12 Hour Brisbane Layover

So I'm scheduled to land at 10:20 and the last contact I had with Andrew, a friend from my program who had been staying in Brisbane, had been a few facebook comments throughout the week. He had told me he'd pick me up from the airport; he had been ecstatic over being able to drive again...annd that he was driving on the "wrong" side of the road. To top it all off, he had no cell phone. So I went into this day blindly, knowing the worst that could happen was I'd just chill at the airport all day. Two kids in a new place trying to navigate to each other was enough trouble, haha but eventually I was able to meet up with him, and the first thing we did was visit his sister who is unfortunately in the hospital after being kicked by a horse.

A quick bite to eat in the food court at the local mall and then we both sat there saying what are we going to do...I started by asking what he had done during the week, of which he hadn't visited the city much at all. We were thinking about visiting a place called South Bank, which had a big ferris wheel that overlooked the city. But we got lost in the car too many times so that plan failed. Plan B was to visit Wellington Point, a small peninsula on the southeast part of the city that Andrew had wanted to visit but hadn't gotten the chance.

On the way, there was a place called Redman's Sporting Club...and like naive Americans, we thought it might be a place to play sports or games or something because there were large fields surrounding the facility. Andrew said he had driven past that place everyday so we decided to find out what it actually was. We walk in and there's a small restaurant, a bar, and thousands of slot machines everywhere. Was not expecting that one! I hadn't ever gambled before so I said "when in Brisbane!" I spent $5 and won $6...not too shabby!!

Me at a casino?? What????

Andrew losing money...while I was winning :)

We were definitely not expecting that! And I didn't realize how many senior citizens sat and gambled all day...hey whatever keeps you happy. After that we headed to Wellington Point, which was a wonderful view of the skyline of the city. 

Overlooking the water :)

Wellington Point-beautiful day!

The park area

Andrew enjoying the scenery

After Wellington, we ended up deciding to go bowling...not quite sure where the idea came from but it was great being able to share a beer or two while bowling. Unfortunately, I did lose the first game, but I totally kicked butt the second one!

Bowling shoes are stylish!

cosmic bowling :)

After that, we decided to head back to the ranch that Andrew had been living on the past week, he had helped take care of the horses while he stayed as well. There are around 60 horses...it was a huuge ranch! I got to play with the horses for a bit and meet the owners of the ranch as well as another girl who worked on the ranch. 

Andrew saying goodbye

Racing horse

Noms

Me with one of the female horses

Then we splurged...reason #714 that I'll be broke when I return to America. But we figured it was the best way to say goodbye to Australia!

Yummy!

We were going to need this fuel before embarking on a 16 hour traveling adventure starting at 8pm...it was an incredibly long day of flights and waiting and buses and more waiting. It was a great feeling to get back to my apartment in Suva! Not quite sure what plans are ahead of me at this point...just enjoying life in Suva for the moment...just over 2 weeks until Momma Bisket comes to visit! Can't wait to meet up with Aunt Katherine and Uncle Jim too!!!