Pit Stop in Brisbane

I woke up at 5AM, got ready, checked out, and headed for Central Station to catch the train. I was running bit late so I thought I'd see how much the taxi charges, turned out it'd cost me $20-$30 and would've taken longer to get there, so I decided to stick with the train. Their transit system is still confusing to me but I had this app Link Express that tells me what time my train comes, but I double checked with the train attendants anyway just to be sure, and they were very nice about it. Got to the airport, checked in my bags, went through security and got my brother's swiss army knife confiscated because my sister told me to keep it on me and I had forgotten to take it out of my daypack, and I almost forgot my boarding pass there as well!! I made it just in time for boarding time. I flew with Virgin, small plane kinda like WestJet. The flight from Sydney to Brisbane was just over an hour, but I had a kid who was flying first time kicking my seat the whole time and his mother didn't bother teaching him some in-flight manners.

It was hot and humid in Brisbane. I picked up my bags and refreshed myself with some cold OJ first, then I went to look for the coach stop to catch my bus from the airport to the Brisbane Coach Terminal. It was only literally about 5min walk right by the AirTrain Station, but it felt like forever with my 2 heavy bags, and I probably took the long route too. The bus doesn't come for another 2hrs, so I just waited there and had a chat with an African dude who was also taking the same bus. While waiting a stupid ant fell into my shirt and bit me! First insect encounter in OZ!! I was looking for the big red Greyhound bus but what came was a little shuttle bus, apparently that's the case with all inner city coaches.

Got to the Brisbane Coach Terminal, checked in, left my bags at the desk, and headed into the city to look for a Telstra SIM so I could have reception out on the farm. My bus doesn't leave till 4.30PM, it was around noon and I was super hungry so I needed to find food first. I headed for the closest Queen Street Mall which was more like a plaza with a big boulevard and shops on either side. Saw a sign at JoJo's that said Steak & Chips for $15!!! Went in without hesitation, went to the podium and was told I could sit anywhere then order my food at the counter? First time eating at an Aussie restaurant, Asian ones back in Sydney didn't count. I was confused. Found the lady behind a cash register and ordered my food, and take my own cutlery.... At the table, a girl did come to take my drink order which I had to pay right away..? What happened to table service? No wonder there's no tipping culture here. Later on I overheard a waitress asking a couple who just got sat if it was their first time and they said no, and she started taking their orders... So confused. Anyway, steak was decent enough, and I was glad to enjoy a nice cold beer in this hot weather. Then all of a sudden I heard Christmas music and a group of cheerleaders did a couple Christmas tunes in the square. I'd forgotten that it was close to Christmas in all this heat! It was definitely odd hearing Christmas songs in your shorts though!

Got my sim from Telstra, and I still got some time so I decided to do some walkable free sight seeings around the city. Went to the Information Desk and saw that I could make it to the Botanic Garden and some government buildings right next to it. Headed down Albert Street and the humidity just doesn't help. Luckily it's hard to miss the Botanic Garden as it's just at the end of the street, it seemed kinda small so I quickly walked through it and came to the Parliament House. To the left was QUT (Queensland University of Technology) and inside was the Old Government Building. I've always liked historic homes with the old furnitures and fireplaces. I was going to check out the St. Stephen's Cathedral on my way back but I was too hot and tired and my mobile was dying. Although I did pass by an Irish pub that had some really good live music going on and audience singing having a great time that I'd like to check out the next time I'm in the area.

Not 10min after I stepped foot into the coach terminal it started storm hailing!! People came running in all messy and drenched. Then 10min later it stopped and the sun came out! I still had about an hr so I just plugged in my phone by some waiting area and napped while groups of backpackers came and went. I had to pick up my bags 30min before boarding the bus, so while I waited some more I tried to understand cricket that was playing on the TV. All the guys were so focused on the game and I was just like huh? Apparently it was cricket season and it was Australia vs England, so I think it's pretty intense as if I were to be watching the Stanley Cup Playoff.

I got to sit beside a very nice East Indian RN and we had a bit of chat about travelling and her not being able to see her husband everyday because of work. We had a pit stop about 2hrs in, I think it was in Toowoomba, then straight on from there. The bus ride was about 5hrs from Brisbane to Miles where Godfrey picked me up. By the time I get there it was around 9PM, and it was another 30min drive to get to the farm. I had a quick chat with Godfrey about his family, the farm, etc. He studied accounting, has a son and 2 daughters, one of them at boarding school, one brother who does marketing in the city, and another brother who works the family farm with him. It was pretty dark when Godfrey showed me the place where I'll be staying for the next 3 months. I got a trailer all to myself with a queen size bed and fresh linens. I get my own bathroom as well but it's separate from the trailer, and I share the kitchen with 3 other farm boys who're staying right next door. I also get my own car to drive to and from work, and the next morning at 8AM I'm to go see Mrs. Morgan, his mom, and she'll show me around town. So I hopped in the shower and went straight to bed, it's been a long day.