Sunlander Train to Brisbane and Kylie

After a couple of relaxing days in Cairns we headed to the railway station for the Sunlander Train to Brisbaine. Well, what luxury!!! We had our own sleeper compartment with all the complimentary goodies you could hope for and were greeted by David the Maitre 'De who explained where everything was in the cabin and on the train generally. The doors were locked beyond our carriage so only those travelling Queenslander Class had exclusive use of a lounge complete with entertainer, a games room and dining room for the almost continuous "fine dining" we experienced over the next day and a half. We had everything from oysters, fillet steak, lobster, to scones and cream and lots of lovely puddings. We were allowed off the train at certain points for a 5 minute walk along the platform and boy did we need it!!! The whole experience was brilliant and yet another wonderful thing for us to remember.

So, on to Brisbane. We spent our first day on a circular walk around the city and have been very impressed with it. The city is based around the river and there are walks and runs mapped out along the banks. They even have a beach and lagoon for swimming on the south bank!! We walked through the Botanical Gardens and admired the wonderful Georgian facades on many of the properties.

Then we had to hurry back to our hotel to prepare for Kylie!!! (Well Bob had to at least!!!) We travelled out of town on the train a short distance, along with several thousand Kylieites to the Brisbane Entertainment Centre - another superb facility. The show was brilliant and Kylie was on excellent form. I managed to stop Bob from buying up all the memorabilia - sorry Laurie, no calendar next year!!!! Shane Warne was in the audience sat a few rows from us - we managed to control ourselves and not try and kneecap him!!!

Today we went into the city centre again and had a "Hello Bob" moment!!!! We actually managed to bump into Bob's Great Aunt, someone we only met a few weeks ago in Oxford. She is in her 80's and yet still managed to recognise us as we walked along the street!!! Also in the city centre were Jeffrey Archer doing a book signing at Borders and Westlife giving a rendition of their new single in the Queen's Mall. Brisbane certainly seems to be the place to be at the moment - Billy Joel and Elton John are both performing at the Entertainment Centre later this week!!!

We eventually managed to find the right bus stop for Mount Coot Tha and admired the amazing panoramic views of the city and its surrounds. We then visited yet more Botanical Gardens adjacent to the viewing area - with a wide variety of plants and wildlife (we are becoming experts!!!).

We are off to Boundary Street in the West End this evening where the live groups play and where there are lots of good restaurants and bars. One more day sightseeing and then its off to the Gabba!!!