I go my first hug of 2013 yesterday! :)) I know for those in Europe it's still the fourth, but I just woke up at 7 am in the morning so I am in saturday already. :) I have been to the Lone Pine Koala sanctuary yesterday, a place with more than 130 koalas. Grounded in 1927 by someone who wanted to save them.

At 10 in the morning we boarded the little cruise ship that would bring us to the sanctuary. I had slept awful so bought myself a big cup of coffee to enjoy in the sun, while listening to the entertaining commentary. It was an interesting ride and we were told a lot about Brisbane, and how houses and places got their names. Even about the floods here with the most recent one in january 2011.

Before we knew it, it was 11.15 and we had arrived at the Koala sanctuary. Since the older captain heard that I was dutch, he called me dutchie every time he saw me. Hehe I had this little chat with the other guy too, who drove the boat on the way to Lone Pine and then got off. There were some koalas to be seen and I was looking forward to my hug. :)) I was afraid that it migh t be busy later so I went straight to the picture place to have my photo taken. It are such sweet animals and it felt so nice to hold a koala, He just sits on your hands and seem to hold you and looks at the camera. Once the pics were done, I got a few on my own camera as well so there is more proof of my hug.

I strolled a bit round in the sanctuary and went to the kangaroos. It felt a bit scary to me in the first place to just go in their place and walk between the kangaroos and those big birds, Emoes or something I guess? But they don't do anything and it's fun to see the kangaroos eat out of your hand and to touch them. I took this pic of a little kid from maybe 2 years old who was very interested in that kangaroo who was almost twice his length. :))

Other animals there were wombats and dingos and lots of birds. So after one last walk through the park it was time to go back to the boat. You could also take a pic with a huge bird, and I don't remember what bird, but I didn't feel like doing that, the line was too big and well, the animal too for me ;) Made it back to the boat again with the captain greeting me as dutchie again. Now it was time to feed myself so had a nice burger with a cold beer. No better way to enjoy the river again while having lunch and chatting a bit with Matt. Now I know his name, back then I didn't. This is the guy who asked me if I had something to do at night. My night was open so yeah, why not do something together? I like those spontaneous things and he seemed nice to spend an evening with... And btw, this was the younger guy who worked on the cruise ship, doing the driving on the way to the Lone Pine sanctuary.

So I got off the boat to have a walk in the city center and see some shops at daytime. Got a few things for some of my friends and for my sister too (hehe let's make ppl curious :PP) before going back to the hostel to get changed. Matt texted me he would be a bit later so I had plenty of time to check out the Botanical garden of Brisbane and walk along the river for a wihile. Around 8 we met and I had no clue where he'd take me, but I got to see some places that are not in my tourist books. First to a nice look out over the city, then to a place at the river, where we took those pics under the bridge and just hang watching the river. It was here when some guys came to fish there and the peaceful rest was gone. So up to another place, half an hour outside of Brisbane where he used to go swimming when he was younger. I loved listening to Matt as he knew a lot about those places and we could talk very good. Pity it's a guy living on the other side of the world to be honest so we can't hang out more often. :( He was sparkling of life and I love it to see that in people.

It was already 00.30 in the night when we came back. He offered me to let me try and drive a car where you're seated on the left, but that wouldn't be a good idea ;) Maybe some other time when i am not tired. :) In front of my hostel I got another hug, this time not from a koala LOL so that made the day even a better one!

Now it's 7.30 am and I have to take shower and then get packed already. I can leave my luggage here for a couple of hours, so let's join a hop on, hop off bus and see something of this city. I wish I had more time here, to see the coastline for example but well, Sydney is calling and tomorrow there is tennis already! :)

Time to upload some pics and off to the shower, enjoy your day boys and girls! :))