7 am wake ups on your va-kay are unbelievably STUPID: My shuttle to the airport was late and had me fretting I'd miss my flight. This guy, who picked me up was a maniac driver - hitting curbs, maneuving an illegal u-turn to return to a hostel we'd been to 5 minutes ago as he'd not waited to pick passengers up and whatnot. But, I was not worried for my life, no sirree (!) .. I was. I definitely DEFINITELY was. Who did he think he was, one of the blokes from The Fast and the Furious?
After managing somehow not to have an accident and a super speedy check in, I had earned myself a Pieface almond twist (awesome pie slash cake) and OJ. Yo, check it, Virgin Australia are unreal and I can't recommend them highly enough. My short domestic trip from Sydney to Brisbane was a really smooth, relaxing flight as we floated above the cotton ball puff clouds. On landing, the humidity slapped me in the face and that was on an overcast day so I dread to think how insufferable it would be when it was actually sunny.
Leaving Roma Station in pursuit of my hostel, I wasn't managing with my bags at all; grunting like an old pot belly pig and no doubt sweating like a swine. Dragging my belongings in the exact opposite direction to where I should have been heading -------> FAIL. It is meant to be a 7 minute walk away so shouldn't have been problematic but I'm blaming not having a map.. and being tired ..and geographically clueless. The concierge at a nearby hotel agreeably took pity on me and helped me get a cab, so as to avoid a repeat of Sydney on my hands. It was $12.60 down the drain to go essentially around the corner but never mind, he saved grumpy Gus on the grumpy bus, from passing out on the streets of Bris.
It was not until closer inspection that night I uncovered some of the terrible aspects of these quarters: the musty damp stink, the ceiling leak on floor 3, 8 beds squashed into a dorm room (the same size as the one of 4 in Potts Point), a rock hard bed with linen which was not yet dry and chilly room temperatures. These are my only complaints which may sound no great shakes and a LOT of faults but to a hosteler, it was bearable because it can always be worse.
Stepped out to explore, Han Solo after bathing scrupulously. Immediately, I knew the rain was imminent as the black clouds hanging overheard became darker and angrier. I hurried on undeterred regardless; determined that a little drop of rain could hardly hurt me now. This chowderhead was wrong, baby, WRONG on that count.
Beside the Brisbane Wheel, an event Operation Slipper (hosted for military families) was in full swing so I spectated while a band sang on stage. My stomach pangs hit me like a shovel so I nipped for a quick bite of wild rice and chickpea salad with a chicken skewer to assuage the appetite. THEN. IT. HAPPENED.
When the tempest had petered out, I for once successfully navigated my way on foot to a Brisbane historic site farrrrr away. 'The Old Windmill was built in 1828 during colonial times by convicts for grinding grains, such as wheat and maize. The Old Windmill originally had wind-powered sails.After the murder of two members of a surveying party near Mount Lindesay in May 1840, three Aboriginal men were apprehended and tried for the crimes. In July 1841, the two surviving Aborigines were hanged from a beam from an upper window of the windmill' or so sayeth wiki. Returning via an alternative route was unintentional and panned out with me roaming across Roma Parklands. For, try as I might I could not find a path to cut across back to the station though I could visibly see my hostel as it sticks out atop the hill, like a sore neon BLUE thumb. 2 friendly fellas pointed out my course so I was homeward bound and somehow still smiling.
DAY 23 -
All of my solo sojourning plans here are being scuppered by these tropical storms :( That's two unlucky, nasty days of the elements in a row caused off the back of Cyclone Nathan. It is unfortunate but unavoidable and thus I shall not allow the universe to mess up my trip entirely . I REFUSE. Labeling yourself as the 'Sunshine State' is deceitful of you!! :P
Streets Beach was my first port of call (with crossed fingers) as at daybreak it seemed to be a brighter, albeit cloudy and muggy morning. This was the numero uno time the heavens opened and I being of genius mind, sought out a chocoholic refuge at Max Brenner. Turns out it was not so genius as the mobs all had the same idea and the queues were monstrous. This meant waiting close to an hour for service as the poor staff were rushed off their feet.
HAPPINESS HEALING: The dark, rainy clouds led me to their silver lining here and I am wholly convinced there is nothing a good, Max Brenner treat can't cure. I opted for the cookie shake which was *the* cookie shake of MY LIFE!!!!!!! The white chocolate ganache and oreo cookie was outstandingly sweet and is the icy stuff, dessert dreams are made of. When you're a bit down, I assure you this beverage is the equivalent of 1000 hugs from friends. Run to a Max Brenner near you, now!
A chocolate day was defo needed to give me some reasons to smile but Beastie Burgers and Chocolate Pavilion have been closed down. I'm officially CURSED in Brisvegas. Though rather distraught as I was that I wouldn't be scoffing a strawberry chocolate volcano, (which no doubt would have been like Easter in my mouth) I did not weep at my sadness. I s'pose I didn't mind so much, as it drove me into the arms of another burger franchise - Burger Urge. I will refrain from praising my average Joe of an el pollo burger as it disappointed my palate.
After being in this world almost 3 decades, I would brag that I speak fluent chocolate now. A sampling at Noosa Chocolate Factory tantalised my taste buds in a way they had never been tantalised before. In consequence I had to purchase the thrill pill of milk choc covered goji berries. Honestly, these confitures should come with a warning label about how incredibly addictive they are.
SWEET CHERRY PIE, ARE WE ALL GONNA DIE? Crossing back over the bridge divided the HELLements as it was marvellously sunny on the city side but naturally the way I was heading was an EVIL, devil black thundercloud. I knew it. Impending doom was sensed and even without lightning this time, it was cataclysmic. The TERROR-rotential rain poured murderously down 'pon the 'burbs which was almost funny in a sad, UNfunny way. I was half expecting frogs to rain down like in biblical times.
The mother of all rainstorms was a refreshing cool down from the humidity but I hated how my poncho sweatily clung to every body bump. This mini cyclone is mucking up my holiday considerably :( In fairness, I can't blame Brisbane which I have really taken a liking to. It's a perfectly lovely metropolitan place with quirky, urban neighbourhoods and I do feel at home here.
COWCH IS UDDERLY MOOOOVELLOUS - Waited here for Hollie (a friend I made in Melbs) but she was held up because of the insane rain (and given only a bin liner as protection by a passerby) so I filled my time by splashing out on a good, old friend of mine - hot chocolate. And Deluxe Milk chocolate NO LESS. OH YES, my tongue was happy but my waistline wasn't :P This was followed up by a fun hour and a half talking up a STORM not unlike the one outside, with Hollie.
THE MOST FANCY PANTSY SWEET PIZZA TO EVER BE PIGGED OUT ON: Perusing the menu, I couldn't make up my freakin' mind with too many decadent choices. After a horrible weather weekend, I felt deserving of a gourmet strawberry pizza with milk choccie base, marshmallows, nuts, whipped cream and pink candies. If you've not already had the privilege to tuck into one, you won't know the POWER of this pizza. Put this on your list of things to eat before you die because it is TO.. DIE..FOR..
Streets Beach was my first port of call (with crossed fingers) as at daybreak it seemed to be a brighter, albeit cloudy and muggy morning. This was the numero uno time the heavens opened and I being of genius mind, sought out a chocoholic refuge at Max Brenner. Turns out it was not so genius as the mobs all had the same idea and the queues were monstrous. This meant waiting close to an hour for service as the poor staff were rushed off their feet.
A chocolate day was defo needed to give me some reasons to smile but Beastie Burgers and Chocolate Pavilion have been closed down. I'm officially CURSED in Brisvegas. Though rather distraught as I was that I wouldn't be scoffing a strawberry chocolate volcano, (which no doubt would have been like Easter in my mouth) I did not weep at my sadness. I s'pose I didn't mind so much, as it drove me into the arms of another burger franchise - Burger Urge. I will refrain from praising my average Joe of an el pollo burger as it disappointed my palate.
After being in this world almost 3 decades, I would brag that I speak fluent chocolate now. A sampling at Noosa Chocolate Factory tantalised my taste buds in a way they had never been tantalised before. In consequence I had to purchase the thrill pill of milk choc covered goji berries. Honestly, these confitures should come with a warning label about how incredibly addictive they are.
The mother of all rainstorms was a refreshing cool down from the humidity but I hated how my poncho sweatily clung to every body bump. This mini cyclone is mucking up my holiday considerably :( In fairness, I can't blame Brisbane which I have really taken a liking to. It's a perfectly lovely metropolitan place with quirky, urban neighbourhoods and I do feel at home here.
THE MOST FANCY PANTSY SWEET PIZZA TO EVER BE PIGGED OUT ON: Perusing the menu, I couldn't make up my freakin' mind with too many decadent choices. After a horrible weather weekend, I felt deserving of a gourmet strawberry pizza with milk choccie base, marshmallows, nuts, whipped cream and pink candies. If you've not already had the privilege to tuck into one, you won't know the POWER of this pizza. Put this on your list of things to eat before you die because it is TO.. DIE..FOR..
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