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