Last night I had my first Australian "barbie" at Blair's who had invited me over to have dinner with his wife and new son (3 months old). I really wanted to say "G'day mates, put another shrimp on the barbie!" but alas I held back. It also would have been a little odd since we weren't having shrimp. Apparently, even though they eat a lot of seafood, shrimp is not particularly common so I'm not sure where that phrase came from (probably from the US). Anyway, we had a fabulous meal of steak, gorgonzola polenta, fennel, tomatoes and mozzarella, salad, chocolate cake with ice cream, and of course lots of good wine and beer. Blair is quite the cook and we had a great time. His son, Luca (who they call "Mr. Frogs") is very cute. We ate outside by their pool which was so nice, and I realized that since I have been here (other than breakfast and lunch in between OR cases) I have eaten every meal outside. Alfresco dining is very big here and I don't know that I have seen one restaurant that doesn't have outdoor dining (it would actually be more difficult to find a place where you could eat inside)
After another tough morning in the theatre, I went to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary about 45 min. from Brisbane by bus. It is basically a wildlife refuge for koalas, kangaroos, dingoes, wombats, tasmanian devils, crocs, snakes, and every other kind of bird and animal native to Australia. It was very neat and I got to feed kangaroos, hold a koala, and see all the animals. Check out the pics and you can go to the following website to see another pic of me holding the koala (www.koala.net/photo/1802016831.htm). After the koala sanctuary, I came back to the city and rode the citycat (which is a ferry type boat that functions as a subway on the water) which takes you to points all along the Brisbane River, which snakes throughout the city. I rode it from the 2 farthest points it goes which took about 2 hours. I was able to see the entire city and some parts farther out that I had not made it to yet. It is really a beautiful city and it was nice to just sit outside and see everything from the water. I was able to do everything for $5- definitely the best $5 I ever spent!
After another tough morning in the theatre, I went to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary about 45 min. from Brisbane by bus. It is basically a wildlife refuge for koalas, kangaroos, dingoes, wombats, tasmanian devils, crocs, snakes, and every other kind of bird and animal native to Australia. It was very neat and I got to feed kangaroos, hold a koala, and see all the animals. Check out the pics and you can go to the following website to see another pic of me holding the koala (www.koala.net/photo/1802016831.htm). After the koala sanctuary, I came back to the city and rode the citycat (which is a ferry type boat that functions as a subway on the water) which takes you to points all along the Brisbane River, which snakes throughout the city. I rode it from the 2 farthest points it goes which took about 2 hours. I was able to see the entire city and some parts farther out that I had not made it to yet. It is really a beautiful city and it was nice to just sit outside and see everything from the water. I was able to do everything for $5- definitely the best $5 I ever spent!
3 comments:
I am glad your day was so wonderful in every way. You look so happy with the barbie. Blair is providing you with great insight of the city and outstanding food. You did good selecting them to be part of your working experience and learning all about the country. Thanks for the details on your activities. Take care of yourself. Love, Dad
I think that Koala likes your Notre Dame shirt.:) Glad you are able to enjoy the city in between all your studying, patients, surgeries, and call rotations. Wish I was with you. Katie
Enjoyed your posts of Brisbane and the koalas and kangaroos. It is a mirror of my trip to Australia a few years ago to go to my son's wedding. I'm glad you are enjoying Austalia while you "work".
By the way, I drank Jack Daniels and Coke from LA to Brisbane, and I kissed the ground when I got off the plane.
Have fun!
Sam
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