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.