My final R&R! Part 1–Brisbane and Perth

by Adam

Saturday 31st May was my travel day.  I slept late the night before and intended to sleep in (as my bus wasn’t departing until 9am). However, I easily woke up an hour before I usually do, and had a relaxed breakfast at my usual time.

After breakfast, I went back to my room and checked that I had everything packed, helped move some things from Andrew’s room to my room for keeping until he re-mobilises.  Then waited at the bus.

I was in the bus with Richard and Andrew, both demobilising.

We had some nems at the halfway stop.

At the airport, I went into the lounge (for the final time!), and had some snacks.

Brought Andrew up too.

Ate more

Boarded the plane to Brisbane, and ate again.

The cheese was super orange!

There was a nice view of the reef.

Then came out at Brisbane airport.

Daniel came and picked me up, and brought me up to Mt Cootha.

There were many people up there.

We went for a walk.

Then Daniel drove me back to my hotel and I checked in and had a quick rest.

I saw the Hatch office on the way!

William picked me up and we went to the German club for dinner.  It was a game-night (Brisbane vs Carlton), so it was tricky to get parking (and we could see many people getting fines on their car).  Met up with Adam, Amanda, and Sam.  Most of us had pork knuckle.

It was a super happy lively atmosphere, with the entertainer one-man-band playing pop hits.

From there, I followed William to meet with his long-time friends.  Super-nice, had a great night! 

Got back to my hotel and was in bed by 3am… then my alarm woke me up at 5:30am, to get ready to go to the airport.  So I crossed the road to Roma street station and caught the train to the airport.

Me sleep deprived.

Then I arrived at the airport.

I bought a dozen donuts.

and ate them at the lounge.

Not all of them… I packed 10 into a plastic container into my backpack, ate one, and put one wrapped in tissue into my pocket to eat on the plane.

While waiting at the gate, there were sniffer dogs.  But they weren’t interested in my donuts.

I already ate at the lounge, but had another breakfast in the plane.

And took many photographs from the window.

Ate the cookies and cream donut from my pocket.

I’ve always wondered why Australia looks so patchy from the sky.

Landed around 12, and Julie picked me up.  Went home and rested.  Later in the evening, I went for a jog around the park.   And that was Sunday!