We got up at 5:30, did the final packing, ate a few of Helen’s delicious cookies and set off for one last drive in the Monster. Over the hills and down onto the Adelaide Plains on a freeway, bypassing the city, and getting to the airport in 40 minutes. Since we had plenty of time, we waited 30 minutes while Europcar washed off several layers of red dirt so they could determine if we had damaged the car, and then we entered the lovely new airport. We checked in to Jet Star (Qantas desks looking normal, once again) and went through security - shoes ON, water OK, even visitors OK!
We split a delicious toasted eggplant on Turkish bread sandwich with cappuccinos and settled at our gate until we were loaded at ten….the flight was quite crowded, but we got an empty seat between us and had a comfortable flight. We passed over downtown Brisbane at 11:45, landed and got a taxi to the Marriott in downtown Brisbane, where we had strayed with Hilary ~four years ago.
We had to reorganize our gear and planned to leave two rolling suitcases at the hotel with our nicer city clothes and carry our field clothes and gear in lightweight bags that we had brought folded up, as the small planes we will be taking in New Guinea have severe weight requirements.
I must have left my tiny fold-up umbrella somewhere on the trip, and as it is absolutely necessary in the wet rain forest we are going to, I had to find another, and with the help of the yellow pages found a travel store nearby. So I went out shopping while Bob stay at the hotel to rest his foot which continues to bother him. I walked down to the Queen Street Mall which was jammed with people. Today is the Melbourne Cup horse race, and while it is taking place in Melbourne about 1000 miles away, it is celebrated all over the country as a great excuse to party and wear big hats! I passed all sorts of people in very fancy dress and women with large hats of all shapes and colors Very festive! I did get the umbrella and a jumper (sweater) for Bob, who had been wanting to get another light-weight Aussie sweater!
At seven we set out to have dinner at Il Centro, a nice Italian seafood restaurant on the fabulous walkway that runs along the riverfront. We got a great table overlooking the promenade and had a good dinner with great people watching: every restaurant packed and people partying everywhere!
We split a crab lasagna and I had scallops on squid ink risotto and Bob, grilled shrimp on white bean puree. We finished with a warm almond pudding cake with gelato and sliced apricots, and strolled home.
Off tomorrow to New Guinea...hope we can blog from there, but not sure. XXX
Does squid ink make the risotto taste fishy, like roe?
ReplyDeleteDebbie