Roma Street Parkland

Gosh, it was horrible going back to work after a wonderful break. I had thought block the whole of yesterday which limited my productivity to the lowest. It was embarrassing when I could not catch my colleagues' accent as well and they had to repeat what they said

Ok, back to Brisbane....this has got to be the highlight of my whole short trip: The Roma Street Parkland ( they'll love me for doing free publicity for them here ). It is the world's largest subtropical garden in a city centre, and is divided into 4 precincts: the Spectacle Garden, Lake precinct, Forest walk and Art Walk. I fell deeply in love with the Spectacle Garden. It features the parkland's horticultural heart and includes some of the world's most colourful subtropical foliage and flowering plants in an enclosed formal garden and a series of supporting informal gardens. A meandering pathway, a stylised interpretation of the Brisbane River, passes through the informal garden. Fascinating sights like the Garden of 1000 Lilies, Garden of Seasonal Colour, Pastel Garden, Traditional Brisbane Garden, Grass Carpet, Epiphytes Panels and the Zig Zag Garden intrigued me to the utmost and I found myself snapping over 100 pictures of them. The names of the gardens were self-explanatory, and the Perfumed and Aromatic Garden simply fed my olfactory senses with sensuality and romantism. The sounds of birds' chirping in musical rhythms further enhanced the ambience. I spent more than an hour admiring the breathtaking displays and also had a free guided tour through the subtropical rainforest via the intricate pathways. Art rocky sculptures peppered the paths created by Queenslander's artists. I felt truly relaxed and fortunate.

With an open mind, I revisited the City Botanical Gardens about 30 minutes walk away. It paled in comparison to the awesome Parkland but was nevertheless beautiful. Watching families picnicking under the canopies, strong healthy adults playing the Aussie football and working adults chilling out at the river during lunch time....it would be refreshing sitting on the grassland reading my favourite novel, snacking my wafers or ice-cream.....gotta make sure I bring my mat and book next time........

I made a trip down to the Queensland Art Gallery at the South Bank and entertained myself with the sizable exhibition ( Nothing like the Metropolitan in New York but definitely inspiring). I was particularly captivated by the photo displays of artist William Yong, a 3rd generation ABC, contributing his life story and paying a tribute to his late mother through photography. His section occupied most of my time spent in the gallery.

Next to the gallery were the Queensland Museum which was monotonous and the Lyric Theatre, which is showcasing the musical Mama Mia in mid-November! Damn, I have to fly up to Brisbane if I want to catch that....why can't they perform at the Sydney Opera House?!?!

It was with great satisfaction and memories that I returned to Newcastle the next day, not before strolling the Parkland for the second time, savouring whatever intricate details I could. I did some last minute shopping too and finally bought what I had wanted to get

I appreciate nature and count my blessings for being able to do this with good health and independence.

The River City

Ah.....I've finally downloaded my pictures in my computer....can't wait to share them with you.

Brisbane is known as the River City or Brisvegas. It is divided in North Bank where the financial hub and gardens are located, and the South Bank with museums and art galleries galore. The first sight that struck me when I arrived was the array of purplish glazed morning glory trees ( I hope I am right about the plant) lining the streets. Very unique to this place, adding to the romantic setback.

I woke up really early and had my continental breakfast in the hotel. Then, armed with my fully-charged digital camera, I strolled down the streets towards Chinatown situated at the Fortitude Valley ( so-called due to the early settlements by immigrants before the Chinese became the sole occupants). Along the way, I was greeted by hordes of teenaged school girls in their blue conservative uniforms marching towards their dignified Christian missionary school ( All Hallows College) protected by a tall bricked wall of strength and support. I passed by a few cathedrals as well, admiring their ancient architecture and santity. Of course, there was always an Anzac Square in all corners of Australia commemorating their glorified heroes of World Wars I and II. The day was marred by paroxysmal episodes of rain lasting 30 minutes, followed by the shine and humidity. The Aussies would have welcomed this rainy season with open arms, having had their long course of dry weather and water rationing. For me, it was bearable as long as it did not pour cats and dogs.

Alas, I was too early when I reached Chinatown. All the shops were closed! At 8am! So I strolled down the Story Bridge where the highway was, soaking in the serenity of the Brisbane River on my right, the breeze stroking my face, and friendly joggers ( some good-looking dudes) greeting on the pathways. I wish that moment was eternity. Life was too good to be true, with such leisurely walk and ambience.

I reached the South Bank eventually, and was still too early for the Aussies. None of the galleries or museums were opened. Thus, another leisurely stroll along the river before crossing the Victoria Bridge back to the city.

The city was so strategically designed that I had to pass by the shopping areas whichever direction I had decided to go. And being a hardcore shopper, I could not resist the temptation every time I was exposed to it. So a quick window-shopping before heading back to Chinatown ( I never give up). Sigh....what a let-down there. Definitely nothing compared to the one at Sydney ( the best one is still in New York). The food was too salty and the shops pathetic. The only consolation was that I managed to get hold of some Chinese cookies before embarking back to the happening shopping complexes.

So more retail therapies.....felt guilty, so had a quick glance at the City Botanical Gardens and Parliament House at North Bank.....then back to retail therapy again......

Finally made my way back to the hotel when my legs could not hold anymore and my pocket emptying like the running river. Yes, just in time for my favourite CSI series on TV. Cool day!

Brisbane - Capital of Queensland

Hi, I'm back!

Having had 4 days off from the roster this week, I made a dash down to the nearest travel agency 5 days before to make a last-minute booking for my flights and accomodation to Brisbane, the capital city of Queensland which is north of New South Wales. Other familiar states in Queensland include Gold Coast and Cairns.

The last time I visited Brisbane was 10 years back, the one trip which I totally have no memory of. The only recollections were that we missed the shopping because our tour group arrived late in the evening, and I missed the cute dolphins at Port Stephens due to the rainy season. I definitely could not appreciate much of Australia then.

I was fortunate this time. Being the spring season, I had the chance to bask in one of the most spectacular flowering gardens among my numerous trips in the continent, which I would consider the highlight of this fantastic journey.

The flight took approximately one hour, from Newcastle Airport. Taking the airtrain to the city, I lugged my baggage in search of my budget hotel downtown. Great choice since it was only 5 minutes' walk to the famous Queen Street Mall, the perfect place for my retail therapy, with over 500 specialty shops and restaurants. Somehow, the place reminded me of a mini-Melbourne, with the structure of the shopping mall right in the heart, surrounded by cultural buildings and architectures in the peripheries, and the Botanical Gardens a further distance away. Minus the wonders of nature like the Great Ocean Road and Grampians, it was nevertheless an ideal place for my break and learning experience.

I spent the remaining hours of my first day there doing some quick window shopping, hoping to get what I had planned to buy when there, though disappointed in the end. I was momentarily dazzled by the bustling activities and dynamic crowd there. There are Asians or Chinese everywhere, like Sydney and Melbourne! I felt so safe and at home! I really can't explain this strange feeling, but I never had this same sort of soothing sensation when back in Newcastle where hostility looms and loneliness prevails. Maybe I am just so used to the city.

As the sun set at 6, I made my way back to my hotel, not before clicking a picture of the City Hall building at King George Square with its spectacular night lights oozing romance and grandiosity.

A Learner's Experience

I did it! I topped up the car fuel at the petrol station all by myself! Some of you might have thought; "Big deal, grow up!" Yes, yes, I agree it's chicken feet. I was confiding in my friends yesterday about how embarrassed I was when I could not open the fuel box at the back, and had to drive down to my dealer where they showed me how to do it with amazing ease. I felt like a real idiot then. I drove to the petrol station today with trepidation, slowly opened the fuel box, plonked the "gun" into the tank and squeezed the nozzle. As I saw the metre jumping, I heaved a sigh of relief followed by a feeling of triumph. I managed another major task here again. Back at home, I have always relied on the petrol attendants to fill up my tank. I didn't even wash my car, not once. I left it to the stations as well. My colleague was not wrong when he called me a spoilt brat. He was simply aghast when he heard that I had never done all these before.

With a half-filled tank, I drove my way to my friend's abode which was some distance away from where I stayed. As I had left my street directory in my colleague's car box, I had to rely solely on the street signs to get around. Along the way, I passed by the beach, a long stretch spanning the eastern side of the town. It's 35 degree Celcius today, and the sea was simply inviting. I made a brief stop at the lookout, admiring the scene with awe and inhaling the fresh air. I am beginning to like this place.

I managed to reach my Sri Lankan friend's abode after a few lost directions and roundabouts, and spent the rest of the day there, enjoying the delicious home-cooked food and sharing our thoughts and experiences. It was indeed cosy and heartwarming.

And now I am back home, not lost in the midst of some wilderness out there. No regrets with parting $15500 for the car; it was all worth it since it allowed me to explore the corners of this place with greater freedom and convenience. I looked forward with eager anticipation for my next venture on the roads. And of course not before I topped up the fuel myself.

Sydney - My Beloved City

Sydney.....Sydney.....how I love thee.....

I can never get sick of this vibrant city, no matter how frequent I had visited this place. This was my third trip there since I arrived in Newcastle 2 months ago. First trip was a hasty one-day journey to get my NSW medical registration at the old mental health institution near the suburb, a small building tucked right at the end of a corner of a HUGE compound ( for those who can't imagine how secluded it was, think of our Communicable Disease Center CDC next to TTSH). Nice environment to work in, as one of the administrators there said, but I think it was really inaccessible....since I had to walk 45 minutes from the entrance of the compound before I located the building.

My second trip there was few weeks back when I had a lift from my landlord. It was during the Mid-Autumn Festival which made the timing perfect since I was desperately craving for my ultra-sweet mooncakes and Chinese cuisine. That was an eventful trip. I met up with some of my brother's friends and bunked in with one of them, a very kind and ultra-sweet lady from Hong Kong who held British and Australian passports, and who was studying Nritrition (Iris, please correct me if I am wrong) at the University of Sydney. I met students from other parts of Asia as well, and did crazy things like queueing a long 2 hours for a Chinese tim-sum buffet (No regrets...the food was simply succulent and high-quality). It was somehow heartwarming to see so many Chinese or Asians on the streets and I felt very much at home, a feeling which I had and would never experience back in Newcastle. As expected, I hang around Chinatown most of the time, and by the end of 3 days, was loaded with boxes of mooncakes and pineapple cakes to last me for a long while in Newcastle. Interestingly, I met up with a fellow Malaysian/Singaporean PR pilot-to-be during my stay there and had a stimulating chat with him through the night, comparing our lives in Australia and back home. The Malaysians or Singaporeans living in Newcastle have very much assimilated into the Australian lifestyle and thinking, and hence I always find difficulties relating to them.

I had the fortune of taking another lift from a colleague during the weekend and met my dear friends there again. This time I decided to make a trip down to the Sydney Opera House and Lake Macquarie, and once again immersed myself in the air of vibrance and culture. The weather was perfect, with the bright smiling sun and the cool caressing breeze. The lake was inviting and the greeneries soothing. I had very much wanted to plant myself down on the grass and enjoy my novel, but I had to meet my friends for grocery shopping at Paddy's Market later. We cooked curry chicken that night and chatted through the night. I did some shopping the next day, having realised that my shoes were wearing off after all the extensive walking, and needed to get my favourite Cantopop casette tapes for listening in the car ( yes, you can call me primitive but my car is not fitted with a CD player). I was disappointed to leave the place empty-handed this time, but not before getting myself a cool pair of sunglasses for the coming summer and some cookies at the Chinese grocery shop (I am putting on weight every minute here with the snackings). By the way, Julio Iglesias is performing at the Opera House in November, so I am planning to trod down during that period to catch his concert.

As for now, it's back to the mundane hospital work and usual challenges for me.

My Baby

I'M EUPHORIC!

I've picked up my car! It's a polished beige-pinkish Toyota Camry 3L sedan, complete with the usual functions that were present in my previous Toyota Corolla back in Singapore. Boring car, I supposed, as compared to a sports model or 4 wheel drive, but still it brought about enough admiration and drooling from my colleague who kindly accompanied me to the caryard for collection. No sight of those ugly people there and the salesman who entertained us was this young good-looking earnest lad (look who's drooling ). We drove out for lunch afterwards and tried some parallel-parking before proceeding to the hospital for my evening shift. I couldn't help smiling throughout the whole 8 hours, and even the sight of that most irritating Ortho Reg didn't succeed to erase that grin from my face at all. Eventually most of my colleagues came to know of my new possession and shared my joy.

I'm aiming to drive to Sydney one day with my "baby" but not before learning the routes and directions from my friend first. We are heading down today, him for a wedding function, and I, for the Opera House to sing my lungs out (just kidding ).