we-in-Brisbane & down the Gold Coast

This time: thoughtful words about civilization, gingerbread at Aldi, Christmas, dolphins, and PADI Open Water Certificates.

Back in civilization ... after a lot of outback, rainforest, and remote beaches, the first cities like Cairns before and now Brisbane feel rather foreign. It's amazing how comfortable it feels to be away from all the hustle and bustle and how pleasant life changes when suddenly there is no electric light illuminating everything after sunset. How quickly the rhythm adapts to sunrise and sunset, also due to the heat that pulls you out of the campervan yogurt cup no later than 8:00.

And then, suddenly, it's time again, unexpected, much too soon, even though it was already announced in August with gingerbread at Aldi ... Christmas.

Christmas at 30+ degrees in an environment that lovingly tries to spread the 'flair' of Christmas that we are used to. Upon arriving in Brisbane, we first did some sightseeing, including taking the free ferry up and down the Brisbane River, going downtown, and inspecting the really sweet Christmas-decorated city. We then took advantage of the artificially created lagoon right on the river for a refreshing swim... a dream!

To celebrate Christmas properly, we took the ferry with our Santa hats but without surfboards for an hour up the river towards the estuary, to the EatStreet Food Market including an aperitif and Christmas fireworks. A huge street food market with separate areas for Italians, Asians, and the so-called cronuts (half croissant, half donut - greasy, but it's their own culture or breed, I believe).

Afterwards, we went to the upscale Japanese restaurant of our choice, enjoying delicious sashimi, sushi, marinated and tender pork belly ala Ba ku Teh... mhhmmm..... this year Christmas was served in Japan.

Christmas is over ... and so we continue to Surfers Paradise - a city with skyscrapers right by the sea, and a cozy night in the camper in the underground parking of an old motel undergoing renovation. Then Byron Bay, a very hip town known for its lighthouse and the self-composed lunch wrap a la Wendo... ;). Since the Gold Coast is extremely popular with Australians during the summer holidays - and we also had some bad luck with the weather - we decided to move through this part quite quickly.

Finally arrived at our almost last stop before Sydney and New Year - in Terrigal Haven. Terrigal Haven was a wonderful home for us for 4 nights, with a beach, rocks, snorkeling spots, and a perfect ocean view every morning when waking up. And for 3 days, it was the base for our PADI Open Water Dive Course. We can now proudly call ourselves certified open water divers :)

Beautiful and relaxed Christmas time here on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast until shortly before Sydney.

And next time you will see how to do fireworks properly and make new friends in the middle of Sydney (Thanks Carmen!!!) ...