Yesterday, in a playful manner, I suggested to Toshi and Jeong that we should consider heading to Brisbane to visit a club. Given that it was too late to embark on such a journey last night, we contemplated the possibility of making the trip today. Toshi expressed his intention to think about it during the day and promised to text me later with his decision. Unfortunately, Jeong couldn’t join us as he had to focus on job hunting and finding a more affordable sharehouse. The current guesthouse he stayed in was becoming too expensive.
I woke up at approximately 6:20 am and left the picturesque car park. Subsequently, I headed to a large shopping mall where I enjoyed my breakfast in the parking lot. Although there weren’t many people around, those who were there seemed to give me disapproving looks, prompting a good-natured chuckle.
Library and Shower
Following breakfast, I visited the library and utilized the gym’s shower facilities adjacent to the library. I took my time during the shower as I needed to attend to some wounds that had been causing discomfort for the past two days. These injuries were acquired while walking barefoot on Fraser Island. Now, with the application of plasters and antiseptic, I hoped for a swift healing process. This situation brought back memories of my time in Indonesia when I had to use a needle to extract splinters from my feet, a process that took five days for my feet to fully recover.
Post-shower, I entered the newly opened library at 9:30 am, where I spent some time jotting down some blog posts. However, after a couple of hours, the writing became tedious, and I decided to leave the library. My next stops were the post office and the supermarket, where I purchased a bag of ice for my cooler. While navigating through Noosa, I couldn’t resist stopping once to capture some scenic views. I parked my car and took a few pictures to immortalize the moment.
Laguna Lookout
The beach had a few locals, but it wasn’t crowded. Continuing my journey through Noosa, I was almost at Noosa Junction when a lookout sign caught my attention. Naturally, I couldn’t resist exploring it. Driving up the hill, I reached Laguna Lookout, situated within the Noosa National Park, just one kilometer further.
The views were breathtaking! From this vantage point, I could trace all the roads I had traveled over the past few days. In the pictures below, you can see the beach, and behind the trees lies the secluded parking spot where I spent the night in my car.
Another Game of Table Tennis
I proceeded to the school of Toshi and Jeong. Parking in front of the mall, I strolled towards Coles, where I purchased some small items to store in the car. Seeking directions, I inquired at a nearby store, and they directed me to the post office, conveniently located next to the cafe where I had dined the previous evening.
After acquiring some stamps for a total of 15 dollars (6 stamps), I headed to the school and patiently waited for Toshi. As we were scheduled to depart for Brisbane that day, Toshi arrived punctually. Seizing the opportunity, I asked if we could engage in one final round of table tennis. Naturally, I emerged victorious once again, prompting laughter between us.
An amusing incident unfolded as two teachers exited their meeting. Observing the lively exchange between Toshi, Jeong, and myself in the corridor, one of the teachers expressed delight at our English conversation. Typically, Asian students conversed in their native languages outside of classes. The teacher was so pleased with our interaction that she insisted on capturing the moment with a photograph. Little did she know that I wasn’t a student at the school—I refrained from disclosing my backpacker status, not wanting to dampen her joyful mood, haha!
Mount Coot-Tha Lookout
Following the table tennis match, we embarked on a two-hour journey to Brisbane. Exhausted from his lectures, Toshi caught some sleep during the drive. He had been burdened with homework the previous night after our hangout. As a pleasant surprise, I directed the drive towards Mount Coot-Tha, thanks to Romain’s (the French guy I met on Fraser Island) recommendation about a scenic outlook with a view of the city. Arriving around 5 pm, we were treated to breathtaking views. Opting for the food deal at the cafe, we enjoyed a meal that met our expectations.
We patiently waited until darkness fell, savoring the city lights of Brisbane as they illuminated the night. While relishing our meal, we continued to appreciate the captivating view. The trip was already proving to be an awesome experience. Following dinner, we captured some final pictures before heading towards the city. During our descent down the mountain, we paused at one point to photograph the moon casting its glow over the city.
Half an hour later, we reached the city center of Brisbane, scouting for an available parking garage. After some searching, we located one and entered the underground parking facility. Upon stepping out of the car, I was startled by the exorbitant prices displayed. I quickly instructed Toshi to hurry back to the car; we had only 5 minutes before being charged a staggering 15 dollars for every additional 10 minutes. The pricing seemed exorbitant! Fortunately, after another 10 minutes of driving, we stumbled upon an alternative underground parking area, offering a more reasonable rate of 9 dollars for the entire night.
The Wheel of Brisbane
We parked the car and strolled into the city, finding ourselves near Central Station. It didn’t take us long to discover a bustling local shopping street. As we explored, I couldn’t resist grabbing a frozen coke from Hungry Jack’s. However, my forgetfulness struck again—I left my camera behind. Consequently, we had to backtrack for fifteen minutes to retrieve it from the car, creating a humorous moment. Undeterred, we continued our walk, crossing the bridge and enjoying the breathtaking views.
We strolled across the Victoria Bridge and headed towards the Ferris wheel. While the boulevard was charming, it would have been more enjoyable during the daylight hours. Unfortunately, the park was closed at that time.
We were uncertain about the specific area of Brisbane we were in. Although we were currently in the center, we weren’t sure if it was the main entertainment district. Undeterred, we continued our stroll along the boulevard, and I noticed a sign directing us to the cinema. Near the cinema, we found various bars, but unfortunately, they were all closing. Seeking guidance, I inquired with the lady inside the cinema about potential nightlife options. She informed us that everything would be closing as it was a Wednesday, but assured us that on the weekend, everything would be open.
The scenario resembled that of Noosa, and I couldn’t help but feel disappointed. My anticipation for vibrant nightlife with big clubs open all night, every night, went unfulfilled.
Toshi and I retraced our steps to the city center, embarking on a quest to locate a secure spot to spend the night in the car. Relying on my trusty app, Wikicamps Australia, I identified a potential resting place, hoping for an available free parking spot. The clock neared midnight.
Under the Stars
We strolled back to the underground car park. Passing through a small park situated directly above our parking spot, my eyes caught sight of two beach chairs adorned with a sign (refer to pic 1 below). “Toshi, we can sleep here too! Let’s go for it! A pleasant night with a view of Brisbane’s skyline,” I suggested enthusiastically. Embracing the spontaneity, we both agreed to this unconventional plan. Toshi set his phone alarm for 4:30 am as an early departure was on the agenda, given that the parking time would expire at 5 am.
After securing our valuables in the car and locking it, we returned to the beach chairs, a mere 2-minute walk from the car. As we settled in, exchanging goodnight wishes, I marveled at the simplicity of life. Feeling surprisingly secure, I drifted off to sleep within 10 minutes. An hour later, I stirred awake.
Night Whispers: Unraveling a Homeless Stranger’s Tale
A distant voice began yelling, the words growing clearer and louder: ‘HEEEEEEEEEEEE’, ‘HEEEEEEEEEEE’. The persistent calls continued. Eventually, the man spotted Toshi and me and approached us. In a half-awake state, I witnessed the man engaging in conversation with Toshi. He mentioned that he was searching for his wife. Although I couldn’t discern the details of the subsequent question directed at Toshi, the man eventually walked away in the opposite direction, exiting the park while continuing his vocal outbursts. It became apparent that he was a mentally ill homeless individual.
I inquired with Toshi about the man’s inquiry. “I think he asked for food,” Toshi responded. Skeptical, I questioned, “He asked for food, are you sure?” Toshi admitted, “Not sure, English very bad.” I chuckled at his honesty. Expressing my discomfort, I informed Toshi that I wanted to leave as I no longer felt secure in the current location. We abandoned the beach chairs and returned to my car. Setting up Google Maps, I exited the car park. Believing the GPS was malfunctioning, I decided to take an exit for reconfiguration. Surprisingly, it started working again, confirming that we had already reached our intended destination.
If only my mother knew where I spent my night here in Brisbane, haha. From resorts in Indonesia to car parking lots and bridges in Australia. I parked my car, and we both caught some sleep. It was 1:30 am. During the night, I noticed a police car patrolling the area, but they didn’t bother us. It seemed okay to sleep here, I guess.
