Last Friday I flew from Sydney to Brisbane to meet my boyfriend who was returning from a work trip to Papua New Guinea. We spent the weekend looking a few local attractions before returning home on Sunday night.
I hadn't been to Brisbane since visiting the World Expo in 1988. Many years ago (I was in primary school at the time...he he)
On Saturday we took a ferry on the Brisbane river (unfortunately we didn't get to go on the paddle steamer...maybe next time) to South Bank. When we got there we were very suprised to find that they were holding their annual "Buddha Birthday Festival" There was lots of things to see and do including a vegetarian food extravaganza. (I've never have seen so much veggie food) It was a shame that we had eaten so much earlier in a day as my boyfriend is a vegetarian and it is often incredibly hard to find nice foods for him when we eat out.
This picture shows the detail of one of the attractions at South Bank. This building was donated by Nepal to Brisbane after the Expo 88. I wish I could show you more as every part was hand carved. It was full of tourists all trying to take pictures so I couldn't get a picture of the whole thing without having 20 people in it. (This would be fabulous in 1/12th scale, but I can imagine 1000's of hours of carving)
Picture of the Buddha Birth Day Festival.
Vegetarian Stores.
Ice Cream with a difference. I'd never had this before. Apparently its made with dried ice.
This is a picture of my gift I received from my boyfriend from Papua New Guinea. I was so excited to receive it. Why a doll you may ask?...She's not dollhouse size? Well, I'm a teacher and I'm always looking for interesting things to use with my students. Last time my boyfriend bought me back some PNG currency and a Bilum (woven bag). This time he bought the doll. I'm hoping that I can now find a picture book to go with the doll as well. I love the fact that she is hand made and hand sewn. I've found that my students always get excited about an object that has a story to go with it (Even more exciting if it's from "far away")
While I was at the Buddha festival I also found this wonderful marionette puppet. (I would love to make one in 1/12th for my dollhouse) I have a small collection of puppets and might show some pictures of them in future posts.
Now that my boyfriends back in Australia. I hope to do some more work on my Dollhouse. Or should I say....I hope he helps me with the dollhouse :)
IndyPoppy
veo que aprovechasteis bien el viaje , gracias por las fotos ,son muy interesantes ,la muñeca y la marioneta son muy bonitas , seguro que la marioneta quedaria muy chula en 1/12, espero que te animes y la hagas
ReplyDeletebesitos
Mari
Love the "Meri" doll! What a nice personal gift, your boyfriend sounds like a keeper.
ReplyDeleteHi Susan, thanks for your comment. I wasn't sure what it was called. I'll be able to let my students know the real name. Thanks.
DeleteMeri just means woman in Pidgin, it's pronounced rather like 'mehree'. Your doll is wearing a meri-blouse and laplap and carrying a bilum so I think it's probably meant for a woman. she's awesome and unique.
DeleteIt sounds like a wonderful trip you had together. The paddle steamer are very exciting, I would love to sail in it.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a good idea to motivate your students with a good story to something concrete, such as the beautiful doll, given to you by your boyfriend.
Thanks for showing these beautiful pictures from Brisbane, it is so far away from Denmark, so I think unfortunately I never get there.
I do not know if you live in Sydney but your opera house in Sydney is designed by the Dane Jørn Utzon, as we in Denmark are very proud of. I would love to see it sometime, but again there is a long way.
Hugs
Wyrna
I love our Opera House, it is an amazing building. We are very lucky to have such an unusual building. I recently went to a wedding at Quay that is a restaurant that looks out at the Opera House. It had the most magnificent view of it. I do hope you get to come to Australia. I have to admit that Sydney is probably my favourite Australian city so far, but I haven't visited them all.
DeleteIndyPoppy
Hello Indy,
ReplyDeleteWhat fantastic pictures. I definitely have to go there some day soon. I am glad you had a great time...I have to try that ice cream.
Big hug,
Giac
Giac,
DeleteI was hesitant to have the ice cream at first, but it tasted like lemon and lime. We have an icecream called a Calypo and it tastes a lot like that.
IndyPoppy
Don't you just love when you find something great for your classroom!? I'm also a teacher (Junior High), and have found that some of my best units have been built around one cool and interesting book, craft, food, etc. I'm sure kids will love the doll and puppet. I'd have my kids writing stories or puppet shows for them. LOL
ReplyDeleteBest Wishes,
Vicki
How great to meet another teacher online! My students always love puppets.
DeleteInteresting travel post! The Buddhist festival looks like fun. Thanks for sharing your gorgeous photos. Nice to get to know you better too! xo Jennifer
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a wonderful trip you had together. Thank you for sharing those wonderful pictures and your adventures :D! I always love to read about other countries and their festivals/events.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Ilona
Grazie per il bellissimo viaggio!Mi piace la tua bambola,
ReplyDeleteUn bacio,
Mely
Grazie per le belle immagini che ci hai regalato! E mi piace pure la tua bambola e questa originale marionetta. Un abbraccio Manu
ReplyDeleteYou have had a wonderful trip together!
ReplyDeleteLove the doll you have got!
And also the marionette is adorable. I visited a Marionette -shop in Prague last summer, it was so interesting!
Hugs
Kikka
I would love to have seen what they had for sale in Prague. I'm sure they were wonderful. IndyPoppy
DeleteMenudo viajecito. Se nota que no dejasteis nada sin visitar, las fotos son estupendas.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that your boyfriend is back home with you safe. That looks like an amazing day. Fun!
ReplyDeletehugs♥,
Caroline
Thanks Caroline, I was a little worried when he left to go to PNG because I had heard a few scary stories...and the Australian travel warning wasn't that great either. It's a shame that we hear such things as my boyfriend said there was some beautiful things to see, many wouldn't go because of the danger.
DeleteWhat lovely pictures! We have a friend who hails from Brisbane. He has his Canadian Citizenship (his Dad was born here) and he has been hear for different stretches of time going to school and working. Right now he is working with a Canadian Children's Book Author, doing this illustrations.
ReplyDeleteI noticed you use a lot of British Expressions (I worked in Britain when I was 18 for about 5 months). Are either of your Mum or Dad British?
Hi Ruth,
DeleteGood question. I'm not english, but I have had a fairly British upbringing. My great grandparents are from England and for most of my life my grandfather looked after me. I think I have picked up a few of his mannerisms. I also was only aloud to watch British TV when I was little.
Your friends job sounds fabulous. I'd love to be able to illustrate things and make things for kids. I'm sure my students would be super impressed if I had my own picture book.
IndyPoppy