I have a friend here in Brisbane - we have a lot in common and love to discuss anything/everything - who I have never met in person because we met relatively early in the Covid era. Well, and of course, she lives in Australia, which also didn't help. Part of the joy of coming here was the opportunity to actually meet IRL and maybe hang out for while. I had kept Saturday (28 September) as a free day so that would be possible.
What a surprise then, that as I was checking into my hotel, in she walked, bearing a beautiful (live) plant so I can give it back to her when I fly off again,also and bottles of water. What a friend!
I had some work (yes, I know, work ...on vacation!) that had to get finished, so we arranged to meet back up several hours later and head out to a 'girls-night' dinner. Which was lovely and full of conversation. We walked back to my hotel together, and she pointed this tree out to me. I couldn't get a 'whole' picture - but what an amazing tree to find in the middle of the city, crossing over streets to drop new roots on the other side!
This is a banyan fig tree. They are native to India. They are known for their vast growth and canopy. Their branches actually send down aerial roots to support themselves. The roots eventually develop into a new trunk and so the tree can just continue to spread. I read that there is one in India that covers over 1.5 hectares and has over 1,000 subsidiary trunks.
I'll be back soon with more about my stay in Brisbane. And next up after that - Cairns. That's Great Barrier Reef country.
Comments