Day 103: 14/12/12
I woke this morning to Mam ringing, singing happy birthday down the phone! We skyped then and were chatting for a good while. I opened my birthday presents- delighted with them! I got a lovely dress, handbag and pandora charm! I was very excited about new leggings and uderwear though as I was going to have to buy some before New Zealand!
She'll sent me a happy birthday message on what's app- the whole song with illustrations! I was texting Cliona on what's app for a while too.
I took my time getting ready this morning. Next things my Irish phone was ringing. I have learned enough not to answer it! I knew anyone that should be ringing me has my oz number anyway, even though at this stage it was after 12 in the night in Ireland. Sure enough my Oz phone rang a few minutes later. It was Annmarie: I knew she must be out to be ringing at this hour. She said happy birthday and then a whole load of people sang happy birthday down the phone!! I heard the singing but I couldn't hear anything after that and then the call ended. I text her saying thanks for the call but I couldn't really hear her. It seems they were on the staff night out and herself, Sinead, Daithi, Fr John and the new lad Andrew were all singing down the phone! That was a nice surprise!
I got the bus into town then and got a sightseeing bus tour. It took me a while to find the starting point but I figured it out- it was much nearer to the Main Street than I thought! The bus was a rickety old school- bus type bus! The driver was the guide and he wasn't too talkative or enthusiastic. Now and then he'd say on your left is... That's an old historical building- but he didnt tell you much of the history!! He had a very boring voice too which didnt help!
I got the bus in Post office square but he didnt tell us anything about that! We were stopped in traffic then with pedestrians crossing the road and he announced that's Kieran Perkins with his new girlfriend! We had no idea whi this guy was!! Then he told us he was an Olympic swimmer and he won the 1500 twice.
We passed City hall then which is used as the Brisbane logo. It was the 2nd largest building after Sydney harbour bridge when it was built and tallest at the time. Its Now smaller than high rise. It's in king George square which I pass all the time. Thats where the Xmas tree is too.
Then we came to the Comissariat which is the oldest occupied building in the city. Its the small building opposite casino. It's a museum run by the historical society. This is the older part of brisbane which has now been adapted for modern use. For example, the old state treasury is now the casino.
We passed Mansions in George which was where the government were or something.
Next was the Riverside area where eagle st pier is- where I got d ferry wt Shane. It has lots of restaurants along the river.
Then we passed a Windmill which is evidence of convicts. it is theoldest town mill in the nation built inearly 1820's. The Mill was originally used for grain. They Used convicts to power the mill. Its At king Edward park and is Now a water tank. I thought it would be a big thing with all the talk about it but it was tiny!
The Roma st parklands were next. There is an old little amphitheatre there. The Parks were developed in 2000-and encompass 16 hectares. The driver said it was one of the emerging lifestyle precincts in the city- whatever that means!! it was Developed on a disused rail yard. Its very pretty- definitely somewhere to come back to! The original brisbane train station is there.
We passedRoma st which is aparently the backpackers strip! The Barracks was near it which is an area with a cinema and restaurants. The driver said it was historical but didnt say why. I presume it was a barracks!
Suncorp stadium was next: it hosts international and interstate games and has a capacity for 54000. Its the home of the bronchos and the first game there was in 2003.
We paased the Xxxx brewery which has been a popular beer here since the 1860s.
The old style houses here are called Queenslander houses- they are elevated, have verandas, fine weather boards, corrugated roofs. They are built for queensland climates, apparently to Create a breeze?
We then passed the States largest cemetery. It was known as brisbane general cemetery as people from different religions were buried on common ground. It was a Huge area. it is now called toowong cemetery.
We were driving uphill then and there was awful screeching from the bus. It sounded like he wasn't changing gears properly. He informed us that it was only the fan belt and he either said it was due to be fixed or should have been fixed- neither is good!!
We went to Mt Coot-tha then, a mountain overlooking the city which is a state forest and recreation area. It had the best panoramic view of city. It was class. Thankfully today was a clear day so the view was good. You could see past the city, out to where the islands were, but not that clearly. Kuta is the indigenous word for honey- there must have been bees here!! People have been coming here for picnics since the early 1900's.
As I got off to look at the view, I had a different bus driver then. He was a bit more enthusiastic but still not full of talk!
We stopped at the Botanical garden which has a planetarium also- another place to go back to! There are two botanical gardens- this one and the small one in the city.
There was a big building up on a hill in the distance. Its a School but Americans used it as a communication tower during World War 2.
The next area which had the Regatta hotel was badly affected by the last floods and in the flood of 74 the water came up the whole first floor of the hotel! There was a restaurant on the river called the Drift restaurant and in the last flood it drifted away. They brought it back but it hasn't been repaired.
There are 12 bridges- 8 in the city and 4 in the outskirts. The newest is the go between bridge named after a Brisbane band from the70s, a weird thing to name a bridge after!
We passwd through the cultural centre and southbank then. Apparently the Art gallery has a good exhibition at the moment!
Theres a Maritime museum then near my house. He said it was there but didnt tell us anything about it!
Next was Kangaroo point lookout which was practically the same view as I have from my house. We got another new driver then- still not much to say!
We went over the Story bridge which was built in the 1940s and took 5 yrs to build. It was built by the same man that built the Sydney harbour bridge
We drove into Fortitude valley then- named after the ship of fortitude that brought immigrants. Its where a lot of the pubs and night clubs are. There is also a Chinatown there!
We St Johns Cathedral on Ann St which took100 yrs to build and has guided tours
The last stop was Anzac sq which has a roun building with a flame inside. It's to remember those killed in war.
I got off at the first stop again. It was good to see more of Brisbane and hear a bit about the stuff I've been looking at for a few months, but it was probably the worst bus tour I've ever been on. The bus wasn't open so I didn't even bother trying to take pictures. The driver (all three of them) said very little- I may as well have been on a city bus. Also there weren't that many buses so if you got off there wouldn't be many options left to get you round the tour, hence why I only got of once! Oh well- the Mt Coot-tha lookout was worth it and the bit of information I did get was good!
I went into the city then, walked around a few shops and had some lunch. I took my time in Queenstreet and Southbank and walked home.
Laura had been trying to Skype so I skyped her then. She's keeping well but no more than myself, funding the travels is the main concern! I thought we might be able to travel together next year but she's probably going to be working when I'm travelling. We might figure something out!
Shell rang then and sang happy birthday down the phone to me! I've lots of that today! I didn't get to talk to her long as the school bell was about to go!
Shane text to say he's going to be around for Christmas so I should be able to go to his house for Christmas Day. He's working tomorrow and working away next week- busy busy!
I got texts/Facebook comments from Margaret, Mary, Shaun, Sinead, Muireann, Annmarie, Sonja, Sarah and Emma! Shell also sent me the Joy to the World Aretha Franklin song on the phone which I have played about four times already!
I didn't do much for the evening. I read more of Shells book- still not finished though!
A very quiet birthday night!