Brisbane

Australian customs and Quarantine have a reputation for being draconian. With that in mind we had prepared to make things easy to get off on the right footing. For example we had dug out all the shells we collected in the Pacific and had them ready on the cockpit table for inspection. The event was painless.

With entry formalities put aside, we got our first taste of Australian hospitality when we were embraced with open arms by Susanne and Jerry, a local cruising couple taking a break from actively cruising, yet still living on their boat. They knew what it is to arrive after a long passage and pampered us. The first night they fed us a gourmet meal and poured several bottles of champagne. In the following days they drove us around town on all kinds of errands and generally helped us find our feet in Brisbane. What a wonderful experience. Thank you!

Susanne and Jerry host us for a yet another gourmet meal.

Brisbane itself is a major city with a population of 2 million. Moored on the river just off the Botanical Gardens in the heart of the City we were meters away from high rise office and residential towers. After 10 months of sparsely populated tropical islands, ocean and coconut trees this was quite a change! Another reason to enjoy the tall buildings around us was that Brisbane is known for its heavy thunderstorms. We certainly experienced some spectacular ones.

What a change from a deserted South Pacific Island!

We loved seeing the sights of Brisbane. The city is a mix of ultra modern buildings and beautifully restored wharves and Victorian/Edwardian Government buildings. There are many museums and most of them are free. Amongst others we visited a Fashion Exhibit, the Modern Art, Queensland (Science), Police, and Maritime Museums.

At the Fashion exhibit Jet is happy to spot this Cate Blanchett dress. Ewout was disappointed not to find the lady herself.

One of the many delights of Brisbane's South Bank: The Senang and Bravado boys play "chicken" in a waterpark.

First "kangaroo" sighting by Senang and Bravado boat children.

Brisbane also played an important role during WWII. Many of the GIs shipped in from San Francisco landed in Brisbane prior to being sent into battle. Brisbane essentially became a large garizon town. General MacArthur, Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in the Southwest Pacific Area, had his Head Quarters in Brisbane from July 1942 to November 1944. From here planned and managed the campaign to defeat Japan. His old HQ has been converted into a Museum:

General MacArthur's Head Quarters is one of the many museums we visited in Brisbane.

Hein learns about secret codes in the MacArthur Museum.

We learn about the role Australian children played during WWII (collect alumninium and rubber, help adults etc.)

Ewout tries General MacArthur's desk. Hmm. Ewout you sure are good at barking orders, but these boots might be a little too large to fill!

The MacArthur museum also gave us an interesting insight into how and when Australia shifted its allegiance from England to the United States. During the height of the panic in the Far East Churchill and the Australian Prime Minister John Curtin had a sharp difference of opinion: Churchill ordered Australian ships North to support the British in South East Asia. Curtin ordered Australian forces to return South to defend Australia. Curtin stated: "Without any inhibitions of any kind I make it quite clear that Austrlaia looks to America, free of any pangs as to our traditional links or kinship with the United Kingdom".

The rest is history. Australia today remains an interesting mix between British traditions and an American get-up-and-go attitude.

On our way out of Brisbane Eltjo had a close encounter!

We think there is something BIG in Eltjo's future!