Brisbane, Australia - October 2012

October 11, 2012 - Brisbane, Australia

I was up bright and early for my first full day in Brisbane.  I walked across the Story Bridge.  I then walked through downtown Brisbane and along the river.  I went to the Botanical Gardens, visited Parliament and saw Brisbane's synagogue.

One of the signs on the Story Bridge

The Story Bridge

Botanical Gardens

Guess what I saw looking up in the tree?

At this point it started to drizzle so I started heading back to the hotel.  Before I got back the clouds opened up.  I checked the forecast and it looked like it was going to rain all day.

Luckily at 5 pm the rain ceased.  I was scheduled to meet the frontrunners group at 6 pm so I walked across the Story Bridge again and met the few that showed up.  I guess the frontrunners world wide are a fair weathered group.  I walked along the Brisbane River for 5 kilometers with 1 of the other walkers.

October 12, 2012 - Brisbane, Australia

The sun was out and there was a chill in the air.  I had to return for my sweatshirt.  Today was my hop on hop off sightseeing adventure.  I caught the first bus at 10:15 am.  It took a while to become accustomed to the drivers accent.

My first stop was the Botanical Gardens. My favorite stop was on the south bank of the Brisbane River.  There were hundreds of small restaurants and shops.  The Fine Arts Center was having its next to last performance of Jersey Boys, but I passed on $190 dollar tickets.  They should have given a discount to a real Jersey boy.  I was amazed to see people swimming in the man made beach along the river.

My next stop was the city overlook.  This is a man made cliff from when the convicts quarried the stone.  I wonder how many penal colonies the British had in Australia?

I took a boat ride to the mouth of the Brisbane River.  When have I ever passed up a boat ride?  Upon return I found a short cut back to the hotel.

Oops, am I in Paris?

The beach walk along the river

Boat ride on Brisbane River

Tallest building in Brisbane

October 13, 2012 - Brisbane, Australia

Today will be another sunny warm day, my last in Brisbane.  I'm going to crisscross downtown to see all the buildings I've missed - maybe even catch the farmers market.

I know the shortcut to the city - under the Story Bridge.  The sun kept shining and the old convict built buildings were spectacular.

City hall was the most impressive.  Queen's street mall is basically a shopping street.  Then I went into the casino - which was previously The Treasury Building.  No bells were ringing on the slots, so I passed.

I crossed the river and went to the modern art museum.  How about 500 rubber inner tubes hanging from the ceiling.  Or six paint brushes and shovels dated from 1919 to 1969.

Art?

More Art?