The “fall back” time change took place Saturday night and with the need to get up early on Sunday I spent some time trying to figure out whether my phone (which is my alarm) would recognize the time change and if so, (and if not), what time to set the alarm for. I don’t know why it flummoxed me so much. So although it had been a long day — 20km — I slept that sleep that you do with one eye open. The need for the early start was the bus that I needed to catch to start my journey to the Melbourne airport.
The sunrise was beautiful and it was a morning of nature, despite not being out in it in. There were a busy flock of galahs which finally landed on a light pole nearby, bringing pink to the gray sky. A koala crossed the road right ahead of the bus, and a wedge tail eagle sat on a post on the roadway. The drive from Apollo Bay to Geelong is the prettiest part of the Great Ocean Road, and the only part that hugs the coast. The sun was rising and reflecting clouds and sky on the wet sand — simply stunning views out the bus window.
The coach deposited me at the train station in Geelong 2 1/2 hours later, and the train was on time, but while I had anticipated an empty Sunday train car, I had to stand for the next hour + with my heavy pack on, as there was a footy (Australian football) game in Melbourne and everyone was going! Arrived to a crowded Southern Cross and made my way to the skybus terminal, and caught a bus just in time. I had been sweating the tight connection, but made it to the airport and then to the gate with an hour to spare.
Who doesn’t love getting picked up at the airport? As I disembarked in Brisbane there was Vicki, a friend from my Camino walk. She and her husband John (and ex-pat American) took me to my hotel and we had a early dinner together. They are off to Fiji for a week, and are heading to the Bryon Bay Bluesfest for Easter Weekend, so invited me to join. I bought a ticket and will borrow a tent, and pretend that it’s 40 years ago!
On Monday I spent most of the day re-arranging my itinerary for the next 3 1/2 weeks. Cyclone Debbie did considerable damage to a lot of the northern coast and those areas not directly impacted are still dealing with possible floods and other issues. So I cancelled some hotels and flights and trains, and extended my time in Brisbane, but will go further north after Easter, and to areas not impacted by the cyclone. And I booked a weekend camping trip to Ayers Rock beginning Friday. So many new experiences for someone who usually is more comfortable at a Westin!
One of the oldest cities in Australia, Brisbane was founded upon the ancient homelands of the indigenous Turrbal and Jagera peoples. Named after the Brisbane River on which it is located – which in turn was named after Scotsman Sir Thomas Brisbane, the Governor of NSW from 1821 to 1825– the area was chosen as a place for secondary offenders from the Sydney Colony. It is the 3rd largest city in the country, is the capital of Queensland and was named Australia’s hippest city by Lonely Planet in 2014. Brisbane is well known for its distinct Queenslander architecture which forms much of the city’s built heritage. I haven’t seen much of the city yet, as yesterday was busy with itinerary stuff, but those buildings I did notice were quite interesting. I will have some time here between excursions, so I’m sure to have more to learn and notice as the days go by. I will say I’m happy for the sub-tropical weather; I was very chilled for most of the last couple of weeks in Victoria. I had to keep reminding myself that the next big land mass to the south is Antartica when those cold winds blew up. Happy for sunshine and warmth again.
