Brisbane

Today we travelled by train into Brisbane, which took 1 1/4 hours.   A slow but interesting trip.  When we finally arrived at Central Station in Brisbane, it was like stepping into another world.    Everywhere there were people walking with a purpose, and dressed in conservative business clothes.    This was quite a culture shock after the colourful holiday atmosphere at the Gold Coast.   

Brisbane has changed, for the better.    We remember it as an over large and slow Queensland country town.   Now it is a vibrant and sophisticated city, with great shopping and an interesting variety of restaurants.    At at least that is how the city centre presents itself.    We were impressed, although a little overwhelmed at first.

Our first sight as we came out of the railway station was Anzac square, with its new upper level walkway.   

Then we looked down from the upper level walkway and saw Adelaide Street.    The city centre has female named streets running in one direction and the male named streets crossing over the female named streets.   When we lived there all the streets were one way and you had to remember the direction of each street, otherwise you become very confused.

 Queen Street is now a mall, which is so much better.   We really liked this street, although we spent most of our time, and money, shopping in Myers and the Myers shopping complex.

Lunch in an outside eating area, opposite the Brisbane River, was very leisurely.   Walter ordered three mini hamburgers and I ordered my usual, calamari and chips.

After three hours we caught the slow train back to the Gold Coast.