These few days in Brisbane

I came to Brisbane last Saturday. The first impression is the ridiculously expensive, slow and dirty train I rid from the airport to Roma Street Station. The distance between the airport and the station is not very long, and it cost me friggin' 12 dollars.

I'm now staying at a backpackers hostel named TinBilly right in front of Roma Street Station. At first I booked the 10~13 people dorm for 7 nights, but it was so badly disgusting and always noisy at nighttime. So I changed to a 4~5 people dorm shared with 4 Irish people who are friends traveling together. I shortened my stay for 1 night and I still had to pay 20 dollars more.

In the past days, I've been to many places in Brisbane. The casino where I lost almost 50 dollars to the machines, the Queen Street malls, movie theatre where I saw Spider-Man 3, city countil building up to the clock tower, the south bank, New Farm and several parks and churches.

The building of the city council is really beautiful. And the chime of the clock is great as well. You can hear it even from a far distance. The church right next to the council is beautiful as well. And I met a man, maybe a fater, and he was so kind and friendly to me, he talked to me about God for a while.

The place I liked most in Brisbane is the Botanical Gardens along Queensland University of Technology and the Brisbane River. The garden is big and full of plants and birds. The best site in the garden is along the river where you can see yachts and the beautuful Story Bridge. I enjoy sitting along the river and studying books.

Generally I feel that people here are not as friendly as those in Darwin. But I still got to talk to some locals who were friendly nevertheless.

On this Saturday I'll be moving to Noosa Heads. I heard that it's abeautiful town. It's close to beautiful beaches. I'll be staying at the YHA there, and I'll be looking for a job there. I'm really looking forward to it. I hope it will be a great experience and memory to me.

I also met a colleague, Joyce, back in Nantou Elementary School. My best friend Grace informed her that I'm in Brisbane. She is currently studying at Queensland University of Technology. She accompanied me to ride the city CAT ferry to both of the ends of the route. And we took some pictures at the New Farm garden. She also took me to her home, and let her husband cooked steak for our dinner. Their house is tidy and lovely. I really appreciate their kindness.

All in all, I think Brisbane is a beautiful and comfortable place. The temperature here is much more comfy than in Darwin. But I still miss my friends and families in Taiwan and Darwin of course.