In a While Crocodile

Shalom! Finally some good ol Aussie weather so we went to Alma Park Zoo. And held a crocodile.

And kissed a crocodile?

Somedays I feel like this.

A baby peacock! How lucky I was to see one! There was a mean crow following the mama and baby around just waiting I tell you to try and snatch it.

Red Sun Panda!! Adorable

Tell me that's not strange.

Bambi?

Oh you koala bear, I love you.

Just one of the twenty peacocks I saw today. Thanks for posing ever so majestically.

I also saw a tasmanian devil! I wish I could describe what it looked like.. A mix between a sort of pig and anteater? But cuter?

Bought some cheesecake for ted and joan on my last night here! It was too much too good. (Also possibly Paige's future place of employment?!)

Hopes for NZ:

- No/less mosquitos

- Not insanely cold weather

- The most incredible time of my life

Achievable yes?

Thoughts...

I thought I was the only one who thought Adele's accent was atrocious. Turns out I am not alone! And when it's two girls from England who agree it makes me feel loads better. Sorry Adele, you are wicked gifted at singing and are super funny but your South London accent is too much. But we still love you.

Just realized how cool it would be in Olivia Newton-John would magically appear like her psuedo self in Xanadu but in Brisbane. Apparently she resides in Florida? Girl why would you give up paradise? Because you heard all people retire to Florida?

Beautiful Ride

I had this printed out in my apartment back in College Station and I just love it. It's nice to remember not to get bogged down on the little stuff. Like say rainy weather when you want to be at the beach. I'm not complaining it's given me chances to explore other venues of entertainment.

The other day on the train there was a little girl sitting behind me singing "Money Money Money" but with a twist. "All the things I could do HA! If I had a little mummy. It's a rich man's world". Actually it's money not mummy. No it's not, why would it be money? Hahaha the cutest thing ever.

On Wednesday I will be in New Zealand folks! I'm so excited to see my aunt and uncle! And the Mercer's who have to be the most beautiful ginger family ever! You could imagine today is full of packing, unpacking, and repacking. I have limited room in my travel backpack and now it's going to be full of long sleeve tshirts and sweaters to layer with. I'm not sure why I thought I would be wearing sandals and jean shorts.. Alas I shall make it work. Thanks Tim Gunn.

Serendipity

I realize this is beginning to look more and more like a food blog.. But a girl's got to eat. Right? Joan and I have been talking about going to this Room of Roses place all month and finally as we had yet another rainy day we thought eh why not. This was my yummy dessert :)
The book is the first of a popular Australian series. The author stopped after book one or two but for real started writing them again because of popular demand. And *drum roll* I have found the perfect tea!! After trying many and drinking jasmine tea the other night after dinner and not being able to sleep till after midnight due to the caffeine... I decided a tea with naturally zero caffeine was the way to go. Enter Rooibos tea. I got the Pacific Sun flavor which has orange peel, safflower, rose, calendula, apricot, and vanilla. Yum :) Combination of both = perfect Sunday
I saw this "Pancake Manor" two weeks ago as I was walking around town. Mostly because it said crepes on the sign. It's an old church and you sit on the pews when dining. I have been wanting to go ever since and on Friday when I met up with Ellie and Paige from England whom I haven't seen in 4 years, it was the natural place for a serendipitous meeting. And the pancakes were amazinggg. I snagged one of the napkins they were so cool. Scrapbook?
We each got our own teapot for our tea. I realize the picture would have been cooler if I had poured my tea in it.. C'est la vie.

I'm so happy I got to see Paige and Ellie the other day! Honestly what are the odds that we would happen to be in Australia, in the same city, at the same time. I feel like I was just in Essex, England crashing at Paige's house and wondering what exactly a bacon sandwich was. Let me enlighten you, its two pieces of bread, both buttered of course, with bacon in the middle. ta da.

Australia Day!

Saw this when boarding.. Because 12 yr olds won't be sporting illegal drugs in their shoes like everyone else?
From 'Pie Face'. Yum.
Just me and my ginormous luggage.
Ahh the big cupcake is the Red Velvet (which didn't turn out exactly as it should have.. Sorry America) and the little ones are VoVo cupcakes. Inspired by the VoVo treat? An Australian goodie.
Joan got this for me! It's a bit hard to read in the photo but it says "You country needs you to BBQ like you never BBQ'D before this Australia Day" haha. And if you think you see birds in the background, you're wrong. They are tongs. She said it was funny because that's about as patriotic as Australia gets and America is so intense.

Well it's been raining for the past couple days but today it looks sunny and happy! Probably because it's a public holiday amirighttt. Mini roadtrip is in store for me!

And I will leave you with this little gem.. Which is blocked. So type in "Barbie Girl Australia"

Food for Thought

Papaya is called Paw Paw here (said like Por Por but without stressing the r. But does not sound like po po for police). And did you know there are 2 different types? One is the sweet pinkish red we all know and love. The other is a more bitter green. It's often put in salads.. Weird.

Even more shocking is no one knows what Red Velvet is!!! I capitalize because that's how important it is to me. This is something I hope to rectify soon, as in today. I may have told the story of how it was used to for the armadillo Groom's cake in Steel Magnolias.. Which may have put them off..

People eat salted plums. I was told it was salty, then sweet, then salty. I never got past the salty.

We went to the Valley where Brisbane's China Town is located to celebrate the Chinese New Year last night. Had the best Pad Thai ever! Still can't put my finger on what familiar sauce they used.. There was a coconut milk soup ordered that reminded strongly of manganese milk/that soup in Bridget Jone's Diary. Errr

Truth Time. I ate a Cadbury bar the other day. It was delicious. I ate it so fast my stomach hurt. Worth it.

Bundle of Jungle

I probs ate half of these..
For real doesn't this look like an Ood from Doctor Who??

The oldest surviving structure in Queensland! It's a windmill the convicts (who else) built!
Finding books is serious business. A trolley with a seat is neccessary.
To be clear I spotted the spine and it only read "The Orgin of the World"... Feminist Wednesday?
An interesting idea. Wish I had been brought up on them.
Got my ducks in a row!

Sorry it's all so jumbled! I keep forgetting to post when the exciting things happen and when I get on I seem to forget what I wanted to write.. So here's the important stuff.

Went to the world's largest second hand book sale today! Got some good picks, but the one I'm most excited about is a book of women who changed history! Feminist Wednesday lives on!

Yesterday I walked around town and through the botanical gardens. They reminded me strongly of NYC's Central Park- though obviously more tropical. It was in the middle of the city but so beautiful.

Last week we went to a fresh water swimming area. There were giant walls surrounding the place with many trees providing shade. What started as a little stream as you started walking down turns into a large waterfall that gives the pools the water. We went down to the third one, and when you get in you can't see the end because it's higher up with the rocks around it. A natural infinity pool! It was a place that Pocahontas would have been.

Are You?

Without a doubt, the most asked question, on the tip of everyone's tongue here.. is "Are you?"

Person 1: I saw a kangaroo.
Person 2: Are you?

Person 1: We ate lunch at the house.
Person 2: Are you?

Althought one of the Aussie's many charms, it doesn't makes sense about 80% of the time. The other day a random guy was backing his car out so I waited to move from my spot and he stops the car to ask "Are you?".. I wanted to shout AM I WHAT????????? I get that it means 'oh really' but alas I suppose I have a limit for the same question.

Just spent the weekend at Rainbow Beach and it was ever so lovely! It got it's name because there are these big sand hills that have big sections of different sands: white, brown, black, beige. My favorite part were some kind of gum trees that had shed their bark (because of the hot weather) and left them a really nice shiny white. Because they were so close to the beach they had been warped and sloped at intense angles. I think we all know where I'm going with this.. They looked exactly like the Tree of Gondor.

Thoughts:

Custard=Flan Why has no one told me this before?

Even if it is overcast and you lay under a tree, the sun will find you and you will get the most uncomfortable sunburn.

I wish I hadn't discovered that real Cadbury is sold here. Not the fake Cadbury in America that is made by Hershey. I mean really what false advertisement.

Pictures!!

View from the top of the trees!
Elebana Falls!
Just hannginn
Delicious!

With the help of Ted I am able to post some pictures! Finally!

Mother Knows Best

Went to O'Reilly's Rainforest the other day and needed to back my lunch/camera/water bottle/hat. But didn't have anything to put it in but a big shoulder bag. Uhhh rewind to when my mom insisted I should take a light backpack because it would be oh so handy. Sorry mom, I guess I forgot I would be hiking (why- I don't know).

I got to climb up to the actual tippy top of the tree canopy on some ladders, the view was amazing! There were swinging wooden bridges across the first bit a la Swiss Family Robinson. So fun. We trekked down to Elabana Falls <-- I sat there for a good hour it was so peaceful. One of those the-world-is-perfect-i-love-life-i-believe-in-fairies moments. I saw loads of birds and trees, just like you always think rainforests to be. Only regret- wishing I had brought my swimsuit to take a dip in the pool seen in the picture. I wasn't hot until I reached the Falls and the water was the perfect temperature! C'est la vie.

Today I went to the Art museums and it was spectacular! The abstracts were amazing, I don't think I have ever seen paintings like them! I also ate a pie for lunch aka pot pie.

Why I haven't posted pictures yet is because I never use the cord to upload my pictures but use the memory card. And I forgot it's mostly laptops that have a slot for them.. So until I can hunt someone down who would be willing to let me use theirs, I'm in a bit of a pickle. As of today I will only use my phone's camera.. (Shout out to the madre)

Xanadu

I'm pretty sure Olivia Newton-John was indeed talking about her home place Australia when she and 8 fellow goddess sisters sang that song. This place is amazing!! Guys.. It's magical. aka Xanadu. I'm staying with Ted and Joanie who remind me of my parents and are super cool! Ted built this beautiful house and his own kayak which he takes out all the time. Joanie is amazing and is taking me out to see all the sites! They have a home grown banana tree in their backyard!!!!!!!!! I can't even explain my excitement. It's been a dream of mine to see a real one. And BAM! done.

We went out yesterday to the bay and ate fish and chips. Loverlyy, as Eliza would say :)
Today we explored the bus system and got to see a bit more of Brisbane to know where everything is. And ate the most delicious cup of hot chocolate. I was never a fan before but I have never had a cup so goood. Even though it was hot out? Er idk. Now I'm organizing what I want to do and when. Immediate plans: Climb the Story Bridge, kayaking, and possibly fall in love with tea.