Our SIL Bernie's parents live in Melbourne. At the moment they are on the cruise ship, "Dawn Princess", cruising around Australia. The ship called into Brisbane for the day so we arranged to spend the day with Helen and Neville.
We drove into Portside and found a park easily. We could see the ship at the wharf but we couldn't find how to get around the barriers for a while until I found a map showing us to go around the back of the shops.
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| photo from web |
There we found Helen and Nev waiting for us. We took them for a drive through the city and up to Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens
It was a very warm Autumn day. It was nice to rest in the shade.
There were many interesting flowers and plants. Too many to add here but these were some of my favourites.
We heard a Brush Turkey scratching around in the undergrowth.
We had lunch on the deck overlooking the gardens. L to R Helen, Bill and Nev. (Missing our kids in LA)
After lunch in the gardens we drove to the top of Mt Coot-tha for coffee and to check out the view from the lookout. Coot-tha means honey in the local aboriginal language. They used to collect honey from this site before it was taken over by settlers in the late 1800's.
The view of Brisbane and suburbs which spread as far as the eye can see with Moreton Bay in the background.
It was a nice day catching up with "in laws" then we took them back to the ship where I secretly wished that I could join them for a cruise around Australia and Bali.
i bet they enjoyed their time with you showing them around a bit. :)
ReplyDeleteThey had a wonderful time with you, I'm sure. And vise-versa.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun having your own personal guide when your "ship comes in". Lovely day for them!
ReplyDeleteI am sure you are a great guide, Diane, it looks as though they had a fabulous time.
ReplyDeleteWow - that's some liner! Love your collage; it's a stunner. Thanks for sharing and stopping by my blog again.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a nice time was had by all........I would like to go on another cruise
ReplyDeleteHi Diane, So glad that you met with Bernie's parents while they docked in Brisbane. I'm sure the four of you talked ALOT of your kids/grands SO FAR AWAY....
ReplyDeleteLooks like you all had a beautiful day. Great view from Mt Coot-tha...
Have a wonderful weekend.
Hugs,
Betsy
Because of how they park, no berth I guess, we can never see the front of ships. I saw the Dawn Princess arrive here at Station Pier last week when I was on our balcony.
ReplyDeleteDiane,
ReplyDeleteWho knows, you may have just "dodged a bullet" what with all these cruise ships that are breaking down - and leaving their guests stranded.
You can tell yourself that, anyway, since you cannot join them. :)
GREAT pictures, as always!
Diane, they are so lucky to have had you to be their personal 'tour guide'. Sometimes it's so nice to be a tourist in your own city. Your photos are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI heard that princess is a good cruise line, they must be having fun. Michelin restaurants are different in quality and price dependent on the country so it is important to manage expectation. In some countries it is not worth it, like in the USA. If you visit a major European city, let me know, I can always recommend you a restaurant.
ReplyDeleteGreetings,
Filip
A cruise might be fun but I will take a walk in the one of those gorgeous parks you have any day. It looks like you all had a great time.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful tour ! and what a nice meeting too. Unfortunately Marieken's parents (divorced) are rather strange and we see them only on birthdays ! Marieken's mother is the one who wanted to tour around Australia by bicycle (that says it all) but gave up after 5 weeks instead of staying 3 months and returned home sick !
ReplyDeleteYou gave them a lovely day and lovely memories for me too. We own a home up the road from the Mt Coot-tha gardens. It was next door to my in-laws so we visited there often even after we moved south and rented the place out.
ReplyDeletelove the view from Mt Coot-tha at night and during the day particularly when the jacarandas are in flower. You have taken a lovely shot of it. Brisbane is looking so tall these days.
You had a nice day all together and showed some pretty places to your guests. Those floating "appartment buildings" I am not so fond of. There are to many of them. I saw three huge ones together in Amsterdam harbour. They reached out above the buildings!
ReplyDeleteCould I join you for a cruise around Australia and Bali too?
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a nice cruise ship.
ReplyDeleteYour mosaic of the plants is gorgeous. That couple looks like they are sitting on a golf course. :)
Your turkey looks a little differently than ours but not much.
Love the view of the city - awesome shot!
I think the 'in-laws' got the best of both worlds on land and boat.
It looks as if you are perfect guides for Brisbane. If we ever get there, I would certainly like to hire you. The gardens and the view from the mountain are spectacular.
ReplyDeletelooks like you had a very enjoyable day. lots to do and see. i love your photos. that ship looks very inviting too. i'd love to go on a cruise esp. to bali :)
ReplyDeleteBrisbane looks great to me and what a huge cruise ship We sometimes see them here as well. Wonder how many people can go on such a ship
ReplyDeleteI didn't realise Coot-tha meant honey .... amazing what us bloggers teach each other. Sounds like a great cruise Diane .... maybe you could have stowed away.
ReplyDeleteDiane, I was told there is a free cruise in your Brisbane river. Is it true?
ReplyDeleteLovely to get together with the inlaws so to speak.
ReplyDeleteThe ship is lovely, and all photos are good. Long time since I have been up that mountain.
Looks like they are having a great time but sure they enjoyed the day with you as well. Some great photos here. We are going on a cruise in the Med next month and really looking forward to it. Keep well Diane
ReplyDeleteFun (but bittersweet...we've had a similar experience meeting the 'inlaws' when our mutual grandchild and his parents were elsewhere). You chose a lovely tour for them...and they were lucky to have such experienced guides; I know they had more fun than they would have with the land tour the ship would have provided.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun day and your photos show you were indeed in your element at the gardens! Amazing!!!!
ReplyDeleteStunning views. Imagine how fun it would be to be met by friends everywhere your cruise ship docked.
ReplyDeleteYou've set a VERY high standard for whoever they get as their next guide!! I've only been to Mt Coot-tha once, but I hope it's not the last time!!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a really enjoyable day!
ReplyDeleteNice day, beautiful view, love your chosen plants too. always nice posts, understand that you miss your kids and kidskids!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely get-together. Enjoyed your photos Diane, and yes I am sure you are all missing your kids in LA.
ReplyDeleteYou've reminded me of some of the great places there are to explore in Brisbane - and exploring is one of my favourite pastimes!
ReplyDeleteSounds like ye landlubbers gave your seafaring rellies a very enjoyable day ashore Diane.
ReplyDelete