|
| 7:00am |
The alarm went off. Goodie. |
| 7:03am |
The expressions of tiredness apparently created some human discussion
about skipping the early train and sleeping in. I was forced to pull
the "this is all about me" card, and point out that this
is mostly *my* trip, and waiting until the second train means we won't
leave until 9am, and the zoo is a 90 minute train ride... and that's
just to the station. There's still a trek to the zoo itself. |
| 7:08am |
I win the argument, but much to my frustration, it wasn't until
there was more discussion. |
| 7:33am |
We managed to get out the door, and began the strenuous two full
blocks from the hotel to the train station. (Again, I can't quite
grasp why a shuttle car was arranged, but... yeah.) |
| 7:40am |
Now at the train station, we found the train fare was a mere AU$8.40
to make the 75km trip (150km round-trip), which even with the AU$27
admission, is still far cheaper than the arranged trips running about
AU$60. Go us! |
| 7:46am |
We reached the platform and began the wait. If you're thinking of
running across the tracks, don't.
Even if the tracks are clearly more
narrow here, despite the statements that the rail gauge is uniform
nationwide these days. |
| 7:52am |
The train arrived and began boarding. It was at this moment that
Tubby decided to grab a soda pop from the vending machine, causing
the rest of us a bit of distress as to if the train would leave without
him. (Then again, we had our own tickets, so... who cares if it does
leave without him?) |
| 7:54am |
He managed to board, soda in hand; the train is pulling from the
platform bound for Central. |
| 7:56am |
Exactly one stop later, it's Central. Big whoop. We all exit the
train, only to find we're already exactly where we need to be. Silly
Tubby. So, about 85 minutes until we reach the Beerwah rail station
near the Australia Zoo. |
| 8:40am |
The train was on an "express" run, making only two stops
along the 10 or so between here and the end of the express trip, before
it began the stop-at-every-stop run. Lucky us; a bunch of loud teens
boarded the train just as the stop-at-every-stop run begins. |
| 9:05am |
We arrived at the Beerwah station, and much to our delight, we didn't
have to phone ahead for a zoo shuttle like the brochure said... it
was there waiting for us, and about 15 others who hopped off the train.
|
| 9:09am |
The trip to the zoo was only maybe a mile, no more than two, and
we were dropped right at the front gate. (It seems the popularity
of the place, between Discovery Channel's Animal Planet TV
show, and this place having been started by Crocodile Hunter Steve
Irwin's dad, has seen the admission jump from AU$16.50 to AU$27 in
just two years.) |
| 9:14am |
After Rachel accepted a free raisin muffin being handed out by a
girl up front, we began our wander of Australia
Zoo. (And sure, I could go through the minute-by-minute at the
zoo... but I don't feel like it; sorry.) |
| 2:42pm |
Don pulled up front of the zoo to offer a shuttle ride to the train
station; with only three outbound trains, we either had the one during
the 12 noon hour, this one, or one around 5pm after the zoo closed.
We chose the one that still afforded us a bit of daylight. |
| 2:47pm |
We were set down at the train station, and waited. And waited. |
| 3:02pm |
The train arrived right on schedule, but we were kicked out of this
train into a second train soon after, at Caboolture. |
| 4:38pm |
We arrived at Roma Street, and alighted from the train. Rachel treated
everyone who behaved on the train (read, herself and I, but not Tubby)
to soft serve cones at McDonalds, at the reasonable price of 40c per
cone (about 28¢ US each). Yea, me! |
| 4:41pm |
George Street offered a stroll that ended at Parliament House and
the Queensland University of Technology. Not a bad walk, really. |
| 5:07pm |
Along the way, we passed a neat older-looking
building. I'm not sure what it is or was, as it's not on my map.
The simple sign outside read, "The Mansion," and there were
all sorts of signs hanging outside for businesses. |
| 5:13pm |
After discovering we were already within university, it was concluded
the building that seemed a bit subtle was, in fact, Parliament
House. |
| 5:15pm |
Tubby still wasn't convinced this was the front, although it did
overlook the lovely domain (park/gardens area), but with the Brisbane
River right behind us, maybe the front overlooks the river, he thought
aloud. Then he was off to check. |
| 5:17pm |
He apparently figured he wasn't going to discovery anything more
when he hit these
signs. Turning to return, he did find this overly not-historic
entrance for staff, though. |
| 5:25pm |
The losing battle of finding a place to eat that's open on the Queen's
Birthday, isn't McDonald's, and is acceptable to Tubby, was not so
much won, as tied, by going to Sizzler. Steak, seafood, salad, silly
boy. |
| 5:29pm |
I was a bit surprised we could get him his precious bacon cheeseburger,
but I guess burger is supposed to be ground beef, so it's not such
a stretch. At any rate, the burgers came with the salad, pasta and
desert bar, so it wasn't so bad for AU$17.30 (US$12 or so); drinks
not included. |
| 6:48pm |
With things wrapping up, the server brought us a plate of mints
(which were really candy-coated chocolate balls) and a comment card.
Figuring everyone appreciates feedback, I had Rachel help me complete
the card (top
half and bottom
half). As she kept giving me funny looks, it was clear we'd never
shared a comment card experience before. |
| 6:51pm |
Comment card filled in, I left the card with a FrankPen, and we
headed out. Through what can only be called creative license, the
"exit" door led us into a dark hallway that was apparently
the fire exit. I'm sure it goes without saying that Tubby was leading
us at this point. |
| 6:59pm |
Along George Street toward the pedestrian mall is some little artsy
deals, including this fountain of tables
and chairs. |
| 7:06pm |
We ducked into 7-11 for beverages; Tubby and I selected another
of those yummy sugar-free Pepsi Max bottles (1.25 litres), and Rachel
grabbed water. Water; show-off. |
| 7:14pm |
Back at the hotel, we found ourselves standing around in the lobby
waiting for the one lift (which services 12 levels of rooms, the lobby
and the restaurant), amidst the arrival back of the myriad of Year
10 (sophomore in high school) kids who are on a three-week People
to People Ambassador program. The chap stuck with us, Aaron, was being
grilled about the program and his travels by the three elderly women
waiting with us. Serves him right for being so polite and efficient
in wearing his P-to-P name badge. |
| 7:20pm |
The lift arrived, and we all crammed in; Aaron was a good lad and
waited behind to allow enough room for the rest of us. |
| 7:22pm |
Back in the room, we each settled into our routines. Rachel confirmed
reservations for the shuttle, and we were all surprised to find the
usual two hours early for a domestic flight is more than three, since
the flight taking us from here to Cairns is considered international,
as it's going to continue on from Cairns out of the country. Lovely.
So, the shuttle for our 10:05am flight will be here at 6:45am. Yea! |
| 11:29pm |
Updates are done, so after catching up on email, I'm done for the
day. |
| 11:42pm |
And it's off to bed for me, finally. G'night, mates! |
| |
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