Koalaty Time...(I half apologize for this title.)

Day 11: Saturday, June 27th, 2015
Steps taken: 6,940

I felt well rested in the morning even though (Can you guess what the weather was like?) it was still pouring.  I showered, cleaned up, and packed up the majority of my things.  We were supposed to do yoga that morning.  I wanted to get a few things done before we met up, but that was a mistake.  I got to the lobby just in time to see Georgia pull away.  I was looking forward to doing yoga as well as breaking the monotony of the previous day.  The laziness continued with some more gaming.  I had a banana dairy smoothie for breakfast.  Once everyone got back I gathered my things and said farewell to the wild turkeys, and eastern dragon that were running around the hostel grounds.  One thing I was not going to miss was the endless rain.  I'm only happy when it rains...every once in a while.

We also said goodbye to Georgia who was being driven back to Sydney for the next tour group.  Our new temporary bus was roomier though.  We headed towards Brisbane, but not before stopping for an outdoor BBQ lunch on the New South Wales/Queensland border.  There was bacon sandwiches, pancakes, and salads.  The area was breathtaking with excellent beaches and views of parts of the Gold Coast.  Before we left we celebrated the few people who were leaving the next day: Jeff, Honor, and Tina.  It was also Lena's birthday.

It was a short trip to Brisbane from there.  Unfortunately we didn't have much time in Brisbane, but the time we did have was up to us.  After getting settled in I went with some others to the Lone Pines Koala Sanctuary.  This was the largest koala sanctuary in the world.  It was a bit smaller than most zoos, but still really cool.  We wandered around, heard a talk on Tasmanian Devils, fed the kangaroos, and got a picture with a koala.  Many people asked me to bring them home one, and while that's not a good idea, the koala was pretty cuddly and tame.

http://www.koala.net/en-au/

When we returned to the Base Camp I got in touch with Dave who I met on the Antarctica trip because he lives in the area.  (Dave is also a proud member of the 7 Continent Club.)  Him and his wife Liz picked me up, and we went to the Eat Street Northshore outdoor food market.  It was a kickass place to get food although it was unfortunate that I missed sushi with the group.  There was pretty much anything you could have wished for and more at the market.  It was also really crowded, but that's to be expected on a Saturday night.  After walking around the grounds and weighing our options, we got Thai food.  I was torn between that and okonomiyaki.  I got a Thai iced tea, a chicken satay stick, and prawn fried rice.  There was other notable stands such as some selling food that I saw in Sydney such as a tornado potato and Turkish gozleme vendors.  For dessert, we went to the cruffin stand.  I know it's a horrible name, but they're awesome since they're croissant muffins.  They also sold cronuts.  Even though I was full I got a Snickers cruffin, and a TimTams cronut.  I had a bite or two of eat, and then wrapped them up for later along with a syringe of nutella I purchased.  Nutella should always come in syringe form! Then we headed back.  It was great to catch up with Dave, and to meet Liz.  Hopefully our paths will cross again soon.  Maybe even travel on another G Adventure or trip in the future.

When I got back I went to the room, and then found out everyone was downstairs at the bar.  I joined them for a drink, and then went back to the room when everyone else went clubbing.  I listened to some punk music, mainly Bad Religion, because I've been subjected to pretty awful pop music so far this trip.  While on FB I saw that the U.S. had legalized gay marriage.  This was cool news, and while I don't care too much for the concept of marriage in general (THANKS, LYDIA! Nah.  It's not really her fault.) I was beyond happy for my homosexual friends.  I never understood why this was an issue, but America is really good at restricting particular groups of people despite its founding principles.  Also, those against gay marriage are usually hypocrites or bigots that believe in repressive religious ideas that are often misinterpreted.  Before this becomes a social rant rather than a travel journal, the last thing I'll say about this is good job, America! I have at least one nice thing to remind me of home amidst the current racial tensions, and all the political BS that is already building up to next November's presidential election. (6/30/17 update on this: WHAT THE FUCK, AMERICA!) Another good day, and more ahead.  Next stop: Fraser Island.