Monday 28th October 2002

Our second and last day to discover 'Brizzie', and it looked like it was going to be rain, rain, rain all day again ... But the weatherforcasters promised us it would clear, so 'early birds' as we are (e-ehm), we set off around 07.30 AM towards the 'Old Windmill', north of the CBD on Wickham Terrace (= higher ground, Brisbane is quite hilly). This is the oldest building in Brisbane (1828) and was built by convicts, of course. Besides being driven by the wind, it could also be driven by man. The mill had a 'hamster wheel' like device where punished convicts could contemplate their sins, while making themselves useful.

After the Old Mill we made our way down towards the Queen Street Mall's Tourist Info to get us some tickets for the 'City Sights' bus tour and more info about the area.

We hopped on the bus at City Hall. A very imposing neo-classical building set by a large square. It has a tall clocktower that you can often see peeping through the office blocks from different angles around the city. You can also go up the tower for a nice view (We couldn't sadly, the elevators were in repair. Go figure!). The bus first took us past areas we had explored the day before like the Riverside area (Brisbane's stock exchange and location of the Sunday Markets), the Botanic Gardens, the Sciencecentre museum, the Treasury/Casino, the transit centre in Roma Street ...

Then we drove into 'uncharted territory'. Our busdriver was great! He obviously loved his job and his home town and had lots to tell about it ... and he also had more to show than described in the brochure?! He diverted off the normal route to take us further into Paddington (the hip and upcoming area of Brizzie) and drove us through Caxton street (more about that later ;-) to show us the building site of the Suncorp Metway Stadium ... but more importantly, his wife had told him to show us the church where they got married ;-) Cute!

Once back on the beaten track we passed more of Brisbane's interesting landmarks: the famous XXXX brewery (No Foster's beer to be found in QLD! Or do you have a deathwish?), Park Road shopping area, The Cultural centre on the South Bank (with The Performing Arts Complex, Queensland Art Gallery, Queensland Museum and the 'entertaining' Southbank Parkland all nearby), the West End (another trendy, cosmopolitan and 'happening' area of Brisbane - this city is so cool!)

We also stopped at a 'City Lookouts' near Kangaroo Point. The driver was so kind to take pictures of us with Brizzie in the background ... That's Aussie hospitality for you! The tour then took us from the South bank back to the City over the imposing 'Story Bridge' (Ok, so it's no Sydney Harbour Bridge, but it is impressive nonetheless). Once over the bridge we entered what the locals call 'The Valley'. Another cosmopolitan mix of cultures, with trendy shops, restaurants, bars, clubs, including Brisbane's own China Town (to be honest, more beautiful and interesting than Sydney's!).

We were almost 'full circle' when we decided to hop off at Anzac Square and made our way on foot back to China Town. We passed the 'gothic' St John's Cathedral. Quite unusual. Building started in 1906, all made with traditional tools and skilled stonemasons ... and should be finished in 2006. It's the last cathedral of its kind in the world, and the only one in the Southern hemisphere (except perhaps one other 'cathedral' in South Africa). What struck us most were the contemporary glass windows and the colourful cushions on the benches. Every bench had a different theme. Amazing.

We reached China Town, where everything was very quiet before the usual lunchtime rush. Very tranquil ... Strolled about a bit, took some pics and then we hopped back on the bus and headed towards the hotel for a quick pitstop.

Refreshed and refueled we continued on foot, crossing the Brisbane River, towards Brisbane's Southbank Parkland. This former '1988 World Expo' site has been transformed into a 'entertainment' mix of lush gardens, trendy food courts, riverside boardwalks etc ... and Australia's one and only 'city beach'! The beautiful Nepalese Pagode is the single remnant of the Expo. Apparently locals petitioned for it to stay. So the city decided to buy it, saving it from demolition so it could still be enjoyed today.

We had a spicy lunch at one of the many Southbank Parkland riverside eateries (Chez Laila - Lebanese 'fusion' cuisine - had some lebanese 'rolls' or wraps) then walked back to the hotel for another quick pitstop.

From the hotel we headed towards the nearby 'Roma Parkland', a recently opened 'park' in city center. Park? By God, this place is huge, simply jaw- dropping impressive. A magnificent collection of plants, an endless trail of waterfalls, no ... cascades! And the very special 'Fern Gully' walkway is sensational. The Queensland government sure didn't spare no expense here! Phew!

After our trip through the 'rainforest', we continued our Brizzie exploration towards the suburb Paddington. We walked around here for hours! So many beautiful Queenslander houses, such a nice place to live ... Hmm. We even ended up near that church the busdriver had pointed out this morning ;-)

After all that walking around we sure built up an appetite. And luckily we found that very cool and trendy tapas place in Caxton Street, the 'La La Lounge', that we had read about in a guide earlier. Bingo!!! Totally non-smoking! In Queensland smoking is prohibited in all enclosed areas where cutlery is used. (Btw, it is also prohibited to sell cigarettes, just like alcohol, to any persons younger than 18!!! Wow!) Started off with a superb cocktail, then 2 'triple' tapas (which proved to be one too many ;-) Heavenly!!! But, to make it even better, we got a bottle of good Aussie wine for free ... with every 'triple' tapas order (yes, 2 bottles of wine! ;-)

We managed to find our way back to the hotel ... and were mad enough to go for a nice 'evening walk' (yes, more walking!) We mozied on down to the Riverside area, where we used our 'City Sights' pass for a free CityCat ferry trip across the river towards Southbank ... and strolled slowly back to the hotel.

A long, long day, but we enjoyed every minute!

Already missing Brizzie (oh yes, ... and everyone at home too! ;-),
Radica & JJ