Travels Down Under:
Journey to Brisbane

April 8-10, 2011

* The City of Fallen Angels, The Nacirema Empire – Brisbane, Queensland, Down Under *

Friday-Sunday, 8th-10th April 2011 * Over the Pacific Ocean

Sir Thomas Leaf officially began his walkabout Down Under to the bush of Australia towards midnight on Friday, April 8th. The Security at Air Temple of L.A.X. wasn’t too difficult. Sir Thomas Leaf thought as he passed through the scanners. Once again he was pleased that he escaped the full body scanner which he has not had to undergo since its release last year (even though he’s done over 8 flights worldwide since them). He’s sure his time will come. Sir Thomas Leaf doesn’t know what to think of the new invasive technology that allows the screeners to see his private parts. LAX was extremely congested and Sir Thomas couldn’t find a place to sit down, even on the floor, to plug in his laptop power. Instead he sat in the waiting chairs and drained his laptop down to about 7% power before boarding the flight. Sir Thomas was a little concerned with Qantas air dragon doing a carry-on luggage weight check – but it was really more the agents making it look like they were going to weigh everyone’s luggage so Sir Thomas’ frantic re-distribution of weight between his satchel and Osprey was pointless. On board the plane, lots of delays with take off as a missing passenger had not checked in yet and getting everything in order for the journey was timely. Custom cards were distributed as well as a comfort kit containing eye patches for sleep, mini toothbrush/ toothpaste (smallest Sir Thomas has ever seen), and headphones for the on board inflight entertainment iQ. Finally the flight was off into the dark skies of midnight flying up and over “The City of Fallen Angels“. Supper was shortly served after high in the skies of Tomato, Bocconcini and Cucumber Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrete; Seared Mahi Mahi with a honey glaze sauce, steamed rice and greens, key lime pie, cheese and biscuits, tea, water, and a hot chocolate. It was quite tasty Sir Thomas Leaf thought. Sir Thomas watched “True Grit” and promptly passed out afterwards. Sometime in the wee hours of the morning he awoke and was given a snack bag with a water bottle, two chocolates, potato stix, and a cappacino biscuit. Also A Rum and Coke, apple, water, and tea throughout the morning as he was on a 26 hour journey to Australia. He watched “Tron”, “the Tourist”, and “The Afterlife”. Breakfast was served of Orange Juice, cantalope, pineapple, raisin muffin, yoghurt, scrambled eggs on toasted muffin with sausage, mushrooms, and sauteed spinach, with tea and water. By 6:30 AM, Australian time, a day and a half later (calandrically) they touched down at the Brisbane International Air Dragon Court.

Sunday, 10th April 2011 * Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Upon arrival, Sir Thomas processed down the customs hall to go through customs. He accidentally filled out his declaration card in pencil, and was sent back out of line to complete it in ink. Passing through the customs agent was quiet and not very social. As he walked to baggage claim, another agent grabbed him and looked over his card and asked “Not doing any archeology here?” to which Sir Thomas Leaf stated “no.” and was then let on his way. Bags arrived fine and through another customs portal of drug-sniffing dogs, was soon out to the airport entrance. Bungy cording his bags together as a single backpack, and on to the “Travellex” Money Exchange to convert $278 American Dollars to $236 Australian Dollars, with no commission taken since he had an Hostelling International membership card. Then on to the AirTrain, with a pre-purchased round ticket he bought online, he was off to Roma Street in downtown Brisbane. A exhausting walk up the High Roma Street to all of the hostels that were in line with one another, top of the hill was “Brisbane City Hostelling International”. At 9:30 am, it was too early to check in yet, so the hostel clerk gave him a boomerang to the luggage storage room to drop off his bags and a card to go use the “Beach” – the top floor community lounge, television room, and swimming pool. Hot young women scantily clad sunbathing by poolside, Sir Thomas Leaf wished he had his swimsuit but felt too ‘old’ and overweight to brave the pool. Instead he found a table, connected online, and caught up with photo uploading and couchsurfing arrangements. Then he checked in his laptop for secure storage and wandered out to downtown Brisbane for lunch and to get bearings for his maritime assignments with the HMB Endeavor. After a scenic walk downtown, he hit the Queen street shopping mall, and down to the Eagle Street Pier where the Endeavor should be docked in a few weeks. He Found a little craft market to peruse and a Thai vendor serving up Shrimp Pad Thai, Chicken Satay, and a soda for 12 AUD. Tasty. He ordered “Thai Hot” but it was more like American Thai “mild”. Wandering back to the hostel, he checked in, settled into his bunk bed, had a nice shower, caught up with photo uploads and blogs only to find him pass out by 4:30 pm and not awakening again until 2 am.

Photos and videos below the cut:

Brisbane International Airport

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Brisbane Airtrain Service
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Brisbane City Youth Hostel

Brisbane

Easy Way Tea

Eagle Street Pier

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Qantas Airlines

Family:

Marina Del Mar Beach