Tuesday, January 21

I wanted to explore the local area and have a coffee in town before taking the train. I went to the Woolworth's to get myself a mango yogurt(delicious), which I ate while having my black coffee with oat milk and reading the newspaper. I really enjoy reading the local papers while traveling and Australia's is pretty good. They have a new mix to the menu at the cafes having different types of ice tea and boba teas like Sydney. The breakfast scene as usual is excellent. Australia is a country that has 5 star breakfast dishes with such creativity and artistic cooking. They win as being one of the best restaurant breakfasts in the world for sure!

I hopped on the train and went to Indiropally, which is a major shopping center where I wanted to get some new dresses and scope it out. This turned out to be a very upscale shopping center with the best grocery stores, fruit markets, butchers, sushi, French bakery, specialty food items, lots of coffee spots, and Andrews(cooking ribs, burgers, and all kinds of meat on the spot, which had a line of about 15 people in it). I really found a great mall and I was happy that I stopped by especially the H and M and the Kmart. The department stores of Australia are David Jones and Meyer. They also have Target, Kmart, and I found out they have Costco and Ikea. 

When I left I headed to the city to visit the Botanical gardens first walking down the Edwards street, which was the 5th avenue of Brisbane with all the luxury brands. I could not believe how beautiful the botanical gardens were and the incredible walking paths. This city had walking/running/ biking paths for days that wrapped all the way around the river up into the cliffs and near to the ferry stops. There were so many people running and their bodies were in fantastic shape. It was runners paradise for sure and I was envious of all those people getting a great run in as I had just been on a walking trend the past couple weeks. 

The sunset was beautiful and I hopped on a boat to watch, which was recommended by a local friend. For 50 cents you can travel the whole river from Hampshire to St. Lucia and there is also a free ferry boat that is also an option. The views were spectacular and I really had been lucky with the sunset.  The following day there was really a sunset at all so I was "travel blessed" let's just say. 

 I did not talk to many locals and I kind of just kept to myself while enjoying the views and walking another 25,000 Steps for the day. I ended up finding my way back to Milton, which took me to a bus, which took me to my accomodation. 

I had NO google maps on this trip and I was doing really well without a phone. The phone is such a distraction that takes away from the beauty and authenticity of the experience. 

Put the phone down and just take in the beauty with you eyes, ears, nose, and heart:)

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