Tuesday, February 13, Brisbane, Australia, Art & Architectural Design

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The capital of Queensland, Brisbane is situated on its namesake river and spreads over picturesque hills rising from Moreton Bay.  One of the oldest cities in Australia, its first European settlers were the secondary offenders from the Sydney penal colony.  Famously, it served as one of Douglas MacArthur’s Pacific headquarters during World War II.  Among its riverside skyscrapers, the city is host to some decidedly less dramatic architecture:  The quaint Queenslander homes characterized by their terraces and raised living spaces.  These picturesque houses are just a fraction of Brisbane’s rich arts and design scene.  Art galleries, museums, and beloved musical venues make the city one of Australia’s most vibrant and active centers.
Today we attended a shore excursion to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, the world’s first and largest Koala sanctuary.  It is set in a beautiful, natural environment and is home to more than 130 Koalas and a dazzling menagerie of other exotic Australian wildlife.  We hand-fed animals in the Kangaroo Reserve, which is home to around 150 free-ranging kangaroos and wallabies and also hosts emus and a wombat exhibit.



 Koalas have three fingers and two thumbs.





 Front "finger" nails of kangaroo.





 Magpie.
Emu.
























 Fox bats.  Wing spans can get to almost five feet!  Feed on fruits.
On our way back to the cruise ship we drove thru town and passed by Brisbane’s historic Parliament House, City Hall and other stately buildings.






 Veterans' war memorial.

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