Brisbane x Gold Coast x Graduation 2.0

Recently, my good friend since way back in high school and my parents paid me a visit here in Brisbane.

I portrayed the role of a tourist guide while they were here. Without a van or coaster bus and microphone and with only the best of my "touring ability", I showed and introduced them to Brisbane (Forgive the lack of photos, by the way. Most of the photos are with them in it so I only selected a few.).

Be a solid commuter
In as much as it is way more convenient to ride a car, program your GPS and drive to your chosen destination, Australian experience will be incomplete if you hadn't experienced first-hand how to commute here and the hassle that comes with it (Haha!). This is what I made my parents and friend to do (Even if I have a car or I can rent a car, my driving skills are nil).

Setting the practicality aside that most people prefer and generally speaking, I think using the public transportation and walking around (with or without a map, it's up to you) are the best ways to explore a place. You know the saying, "stop and smell the flowers"? I believe it goes with that same principle. When you commute by bus or train and walk, you would be able to notice little, random things you wouldn't have probably noticed when you are in a car. It is also a simple way to get in touch or immerse yourself in one's culture. Do not just travel; learn. Get lost. Maximize your indulgence of the experience. Yes, there may be places that are best left for driving to get there and this may not work with everybody, but I suggest to just try it for at least a day or even just once (then rent a car?). This is one of my tips to everyone who wants to travel not just in Australia but in other parts of the globe, too.

Explore the capital city

Apart from the shops and restaurants, there are also a few landmarks in the city that you can go to. A few of the ones that we saw and went into were Cathedral of St. Stephen (photo on the top left), Brisbane City Hall (photo on bottom left), a view of South Bank (photo on top right), Treasury Casino and Brisbane City Library (photo taken on bottom right is on Queen Street, near the Casino, the Library and shops).

If you want to explore further the Brisbane City, I suggest checking out the City Center Heritage Trail. Check this site for further details and to access a downloadable brochure. For more photos of the city, you can check out an entry from last year.

See koalas, kangaroos and more in Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

It was my friend's request to go here and see a koala. A trip to Australia would also be incomplete without seeing the famous Australian icon, wouldn't it? Surprisingly, in Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, you can see more than a koala. Other animals, such as kangaroos, a Tasmanian devil, perentie, a few different birds such as kookaburra and parrots, platypus, dingo and different snakes to name some, can also be found there.

So cuddlyyyyy!!!

Stroll in South Bank

Personally, South Bank is my favorite hangout place. It reminds of Ayala Triangle in Makati, Greenbelt, Luneta Park and Manila Bay (minus the atmosphere of what is Manila Bay now) in the Philippines. It has a gorgeous and massive park with luscious trees and foliage called The Parklands, where you can sit and have picnic or barbecue with your friends and family. It even has a beach right in the middle named Streets Beach. Little Stanley Street houses good restaurants, cafes and bars and even boutiques. It has a good view of the Brisbane River and the city skyline. Gallery of Modern Art, Queensland Performing Arts Center and cinemas can be located in Grey Street. The Wheel of Brisbane and Queensland Museum are also situated in South Bank. 

Gold Coast, Famous for fun!

From the city's tagline itself, Gold Coast is clearly a good place for fun. Located south-east of Brisbane, the city boasts some of Australia's top beautiful beaches. In fact, I strongly believe that Queensland owns most of the best beaches in Australia. It is not called The Sunshine State for nothing! Oh my gosh, don't. Even. Get. Me. Started (Okay, try google-ing Great Barrier Reef -- maybe that's way enough already! Whitsundays or Noosa, to name a few). Gold Coast is also famous for its theme parks -- Dreamworld, Movieworld, Sea World and Wet n' Wild. Unfortunately, my parents didn't feel like going to the beaches or the theme parks (When my brothers arrive in a few months' time, I will talk further about Gold Coast) so we traveled all the way there just to have lunch (refer to photo below) instead. Teehee.

Some foodporn shots: Zen Restaurant (Chinese) in Gold Coast (top left and bottom right) and Mazri Kitchen (Japanese) in Sunnybank (top right and bottom left)

Satisfy your Asian cravings at Sunnybank

It was my friend from work who invited and treated us for some good, Asian food in Sunnybank. It was like THE hub of Asian restaurants. Asian food everywhere I looked. We had Japanese at Mazri Kitchen (refer to photo above). It was lovely!

Eat anywhere. Try the benches.

When I was in the Philippines, no matter how hungry I am, I would rather take my food out, eat in a cab or at home than sit in a restaurant and eat. I do not like the idea of eating alone when I'm out so I never do it. I can't even imagine myself doing it. I am uncomfortable with the idea that there may be people staring at me because I am alone and I have no one to eat with. You never know who among the creeps everywhere might sit beside or in front of you. They might even follow you because they know you are alone! Yes! I can be paranoid like that! Haha! However, "there is always a first time for everything." You got it right; I was able to eat alone for the very first time. It wasn't even on a bench; it was on a cemented wall thing surrounding plants (Haha! I don't know how you call it. I hope you get what I mean though.). Apparently, I didn't die doing that. No one even stared at me! Haha! Trust me though, I was really hesitant. I thought of walking and pretending I'm shopping while eating. Then, I noticed that there were a lot of people doing that. No one cared and no one even bothered to care if they are eating alone. I was like, 'Screw this. They don't know me. I'm eating right here.' I brought out my phone and started browsing so I will not notice just in case someone will look at me. Hahaha! But no one really did.

Anyway, my simple point is if you are so conscious like me, just go for it, take a seat wherever, chew and gulp. Just like what my friend and I did. No single Australian (or Asian, British, Irish or any person living in Australia) would even look at you. That's another Australian experience that can be ticked off on your list! If you are unlike me though, well, do not bother and skip this part (which might be impossible since you probably have read the rest before reaching this part). You are probably a pro and enjoying this already.

Taste Australian Beer

Just because my dad wanted to try some.

Tasted it. Didn't like it. I've never liked any brand of beer anyway. But if you appreciate beer, why not try the Australian ones if you're here, right?

Vegemite, mate!

Google Image

Another Aussie thingamajig! I forgot to prepare one for my parents to try so we bought one before they went back home. The trick in using vegemite is to know how to appropriately apply it on your toast to avoid... hmm... vomiting. :D

and, if applicable...

Attend a Conferral of Awards Ceremony


The main reason why my parents visited me here was to attend my graduation. Yayyy! Congratulations, Class of 2013 and to the new batch of nurses (One can never have enough Bachelor of Nursing degrees and nursing licenses, you know. Haha!)! :) Obviously, this is an entirely different topic but might as well throw it in here, too. :)

There you go, my few ideas that you can try when you go to Brisbane. This entry will definitely have a second part so hang tight as I explore further. :)

More random photos to wrap it up! :)

Hold on! One last thing.

TRY to avoid live broadcast.

Google Image

Technology made keeping in touch easier; social networking made it faster. Personally, I'm among those people who share to keep their family and friends updated or to make their page full of memorable or random and pretty thoughts (or rants at times -- oops. I'm learning to avoid posting things like that now) and snaps. However, I am also the type who defeats the very obvious purpose of putting insta- in Instagram by preferring the #latergram. Or "the late upload" or #throwbackthursday. I was once a hardcore 'tweeter-slash-status updater,' especially during NBA, Oscars, VMAs and the likes. I eventually got tired of the 'hold, type, put down, repeat' moves with my phone. So if you're out travelling or exploring, I suggest putting posting aside and just enjoy! If, however, you mastered doing it altogether at the same time without sacrificing your enjoyment then, good on you and go ahead! :)