31 October 2013 - More Brizzie

Day 2 in Brizzie was a rest day largely, during which we caught up with email and tried frantically to book some accommodation in Perth. We've struggled to find anything for less than about $110 Aussie dollars per night so, as usual, we'd left it to the last minute. In the afternoon Gina kindly drove us to some pretty, beachside towns and villages north of the city. We visited Brighton, Sandgate, Redcliffe and Margate, all sounded so very English but, in reality, all were typically sub-tropical Queensland.

A basement level drain, one of the highlights
of the Brisbane City Hall tour.

On day 3, Wolf and Gina again gave up their free time, on this occasion to accompany us on a tour of the new City Hall. The main purpose of the visit was to see inside the recently renovated auditorium. Sadly, it was closed for a function so instead we were treated to a tour of the hall adjacent to the kitchen, a basement area with some rotting concrete, a drain from the 1920s and, for reasons that escape me, a preserved urinal wall adorned with graffiti from the 1940s. It underwhelmed completely but was delivered so professionally and earnestly by a young debutant guide that we couldn't take offence. The tour picked up immeasurably when it moved to the clock tower from the top of which we had some fine views of the city. There was also an interesting museum about how the city had developed.

Viewed from the City Hall Bell Tower this church
looks like a ginger bread building surrounded
by modern skyscrapers.

After the tour we parted company with our hosts and they returned home to pack for their own imminent holiday. We meanwhile revisited the Queen Street pedestrian area to try some Moreton Bay bugs. These are a little like small lobsters in taste but look more like the larval stage of the aliens in Ridley Scott's Alien franchise, a flat head, spatula tail and lots of legs. They were delicious though and were joined by some large prawns, some seared squid, some chips and a side salad, all beautifully cooked but eye-wateringly expensive.

Moreton Bay Bug, in space no-one
can hear you scream.

Post lunch we headed south across the river into Brisbane's cultural precinct. This stretches along the south bank and contains a number of art galleries and theatre centres. We started at the Queensland Art Gallery fully intending to visit the other museums as well. However, while Fo seemed genuinely excited to be up close with works by Degas, Renoir, Toulouse-Lautrec and Picasso, my boredom soon kicked in and I drifted off to listen to Eric Church on my iPod. Yes, I know, I'm shallow. Some time later (I can't recall when) we returned to base and took our hosts out for a meal so that they didn't have to cook on the eve of their holiday.

Wolf and Gina, one of the few things worth
photographing at City Hall, Brisbane.

Brizzie is a compact city and nowhere is very far from anywhere else, which might explain why nobody seemed to be in a hurry. The place feels relaxed and everyone seemed to be genuinely happy. Refuse collectors, toilet cleaners and restaurant staff go about their business with a smile on their faces as though they had not a care in the world. They're either earning a shed-load of money or I can only assume that there's something in the water. Perhaps it's both.









Sage words from my new friend and
fellow trouble-maker, Wolf.

The following morning we took a taxi to the airport for our flight to Perth. We spent about 3 hours in the Business Class lounge sipping coffee and reading. It amazed me that so many people were quaffing quite so much complimentary booze before 10.00am. Champagne, wine and beer flowed all morning. Maybe that's the secret behind Brizzie's happiness. Whatever, I was probably only miffed because I couldn't join in; I had to collect and drive a hire car on the other side of Australia in about 5 hours. This blog marks our departure from Queensland. Look out Western Australia, we're coming.