Day 37 - Brisbane

Today we're off to EKKA (Royal Queensland Show) we're both not really sure what to expect we just read about it on the internet yesterday. It seems different, easy enough to get to so we thought we'd give it a go!

We'd made a list on the laptop of all the stuff we wanted to see at EKKA and the times they were on etc and as we both have memories as bad as fish we forget to take a copy of the list with us but not to worry as events like this usually give you a map and a 'whats on' guide on the entrance right? WRONG!

Anyway we arrive and wander around aimlessly for a while trying to figure out where everything is etc and whilst looking for one of the events we remembered we wanted to see we stumble across a dog show (you should have seen how uneasy Si looked in a room filled with hundreds of dogs!) we walked around all the dogs seeing which was on show etc and then took a seat to watch some of them be judged which was quite interesting.

We then walked round to Animal Boulevard (heaven to me) where they had a petting zoo, loads of cows, dogs, cats etc. They had one room dedicated to birds and it was the loudest room we have ever been in! All the roosters were setting the other roosters off, then when you got to the ducks they were setting each other off it was just endless but they did have some funky looking birds! There was an arena of horses and each had a sign on the front of their stable warning people to keep back for their own safety ... I chose to ignore that warning and stroked as many of them as I could, they weren't nasty horses and I think they enjoyed the attention :) We then wandered round to the main arena where they were showing Welsh ponies so we sat down and watched them for a while. There was a chestnut one that looked very much like Jan if she would have had a bit more white on her face and one more white sock it would have been Jan's double! I spent a while taking pictures of her and she won her group YAY!

After a while Si had tolerated all the animals he could and convinced me it was time to go and get a beer and some food before the main event. We decided to live on the wild side and try and Dagwood Dog between us, it was just a hot dog in batter so wasn't that exciting but filled a hole.

The main event was quite boring at first lots of army folk marching and saluting and some random guy getting pulled by a shetland pony in a cart (dont think he was actually supposed to be in the arena then) but the wait was worth it!

First we had cowboys and cowgirls shooting things whilst riding then Si's fun started when 4 Toyota Hi-Lux came out rallying around drifting etc. They drove bumper to bumper and then spun round in unison their timing was excellent and we even got to see one of them do a jump which was good.

Then there was monster trucks! It drove around for a bit and then crushed 4 cars, it must have drove over them about 6 times and then took a big run up to jump higher before parking the truck on top of the 4 cars!

As it started to get dark there were massive moths flying around and into people. One flew into Si and just started attacking his leg it was well scarey at the time but hilarious now! Its like they were doing it on purpose all night we could just see them flying into people.

Next there was the Yamaha motor cross team, 3 guys on motor bikes doing some impressive jumps and of course several back flips. They were really cool to watch I dont know how they have the guts to do it! When they start the jump you think wow but then your stomach jumps into your throat thinking what if something goes wrong! Luckily it didnt and they were all excellent.

To finish the show off there was a massive firework and laser show, to be honest I just watched the fireworks they were spectacular and went on for ages.

All in all it was a really good day out with lots of variety and plenty of entertainment