My Day in Brisbane

On September 10, Mark spent a full day at the Brisbane office meeting with people, so I was on my own. After sleeping in, I got up and walked across the Goodwill pedestrian bridge to the City Botanic Gardens, made in the early to mid 1800's. This garden flooded for the eighth time in 1974 - after that, a newer, bigger botanic gardens was created on Mount Coot-tha (a flood-free site, see yesterday's post for photos). I spent the entire morning at the City gardens. I saw a mangrove area along the first path, then walked up to the cafe and sat down for a latte and orange-poppy seed muffin. What a wonderful morning! A group of a dozen older ladies were all dressed up and exchanging gifts and having 'high tea'. I enjoyed reading at the cafe, then exploring the rest of the gardens and taking lots of photos. Near the pond area, I saw several ducks and more of the bearded dragon-lizards up close- they freeze when approached (although they look like they could bite your toes off quite easily) so I was able to get some very good shots. Near lunch time, I walked to Alice and Edwards St, and discovered a bookstore in a large basement...of course I found books I couldn't resist buying...two on Aboriginal tales and myths. I found a lunch spot at Picasso's (across from the bookstore) and had a garden salad and sparkling wine. The afternoon was more wandering around, along Queen St, stopping to look at St. Stephens Cathedral, and window shopping. Toward late afternoon, I went to Brisbane's City Library and was immediately chastised by a security guard after snapping a photo. I decided not to risk them taking my camera but I wish I had more photos...the spaces seemed very well-designed, extremely modern, and reminded me a little of Seattle Public Library on a smaller scale. Neon-colored ends on bookshelves, lots of blonde wood, clear windows, flat screen monitors, escalators, and a transparent meeting room that seemed to "float over" the first level. There was a reference area where people take a number then chat with a reference staff member while seated in a comfortable chair (a great idea!). I walked over to the State Library of Queensland next but by this time, I'd walked around for seven hours and was tired (I should've visited earlier in the day). I mainly saw the "Information room" with groups of computers. It seemed very modern as well. I think both libraries were fairly new, which helps them to feel modern (the Central library in Portland has an older, classic look to it, with marble, fancy rose carpet, big, dark wooden tables, etc and a rich history). I like both modern and older styles- I think they each have things to offer. After going back to the hotel, I went down the street to the Batavia teashop, where I sat outside at one of the wicker tables with wide, cushioned wicker seats. I ordered a vanilla chai, which came to me on a wooden tray with a pitcher of chai, a pitcher of soy milk, and a spoon with honey so I could create my own tea, mixing in the right proportions. It was very relaxing, sitting and sipping chai out of a generous round cup, watching people pass by. Later, I took myself to dinner at Ahmet, a Turkish restaurant, where I had Turkish bread, a glass of shiraz, rice, a dish with potatoes, lamb, peppers, eggplant and more. The decor was stunning- multi-colored transparent cloth draped across the ceiling and down along the walls; rich, shining fabrics on each table along with a fabric-covered low bench seat, and vivid paintings of Turkish women hanging in various spots. For dessert I had some sweet and crispy baklava.