A/N: I tried to stick to the older, more historic tourist spots in Australia due to the X-Men "timeline", but have never been there so if I mention a place that wasn't open during that period, I ask you to excuse it because this is after all a work of fiction. I made up the restaurants/food places and didn't mention transportation names to avoid this problem with those and any similarities between anything in these Aussie chapters and real businesses over there is purely coincidental. Any mistakes with the time difference, you can blame the information on the internet and again I ask for your understanding.
They landed in Brisbane almost twenty-two hours later at seven in the morning and picked a Jeep as their rental car for off roading capabilities during their vacation. Charles followed Kendra's directions and drove them to the nearby hostel they had made reservations at for a week. They ate breakfast at the café inside the hostel after they checked in and then Kendra showed him around the bustling town with local transportation using all inclusive passes.
First was a two hour tour of Old St. Stephen's Cathedral, a fascinating gothic style church that had been restored in the late eighties. It had been originally designed by an acclaimed architect named Pugin and he'd built it using sandstone from a local quarry.
Second, they spent another two hours with a group at St. John's Angelican Cathedral. This historical landmark was most famous for having it's own orchestra and four manual pipe organ that was often used for concerts they held. It's architecture was as impressive as the first one they visited and was the perfect way to spend the morning till lunch.
"Such a lovely day." Charles smiled when they stopped to eat at Tony's Shack, one of the hole-in-the-wall spots that usually only locals visited. "How is it not many know about this place?"
"It's kind of a "best kept secret" type thing. You either discover it by accident or are brought here."
"I am very glad I am with you, my dear. This food is almost as good as the company."
"Such a silver tongue you have."
"Funny, it looked nice and pink earlier."
She laughed with him and they kissed before paying the bill and heading back out to catch a bus. "We'll have to look at Albert Street Uniting Church tomorrow, since they close in an hour and that's not enough time to properly see everything."
"It's a good thing we planned to stay here a week before driving to Sydney. I feel like this is a whirlwind exploration, even with us taking our time."
"Yeah, it can be overwhelming if you don't dial it back. I have heard tons of stories of tourists trying to get in everything in a couple days and it's no wonder they're frazzled while we locals are telling them they should be more laid back like us."
"I'm sure they learn the hard way to let someone more experienced help plan their itinerary."
"Indeed. Speaking of which, we still have time to go back to the hostel and change, then we have that reservation over on Moreton Island."
"Then let's go."
After changing attire, they went aboard an hour and a half long ferry ride out to do some snorkeling along the Tangalooma Wrecks with a group, Kendra sharing her knowledge of the local oceanography and oceanology through the telepathic link Charles had established with her.
Back in the sixties fifteen ships were sunk on purpose off the west coast of this island, making a break wall for smaller ships and an appealing home for coral to grow on and fish to house themselves in. As you can see there are several kinds of tropical fish, dolphins, trevally, yellowtail, wobbegong sharks, and kingfish.
It's beautiful out here.
Yes. Most of the island itself is a national park and is a popular place to camp and four wheel too. It's quite easy to spend multiple days out here.
I can see why. Think we can make a reservation for an entire day on the way back?
Sure, they're usually pretty flexible with repeat customers. If you want, we can even plan on just driving out here and camping instead of using a hostel.
That sounds perfect.
I agree.
At the end of the three hour time slot for their rented scuba gear, they returned it and took the ferry back into Brisbane with the last group.
"Shall we get cleaned up before dinner?" Charles asked as they stepped off the ferry.
"Might as well, especially if we want to use that reservation we made a month ago at Brisbeach - one of Brisbane's most romantic restaurants."
"I was hoping you would say that."
They returned to the hostel to refresh themselves. Once clean, Charles donned a formal black suit and Kendra put on her green Chinese kimono with golden dragons embroidered onto it. They hailed a cab and took it to their dinner date that lay on the waterfront of the city.
A waiter showed them to a table next to the window, which had a fantastic view of the beach below. "Can I start you two with anything to drink?" He asked, handing them menus.
"It's our first vacation together, what would you recommend?"
"We have a fine selection of wine dating back to the eighteen hundreds, but most popular among our customers is the champagne that is just as old, sir."
"Do you have a preference, Kendra dear?"
"Definitely champagne."
"Agreed. We'll have a bottle of your oldest champagne."
"Excellent. Can I interest you two in some appetizers as well?"
"Your grilled shrimp in garlic sauce for me."
"And for the gentleman?"
"Make that two orders."
"Good choice. I will return with your champagne. Feel free to enjoy our fresh French bread and butter we make from scratch in the mean time."
Kendra smiled as the waiter left. "What do you think so far?"
"This certainly is living up to it's reputation as a romantic restaurant. Ever eaten here before?"
"No, but my foster parents usually come over here for their anniversary every year because they met in Brisbane. They always returned to Sydney raving about the food. If you ask what the chef recommends, you get a dish that isn't officially on the menu and it's different every time."
"Variety is the spice of life. Is that what they usually get?"
"Sometimes. My dad loves their kangaroo plates while my mom is partial to their Emu meat pie. As I recall, they also had good things to say about the John Dory fillets and balmain bugs and the crocodile."
"I always heard stories about kangaroo meat, though I never had a chance to try it."
"Now's your chance."
The waiter appeared with their champagne and two glasses. "Here we are. Do you need a few more minutes or have you decided on your main course?"
"I believe I am ready. Are you, Kendra dear?"
"Yes. I would like your crocodile steak with a bowl of pea and ham soup and spring salad with raspberry vinaigrette on the side."
"A very tasteful selection. And you, sir?"
"What would the chef recommend for someone who wants to try kangaroo for the first time?"
"As it happens, our chef Joe's special tonight is a kangaroo sampler where you can try it in the different ways we cook it."
"I would like that with the same sides."
"Great. Your grilled shrimp appetizers will be out shortly."