Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Brisbane Day 2 to 4 - Around & Night Views of the City


View the first post in this series and trip index here.

20 Apr 2009

Back in the city from Lone Pine Koala sanctuary, I walked across the Victoria Bridge towards Queen St, the main shopping district, to look for lunch and some views of the city.


Ferris Wheel and Griffith University behind it


The Conrad Treasury Casino


Bank of New South Wales building


The Telegraph Newspaper Company Limited


I decided to pick this for lunch in a food court in Wintergarden Center, a shopping mall


AUD 8.45 for a pepperoni pizza and a canned drink. After lunch, I continued exploring the area around Queens St.


The Irish Club along Elizabeth St.

Brisbane City Hall
The Brisbane City Hall adjacent to King George's Square, hosts a small museum, functions rooms and exhibition rooms. It was completed in 1930


Close-up of the arch

inside the brisbane city hall
inside the brisbane city hall
The ceiling and floor inside


The School of Arts


I first thought that this was a tomb of the unknown soldier. However it is actually the Shrine of Remembrance on ANZAC Square. Seems like this place will be host to memorial services this weekend on ANZAC day. It feels surreal that three years ago my guide for my Turkey trip detailed about the Battle of Gallipoli during World War I and now I am here in front of a memorial half-way round the globe where the soldiers came from.


Central Station, it's a real metro station inside


St Andrew's Uniting Church, interestingly built on a slope in 1905. Brisbane is indeed hilly


St. John's Cathedral on Ann St, the only Victorian Gothic Cathedral under construction in Australia


Another nice looking building with fancy corridors


For dinner, I decided to take the plunge back at Wintergarden Center at Mick Omalleys Irish Pub at the basement


The pasta special for AUD 10 was pretty pathetic. However XXXX beer is actually good!

Conrad Treasury casino at night

Night shot of Conrad Treasury casino on my way back to Hotel George Williams. That ends my second day in Brisbane. Tomorrow I will be up early to attend the opening of the DASFAA 2009 conference.

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21 Apr 2009 to 22 Apr 2009

The next two days were spent mainly at the conference in the University of Queensland, attending some talks and slacking off in the internet room. Highlights of the first and second nights were the reception and banquet respectively. After the reception on the first night, I went around the South Bank with some friends to take some night shots.


Great piping hot breakfast again. It's either spinach, mushroom and toast or sausages, bacon, eggs, and toast


The opening session with the usual reports

dasfaa 2009
Slacking off in the internet room. They get real cool iMacs everywhere with WinXP on them...


The John Hay Building where the conference was held


Off for a night stroll around the city after the reception on the first night. A highway along the CBD is built right beside the river bank. It is as if there is no where else to put it but on the river

nepalese temple shrine brisbane
A Nepalese temple/shrine at the South Bank


Being far from the ocean, there's an artificial beach at the South Bank

south bank ferris wheel at night
The ferris wheel lighted at night

Victoria Bridge at night, Brisbane
Skyline at Victoria Bridge at night

smellie and company
An interesting company name on my way to the conference venue the next day


The banquet was at the Summit Restaurant at the lookout on Mt. Coot-tha, where the city is in full view


Banquet Food

night view of brisbane from mount coot-tha
Night view of Brisbane from Mt. Coot-tha

Before I know it, the banquet was over and it will be the last day of the conference tomorrow. Unfortunately for me, my presentation is tomorrow, leaving me with no time to take any day trips out of the city before returning home.

Check back for the next post soon

Return to the trip index here.

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