Ten hours, two meals and one package of Ho Hos later, and we made it to Brisbane!

Hawaiian Airlines invited a few of us on its inaugural flight to the third largest city in Australia — a full eight years since its first international route to Sydney. And now the airlines is flying direct to Brisbane, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef that offers a different view of the world’s smallest sixth largest country.

And to be honest, I didn’t know much about this city until a few days — OK, hours ago. Which will make exploring this city on the continent’s southeastern coast that much more fun.

Melissa Chang (@melissa808) and I are roomies again, a la the Fukuoka trip back in April, and we’re joined by fellow bloggers Ed Sugimoto (@worldwideed) and Kaleo Lancaster (@islandtrails). Let’s see if the guys can keep up with us. 😀

Here’s what our first few hours in the southern hemisphere looked like. Brisbane, you’ve been warned.

Thanks, Chai!

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Chef Chai Chaowasaree, owner of Chai's Island Bistro and creator of Hawaiian Airline's in-flight meals, gave Melissa and I tickets to Brisbane on the airline's inaugural flight. We were SO appreciative!