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> Flew into Brisbane & Colin, our Airbnb host, picked us up. We visited with him & Tonya, his wife for almost an hour. They live in his family home which is an older, large historical timber & tin house built on elevated stumps for ventilation and accommodate the hilly terrain. He said he'd never could afford it himself as home prices are astronomical here. Colin advises banks on real estate decisions & says Australia is being very selective on what they will sell to Chinese. Tonya, a social worker is from Germany. They met in S. Africa while working at an orphanage. We had lots to talk about. Our room was lovely...and cheaper than last night's dive!!! Woke early--thanks to the time change--and after a nice breakfast & some hints from Tonya--got the bus to downtown Brisbane & our next spot. The housekeeper met us & gave us a key & we dropped our luggage then headed out. After several wrong turns, made it to the ferry...city hopper. Riding on the shaded top deck cooled us down and we got to see lots of Brisbane...and it was free. After lunch, we stopped in a Visitor Center. Not too helpful--no bus or train schedule & couldn't help us figure out their CityCycle program. We see the bikes everywhere but few helmets & you need a special card to unlock them...not too tourist friendly. Bummer. With no bus or train map, we pounded the hot pavement til we finally got back to our apt, threw on our suits & jumped in the gorgeous pool. Ahhhh!! This place is like a 5 star hotel...spacious rooms with full kitchen & patio. Pool with sandy beach. Hot tub. Luxury! And cheaper than that dive!!! Francesco, the owner, has sent us several emails making sure all is well. Sure is! We picked up some groceries and so we ate in & about 6, totally refreshed headed back down to the ferry getting off at the Cultural Center area. A huge pool--with a big manmade sandy beach was being enjoyed by lots....and as far as we could tell, stays open 24/7. A great water park, a huge Ferris wheel, a lovely park and a nice river walk --what a jewel in this city...which has totally revived itself in just he last 40 years according to what a guide told us. The bridges, bldgs, walkways & cliffs were all lit up on our ferry ride back. Nice!! Brisbane Day 2: we got the bus system figured out so quickly we got to the Brisbane Museum...located in the Gov't Bldg...ornate & gorgeous. Went up the 1930 elevator to the top of the clock tower, sat in the domed assembly room where the G20 convention was held, learned more about the history of Brisbane...which like several other Australian cities, was originally a penal colony. Also enjoyed an art display of camera obscura pictures & watched a film about how they are created. Very interesting. Stops on our way back home included St. John's Cathedral, Albert St. Church and the old windmill...oldest building in town. We made sandwiches when we got back, threw our sweaty clothes in the washer and then in the pool!! Heading out of town tomorrow in a rental checking out what lies west of Brisbane.
