Brisbane, Australia

Today we shopped til we dropped.  After visiting primitive ports and with so many sea days behind us, it was maintenance and resupply day in the big city.  

We have previously been to Brisbane (see Asian-Pacific Ocean Cruise blog) and today was our chance to see the downtown area (translated: shopping with real stores).  You can see the results of our efforts in the pictures below.   I got a pedicure, Michael got a haircut, and we collected sundries, office supplies and flip flops.  The most important buy was a VGA cable for my iPad so I can conduct my classes in any venue on the ship (or elsewhere for that matter). 

To get to the cruise ship terminal in Brisbane, we transited up the Brisbane River for 14 miles in the wee hours of the morning.  Upon arrival at the terminal, my alarm clock went off on time (that is the bow thrusters came alive at “O dark 30”).  My beauty sleep was over and that was a good thing because we had to get dressed so we could clear immigration before going ashore (all the ship’s passengers had to do it).  The cruise director had announced we could clear immigration and head out to the city without having to go back to the ship.  Therefore, we were able to get ourselves ready for the shopping day with tote bags galore, have breakfast, walk for about ¼ mile to get to the immigration agents.  We handed our passports and immigration forms to the agent, who processes us and then informed us there was a problem.  What?  What did we do?  He said not to worry, we had two visas – one as a passenger and one as a crew member – and they needed to combine them.  Phew….

A group of singers greeted us as we made our way out to the bus.  I stopped by the information table and inquired where an office supply store was.  I nice gentleman, one of the singers, offered us a ride into town.  Michael said no, I said yes, but Michael won and we rode the shuttle bus into town. 

We walked to the huge Myer Mall on Queen Street.  This was a huge, four story complex.  I saw where the nail shop and barber were located on the directory.  Now I have a sixth sense when it comes to malls, I just know which way to go.  But this place had a weird layout and we made several circuits and passed the same stores several times until we figured this cockamamie floor plan out. 

After my pedicure and Michael’s haircut, it was time to do the serious shopping.  There was a Target store!  I remembered that Target here was different from our Target at home, and yes indeed, it was a clothing store.  Where is Wal-Mart when you need one?  Somehow, we got our shopping done. 

Now it was time for lunch, and the food court was really attractive with some interesting foods and different places to eat.  So what do you think I had?  That’s right, Mickey D’s – McDonald’s Big Mac!  A taste of home.  Michael, the food snob, won’t eat McDonald’s.  He had – ta da – KFC! 

We returned to the ship and Michael went to the pool, and I stayed in and talked to my sister, Janet.  She got the backstory!!!  I then decided it was time to touch up my hair and conscripted Michael to do the back.  I was a little worried as I have not colored my own hair by myself in, oh let’s say, NEVER.  I was a little worried, but after washing my hair, it came out looking really good.  I do not trust Michael with a paint brush, but I did trust him with my hair.

We celebrated Valentine’s Day at dinner with Lillian McCormick, Adrian Sokoloff, and Robert and Sandra Clifton.  Service tonight in the dining room was soooo slooooow and we didn’t get done until after 10pm, so it was too late to see the show.  We lose an hour tonight, so it is time to go to bed and get some rest so we can go to work tomorrow.

Happy Valentine's Day