Connecting at Brisbane

Since our original connect time at Brisbane was only 75 minutes, I was relieved when we arrived from Hamilton Island some 45 minutes early.   We're now used to QantasLink and lack of jet bridges.  Today was double exercise as we had to climb a long set of stairs from the tarmac to the terminal.  

International Transfer.  I guess that's us.

A Qantas customer service agent confirmed that the International Terminal is indeed nowhere near the domestic terminal and that we had to exit and take a transfer bus to the International Terminal.  

Outside, just a gorgeous summer day.

Nice enough bus, but this drive just went on and on and on.  BNE is apparently designed by the same crazy guy that designed Heathrow with the BNE International Terminal about as far away from the rest of the terminals as T5 is at Heathrow.  Finally, we arrive.  

After 20 questions from a pleasant security guy forced to ask stupid TSA-mandated questions, we both got our stickers and headed for security.  

Where there were a mass of people in the regular line just beyond this point, but only a handful of folks in the priority line.  And once again, access to this priority line is entirely on the honour system with no one checking our boarding passes.  

After security and passport control, the crazy long walk thru duty free to the concourse.

At the far end of the concourse, the Qantas Business Lounge.

Pleasant lounge dragon welcomed us but advised that the 2nd level was closed since there aren't many flights at this time of day.  OK, but there aren't many open seats.  Probably more like Qantas is too cheap to staff the 2nd level.  

We parked ourselves at the reasonablly pleasant communal table which seemed more pleasant than the rest of the lounge...  

... near the food trough with a mediocre selection of food offerings.

... and bar.