Brisbane - Plain Metropolis

Australia has a number of major cities - Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane, Adelaide, Darwin, Perth, Hobart.

This website has been to all of these cities (from memory).

This is the first time I've posted photos of Brisbane because I havent been to Brisbane for quite a long time (I think it was around 2008 when I was here last).

Brisbane is...well... its a plain metropolis. In no way do I wish to offend any of my wonderful readers who live here, but Brisbane doesn't give me the same feelings that Sydney or Melbourne give me. Brisbane seems to be too orderly and plain. There doesnt seem to be enough "chaos" to be classed as a major city. I know that sounds quite weird, that in some way, in order to be classed as a city, I think it needs to be chaotic, rowdy, messy and dangerous. But...well, chaos can give character. And I think Brisbane lacks the kind of character that a city needs in order to be considered "exciting" in my books.

I also think that because I was so tired after the charity ride organising, I spent most of my time sleeping or just chilling out in a cafe or at the Hospital with the kids, rather than walking around to capture any kind of "vibe" from the city.

It didnt help that on the day that I took photos, it was quite overcast.

I did like this part. It seemed a little like a plastic metropolis here.

And a church... each city needs a church....

This, however, caught my eye, and it was only that I was so exhausted that I didnt go and see it - the Retrospective Valentino Collection. I remember seeing the Christian Lacroix exhibition in Singapore, and so I would have really liked to have gone in and seen this. I will see whether its coming to Sydney (or if, sadly, its already been).

Coolangatta - East Coast of Queensland

I was able to catch a few photos of Coolangatta on the way up to Brisbane. These beaches are world famous but I dont think they are as beautiful as my local beaches of Wollongong (many will disagree!).

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Out of Action

Hi Everyone

I've been out of action for quite sometime because I have been on tour with 1200kmsforkids, a charity bike ride which raises funds for the Sydney Childrens Foundation and Royal Childrens Foundation.

I am now up in Brisbane spending a few extra days here. I had initially planned to hang out and relax and take photos but I have instead spent time at the RCH with a little boy called Jake, who has captured my heart. He is a very sick little boy and does not have that much support by way of family, so I am spending a bit of time with him, building a friendship with him so that when I head back to Sydney, we can remain "pen pals".

Jake is teaching me a lot about myself, about why I am in this cold, harsh world and the direction I may wish for my life to take.

Photos of the countryside on my way up to Brisbane shall follows. Other photographs of the charity ride can be found on their website and on their facebook page. I'm leaving this blog to write about my own personal experiences and not about the charity. They've had enough press from me for the last 3 or so months!!!

K

Wide Open Spaces

I think that my experience in Asia taught me to appreciate the wide open spaces of Australia a whole lot more. We basically paid $9 per person to have an entire field to ourselves amognst glorious wildlife and nature. We were able to wake up, walk out of our tent and have kangaroos right near our tent, with tiny little joeys in their pouches. L took Zee and S for a walk and got to see strange mountain goats, eagles, snakes (eek) and boxing kangaroos too.

With my newfound appreciation for life, peace and nature, I really enjoyed taking the camera out with L (who is also a keen photographer) to take photos of the spectacular surroundings.

This is L either (1) playing Army Commando, (b) trying to camouflage himself in case the kangaroos spotted him, or (c) channelling his inner Liam Gallagher from Oasis, during their "Be Here Now"- military era.

(its most likely (c)...)

Dora the Explorer - Australian Style

Off I went, bright and early at 5am, in my little car to meet up with L who was already at the campsite with Zee and S.

I crossed this lovely bridge on the way so I hopped out and took a few snaps (couldnt resist!)

The Tent Mansion had already been set up. A humble abode but its apparently a 10 person tent, which we all agreed was a little optimistic, espectially if one would be Loz, who is 6"3 (or more).

Loz cooking a lamb roast, singlehandedly in a pot on a fire with coal. Very impressive stuff! (he was very proud of himself)

Jamie Oliver...except from South London...(and not with such an annoying accent)....

A dinner fit for a queen... or Dora the Explorer (as I became affectionately known).

More pics to come!

Its Camping Time!

I'm just packing my bags to go CAMPING!

Yes, I said "camping".

Quite the contrast to luxury hotel we stayed at last weekend, but hey, its still sounds like fun to me (the truth is, I haven't camped in years).

Do the Dior Sunglasses need to be packed? Or is that a bit....un-camping-like?

Stay tuned for photos.

MS Sydney to Gong

Okay everyone, after all the organising I've done, media releases, tin rattling for 1200kms for Kids, I am now trying to get just AU$250 raised so that I can do the 90km MS Sydney to Gong ride on the 7th November 2010. I've joined quite late so I need to somehow get AU$250 in the space of 30 days.

For all of my international readers, the exchange rate from US to AU is pretty much at parity, so all you need to do is give over approx USD25 to help out. Otherwise, any donation of $5, $10, $20 will do. Credit cards are accepted.

Please click on the link below to help me out.

KateOnTheBike Doing MS Ride


Thank you so much for helping!

Repost - May 2010

I remember, back in April when I'd met Loz and we'd known each other for a month, he gave me this card that he thought wasn't all that special at the time... what he didnt realise is that I kept it and put it in my journal because it meant the world to me.... its interesting to go back and read it again... and see that after going through the personal journey that I've gone through, it would lead me to a brighter day.....

Its so great that these brighter days are now here, and I'm sharing them with him.

________________________________

"I'm truly sorry to know how tough this time must be for you. It wouldn't be easy for anyone to experience what you're going through, but it must be especially hard for someone with a heart as big and as beautiful as yours.

Maybe the silver lining in this cloud is that the heart makes you feel things so deeply...is the same strong and wonderful caring heart that will lead you in your journey to a brighter day. And if there's one thing I am sure of... its that you will see your way through and the love of others will always walk beside you.

As you begin that journey, know that you go with every wish that could possibly be wished...traveling by your side. Know that, in the grand scheme of things, we live in a world where rainy days eventually give way to sunnier skies, and where simply believing in tomorrow takes you halfway up the mountain to getting beyond any sorrow you may have. I wish you the companionship of comfort on every path that you take, and I wish you the gentleness of peace.

I wish you the serenity and strength and every single thing....that will put your heart at ease."

__________________________

I have serenity and strength that I never thought I was capable of having...its great to feel this way - for the first time in a long long time.

A Night at the Sofitel Wentworth

Loz and I had a night at the Sofitel Wentworth after the 1200kms for Kids Gala Night dinner on the weekend.

I've stayed in so many hotels over the last few years, but stopped when I finished up in the job seven months ago.

It was nice to be back in one and this one was so luxurious!!