Hot and sticky in Bris!!
Trip Start
Nov 11, 2007
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11
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Trip End
Feb 11, 2007
Brisbane,
Australia
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Thought I'd do a quick update even though I've not got loads to say really.
So after visiting the XXXX factory and having a chilled night at the hostel on friday, saturday was a busier day. We got up and prepared ourselves for a bit of exploration round parts of the city we hadn't seen. We crossed the river on the William Jolly Bridge and headed for the South Bank - the cultural part of the city where you will find the art galleries and some museums, plus the Queensland National Library. We had heard that there was an Andy Warhol exhibition opening that day in the Gallery of Modern Art and that it was free to get in, so we went there first. It wasn't free to see the Warhol exhibition, however it did list the free Warhol related things that were on offer like viewing a big mural of his most popular sayings from level 2 and some videos. We explored the galleries free exhibits seeing as we figured paying could wait till we're in a gallery with lots more money, and we saw lots of australian art including some indiginous art with lots of dots and lines (very abstract) and scukptures too. The best thing about the whole place was this crazy room by a japanese artist who focussed on the theme 'infinity'. This small room was dark inside, with loads of neon, glow in the dark ping pong balls suspended from the ceiling, the walls were covered in mirrors and the floor was water. Add UV lights and you've got the ingredients for one crazy room that reflected on every surface - therefore feeling like the room went on for an infnite distance in every direction! It was so surreal but cool at the same time!
After spending some time browsing round the gallery we headed to the shop and I bought little eco bag with the dates of the Warhol exhibition on it and one of his sayings. Then we left to head down the South Bank boardwalk. Yesterday was one of the best days weather we've had in Bris so far, no clouds, so the sun was beating down. It was a gorgeous day. We wandered down the boardwalk and found the Streets Beach, an artificial beach by the side of the river. It was very busy, I'm guessing the hot weather had brought everyone out for a dip. Behind this was Stanley Street Plaza, which on a friday night and saturday and sunday daytime there is a lifestyle market. Lots of little stalls with art and crafty bits, jewellery and general stuff that I could buy and blow loads of money on - but I didn't!
We looked round the market until we couldn't take anymore of the heat and headed for the otherside of the river crossing over the Goodwill Bridge and coming out near the entrance to the City Botanic Gardens. We decided not to go into the gardens and head back in the direction of the city shopping centre as we needed to pick up a few things. After doing this we headed back to the hostel for tea and a chill in the common room. The days are so hot here and when you walk around in the heat it takes it out of you. All you want to do is sit, cool down and then sleep!
Today (sunday) started off with a lazy morning as all sundays should! We had planned to head to the Eagle Street Pier and the Riverside Centre where markets are held every weekend. This was on the other side of the city centre so we trudged off in search of more knick knacks to buy and blow our budget on lol! The weather has been gorgeous again today, really hot so when we got to the markets it was great to find a pepsi max van sat by the side of the road with 2 people handing out free cans of pepsi. And it was ice cold - yum!! We strolled around the market, looking at the stalls. A lot of them were selling bracelets, rings and necklaces, as well as beads to make your own. There was a lot of other stuff too but I was drawn to the sparkley stuff (Jack, you're right babe, I am a magpie) and I bought a few little bits and pieces. Then we headed back to the hostel as we all needed a shower after walking around in the heat and en route we were given a free chocolate milkshake and more pepsi plus we tried some lovely dips made with bags of spice blends this bloke was selling. I love the free stuff!! When we got back me and jen had a swim to cool off then we showered and changed because we had decided that because it's sunday we would treat ourselves to a meal out. We headed into town in search of 'sunday type' food. The first place, Tin Billy's hostel bar, was really full so we wandered on, looking into a few other places before deciding on an irish pub where me and catherine had irish stew and mash potato and mel and jen had sausage and mash. Proper sunday grub. And now we're back at the hostel and I'm about to go down to the bar for a sunday evening drink.
Tomorrow, me, Melly and Catherine are off to the Australia Zoo, home of the crocodile hunter, or at least the zoo he set up. Should be a fun day!! ;o)
Lots of love, Smiffy
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