Brisbane, Australia

Today we docked in Brisbane.  Brisbane is the Capital of the Australian state of Queensland and the largest city in the state. It has a population of around 2 million people.  It was founded in 1823 on the banks of the Brisbane River.  It was a former penal colony.  England used to send its prisoners over to Australia.

Our tour today was titled "Highlights of Brisbane and Lone Pine".  We were bus 14 and the guide went to the wrong port.  His first clue should have been there was no ship at that port.  Our ship is small enough to travel under the bridge so we are closer to the city.  At any rate, he was late and the worse guide we have ever had.  Almost everyone tipped the driver and not the guide.  Wish we had left without him.

The tour was just a bus ride around the city with the guide pointing out different buildings, etc.  We then got to Lone Pine which is a zoo of sorts but a Koala Sanctuary.  They were several Koalas and most of them were sleeping up in the trees.  You could hold a Koala if you wanted but it cost about $30.00 and if they get too excited, they pee on you, I was not about to take that chance.  Also had kangaroos.  Will post pictures after Bob edits them.  We spent about two hours at the Sanctuary and then headed back to the ship.

Lunch on the aft deck where I had a salad.  Then back to the suite for our nap.  They showed the Super Bowl this morning and taped it and will show it again tonight.  We know the score.  Wow, how could that happen?  So I think I would like to see at least part of the game to understand where Payton went.

We took our afternoon nap and then got up to get ready for dinner.  Something about being on a ship allows me to sleep like a baby.

We ordered a cocktail in the Voyager Lounge and then took them into the theater to watch the Super Bowl game.  We sat next to Bobbie and Ira.  They did not know the outcome so we kept it to ourselves.  Wow, what a start.  A safety.  So we stayed and watched the first quarter and then went into Compass Rose for dinner.

For dinner, I had the lamb chops and escargot.  Bob had escargot and osso bucco.  All pretty good.  No desserts or coffee.

Returned to the Super Bowl game where it was just ending so I got some popcorn and we returned to the suite.  We finished watching "Captain Phillip".  A powerful film.  Tom Hanks is wonderful.  Then lights our and bed.