On the Weekend I had to be in Brisbane for my Diploma of Remedial Massage. It was not a fun filled weekend, it was very full on without much time for David and I to relax and enjoy time together. Which was such a shame, but that’s life.
We stayed at the Mantra in Spring Hill – booking our hotel on Wotif because it was the cheapest hotel they had – but the lack of food choices nearby was so disappointing.
Mind you we did hit up the Eat Street Markets on the Saturday night for dinner, and that was such a good decision because they have so many amazing choices. With so much different food on offer it took me three times walking around and 30 minutes to decide what to eat – I get confused if there are too many choices!
On the Friday night we did go to Queen Street Mall and both of us chose yummy meals at Jo-Jo’s Restaurant {which is upstairs, Stefan owns the restaurant}. And then returned there for dessert on the Saturday night – yeah I totally blew my gluten free, sugar free, protein only diet 🙂 But hey you only live once.
Actually it would have been cheaper for us to book the hotel that we used last time, because we had our own kitchen and we could buy food and cook our own meals – I even got spoiled the last time with Eggs Benedict, and a roast dinner at night time. This time we had to eat out for all three meals which ended up being a very expensive stressful weekend.
So glad that I am staying with a friend from College next time – way easier – and David will be staying here with our boys. Not sure what I will do for meals while down there {maybe I will go to Eat Street Markets on the Saturday night cause at least I know that Thai Chicken Dish is yummy!!}
Last time we ate at the Pig N Whistle in Queen Street Mall, this time we decided on Jo-Jo’s Restaurant. Maybe one day will return and try another place in Brisbane, not sure when though because our next plans don’t include going back to Brisbane together.
Mind you next time I would love a relaxing weekend, instead of one that is rushed filled from driving down there, and rushed getting to class and massaging so much in one weekend {we all had to do at least 16 treatments}.
Yesterday I felt like a truck had hit me – so very drained and very teary. I kept thinking about everything I needed to do and I ended up having a nanny nap because it was too much.
Today I still have heaps to do, and I feel like I can achieve it so I think I slept better last night. And both boys are feeling better {we came home to both of them down with head colds} so I am getting some help.
I didn’t get many photos over the weekend because I forget to charge my camera before we left, and the charger in the car took forever to charge it, so mostly we went out and about without a camera. I did manage to take a few pictures on the Saturday night of one amazing artist who uses Spray Paint on white cardboard to make amazing pictures.
(Heads up – The following pictures are not the best – My camera needs to go in for a good service/clean and I didn’t notice to we got home how out of focused some of the pics were {insert sad face!!})
On Saturday, after Eat Street Markets, We went to the Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith Memorial so that we could drop off a Trackable Geocaching device – they have a really big Geocaching container specifically for Trackables to travel to and from the airport, cool hey?
I have never been to the Memorial before so David was keen to share it with me, he has taken our boys there a few times.
David LOVES planes, and he was standing there reading about this plane display, and the next one to it. Both Planes have been placed on the wrong display box – they don’t match the description underneath. I have to wonder if someone from the memorial display did that on propose so that you would notice the information is wrong and take more notice?
You know, like when someone does a spelling mistake in a piece of writing, you will pick up on the spelling mistake and remember the information more easily??
If you are homeschooling, or have mad loving Plane family members then stop in to Brisbane Airport and check out the memorial. Its not easy to get to – if you miss the “international exit” then you will have to drive around and around to get back to the exit that leads to the car park, not that we missed the exit or anything!!! Oh and its on Airport Drive, Brisbane.
After the Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith Memorial we went back to our hotel, but still wanted to explore more of Brisbane so we headed down to King Edward Park, where we checked out the statues!
Our Weekend in Brisbane did mean I was able to exercise with lots of walking, which was good after all the naughty food we had!
The Statue was very heavy and well made – David reckons that the Statue would have taken hours and hours to wield together, very talented dedicated artist.
After Eat Street Markets we headed back to Jo-Jo’s on Queen Street for their amazing desserts – I thought they had a Gluten Free Mud Cake, but unfortunately it was not Gluten Free – and I was so very keen to try it so I decided to go ahead with my order – bugger it, pay for it later but I sure did enjoy the cake!
David and I shared our desserts – yep we both broke every food rule that night, and loved it 🙂
After wards we decided that we had to walk as much as possible to walk off the foodporn. We then came across this amazing painter – I could have stayed there watching him paint all night long – and even asked him “What makes you decide to paint” or something along those words of “How do you know what to paint”. He showed us all of the paintings that he had with him.
And he explained that his inspiration comes from something he will hear someone say as they walk past, or something he sees, or even has commissioned pieces from clients – the White Dog was a photo from a client, who asked him to paint the piece for them. I loved how he could turn a white piece of cardboard into something amazing with spray paints – inspirational, talented and has the most wicked sense of humor!!
Check out Jared’s work on Jazrt Facebook Page! He does have a website – not sure if its working for you? Sometimes I go to it and I get a security error? Will be sharing more pics of his art work on another blog post as soon as I can!
The travel bug has come from Sweden, and we hope to take it on more travels very soon – can’t reveal where or when as yet – but it is very soon 🙂 It sat down with the City Kangaroo and wanted to tell him his stories, can only imagine what travel stories the kangaroo has!
History of the Kangaroo ::
City Roos by Queensland artist Christopher Trotter on Loan from the Brisbane City Council Queensland Australia.
Christohper Trotter City Roos 1999 Scrap Metal.
Made of discarded scrap metal from a broad cross section of industries, “City Roos” takes a look at the creative and classic Australian culture of “Making Do”. “City Roos” symbolizes the importance of sharing space and communication. Speical Thanks to Simsmetal and Xtroll.
We then seen this very groovy loud bike coming down the street. He seen my camera and was kind enough to stop for a picture. The music was pumping and I was able to get “Hi-Five’s” from the rider and the passengers – Was So very Cool 🙂
The City Hall in Brisbane is such a beautiful old building, with gorgeous lighting and such beautiful trees on the outside.
The only disappointing aspect of our Weekend in Brisbane,  staying in Spring Hill was the lack of food on the Saturday and Sunday Morning. I had to be at college before 9.00 am and it was a bit of a drive. So we thought we could visit a cafe somewhere on the way but nothing was open. So we ended up eating at McDonalds for Breakfast, which is a place we would never ever stop in at. But I was shaking on a sugar low so I had to have something to eat.
On the Sunday we went to the Cafe downstairs from the Hotel – which was meant to cater to the hotel – and stood there for at least 5 minutes. David and I both discussed the menu and what we were going to have {from the Takeaway menu} but the lady at the counter ignored us, with her back to us. She continued to do her crossword/puzzle and didn’t once turn around.
So David grabbed my hand, and marched me out of there quick smart, saying “if the service is that bad, imagine the food’. Never ever seen David so determined to not eat at a cafe. And after thinking about it I am going to give the hotel an email because it was so very disappointing to have such a lack of service.
All in all we think Sydney and Melbourne has better food choices for those that travel there on the weekend compared to Brisbane. And next time {sure hope thats not too soon!!} David will be booking the hotel so that we have our own bath tub and kitchen, and be close enough to shops!
Have You Stayed At The Mantra Terrance Hotel?
Have You Been To Eat Street Markets?
Have You Eaten At Jo-Jo’s Restaurant?
Love To Hear From You.
Cheers
Lisa
New Life on the Road.
We stayed at Mantra Terrace Hotel, went to Eat Street Markets,  stopped at the Airport Drive, ate dinner and dessert at Jo-Jo’s, walked in Queen Street Mall, past Brisbane City Hall, and past many churches City Tabernacle Baptist Church, and the new address for Evolve College means there is no food near there!