Western World fast with MacDonalds, Starbucks and Mr Buyrites on every
corner.
Like Sydney, Brisbane is remarkably compact - all of the major sights are
within a few square kilometres. Which is useful as we're just here for a day.
The
next morning we leave the hotel for some retail therapy. And while checking out
the CD's we spy something you don't see everyday - a real life city dwelling
tree-hugger. What this guy was doing to an innocent Gum
tree...
Tree-molester more like - mad as cut snakes these Queenslanders.
Fortunately we're close to the New South Wales border - time to make a run
for it!
