Hurts

Woke up at 5.15am. Meeting the tour guide at 7.20am at the driveway of Holiday Inn Hotel. Distance away from home? Less than 4km. Why the hell wake up so early? Got to take train to Roma Station, which is 3 train stops away, about 5-7 minutes ride. Here's the catch. The train we are taking leaves my station (Toowong) at 6.20am+, and the next train comes 30 minutes later, and we don't know where the hotel is. The 1st bus starts around 6.30am+, which we can't take, thats why the decision to wake up that early and walk to the station (20-25 minutes).

Actual timing that we were supposed to leave home was 5.50am. Due to some delays here and there, we left home late. :-(
Walked real fast. As we were about to reach Toowong Station, we saw the 6.20am+ train went past us. How? Wait for the next train and hope that the hotel is easily spotted, which we were told is beside Roma Station.

Next train arrived at 6.59am on the dot. + 7 mins max will be 7.06am. Still got time. Happily got onto the train. Guess what happened at the next station? "This train has experienced technical failures. Please cross over to Platform 4 for the next train at 7.20am"

KNN! We were like waiting in the train for about 8 minutes, thinking that it is a regular stop so that the train will meet the timing for the next stop. Damn the transportation system!

Friend A (Jerome) called the agent and told her what happened and hopefully can contact the driver/guide so that she can wait for us! No choice mate! spent A$99 for this trip already! Lan Lan have to go. Tried to hail a cab. Took us about 7 mins to get 1, and the cab fare was A$8.70. Ouch!!!

Got to the hotel driveway, saw the guide and the vehicle. A 4-WD Land Cruiser. Cool? Nah... What was supposed to sit 4 comfortably sat 8 uncomfortably. 4 on each side of window. ARGH!!!!!!! So had to tahan for about 2 1/2 hours on the road without stretching my legs.

Got off at out 1st attraction - The Natural Bridge. Had morning tea, which consist of urmm... tea and lamingtons - sponge cake coated with chocolate and coconut. Had a little walk in the natural reserve. Saw some trees, ferns, water lizards, birds, etc. Just like any natural reserve.

Next on was a 4km walk in the Springbrook Reserve. Waterfalls to add on to the list. And then lunch. On the table was rolls of different types of bread, tuna, 3 types of ham, salad, beetroot, tomatoes, cucumber, cheese, salt, pepper, 3 kinds of sauces, potato chips and a packet of tim-tam biscuits. Nice picnic................

Final attraction of the day was the glowworm "cave". Thought that it would actually be a real cave, but it turned up to be a artificial cave. Saw some green lights and thats it. Fed some parrots over there and there goes A$99.

Journey back was another torturous happening. Was actually looking out through the front windscreen all the time, hoping to see the skyscrapers in the city.

Hurt 1: Late, missed the 1st train.
Hurt 2: Brisbane transport sucks at the worst possible time.
Hurt 3: A$8.70 cab trip
Hurt 4: A 4-WD that actually squeezed 8 people at the back.
Hurt 5: A$99 not worthwhile. CHEATED!!!!
Hurt 6: My knees are giving way. Wobbling.

Hurt! Hurt! Hurt!