We're becoming best friends, aren't we Brizza?

DAY 26 -

Greetings, you little hotties!! What a WARM (understatement of massive proportions) Wednesday it was at 34 degrees Celsius and 39 with humidity!! Every minute became a battle to cool down our temperature and dry our pits as we melted and B-O'ed all day long :D Maybe dial down the heating in the sky every once in a while, eh Brizzy wizzy? The Sunshine Coast is more than living up to its name; so we clambered into the breeze at every opp to dodge the horrific heat.

The lavvly Cazza and I spent her 32nd birthday at the Irwin fam's, Australia Zoo: Home of the Crocodile Hunter. Steve and his family, have poured their heart and soul into their wildlife conservation facility and it is both impressive and poignant to see the work go forth. What we hadn't bargained on was it being so expansive (at 100 acres) and exceedingly BOILING.  

WOMBAT WALKING MEMORIES <3: I gleefully delighted in 20 adorable and magical minutes alone with Laura, the softie of a Southern Hairy nosed breed of wombat; along with a guide and our own photographer to document my fun time. When we first took her out of the pen, I lugged her hefty, furry backside around in her own wombat wagon like she was royalty. During a short stroll in the shade with my insanely lovable, beast on a leash; Laura attempted to dig a hole mid-way through a pat! Perfection is what you're getting, when you have piccies with your wombat pal; though they're a bit of a heffalump it's impossible to not love the fur off them. They smell like love; you oughta be legit jealous!!! 

KOALA FACTOID: As high a percentage as 70-80% of koalas have chlamydia, poor poppets! Don't be a ding dong and believe you can contract the infection from merely holding a koala, as some will try to fool you into thinking. 

Steve Irwin's vision to change the perception of dangerous creatures and his mission to save the endangered species of the world is moving. I have a newfound respect for his life long work, drive, passion and love for wildlife. It's incredible and a credit to him, that his family continue his legacy today as he'd have wanted; hats off to his wife Terri, daughter Bindi and son Robert. His uniquely crazy approach to zoology was one of a kind and although his death was a tragedy, his memory very much lives on. Stevo was MORE than a crocodile hunter, he was their soul brother and years on he is very missed. I got all choked up when I heard Steve's voice on a video montage of his career; particularly at the soundbite 'I was put on this planet to protect wildlife.'  :'( 

FEEL THE TERROR: We took our seats at the world famous Animal Planet Crocoseum to watch the action-packed and humorous Wildlife Warrior show. Agile birds of prey swooped overhead, horrifying snakes were carried unnervingly round for the audience to gasp at but of course the star attraction is Munga, one of the crocs. The staff are well-trained and demonstrate what NOT to do to make it angry e.g. invade its territory, splash in the water, dangle in one foot or tease it with food. The too clever by half Croccie chases the trainers out of the water onto the land as they dart out of the way. 

As wonderful as the croc handlers in the show were, they can't hold a candle to the legend that was Steve Irwin. Crikey, the Steve Irwin spirit of wildlife warrior is rubbing off on me, as I later called a crocodile 'cute!' Surely you have to be insane to love the highly intelligent predators? My spine still chills when remembering the sound of the jaws of BONE crushing pressure snap shut. 

We took advantage of the zoo's free shuttles where we could to save our legs. In the land of 'Africa', we saw robust rhinos and a giraffe get-together in addition to the extraordinarily glorious Giant Galapagos land turtles. Erin my wombat walker, came over to say hi as she rubbed him down and filled us in on turtle trivia; these whoppers are over 100 years old and make me smiley :) 

OTHER MOMENTS TO REMEMBER: At the Tiger Temple we caught a demo and enjoyed the stunts the tireless el tigres performed. In the past, there have been some incidents where handlers have been harmed; relationships with the tigers are cultivated carefully so there is a level of trust between animal and person but accidents do happen sadly. 

PLUS *Bluey the crocodile and his girlfriend being fed *the lazy kangas in Kangaroo heaven *another quick stroke of a koala having to stand on steps to reach it on its perch *Fandangle fairy floss ice pop - it's the perfect way to cool down momentarily. 

Throughout the zoo, it is tremendously impressive to see the conservation work and projects ongoing here and how all the workers who spoke with us, are so happy to have a job they love. They truly do care for the captive animals and speak of Steve, with love, admiration and the utmost respect. At the Wildlife Hospital, we didn't see any poorly animal patients as it was nearing closing time but on the whiteboard noticed that a Koala Joey was scheduled to have an op removing a plate from his femur. The dedicated angel staff really work miracles in this place and help rehabilitate the animals when they are ready. This place changes and SAVES lives of wounded, wild animals and long may it prosper. 

I SURE DO LOVE ME SOME PASTA: For Carolyn's birthday meal, we found Vapiano; an Italian joint where you queue to select your meal and then watch it being cooked before your eyes; while you stand and wait. This means that the queues are extensive but it was worth every minute for my FAVE DISH of aglio y olio on campanelle pasta; all fresh and *mwah* FANTASTICO! It was filling but that didn't prevent me from eating every last morsel in my bowl. I must add, that this was the best helping I have polished off (outside of Italy) in my entire, young adult life. 

It is amazing that in Carolyn, I have made a lifelong friend on my travels. I won't give personal details but her story is tragically beautiful and I am so glad to have met such a courageous and inspiring young woman. I strive to abide by her outlook on life and living it to the fullest because you never do know when the gift will be taken away from you. Not only that, but she exemplifies how every ending is also a new beginning. 

What other treasures shall Brisbane bestow upon me on the 'morrow? It better be fun.. OR ELSE!! xx

I'm kinda, sorta, FALLING for Brisbane

DAY 25 - 

Good people of the bloggersphere, I thank thee for taking the time to view my blog. On day 25th, of my holiday revelry Brizzle sizzles with blistering heat and scorching humidity that generated an urge to constantly shower. Come back mini cyclone, almost all is forgiven and forgotten! Thanks to my new amazing travel sidekick Carolyn, for she brought the fun sun with her when she left Sydney and came to meet up with me in Queensland :) 

#randomthought In what world, would anyone NOT want a donut crocodile? Muy gracias Donut King for providing me with this scandalously sugary breakfast :D 

Blazing on to meet Carolyn seemed long and arduous; after not even 5 minutes I already had a trail of sweat dripping down my back. What-da-crap?? What a relief that the driver took us all the way up Mt Coot-tha summit as in all likelihood, I'd have keeled over on the 40 mins to one hour trek up. As perspiration oozing out of every orifice was not an inviting prospect; we'd rush into any fragment of shade for momentary cooling respite whenever possible. 

From the highest peak in Brisbane, the view afforded of the city on display down below took my breath away. At 287 metres above sea level, we could see as far out as Moreton Island and the Glasshouse Mountains  In pensive moments, like Louis Armstrong sings 'I think to myself what a wonderful world'.. although society can be cruel, sick and unjust, most of us are lucky, little jerks just to be alive and blessed to SEE there is beauty all around. I am humbled by the magnitude and magnificence of our home planet.

Shout outs to: the funny, weirdo pecking turkeys in the vicinity of the lookout, the ratty cretinous Ibis birds and the spry komodo dragons sun-lounging and hopping off when chased by children, wanting to touch them. Down by the lake, we discovered something truly horrible......... a snake had shed it skin - SHRIEK!!! Pretty gnarly.. Instinctively, we didn't stick around to find snakey in case it unhinged its scaley jaw and swallowed us whole!

The Botanical Gardens had lots of ongoing renovations which took away that wow factor for me but it's no garden-shaped toilet either. The grounds are 56 hectares of handsomely landscaped flora and the Japanese gardens within them, quaint and picturesque. The Tropical Dome reminded me of Crystal Maze only in arid, desert conditions but the Bonsai house of droopy and rooty trees is rather barren. 

We turned back to the city and wandered down to one of my favourite spots - Streets Beach. At Cold Rock Ice Creamery I created my very own smoothie, consisting of: orange juice, strawberries, passion fruit and mango sorbet. I call it the juice of JOY and the tangy sugariness was just the ticket on an energy-vaporising day. Scrumdiddlyumptious :D 

I settled for a walk about the man-made beach with my clothing rolled up but couldn't go for a dip as I'd forgotten my swim stuff. I'm not one of those girls who are comfy to just strip off to my undies and swim wearing only that, with my lady parts almost exposed. Nuh uh! T'was a shame as I was keen to chuck myself in fully clothed; the cool pool was eeeextremely appealing. A caaaa-UTE baby kept trying to join Carolyn and I by escaping from her Mum to pop over and give us a cheeky grin :) 

DESSERTS ARE MY LIFE. I LIVE TO DESSERT: After our pool partying, I darted off to River Terrace and sat alone watching the city glisten at Stoke House with just their famous dessert, The Bombe for company. This pleasure pudding, filled a void in my soul and stomach and all on earth, must get their lips around this! **THAT IS A CULINARY COMMAND** It was love at first BITE with the frozen white chocolate parfait with strawberry sorbet and toasted meringue. 

Ventured further up to Kangaroo Cliffs to see how far my legs would allow me to stretch them along the river. Seeing Story Bridge illuminated in purple all prettily it occurred to me forcibly that 29 Brisbane-less years were 29 TOO many. HINT HINT TO FUTURE HUBSTER: it is so homely, vibrant and just that brilliant; so maybe it would be a fantastic city to raise a family ;) Brisbane, you've hijacked my heart xx

Whitsundays who? Moreton has a nice little hold on me

DAY 24

'SPECIAL' TIMES I'LL ALWAYS REMEMBER - My 5.45am wake up call was NOT downright joyful. At least, the sun made a most appreciated comeback after the gloomy days; hip hip hip hooray for it coming out to play. Our MICAT was teeming with Aussie teen bogans on the crossing who were making ME cross; running riot and treading on my feet, standing right in front of me and my splendid view although I was seated at the front on the boat's top deck.  Not only that, but the ferry ran late because of this school outing which threw us off our schedule and we didn't arrive until after 10am. A double choc chip muffin from the cafe was necessary to numb the pain. 

Moreton Island is a mere 25km offshore from the city of Brisbane so it is an easy day trip. Being the world's third largest sand island (after Fraser and North Stradbroke) there is a significant amount of fun to be had here. Sand tobogganing down some of the steepest sandhills in the world is one of the adrenaline-rush activities that draw in tourists. Darn! Heck! It was too bad that we couldn't sand toboggan down the mammoth dunes on our visit because the ground was too wet from the stupido storms of the weekend. It was one of the adventure experiences I was most excited for throughout my entire travels. WHAT IS THIS LIFE??? :'( 

Like an eleven year old child, I had a wee pout on the beach while the rest of our party proceeded to snorkel among Tangalooma Wrecks in aquamarine sea. 15 vessels were deliberately sunk under the sea to form a break wall for small boats. On a gorgeous day such as it was, it would've been pure paradisaical to take the plunge for a swim and snorkel but I was too self-conscious for the fishies to see my rump roast. It was rapturous to just paddle in the pristine waters but there was no joy to be had in an attempt to sand board down a sandy embankment on my butt without a board! 

THE WORD 'BEAUTIFUL' SEEMS TOO WIDELY INADEQUATE A WORD: The second you step foot onto an endless expanse of white sand; you are struck with a serious case of affection for the isle of allure. Moreton offers a tropical paradise backdrop like something out of the desert island movies. Paying this peninsula the ultimate compliment still wouldn't be enough as it lays down some kind of mandate for how visually eye-catching an archipelago should be. How could anybody not be happy here all the time? 

Four wheeling over rugged terrain was a bumpy ride! Dolphin detecting brought joy on the journey; the marine mammals were way out at sea but countless short sightings were a delight. It is the sharks that are rulers of the ocean and despite us not seeing any, they are often seen thrashing around; sometimes as closes as two feet offshore. The crew saw a basking shark while snorkeling in one of the wrecks but nobody had to push its nose into its brain because he let them be. 

My heart wrenched to see the HORRIBLE, decaying remains of a humpback/sperm whale's jaw; who washed up on the beach and died as it couldn't swim backwards back out to the sea. The smell permeating our nostrils was rancid that I refrained from inhaling very much. It was not very cool of us to pose for pictures beside it; I felt heartless but from a scientific point of view it was of interest.  

I'M LOVING THE FORE LAND WITH MY EYES - Onward to Cape Moreton Lighthouse; the first built in Queensland for our picnic lunch. Before feasting, nature called and unless I wanted to spend my penny in the sea there was only a drop dunny!! *Gasp* it was yucky and cicada bugs frightened me with the alarming, piercing sound of distress that they give off. We tucked into our rolls and cookies while appreciating the trove of treasures of seascapes surrounding us.  

Blue Lagoon (not the Icelandic famed one) needs to brag on itself with its tranquil, crystal freakin' clear waters. This naturally formed fresh water lake is 'infused with tea tree oils' so it is clearly an ideal setting for holiday relaxation. There could be no more gorgeous a spot; just pick the appropriate adjective of awe and insert it <HERE> Our 'team' leader Ed, was a bit of a ledge and more so for blasting out my man Buble's cover of 'Feelin' good' on his boom box. I longed to have it entirely to myself and  splash about free as a river (haha Dr K Neighbours song reference) as the only other 6 there took a dip and me a reeeeefreshing wade. 

#TOURGUIDEFAIL - Ed scooping up a yabbie which bit him with its claw-like pinchers; hotheaded blighter. 

Sadly, we only had a mere 4 and a half hours there as we had to drop the girls off at the fancy schancy resort (where Ed has met Federer and hung out on the beach with Sigma) before catching our ferry back to Bris :( You will leave wanting MORE of Moreton for it has healing powers of light and happiness. 

In the evening, I was so happy to be reunited with the dazzling and TOO pretty Katie :) It didn't matter that it was a short but sweet meet up as it was AMAZING to see her after a few years. We went for a Chinese meal along South Bank; my grilled chicken, garlic and chilli rice was spiiiicy but darn lip-smacking. Our catch up on lives and goss was lovely but over all too quickly; then we walked along the river for a few pics before another farewell. Dessert? Don't mind if I doodle! I went for a Nitrogenie  from the genies of liquid nitrogen and was blown away. The cup of pavlova pash is a magical time for your mouth with its smashed meringue and passion fruit coulis. *THE* dream of ice cream defied all my expectations deliciously.  

Wandered back to my backpackers under twinkly starlight, as I made wishes upon them; realising that a lot had already been granted in Oz. It's crazy how 3 weeks has felt like 3 months anywhere else on earth but that's what happens when you zoom around BING BOOM BAM. I'm loving nearly every second of Rianney the Montigue's excellent adventures. 

Ciao little darlings xxx