Brisbane

Streets Beach. A beach in the midst of a city.

City Centre. I can't get enough of these buildings.

Office for lease. I want this to be my space.

a gorgeous skyline view

night scene after I got off the ferry

tortoises rule!

Brisbane is the faraway city I've been searching and dreamily waiting for. The colourful modernistic structures, Streets Beach at the heart of a metropolis, markets and all terrain, outdoor recreation park across from the skyline have made me believe that Brisbane has been waiting all along for me to find this city.

I walked through the botanical gardens, learning the difference between the types of vegetation all over the world. Now I know the difference between ferns and palm tree doppelgangers. There were indie rocker fashionistas at the City Centre, dressed in style I aspire to. The Cultural Centre with all the museums lined up in one place, where I met Ron Mueck's life sized characters is something I could never forget. I only wish I took pictures, only it seemed creepy at the time.

On the train to Beerwah (1 hr 15 min) to Australia Zoo, we passed by The Glass House Mountains. I want to go back there and actually stop to capture the landscape. At Australia Zoo, I instantly fell in love with all the animals, especially the Aldabran tortoises. I petted a baby alligator, fed a joey, fed an Asian elephant and hugged a koala. I felt Steve Irwin's legacy. The Australian Zoo emphasizes on conservation of wildlife. In part, I now feel responsible for caring for and protecting wildlife. I have so much enthusiasm for wildlife.

Some highlights and things I did:

Hop on and hop off city bus

Lookout from Mt Coot-tha

China Town

South Bank: Streets Beach

Stop No. 17 city lookout

Brisbane Mormon Temple

Botanical gardens

Museum of Modern Art: Ron Mueck

Australia Zoo (near Brisbane)