Another airport

Kingsford Smith Airport, Sydney

The next morning we left for Brisbane, arriving at lunchtime. This was, if anything, even more futuristic-looking than Sydney, the river lined with curvaceous overpasses and underpasses, skyscrapers lit up flashily at night time and a large ferris wheel adorning the area they call the South Bank (crazy idea). There is also a man-made 'City Beach', which we viewed from afar without getting sand between our toes largely to avoid the dozens of pasty Brits ogling scantily-clad locals. 

We spent our time in Brisbane mainly exploring the galleries, museum and performance centres, and hanging out in our laid back, friendly hostel. I'm afraid I don't really have any interesting stories about Brisbane, I will only add that it is the sort of place, relaxed but with plenty happening, where I can imagine having stayed for a few months had I done this when I was 18 and had a year to fill.

Yesterday morning we caught an internal flight back to Sydney, and spent a day doing not much except going round and round on the Monorail, an overhead train that loops the city centre, and hanging out in the brashly touristic Darling Harbour area contemplating our four weeks in Australia. It has been a different kind of experience to what preceded it, partly due to its economic prosperity relative to Asia, and partly because almost half our time has been spent staying with friends. As a result I think we have had a more genuinely Australian experience than we might have had going from beach to beach in the Antipodean summer, and have seen a variety of lovely, smaller towns which we would never have gone near without having a) recommendation from locals, or b) a car. When we arrived I nauseatingly told Tweedie that seeing Sydney felt like "the fulfilment of a childhood dream". This starstruck wonder faded rapidly, but I remain immensely fond of Australia and its nationally funny, consistently sensible inhabitants.

In an hour we fly to Christchurch, it is currently 07.58. I have been up since 01.15 watching England win the World Twenty20 Cup. Hurrah.

Happy birthday to my brother. Have a great day Knobs.

Over.