Yay free internet!

Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore: You can't stay dry. If you're not in the ocean or a rock pool in the middle of a rainforest, and it's not pouring rain, then it's so incredibly hot that you're literally dripping with sweat.

We got up Monday morning and hopped a bus to Mt Coot-tha lookout for an incredible view of the city of Brisbane. There was a path to the JC Slaughter Falls, and we decided to attempt tackling it and still make it back in time for the next bus. Didn't happen. It was downhill on the way there and we were melting. The falls were a bit of a disappointment after the impressive rainforest falls we're used to seeing. Since we were going to miss the bus anyway, we decided to do the Aboriginal Art Walk, just off the trail we were on. It was a mixture of older and new rock paintings and arrangements, with little info signs at each one. Quite nice. We took our time getting back to the lookout, and once we reached the Summit, it was straight to the toilets to get the coldest possible water from the taps and drench ourselves in it. Then straight to the gift shop for air conditioning. We ate lunch at a table overlooking the city then took the bus back down the hill to the city.

The main item for the afternoon was the Castlemain-Perkins XXXX Brewery tour. That's Fourex, from how the monks used to mark the quality of beer. One X if it was inferior, four if it was better made. Now, I've seen Fourex everywhere we've been in Queensland. It's QLD's beer. The couple of times I've actually had the opportunity to try it, I didn't bother. Probably should have, since it's probably the best economical beer I've had here. Anyone (*cough* James) who wants more detail, ask me later. And on the tour, it was especially economical, since we got 4 free samples (285-325mL each)! The tour was very exciting. Very high-tech. The rotating platform for the seats in the room on the history of Fourex made my day. I'd been wondering how we were all going to see the bit behind us.

We left the brewery with a rather positive outlook on things, and used the walking tour in the Lonely PlaneT guide to clear our heads. It was dark for the last half of the tour, which made for terrible photo opportunities, but wonderfully lit buildings and decorations.

Tuesday we went to Lamington National Park with Rob's Rainforest Tours. And here I insert my free word-of-mouth advertising: If you are ever in Brisbane, DO NOT miss these tours. It was more like having an older, really knowledgable friend pick you up and take you the rainforest than it was like a guided tour. I don't think many tour guides actually stop to crouch down and open up the trapdoors of the trapdoor spider burrows. Even I would never have thought to look for them. We actually spend several hours down in the rainforest, on the walking track and at the falls. We had our lunch at an amazing waterfall in the middle of the forest, with a rockpool where we went swimming. It was FREEZING but sooo much fun. There were only 6 of us on the tour, which made it even better. On the way back there was a suspended walk through the rainforest canopy and we go to climb a tree from up there (to a platform, and using ladders with safety cages around them)! We stopped for ice cream in a little town on the way back to Brisbane. It was one of the best days on the trip, I'd say.

Last night we took the bus into Byron Bay. Saw View From the Top. Today we had Dolphin Kayaking booked, but due to bad communication at the company, we couldn't go because of some school group. We found this out 10 minutes before the scheduled time. There were at least 3 other companies we could have booked with if we'd had enough notice. But at least it was an absolutely beautiful day for the beach, and Byron has an absolutely beautiful beach.

We have an all night bus ride into Newcastle tonight. Myall Lakes didn't work out. So (cross your fingers) we're going to go canoeing at the Wetlands Centre in Newcastle, spend some time in Maitland (only because I really can't miss it, can it?), and then Friday we're doing a Hunter Valley wine tour. Saturday morning when we're concious, we'll take the CityRail train into Sydney, where we're staying in Triona's room for free since she's still travelling. Triona is staying another semester, and moved into one of the rooms in Vikki's old house. Heidi is staying another couple of months and has moved into Vikki's old room. So when I start saying I'm at Vikki's with Heidi, that's what I mean.

I'm going to be home so soon. And despite all the things I still want to see and do, and how much fun I'm having, and I how much I love it here, I really am looking forward to it.