We thought that perhaps a day of housekeeping was in the cards but we had seen a nice dumpling house that we thought would be good for lunch. Since we were out for lunch, we thought we might explore the ferry. Our plan was to get on the City Cat ferry from the North Bank but that terminal was closed due to recent flooding. Instead we walked across the river to get to the South Bank station. We walked past the Brisbane wheel and decided that no time was better than right then, so up we went. It was a 12 minute ride with narration but it took us a while to realize that we needed to follow along with the provided brochure. The North Bank is all high rise buildings and businesses while the South Bank is the cultural and entertainment center. We saw the performing arts center, the stadium, the "beach" and the Nepalese peace pavilion. After the wheel we got so see some of these places close up. The City Cat is a ferry system run by the city much like a bus line. We tried to board but had to go buy a "go" card and load it up with cash. That was not a problem and now we are good to go on any public transportation. The ferry crisscrossed back and forth from one stop to another. At least six of the terminals were closed but that left plenty still open. We saw pensioners, school kids from at least five different schools, young families and regular business commuters. Several times we saw folks get on, cross the river and get right off. The ferry runs till 11 PM so we need to get out there and see the night sky. As we got further downstream the river widened and the wind picked up so we went inside the ferry. It turned around and we rode it back to the South Bank Terminal. Then we walked home via the Goodwill Bridge. After we crossed over to the other side we saw a huge line of folks waiting to get into a concert. Walking through the Botanical Gardens we saw big fruit bats and ibises feeding their young. Then it was back to the pad for dinner.
It has been 152 days since we began our Migration
Hot pepper oil is not quite like vegemite, but you have to know your customer base
My dumpling platter, 13 dumplings for $16 AUD, that is $10 USD
Leslie's selection came with a drink. Her ginger beer was something we had never had before, quite flavorful.
Happy dumpling lovers
Albert Street Uniting Church
Suspended Art
This is a new pedestrian bridge being built. The tall white part will have cables attached that will support the bridge decking
City Cat here we come
The birds in these trees were singing non stop
Of course the obligatory giant sign of the city
Behind us is the Brisbane Wheel
Welcome to your capsule
The performing arts center
Brisbane River with the Goodwill Bridge
Building a new pedestrian bridge
Work work work
The beach! This is an aquatic center with pools and a beach
The wheel casts a big shadow
You can see the reflection of the wheel in the glass of the performace center
Looking down to a Nepalese Peace pagoda built for the 1988 Expo
The pagoda from the ground level
We found ourselves in a Chocolate Bar
Max Brenner or Yul Brenner
Nice layout for all your chocolate desires
The pool at "The Beach" was mostly families
The sandy part of the beach was for the adults
We are on the City Cat Ferry
The river is pretty wide
This is the ferry ride in dark blue and our walking in light blue
This is the Goodwill Bridge built at the time of the Sydney Olympics
It is a pedestrian bridge with areas to sit and watch the river flow
The botanical gardens is bottom left and then a whole new urban area we have yet to discover on the right.
Our Building as seen from the river level
A row of restaurants that are soon to be demolished to make way for two new skyscrapers, a billion dollar project
A classic boat out on this nice day
A giant jacaranda tree
This huge area is a brewery and eatery. It is a big beer hall with music, comedy, indoor and outdoor seating and much more. Pretty sure you do not have to be a felon.
The buildings got smaller and smaller as we approached the ocean
But still plenty of huge sprawling mansions
A castle on the hill.
The M-1 bridge in Hamilton is the furthest downriver that this ferry runs
Coming back the sun has shifter and the wind has picked up
One last sculpture from the river
Walked past the beach
Folks were still swimming even through the sun was going down and the wind was picking up. I suspect the water is heated
Walking to the edges, bikes and other two wheeled devices in the middle
Looking down to the maritime museum we see this funky boat
Looking at Brisbane from the Goodwill Bridge
Flock of Seagulls (not the band)
Here is where all your rumpled socks ended up
Big big bats roosting
and flying overhead
Then bam, a grove of bamboo
Australian Ibises feeding their chicks
Big overstuffed chicks
Elephant apples used in curries and chutneys
The building on the right is our place
