After our 14 hour flight from Los Angeles, we landed in Brisbane at 7:00 AM. We have a 11-hour layover, and didn't want to just sit in the Brisbane airport all day. So, after a 2-hour process clearing customs and immigration, we stored our backpacks in a locker and took the train into downtown Brisbane, pronounced BRISbin.
The heat hit us like an oven. Of course, it is summer here. Brisbane is particularly humid and hot...today's high around 100.
Brisbane is located on a long river that joins the ocean. Once downtown, we hopped on a free commuter ferry that goes up and down the river. There is a lot of river traffic. This is another type of ferry.
We were on the top deck, watching the view. This is the less glamorous free ferry that we rode...
Brisbane seems quite prosperous. Lots of building construction.
We walked around downtown, with lovely pedestrian-only streets. We were dying of thirst, so stopped at a bar full of character for an Australian beer.
My only criteria for a lunch spot was air conditioning. We found a cute place and split a lamb burger. Yum!
The heat was just crippling, but the locals don't seem to mind. Women look very chic in cute summer dresses and heels. The outdoor cafés were bustling. Lots of coffee places (and happily none were Starbucks!)
We took the train back to the airport, and caught our 6:30 PM flight to New Zealand. It is so fun people-watching. There are tons of Chinese tourists, and signage is all in Chinese. Also, people from Fiji, Singapore, Japan, and New Guinea. 
Our flight to Auckland was 3 hours and we lost 3 hours in time zone changes, arriving at 12:45 AM. We thought food would be served, but had to make some Pringles snack our dinner. Our friends kindly picked us up at the airport and brought us to their home.
After a glorious shower, we flopped into bed.
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ReplyDeleteWelcome to Oz! Albeit briefly. Looking forward to your return to our shores.
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