Unpredictable Weather

Friday evening whilest out for coffee and muffin, we some how managed to win 2 set of tickets to the open air cinema in the south bank this weekend. So after some catching up on Youtube clips including one hilarious Irish parody of 50 Shades of Grey by the Irish comedian Conal Gallen which had us in stitches, must say we were getting some bizarre looks and stares in the media building, The Edge.
When we finally managed to peel our selves off the ground, we went home and watching Tinkerbell and secret of the wings with nachos and salsa to feed our inner child. We both agreed  that thought this film was nearly better than the original.

So we gradually made our way into south bank, the next day, whilest on the bus, the weather took a turn, from gorgeous  sunshine to wet downpour which ended up cancelling our VIP Ben & Jerry studded treatment at the open air cinema which would have been a Channing Tatum double bill - 21 Jump  Street / Magic Mike but at least we got 2 set of pairs of complimentary passes to use at a future screening of our choice. To cheer us up further we ended up in Max Brenner sharing a Chocolate fudge brownie sundae and cookie before heading home to watching Toy Story 3 on tv followed by Hotel Transylvania on my laptop.

I was treated to gorgeous Sunday veggie roast cooked and prepared by Niamh. After which we made our way into town via Coles to get few nibbles for the open air cinema later. Once in the culture quarter, we made our way to the museum to level 0 to the Playasaurus Place where the giant T-rex almost had a fighting match with Niamh. After few other bits, we strolled over to the Brisbane Openair, to collect our comp tickets and to our pleasant surprise, which were told, by the same woman from the previous night who has remembered us and how many times we were talking with her, not sure if that a good thing or a bad thing, that the tickets were actually VIP ones, so we were entitled to beanbag chair, comfy blanket, bottle of sparkling lemon favoured wine and as much Ben & Jerrys one could muster. Prior to the film starting at 7, there was music and games from half 4. All the games had a Ben and Jerry flavour to them, between both of us, we managed to win all the prizes that were available including T shirt, cooler bags, ice cream locks, key ring, ice cream cooler sleeve etc. Even before the film even commenced, we were having a blast, helped too that the weather was dry. Both of us agreed that the fim  - The Goonies, was actually better than we remembered.

The following day we learned Niamh was allowed to use her comp tickets for a different screening this week, so we are going Friday to see The Sapphires. To get in to the Oktoberfest mood, we both had German hot dogs, a Vegan Bratwurst and  NYC style which happened to be on 2 for 1 Tuesdays.

Typical, as were about to go to the farmers market for our now weekly veg shop on Wednesday.. we get soaked in a downpour but at least we got our veggies first :). So we decided to get out of the rain and go for coffee in our usual spot in the culture quarter - the library cafe. whilest we were there chatting away, Niamh got a last minute phone call from the agency, for a shift that night.. so after a quick dash home to get change, dinner etc.. sprinted for the bus and just and me just made the connecting train at central station... had her on the phone.. had heavens when I left her she made the train..

Despite a pleasant change in the weather, it was quite breezy, on Friday.. After our successful outing to the openair cinema on Sunday  we get to use the comp tickets Niamh had won but couldn't use due to the cancelled event on Saturday because of the rain. The film is the new Chris O Dowd film - The Sapphires based on true aboriginal story.   

Culture update

Made our way into culture quarter and south bank which seems to be turning into a daily ritual.
We made our way to the museum to get tickets to see The Mummy - secrets of the tomb but were sold out for that day - Saturday however lucky had some available for the next day -the final day. So we decided to go to the art galleries instead - GOMA And QAG.
Some how ended up playing a Qscan based phone game called secret slq which involves following clues and hint around the library.
From here we ended up strolling about south bank and ended up having dinner in burger joint called Grill'd whose chips are yummy. And for desert we decided to try the much talk about chocolate place called Max Brenner - chocolate by the bald man. My words about the foods would do it an injustice, simply out of this world. When we got home ended up booking tickets for the Ben & Jerry's Brisbane open air cinema which runs here during various evenings during the summer.

Our now daily trek into town, bought us to the museum to see the mummy which entailed a 3-D movie narrated by none other than Patrick Stewart, followed by walking around 4 mummy remains including the top billed remains of Nesperennub and other ornaments involved in the burial ritual.
Once we were finished with the exhibit, went exploring other aspects of the museum including the discovery centre on level 3, dressed by the best exhibit on level 4 and of course Queensland own discovery of the dinosaur Muttaburrasaurus langdoni.

Leaving the museum we walked through the whales mall.
We will so have to make a visit to the sciencentre and ENERGEX Playasaurus Place next opportunity we get.

All Blacks

One of my highlights this year has to be seeing some of the rugby world champions New Zealand All Blacks this morning in Queen street Mall stage. It was complete mayhem and chaos with the crowds going down the street and beyond. The weather couldn't have been nicer, it was so hot and warm, I'm glad I decided to wear shorts and top. The highlights for me had to finally get to see Dan Carter in the flesh and person.

                                               

             

                            

Brisbane Update

Quick update:

Now we are settled into Brisbane, its finally nice to be unpacked and not to be living out of a suitcase. We are living in a suburb called Kangaroo Point, its a nice and peaceful little spot, about 30/40 mins walk or 5 mins by bus to either South Bank and the Culture Quarter or over Story Bridge to The Valley. Niamh started doing agency work, so far worked in a few different hospitals and seems to enjoy the work to date.
The Culture Quarter seems to be where we spend a lot of our free time, as the man made beach and swimming pool, nice place to chill and relax. We learnt that the coffee/hot chocolate is very different in the space of ten feet, the cafe in the museum is below standard where as what seems to be turning into our local cafe, the Library Cafe, has yet to steer us wrong in food or drinks and the free WI-FI accessible from the state library doesnt hurt things either.
On Monday 15th, as Niamh was working in the Logan Hospital, I decided to head into Culture quarter whilest I was waiting for her to come into town, and went for coffee and see the GOMA, one must keeps ones culture up. Throughout the week, when Niamh wasnt working we went for a swim and such along the South Bank, Stroll over the Good Will Bridge to the Botanic City Gardens and a quick visit around QUT Campus and Old Government House Museum.

Something which we only discovered as we were on our way for a coffee that there a farmers market every Wednesday Afternoon in Brisbane Square, where we managed to pick up some bargains.
But the Highlight of our trip so far as been meeting some of the Qantas Wallabies in Queen Street Mall Stage today and getting our photos with them and getting a mini rugby ball signed. On such a high, we decided to go retail shopping for a few bits. To round off the evening we went for coffee and listened to stories through indigenous eyes in an event called Black Ink, which is it seems is on the 3rd Thursday of the month.

New Zealand Vids

The videos of our travels around New Zealand including :

1. Below Zero Ice Bar - Queenstown
2. The March of the Penguin - Curio Bay
3. The Waddle of the Sea Lion - Surat Bay
4. The View from Nugget Point Lighthouse - Nugget Point
5. The Cry of the Fur Seals - Nugget Point
6. Cadbury World Window Display - Dunedin
7. Liam's Kawarau Bridge Bungy  - Outside Queenstown
8. Cable Car - Wellington
9. Lady Knox Geyser - Rotorua
10-15 Maori Culture and Experience - Auckland Museum

Brisbane

As we arrived so early into Brisbane, we ended up watching Wanderlust on my laptop at the Roma Street Train Station. After which we made our way to Chill backpackers despite a good location we weren't overly impressed. After a quick bite to eat, we went off exploring, and happened to find the culture quarter on South Bank. It quite a lovely area containing the museums, state library (free WI-FI), a quaint cafe, man made beach outdoor swimming area. and the Wheel of Brisbane.

During most of our time we stayed in chill back packers was actually spent at the library looking for accommodation and jobs. Then Wednesday we walked and carted our luggage from chill to bunk backpackers in fortitude valley which was a pleasant  change and experience. The first night we actually got a welcome cocktail and meeting and then at half 6 free snack. Despite some of the lack luster and sometimes worrying accommodation, we found a house in Kangaroo Point. One of the highlights of our stay in the valley was a free subway and drink that Niamh and me got thanks to registering free online and discovering vegan hot dog at a place called 5 Dogs.

On Tuesday Whilest I did the RSA (Responsible Serving of Alcohol) cert course, Niamh went to the AHPRA about her registration for nursing.

On Wednesday, Niamh went to her appointment for HCA (or NAA) sorting out the last few bits of paper work. After a tad bit of advice Niamh started badgering AHPRA about the reg.

On Saturday we strolled from the Valley down to South Bank as it was such a beautiful day and went to the beach for a swim. We treated ourselves to a ice cream cone with nuts. Still managed to end up at the state library lol which yet again for the third day running ended up helping a damsel in technological distress.

Yesterday enjoyed a lazy Sunday getting ready for the move and spent time in the hot tub. The lazy Sunday came about due to lack of sleep induced by the French dorm mate bagging some random French hartlet.

Monday morning early rise due to check out of the hostel and making the  2km plus walk over Story Bridge (I still think it was an endurance test) towards kangaroo point our new house for the next 3 months. Finally unpacked and sorted into the house. After a quick dash back from Coles to turn off the oven, couldn't have timed it better, food was just done. After which did the first big shown Coles and made our daring escape with the trolley filled of groceries (paid) back up the hill to the house.

Sydney

Flight landed into Sydney Int. Airport about 8 am, after collecting baggage and such, the most  long and tedious wait through passport control and customs. We waited for the free shuttle to the hostel, which was slight wait due to the morning rush of flights into the airport. We left our suitcases in the luggage storage room, which was interesting trying to bring them done a windy staircase whilst there was a painter painting the walls. We then went off on the trek around the city. During the morning stroll, we managed to get our bank accounts and mobile numbers sorted. Before returning to the hostel, we had a coffee break which just happened to be Starbucks lol. The Hostel in question was the Westend Nomads, where do I begin about this hostel, mmm, the lift had a mind of its own, when it worked, which isn't fun when your on the 6th floor, which brings me onto the facilities and staff, lack of and rude. So when the lift wasn't working, the use of the stairs was unusual and I can't see how could have passed fire and safety. Once checked in and that, we started to explore the city properly, firstly seeing the famous Westfield Shopping Centre, which would be any fashionista's place of heaven, here is also the home of the Sydney Skytower. We walked down Elizabeth street toward the Wharf, where you sights of the city pier, the Opera house, Harbour Bridge, Botanic Gardens amongst other sights.

We ate at a local chipper near the wharf. We decided to walked the 30 min or so back to the hostel down along Macquarie Street, passing the Botanic Gardens, State Library of New South Wales and such. We had an early night due jet lag.
We got up early on day 2 undertaking a self guarded tour of the city, seeing Parliament House, Art Gallery of NSW, The State Library, passing the Hyde  Park Barracks, Sydney Hospital, St Mary's Cathedral before heading down near Circular Quay, entering the Custom House where there a 3D model of the city, from here went to the Contemporary Art Gallery, Nurses Walk, the Rocks and the Observatory.

Circular Quay looks so much different light up at night, especially the Opera House and the Sky tower. We gradually made our way back towards the hostel walking down George Street house to some of Sydney Designer stores including of course one of the Biggest Apple stores we've ever seen. We ate that night in an Irish Bar called Scruffy Murphys where if you buy a soft drink or alcoholic beverage you could get a meal for 7 dollars which was quite tasty. After this we went down stairs as there was a quiz one. The quizmaster was a unusual bred of entertainer, we ended staying here for a few hours good laugh..

We got up early the Friday morning and made our way to the train station, where we got a Day Multi Trip pass for 21 dollars (Bus, Train and Public ferries) to Bondi Junction and then the bus towards the beach. We spent a small while here, over crowded and over hyped. Once we made our way back into the city, we got the train over Harbour bridge to Milton Point and from here got the ferry back. Another reason the hostel annoyed me so much, was the fact the electrics blew yes I mean blew my good world travel adapter, so made the mad dash run around George Street, managed to get one in Woolworths for 10 dollars, which is still serving me well. It was a quiet after that due to the thunder and lightning during the night.
After Check out Saturday at 10 am , we relaxed around the town before making our way by train to Central Station via quick stop off at Apple store. We got the 16.10 train from Sydney to Brisbane, we arrived 6.30am. The journey was over 14 hours and was not totally bad experience, we would travel by Country Link again.