u/CharmingElephant88

Culture Update throwback

Culture Update throwback

Made our way into culture quarter and south bank which seems to be turning into a daily ritual.

We made our way to the museum to get tickets to see The Mummy - secrets of the tomb but were sold out for that day - Saturday however lucky had some available for the next day -the final day. So we decided to go to the art galleries instead - GOMA And QAG.

Some how ended up playing a Qscan based phone game called secret slq which involves following clues and hint around the library.

From here we ended up strolling about south bank and ended up having dinner in burger joint called Grill'd whose chips are yummy. And for desert we decided to try the much talk about chocolate place called Max Brenner - chocolate by the bald man. My words about the foods would do it an injustice, simply out of this world. When we got home ended up booking tickets for the Ben & Jerry's Brisbane open air cinema which runs here during various evenings during the summer.

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Our now daily trek into town, bought us to the museum to see the mummy which entailed a 3-D movie narrated by none other than Patrick Stewart, followed by walking around 4 mummy remains including the top billed remains of Nesperennub and other ornaments involved in the burial ritual.

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Once we were finished with the exhibit, went exploring other aspects of the museum including the discovery centre on level 3, dressed by the best exhibit on level 4 and of course Queensland own discovery of the dinosaur Muttaburrasaurus langdoni.

Leaving the museum we walked through the whales mall.

We will so have to make a visit to the sciencentre and ENERGEX Playasaurus Place next opportunity we get.

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u/CharmingElephant88 — 3 days ago

All Blacks throwback

One of my highlights this year has to be seeing some of the rugby world champions New Zealand All Blacks this morning in Queen street Mall stage. It was complete mayhem and chaos with the crowds going down the street and beyond. The weather couldn't have been nicer, it was so hot and warm, I'm glad I decided to wear shorts and top. The highlights for me had to finally get to see Dan Carter in the flesh and person.

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u/CharmingElephant88 — 10 days ago

Dreamworld throwback

The start to the day - Saturday 17th - didn't go quite according to plan, as we got off the bus and walked the the distance to the Park Road train station we got a tad lost, lucky thanks to GPS, we managed to make it to the station to watch the train we planned to catch, depart the train. However thanks heavens there was train due in another 30 mins, due at 9.05 am. Which actually it seems ended up been more on an express than the prior one. When we arrived into Coomera Station, there was a connecting translink bus to the Dreamworld theme park, which got us there for 10.05, just as the theme park was opening, so click for again, which train we need. Added bonus and time saver was we had previously booked our unlimited world pass tickets online saving ourselves 10 dollars each. As we entered the park, we decided to go to the Dreamworld part this day as the weather at the time was overcast, we got our park map and show time details. We decided  to enter the old wild west first, and go on our ride, Thunder River Rapid Ride, we ended up getting wet but was such a laugh. after this we were strolling towards rocky hollow log ride, however we got sidetracked by a crowd gathering, we found out it was meet the Big Brother winner, Ben and queue to go inside and see the Big Brother House. So we decided sure why not got our picture taken with him and joined the queue to see the house.

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Luckily, whilst we were in the house, there was a nasty downpour of rain, we managed not to get too wet. After a tour of the house we finally made it to the Log Ride, if we didn't get wet before, during the downpour, we got soaked on this ride, however was such a laugh and fun. From here we strolled through the Australian Wildlife experience area making a detour through the Avis Vintage Cars, and got to experience how actually slow the Model T Ford Cars were lol. From the Wildlife area we got on the Dreamworld Railway which brought us back towards King Julien's Theatre in the Wild and we both went on the Escape from Madagascar rollercoaster. Lucky the sun started to come out around then, we decided to stop for a few mins and had the packed lunch we had brought with us in the Wiggles World area, as we had to go and collect the World Passes from the Pass Centre. Why oh why are the pictures they take for those sort of things always bizarre. After lunch we went on Mick Doohan's Motocoaster, which is a motobike rollercoater. I decided to be brave to try one of the high thrill rides, Tower of Terror II, which is one of the big 7 high rides within the theme park. Omg what a thrill and adrenaline rush. So gotta go back on that ride again when we manage to revisit the park.

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In between meeting Shrek and his friends, I went on Shockwave and another high thrill ride called Wipeout, no wonder it called such. I couldn't stop laughing during the whole ride.. It was an experience to say the least. We both went on a so called kids ride called reef diver, we both agreed it made us nauseous, and this is after me been on wipeout, shockwave and tower of terror II. Before it was time to leave we decided to revisit a few of the earlier rides.

Us with Shrek

We decided to get the connecting bus to Surfers Paradise, stroll around and go visit the SkyPoint Q1 area which has 360 degrees views of the area and is the highest residential tower block in the southern hemisphere. We had a quick bite before the long trek home. It was a roughly an hour bus journey to the nearest train station and then another hour back to Brisbane. When we finally managed to arrive back, we were welcomed with the onslaught that was the thunderstorms and rain, we got soaked before we got to the connecting bus and saturated in the unpleasant sprint from the Gabba home. For hours on end, we were in complete darkness due to the weather and was just a night for the bed.

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The following day was a complete and utter washout, we were unable to even leave the house cos the weather was that bad. At least Monday so far been nice.  

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u/CharmingElephant88 — 17 days ago

Now we are settled into Brisbane, its finally nice to be unpacked and not to be living out of a suitcase. We are living in a suburb called Kangaroo Point, its a nice and peaceful little spot, about 30/40 mins walk or 5 mins by bus to either South Bank and the Culture Quarter or over Story Bridge to The Valley. Niamh started doing agency work, so far worked in a few different hospitals and seems to enjoy the work to date.

The Culture Quarter seems to be where we spend a lot of our free time, as the man made beach and swimming pool, nice place to chill and relax. We learnt that the coffee/hot chocolate is very different in the space of ten feet, the cafe in the museum is below standard where as what seems to be turning into our local cafe, the Library Cafe, has yet to steer us wrong in food or drinks and the free WI-FI accessible from the state library doesnt hurt things either.

On Monday 15th, as Niamh was working in the Logan Hospital, I decided to head into Culture quarter whilest I was waiting for her to come into town, and went for coffee and see the GOMA, one must keeps ones culture up. Throughout the week, when Niamh wasnt working we went for a swim and such along the South Bank, Stroll over the Good Will Bridge to the Botanic City Gardens and a quick visit around QUT Campus and Old Government House Museum.

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Something which we only discovered as we were on our way for a coffee that there a farmers market every Wednesday Afternoon in Brisbane Square, where we managed to pick up some bargains.

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But the Highlight of our trip so far as been meeting some of the Qantas Wallabies in Queen Street Mall Stage today and getting our photos with them and getting a mini rugby ball signed. On such a high, we decided to go retail shopping for a few bits. To round off the evening we went for coffee and listened to stories through indigenous eyes in an event called Black Ink, which is it seems is on the 3rd Thursday of the month.

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u/CharmingElephant88 — 24 days ago

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As we arrived so early into Brisbane, we ended up watching Wanderlust on my laptop at the Roma Street Train Station. After which we made our way to Chill backpackers despite a good location we weren't overly impressed. After a quick bite to eat, we went off exploring, and happened to find the culture quarter on South Bank. It quite a lovely area containing the museums, state library (free WI-FI), a quaint cafe, man made beach outdoor swimming area. and the Wheel of Brisbane.

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During most of our time we stayed in chill back packers was actually spent at the library looking for accommodation and jobs. Then Wednesday we walked and carted our luggage from chill to bunk backpackers in fortitude valley which was a pleasant  change and experience. The first night we actually got a welcome cocktail and meeting and then at half 6 free snack. Despite some of the lack luster and sometimes worrying accommodation, we found a house in Kangaroo Point. One of the highlights of our stay in the valley was a free subway and drink that Niamh and me got thanks to registering free online and discovering vegan hot dog at a place called 5 Dogs.

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On Tuesday Whilest I did the RSA (Responsible Serving of Alcohol) cert course, Niamh went to the AHPRA about her registration for nursing.

On Wednesday, Niamh went to her appointment for HCA (or NAA) sorting out the last few bits of paper work. After a tad bit of advice Niamh started badgering AHPRA about the registration.

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On Saturday we strolled from the Valley down to South Bank as it was such a beautiful day and went to the beach for a swim. We treated ourselves to a ice cream cone with nuts. Still managed to end up at the state library lol which yet again for the third day running ended up helping a damsel in technological distress.

Yesterday enjoyed a lazy Sunday getting ready for the move and spent time in the hot tub. The lazy Sunday came about due to lack of sleep induced by the French dorm mate bagging some random French hartlet.

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Monday morning early rise due to check out of the hostel and making the  2km plus walk over Story Bridge (I still think it was an endurance test) towards kangaroo point our new house for the next 3 months. Finally unpacked and sorted into the house. After a quick dash back from Coles to turn off the oven, couldn't have timed it better, food was just done. After which did the first big shown Coles and made our daring escape with the trolley filled of groceries (paid) back up the hill to the house.

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u/CharmingElephant88 — 1 month ago

Didn’t expect this day to turn into one of those “where did the time go?” moments.

Started in Keukenhof Gardens — endless tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils everywhere 🌷💐

Every corner felt like a different scene, and before we knew it… 5 hours gone.

Then straight into an Amsterdam canal boat cruise 🚢

Flowers lining the waterways, calm water, and that unreal Dutch scenery the whole way through.

Tried to capture the vibe in this clip, but it genuinely felt even better in real life.

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u/CharmingElephant88 — 1 month ago

Day 2 was a full countryside loop outside Amsterdam and honestly felt like stepping into multiple postcards in one day.

We joined a guided tour from De Ruijterkade early morning and headed out with Amanda as our guide. First stop was Marken — quiet wooden houses, narrow lanes, and a really peaceful, almost frozen-in-time atmosphere. Easily one of the most underrated stops.

Next was Edam, which felt like a storybook town. Cobblestone streets, small bridges, canals reflecting everything perfectly, and of course plenty of cheese moments 🧀

We also stopped at the Henri Willig family farm (Jacobs Hoeve) for cheese tasting and a short factory visit — ended up bringing a few pieces home after sampling far too many.

Volendam was our lunch stop — much livelier, with a harbour full of boats, colourful houses, and classic Dutch seafood spots along the promenade.

Final countryside stop was Zaanse Schans — windmills, wooden houses, clog-making demos, and that iconic Dutch landscape you always imagine before visiting the Netherlands 🌬️

Back in Amsterdam around evening, we kept it simple with drinks before heading to Xtracold Icebar at 8:20pm. Definitely a fun contrast after a full day outdoors — cocktails in minus temperatures, ice glasses, and a surprisingly good vibe inside.

We finished the night with a walk towards Magere Brug (Skinny Bridge) — lights on, reflections on the canal, and that perfect blue-hour glow before heading back.

Long day, but honestly one of the highlights of the trip so far.

u/CharmingElephant88 — 1 month ago