Team Leip Travels

Monday, November 28, 2022

27 November 2022 Brisbane: The Monsoon Season Meets the Holiday Season

We got to the Sunday Market in the park early and bought our veggies. There was a couple at a booth there selling boulder opals that they mine themselves in Queensland. We had a nice conversation but did not purchase anything. After unloading all the goodies we heard the rain. The rain was accompanied by high winds and the windows rattled. It was a torrential downpour. We took this time to watch last week's CBS Sunday Morning Show. It was the Sunday routine of old. We were happy that the trip to the Gold Coast was canceled by the tour operator. It would have been a soggy trip. We went as far as researching the train schedules and were prepared to head to Gold Coast on our own. We were ready to go but there were track shutdowns planned for Sunday, so we put it off for a week. Instead we stayed in the apartment and had some rainy day couples time.

The thunder and lightning put an end to the work on the tunnel

A fine scallop dish whipped up by Leslie

Scallops, mangoes, mint, Thai basil bok choi and some noodles

It has been 175 days since we began our Migration

Saturday, November 26, 2022

26 November 2022 Brisbane: A Night Cruise on the City Cat

Since the first day we rode the City Cat we had wanted to return for a sunset / evening ride. We chose this Saturday since our planned early morning Sunday tour to Gold Coast was canceled at the last minute. The cruise was as nice as we had hoped. An extra was seeing the people climbing the Story Bridge. There was a group standing on the center span when we started going upriver. When we returned and passed under the bridge going downstream, there were three separate groups navigating the span. In the picture above you can see one group on the upper right side and the crescent moon on the left.

A bit early for the sunset

They appear not to realize how precarious their perches are

Tricked out bikes coming off the ferry

Another Wedding

The Ferris wheel in the setting sun

Down slides the golden orb

Clouds lining up

The Four-X guy!

The sun has left the horizon

Monkey Puzzle Tree in the golden sunset

A nice sunset

Gold as can be

A turkey cloud

So many colors reflected

Up they go

Then down the other side

Lucky the Lizard came with us

There are some tall buildings

The big YOT is back out on t he river

Party!

Blue Story Bridge

It sun is down and its time to head back for some dinner

It has been 174 days since we began our Migration

Friday, November 25, 2022

25 November 2022 Brisbane A Post Thanksgiving Day Stroll Along the River and the Lighting of the Tree

Yet another exceptional day for Brisbane weather. It is sunny and in the low 80's with just a hint of humidity. The breeze along the river made it even nicer. We walked through the park to get to the riverside path. When we got there we saw a huge ship launching into the river. It looked more like a floating dock or a floating restaurant. It turns out to be the YOT Club. Rated for occupancy of 400 people with two bars and a stage and a dance floor. Move over for this behemoth. Little Red Dumplings called out to us on our way home so we stopped in for more goodness. Then we came back to the apartment to shower and run a load or two of wash. Next was the tree lighting in City Hall Square. This was a big to do with a stage, video screens and lots of people. Starting at 6 PM a choir sang Christmas songs, then more music by the Seven Sopranos and finally some acrobatics by elves. We got to talk to Michael a New Zealander who now lives in the West End and who sat next to us. The kids were delighted by the costumed characters walking around, gingerbread man, reindeer, candy canes and such, Leslie loved it too. The music was great, the people watching was fun and the tree was magnificent.