Brisbane, Australia

View of Brisbane along the river, from the ship.

It was a cooler than usual start to the morning but the temperature increased nicely as the morning went on, with the chance of rain lurking on the horizon.

There was no pickled herring or smoked salmon available at breakfast so Paul and I decided to have an omelette.  The chef behind the counter went about her duties enthusiastically, frying a nice pile of extra ingredients first, that Paul had chosen, before adding the egg to Paul's omelette.  The one side was cooked nicely, chef grabbed the frying pan and made sure the egg didn't stick to the surface before giving a nice sharp flick of her wrist to flip the egg over.  Mid-air the omelette turned over nicely but the extra ingredients parted company, deciding to go walkabout, going everywhere rather than back in the pan!  The chef was embarrassed, poor girl, but she continued to finish cooking the omelette before attending to the mess on the floor.  The scenario was, unfortunately, hilarious.

Paul had a hospital appointment in Brisbane and around about 10:30 we made our way to the passenger terminal where a car was waiting for us.  We spent a few hours at a hospital where Paul had a scan on his leg done.  In between that appointment and waiting for a consultant's appointment, we took a walk to a shopping mall that was within walking distance.  We managed to find free Wifi
where we were able to update our mobile phones with the latest Australian maps as well and programme updates too.  It was thirsty work so we had a nice smoothie - kiwi, mango, pomegranate and coconut water.  It was a refreshing drink but I think there was too much ice liquidised into it so the flavour was quite weak.  We also had a delicious hot pancake - with Nutella.  Paul had banana with his Nutella pancake.  Back at the hospital Paul saw a consultant who gave him the all clear to continue work but advised to see a consultant when he gets back home to get some serious varicose veins seen to.

We made it back to the ship a good hour or so before the 'all aboard' time and Paul brought the ship's doctor up to speed with his visit to the hospital.  Then it was time for him to get ready for work.

Sea day tomorrow!

Our route from Brisbane towards Hamilton Island - our next anchor stop.