Brisbane down under

Susan and I had a great day yesterday touring the hinterland and the Sunshine Coast near the capital city of Brisbane.  Our tour guide, Keith was a fount of information about the area.  We drove north from Brisbane to the town of Mooloolaba.  This town is right on the coast and very touristy.  It is quite pretty, but very busy with people on a Sunday outing.  Remember that yesterday was Sunday for us and Saturday for you.  I am including a few pictures of the Mooloolaba area for your viewing pleasure!  Our next stop for lunch was a very interesting little town called Montville.  Montville is known as the creative heart of Queensland.  We toured many galleries and artists shops.  I found a couple of wonderful Christmas presents for someone and even (as our boys will know) presents that Santa thought would be great for Dad.  Our last stop was at the subtropical rain forest.  We walked through the forest to see lots of indigenous flora and fauna.  I am including several photos of the rain forest, surrounding area and the beaches at Mooloolaba.  Our arrival back at Brisbane was heralded by the worst thunderstorm in a decade.  We watched the lightning, rain and wind that by morning had devestated many homes and farms in the area.  Today is partly cloudy but calm.  Our next stop is Cairns.  We are moving north into the heat and to our final stop on Hamilton Island.  Oh yes, the lovely lady with Susan is Barbara, a friend of our own lovely Erica.  Yes Erica, I did deliver the gift and got one from Barbara for you.  She is a special person that we would love to visit us in Seattle.