Sorry these next few post are a little bit late, we are having to walk a few blocks from our living accommodations to use McDonalds' wi-fi because the cost of the internet at our apartments is 75 dollars for a week. Absurd. Yesterday was our first day in Brisbane and so far I am liking it more than Sydney to be honest. Not only are things a bit cheaper here, but the city is cleaner and it has a more homey feeling. We landed around 11:30 and made our way to Woolloongabba which is the area we are staying. Our apartment is right beside the Gabba which is the cricket stadium in this area and its massive. We unloaded our stuff in the much nicer and air conditioned apartments! After getting settled in, we walked over to the Brisbane River Walk which stretches for some 15 miles. We were going to take a tour of Brisbane on a river cruise but the boat had already left, so a small group of us including the professors went on a walk through the Botanical Gardens and headed downtown to eat dinner before returning. Brisbane did an amazing job when they designed the river walk area and all of their public space around the river and town. Every bit of it is being used from walking and running, biking, and even a beach that was built by the river with a water park beside it. Its amazing how many people were outside yesterday on such a beautiful day enjoying the park and everything it was built for. If only there were places back in the States that had this level of thought and design. It would get people out of their houses and out exercising which seems to be a huge part of the culture here. We turned in early for the night for some much needed rest. Pictures will soon follow these post once the internet situation gets a little better!

Upgraded living accommodations in Brisbane..room all to myself!

Royal Botanical Gardens, Brisbane