Australia Summer Deployment 2013

Summer deployment was cut a little short due to some issues with our ship so we weren't able to go to Guam as planned, but luckily we were still able to make it to Brisbane, Australia! I will never be able to fully express how amazing this port visit was, although it was winter in Australia it didn't seem to phase us, we still travelled around the city like it was a hot sunny day... After being underway for 4 weeks it was a great reminder of why we do what we do!

Liz and I first went on a Beer and Wine tour which consisted of going to the XXXX brewery and taking a nice longgg tour, I now know way too much about the production of beer making, but it's good knowledge, right? While at the brewery we had the chance to eat Kangaroo steak... At first it was delicious and then after a few bites it became gamey kind of the same consistency as venison.

Kangaroo Steak: 

From the brewery we went on a tour of a beautiful Vineyard the scenery was unreal and the wine was beyond tasteful! We enjoyed a few bottles after our tour and a couple of sweet treats before returning to the city!

We only had one night off the ship before we had to return for duty (can't leave the ship for 24hrs). After our duty day we checked back into our hotel which upgraded us to a luxurious suite where we enjoyed several 5 Seed Ciders! If you like cider you have got to try this they were unbelievable and we've been searching for them ever since we first had them, no luck so far.. After we checked in we headed north on the train, which by the way if you ever go to Australia make sure you check which cart on the train you're going into... I recommend making sure you're not in a "quiet" cart before you sit down... Off to the Australia Zoo we went! :) We were able to feed elephants, pet kangaroos (which was awkward because a few days prior we ate it), play with koala bears and see so many neat animals that we would never find at a zoo in the states. For the rest of the time in Australia we went shopping, sightseeing and hung out with the locals, by far my most favorite port thus far!

This "little" guy thought it would be a good idea to swallow my whole arm!

5 SEED CIDER:

 Liz and I before we went to the Steve Irwin Zoo: