Back to the city

After Hervey Bay and Fraser Island we decided to spend a couple of days at Rainbow Beach just chilling out in the sun. As it turned out the weather became quite overcast and we even had rain, which limited what we could do. The town itself is very small and named after its colourful sands. I say colourful but really its just some red cliffs and a big sand dune - you can tell I wasn't overly impressed!

On the last day the weather cleared up a bit and the boys decided to try fishing in the sea - but only Phil was lucky enough to catch anything, and of course had no idea what to do once he had caught the fish!! I can tell you now fishing isn't terribly exciting - and watching people fish isn't any better!

Our next stop was Noosa which I was really looking forward to. We were planning to visit the National Park and go kayaking in the Everglades. However disaster struck and on the second day I came down with Tonsiltus and high fever, so spent most of the time in bed or watching television. It's not nice being ill when it's so hot either - very uncomfortable. But soon enough the drugs kicked in and I was back on form. On our last day we jumped on the bus and headed to Australia Zoo - made famous by Steve Irwin and his family.

It was a really good day and we got to see lots of crocodiles - one was even called Amy! (no comments please) We also saw a Cassowary bird at long last - a big native bird in Australia which can be vicious. I think it's fair to say by the end of the day we'd had our fill of Steve Irwin and his kids - there's no escaping - you could even buy a bronze statue of the family for $150!

Next stop Brisbane! I was so excited to get back to the city - it's a nice change after little beach towns. The day we arrived the boys went off to the cricket - I was all up for going until I found out it went on all day and all night! So instead, like the city girl I am, I headed into town and hit the shops! It was great to see all the Christmas things and the big Christmas tree down the main street - at last it felt vaguely like Christmas was coming! Later in the week I dragged the boys into a department store to try and see Father Christmas, but all these kids were in the way and we didn't get to say hi! Outrageous!

On my birthday the boys got me a chocolate cake and bottle of bubbly, and even sang to me wearing sparkly tiaras!!! That night we went out for a posh meal then saw a comedy at the theatre on South Bank. It was weird being so hot, but it rained in the evening so I guess it wasn't too unlike home after all! (Thanks to everyone who sent me birthday messages!)

South Bank really reminds us of London - they even have their own version of the London Eye! Yesterday we went to check out the Sunday markets and botanical gardens and explored the city a bit more. In the evening we went to a salsa club and Lee and Alan joined me for a free salsa lesson, then we danced the night away to Latin music.

Every day seems to follow the same pattern here - hot and humid then rain and storms late afternoon/evening. Hopefully it will get a a bit better down on the Gold Coast.

For the next few days we are going to hire a car and drive to the Hinterland and some of the national parks. Then it's onto Surfer's Paradise, where I will be staying longer than the boys to meet Charmaine again and spend Christmas with her and her family. Then I'll catch the boys up in time for New Year in Sydney.