14 - Brisbane, Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha

 Weather forecast for Brisbane: 80 degrees F, and cloudy.  Simpsonville weather is high of 31, low of 9 and sunny.  Tomorrow Svl. is high of 37, low of 16.  Ohio, Tn, MA, VA, Maine are even colder.

Brisbane is the capital of Queensland and is situated on its namesake river.  Art galleries, museums and musical venues make the city one of Australia's most vibrant cultural centers.  But not really on December 24.  A lot of things close for half a day.  Many of the Viking passengers signed up for the excursion to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary ( 5 bus loads), two busloads went to the Zoo.  So we decided instead to do our own thing - going to the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha, highly rated by Trip Advisor, and not offered as an excursion by Viking.  

        The Viking shuttle dropped us off in Downtown Brisbane, cultural center, City Hall.

After the Viking shuttle, we took  a city bus to the Gardens.  It took about 1.5 hours for both bus rides and wait in between. We bought a bus ticket at the train station, not knowing at the time that it was a one way bus ticket.  And oh no, you can't buy a return ticket on the bus, or at the gardens.  

At the gardens we met the most colorful and helpful staff.  She had a big xmas bulb in her hair! She suggested we follow the Pink route #1.  We did, and only got (temporarily) lost about a dozen times.  It is our little joke.

                                                    

 She said don't miss the bonsai exhibit.  Tiny trees from as old as 1940's to just a few years old.

Even more impressive than the tiny trees is the tiny pot for the roots.  How can they live?  They must need water 2-3 times a day.

Now the BIG trees.

 The Japanese Garden exhibit opened in 1989 it was relocated from the World Expo '88. I love these gardens partly because they are generally evergreen gardens with little other color also because they often have water features.

Wild life along the way.

Food on a cruise ship is usually good.  Last night was exceptional.  The officers cooked barbecue outside.  Inside was beef on a long rib bone.  Dessert included strawberries in caramel sauce with ice cream, and other delights.

Salted caramel cheese cake.

Strawberries in caramel sauce with vanilla ice cream.  Everything is better with ice cream!

We had front row seats to the newest performer: Bradley McCaw. His style was similar to Elton John and Ray Charles.  The show was "Songs of the The Great Piano Men".  Phil says he doesn't like front row seats, he had to pay attention, clap, and smile too much.