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East Coast Australia – Queensland, Brisbane and Surfers Paradise

Brisbane was our first large city since Sydney and we arrived by Greyhound under pouring rain. Bad weather is less frustrating in the city than at the beach, we thought, and at least in Brisbane we could shelter in one of the numerous malls if we needed to.

We checked in in one of the large central backpacker hostels, a few minutes’ walk from the pedestrian streets. The hostel was in one of these old Victorian buildings, with balconies and elaborated balustrades with a touch of modernity (the busy bar downstairs and drunk 18-years-old).

A lot of travellers seem to dislike Brisbane but I found the city interesting. It certainly changed a lot since the last time we were there, in 2003. The skyline now looks like Shanghai’s, with tons of skyscrapers and locals obviously enjoy spending money—there was a line-up at Tiffany and Louis Vuitton when we walked by!

As soon as the weather got a little bit better, we took a side trip to Surfer Paradise, the closest beach on the Gold Coast. While it may have been a surfer’s paradise thirty years ago, the town is now like an Australian Cancun, complete with skyscrapers casting shadows on the busy stretch of sand and casinos everywhere.

While it’s not the best beach we’ve seen and the place is quite tacky, it’s a fun day trip.

Alright, last article of the year I guess… where will we be for New Year Eve? Not sure yet. It’s actually quite complicated because popular spots are booked weeks ahead. But hey, wherever we are, it can’t be bad!

I wish you all a happy new year, bonne année, and thank you for your support!

Kangaroo (waiting to cross?)
Meter Maids in Surfers Paradise
Brisbane\’s Freeway
By The River
Surfers Paradise Blvd
Kangaroo Signs For Souvenir
Surfers Paradise
Surfers Paradise
Surfers Paradise
Surfers Paradise
Another Shout, Mate?
Waiting for the Woman To Finish Shopping?
Late Night in Brisbane
Brisbane by Night
Windy Surfers Paradise
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Zhu

French woman in English Canada.

Exploring the world with my camera since 1999, translating sentences for a living, writing stories that may or may not get attention.

Firm believer that nobody is normal... and it’s better this way.

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