Well, I have been in Brisbane for about the same amount of time as Sydney now. It's nice, not as lovely as Sydney but nice all the same, and definitely warmer. On my first night here I met up with Nai (from Yeovil), she was so friendly. I was really disorientated arriving in Brissie not knowing anything or anyone and it was great to see a familiar face. We went for a drink and some nachos which ended up being free cos we walked away completely forgetting to pay for them (oops!!), we felt a bit bad but it soon passed! On Friday night we then met up with a couple of Nai's friends who are traveling, and then every night after then until Tuesday night. Fortitude Valley seems to be 'the' place to be. Although, I haven't been very drunk yet since it's so expensive to drink out here ($8.50 for a 330ml bottle of Magners!! shocking).

The four of us went to V Festival on the Gold Coast on Sunday which was amazing! We split up a couple of times when we wanted to see different bands but all in all we stuck together and had a great day. We even loved it when it chucked it down at the end of the night whilst we were watching The Killers - it actually made their performance a lot more memorable! You need to check out the photos tagged of me on facebook to appreciate how wet we were! I got to see Snow Patrol form the front row and loved every second, esp the sexy guitartist who I have never noticed in the band before! Their music was great too :) Everyone at the festival was really chilled out, I was walking round all day with a bag that didn't close and was never worried that when I was in the crowds someone was going to nick my money or anything else and it was all still accounted for on the train home - albeit very soggy after the rain. The Aussie crowds went crazy for Madness - how bizarre - and they even knew all the words! They were great too. Duffy was also a memorable one of the day, her voice is unbelievably powerful.

Unfortunately there aren't any beaches in Brisbane, just an artificial one on the south bank of the river. I've only been there at night so far and am determined to check it out once the rainstops coming down in bucket loads! Hope you have more sunshine back at home.

The plan at the moment is to stick around Brisbane and try to get some work before doing much more sight seeing or traveling. There were heaps of people looking for work in Sydney, mainly because I think people like the idea of basing themselves out of the city or because they think there will be lots of jobs there. I'm hoping Brisbane will be somewhat quieter and more successful.

I will keep you updated when anything momentus happens. Still not seen any koalas or kangaroos :( and only one spider but not at the hostel :)

Hostel: Banana Bender Backpackers

Stay: 25th March - I'm still there

Rating: 8/10

Comments: very clean and cheaper when staying by the week (about $25 a night) rather than night ($28) staff very good but some could be a bit friendlier / chattier - it's obv they aren't fussed about getting to know any of the travelers. They are very good though, and helpful with any questions or problems. And no cockroaches - bonus!