#explorebrisbane

Day 7: 21st Jan 2020

Firstly, I would like to apologise for the lack of update. It’s Chinese New Year, I am busy filling in shifts for my colleagues who are currently in China, God blessed them.

Anyway, I went adventuring in Oxley area few weeks ago, just didn’t have the time and energy to update my blog. Now I will try my best to recollect my memories by scrolling through the photos taken on my phone.

It was a sunny day, like a hot-fuckingly-dickily-hot sunny day, and if you’ve been to Oxley, there are not many trees or shady area there, mostly industrial area at large I would say. I found this shop once again, from Uncle Google’s map. It’s located beside a workshop/warehouse/I-didn’t-pay-attention. And there is a little cafe inside which is really cute. But the downside is, it was really hot inside with the weather and concrete wall and lack of air-conditioning, the last time I check, for most of the area, they only placed a finger-eating old fan cooling at its best functioning condition. So it’s hot, except for the upper floor.

The main entrance is at the side of the building away from the main road.

There are heaps of old vinyl records.

I do believe that some of these are possessed.

Also lots of old books, though not as much as the records. and you do have to be extremely careful because the walkway is really narrow and the shelves are filled with random glass/ceramic stuff.

This is the closest Woody that I have ever held in my hand. Oh, they have lots of vintage toys here as well.

They have old comics and newspaper pages, like the one I am holding, it’s from 1924.

At last, I bought this, they called it “naughty cat brooch”, because A. I felt like I need to get something from here, and B. I love cat. It’s AUD 15 btw.

And that pretty much sums up my trip to Oxley, and I may or may not went to Taco Bell nearby and ate a taco, burrito, and fries for lunch.

Day 8: 4th February 2020

I went to this library that I saw on the roadside, and let’s just say it’s perfect, and I love it. In fact I love it so much that I came back for the second time just to write this post. 

Note that it was a very windy day the first time I visited here, hence all of my photos consist of my hair caressing my face. Like this one.

I love this setting in particular. A work space facing the outdoor with plenty of natural light and comfy chairs.

and SOCKETS! USB SOCKET EVEN!

It’s a really ideal place to have some quiet time and get some work done.

Then I went to this church thrift shop just down the road. Yes, it has been my mission to visit every thrift shop that I’ve known of its existence. 

It’s like a little yard sell, just at the front porch of a church, I think.

At first I thought it’s 60 dollars, but it’s actually 60 cents. Most of the items here are less than a dollar, most of these books. 

I exited through their back door, and discovered this really nice area.

And the second time I came back, my favourite spot was taken so I discovered this kids corner. 

The workspace here is just as lovely. Especially the fact that there are animals picnic on top of us.

ALSO THEY HAVE WIFI, PRAISE THE LORD.

*New update: a follower has pointed out that Annerly is not on my list, and in fact, it’s the only location that I have left out, not on purpose though. So I update my list and there are now officially 190 suburbs in Brisbane city. yay. 

Day 6: 15th Jan 2020

As I was saying, when my pride bag is out, it’s time to go.

Today’s destination: Rocks Riverside Park. Actually I was planning on jumping between three locations today because I am getting greedy, but I ended up visiting only one place, which I will explain later. So get your popcorn and let’s start.

I got off at the nearest bus stop from the park and I am super starving the moment I stepped off the bus. There's this cute snack bar just by the roadside in front of a car workshop.

So I just sneaked in and grabbed the cheapest snack and drink I could find. Cheese and ham croquette for $2.50 and chocolate milk for $3. Yes, I'm counting. There's also two tables set up outside for their customers which I think it's really cute and thoughtful.

It was a 5 minutes walk from the shop to the park. To be honest, when I arrived at the outside of the park. I just thought meh. The park is spacious but seems like there's nothing much going on.

Then I hit the jackpot. It's a wonderland! I mean LOOK AT HOW NOT CROWDED IT IS!!! Ohya, they also have water park.

And this big ass iron stuff.

It's a mill btw.

I chose to spend the rest of my day in a shade near the riverside. Because look how chill it is and look how chill it made me.

I've actually decided to explore two other areas but because I love this park so much and I missed the last bus and this place really inspired me, so I decided to get some work done here while enjoying the breeze.

5 minutes later, I got myself a new friend.

But seriously, the view here is so pretty and peaceful. Best enjoyed with a playlist of Bone Thugs N Harmony and a bottle of chocolate milk.

And they have a big field for picnic setups and opportunities for you to get bitten by snakes.

Also, there's this flying sliding stuff

And a liberty swing. I mean what more could you ask for?!

Anyway, it's a great place when it's not crowded and it really does helped me to be super focus and get some creative juice going. I think it's mainly the breeze that has worked wonders on unclogging my brain.

Day 3: 5th Jan 2020

Okay, let me put this up front. I looked on the map and decided to go to this forest discovery centre, with no intention to hike, but just to visit the centre.

But my dumbass didn’t know that the centre located in the middle of the forest.

So since I am here, sure, let’s hike. It’s a forest full of bald or almost bald trees. It’s dead quiet and I am kind of scared that I will get lost here. 

I know I looks quite worried in this photo, to which my expression is 100% real, because the place looks like I should never be walking in here alone. There are no proper track or path. 

So I walked back to the entrance because I am seriously scared. Then I realised, it’s true! I should never be there because I totally missed the track near the entrance. I have just been walking off track for 20 minutes lol.

This is what I came here for. 

And your nugget is hiking in her lilac Nike Air Force and skinny jeans.

Finally. And I was really unprepared because it is a picnic area and I should have at least bring some food here.

There is nothing much inside the centre to be honest. 

But there is this cold dark room which is quite cool to take a nap inside.

I have read about how trees can burn from inside out when struck by lightning. I am not sure about this, but I think this photo might have explained it.

Now I think it’s a good time to shed a light on the Australia bushfires. For anyone who is concerning, I personally very luckily don’t get affected by it as I live in a city area in Brisbane, Queensland. However, our neighbouring state, NSW is in alarming danger, as well as the neighbouring city, the hinterlands of Gold Coast. They would really appreciate financial donations over material donations as the latter require more human forces to sort everything out.

Attached with a donation link to the Red Cross Australia: https://www.redcross.org.au/campaigns/disaster-relief-and-recovery-donate

At last, a lesson to myself: don’t travel in style.

Day 3: 5th Jan 2020

It's 8.30 am and I'm on a train.

Destination? I read about this Global Fresh Market in Woodridge so I am going there to have a look and get some Thai papaya salad in my tummy! I know, I come to Australia to eat Thai food.

Okay first, my friend told me about this place the day before. He warned me to not come here at night or not at all because it is a very shady part of town. That’s before I realised that the market is in that area. I have set my mind.

Now take a look at this elevator door at the train station.

ARE THESE FREAKING BULLET HOLES??! 

It has all come to sense, and I guess the bullet-proof glass works?

Arrived at the food market. It’s mostly Thai food. 

I know I came here for the papaya salad and some hot&spicy tom-yum, but it’s freaking summer, and I am already melting for being in the market for less than 5 minutes. So I just get this iced green melon juice instead. And it was still too early for papaya salad in my tummy.

There is a fresh market located just across the food market. Just like every Sunday market, it’s filled with fresh veggies and fruits.

You really have to go into each stalls and compare the price. Taking okra as example, which I have been actively searching to make gumbo, it can go from 9 dollars per kg to only 5 dollars at different stalls.

And these babies are what I managed to snatch. A bunch of radishes for $1, one onion for $0.40, ladies’ fingers $1.30, one green pepper $0.20, and three purple sweet potatoes for $0.90. All together $3.80.

Heading back to the station, there was this local church choir singing at the roadside, and I decided to do the most touristy stuff - asking for photo lol.

So far, I think it’s worth to take a walk here and get some cheap fresh produce as how a Sunday market should be. 

A few days ago, my friend screamed at me through our phone call for not going out and explore the city. She challenged me to explore a new place every week. Being a bored and lazy ass person, I couldn’t pick on a spot that is interesting enough for me to take a 1-hour car ride there. So I listed out every suburb in Brisbane and will, in my effort, to visit every single one of em’. Finger crossed.

189 Locations: The List