Bye Bye Bris-Vegas (Brisbane)

During the planning stages, Gareth and myself spent what seemed like years stuck in the flat. The days were extremely pleasant-dry and sunny-the evenings brought about some spectacular storms, most of them dry and silent with violent forks of electricity splitting the sky leaving you to expect the sonorous growls of late accompaniment which would sometimes not come. Night time was a little cool so jumpers were needed, but only just.
We managed to catch some of the fireworks for the Valley Festival, during our planning stages, before the countdown to our Cheeky Trip began. What a great evening it was.

Our Australian Cheeky Journey begins in Brisbane, affectionately referred to as Bris-Vegas. Population 1.81 million Brisbane has a great community feel to it although it is a lively, thriving city. Something for everyone as each district has a distinctly different feeling to it.<

Brisbane city council has spent a bit of money grooming and filling the city with wonderful pockets of artwork. For example, each and every electic box for traffic lights in Brisbane centre has been paited by a local artist in eclectic funky styles. That small box on the corner of every street adding some vibrant colours to the city really adds interest to your walk to the shop, and I am always pleased to see a new one as I walk though an area I haven’t explored yet.

The Brisbane River winds through the city centre and gives most places a good view of the water with its various river shore fronts. The river side makes, for those who like to keep fit, a great place to exercise on the various stretching and workout spots dotted around, and for joggers, a very scenic circuit. With much of the city high-life centred alongside riverside bars, cafes and other waterfront recreation, the CityCat high speed catamarans make for a very pleasant way to get around. There is even a beach with lifeguards on the South Bank shore front. Where else would you get that in the middle of a city?

We have clothes, we have a van, we have a few toiletries and most importantly all three of us have been given plenty of cheer and support by the good people of Brisbane.
Our first three nights of giving up everything was spent in Brisbane City. Thanks for the room Jeremy! Using Base Brisbane hostel as a very central, convenient base for a little sight-seeing, we wandered around the city.


With the new floating walkway along the river you get the most incredible view of Brisbane city behind the Story Bridge. A very romantic walk indeed. We have found Brisbane city to have a little something for everyone, each district has a very different flavour and the flavour in each district changes as the hours pass through the day.



Here is a picture taken from the walkway.


Shrine of Remembrance built in 1930. It’s eternal flame honouring Australian soldiers who lost their lives in WW1 sits at the back of a grassy area filled with city birds and people taking a break from office work or shopping.
Various forms of art scattered around the city add to Brisbane's character. The art changes at night as lights and reflections from street lamps illuminate another side to the many statues and memorial pieces.

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XXXX Brewery Tour- Three Brits Who Wouldn't Give a XXXX for Anything Else Either

As we were delayed leaving Brisbane by one day the kind people at Castlemaine Perkins invited us down to the brewery located in Milton Queensland.
Lending us a pair of shoes each they took us on a tour of the plant showing us the locations and all the different processes involved in the making and storing of the beer.Our tour started with the history of beer in Queensland and we learnt how and by whom the brewery was set up and how it came to be known as the famous XXXX brand known by people all over the world today. The number of X’s on the label representing the quality of the beer.
It was interesting to find out the various methods involved in making the different beers. We learnt that the darkness of the beer is dependent on how long the barley is roasted and that different strains of yeast are used to produce different ales. Also that as well as flavouring the beer the hops act as a natural preservative. It was interesting to learn just how important the type of water used in the brewing process can be to the particular taste and quality of the beer. This might explain why XXXX tastes that little bit better in Queensland than anywhere else.
After the Brewhouse the tour moved on to the Packaging Hall – the single largest packaging line in the southern hemisphere. The scale of this operation was hypnotic and we watched the millions of bottles and tinnies fly past with our noses pressed up against the Perspex, saliva pooling at our feet. Knowing that we would have no money to buy a cold beer for the next four months made seeing all this particularly tough. Our condition worsened as we saw what we thought was beer leaking onto the floor, however we were quickly reassured that this FloorX was a waste product and was just frothy water. Smiles soon appeared on our faces when we were told that we would be allowed to sample the beer very soon in their own on site XXXX Ale House.

It is also worth mentioning the great efforts the brewery are putting into making their site more environmentally friendly and to reduce their carbon footprint.
One of the by-products of any brewing is the production large amounts of CO2. At Castlemaine Perkins this CO2 is being captured and used to carbonate the beer. They are also currently installing a waste water recycling plant which will radically reduce the mains water used by around 400 million litres each year (the equivalent to 1.1 million litres each day). This water will be recycled to a very high purity but will not be used in the actual beer itself but will instead be used for cleaning, boiling and in the cooling towers. This will not compromise the beer as mains water will still be used for brewing.

Spirits soaring, we got to sample four glasses of the freshly brewed XXXX including the older and very rare XXX and a stout also produced on the site called Carbine. These proved to be the winners for us and we couldn’t believe that both weren’t more widely available. However the barman explained that both drinks needed to be drunk from a glass and so weren’t that popular when on the market.
Just when we thought that the fun was all over and we were worriedly finishing what we thought could be our last drops of beer for a very long time a very kind lady walked over and offered us some more vouchers which we redeemed at the bar with glee. Having only been in Australia less than a month I find it hard to believe that we will find a better drop throughout the land than the XXX we had that day. However anybody who believes different will find three very parched and willing testers.
A big thank you for the beer, the shirts and the hats guys.
To book a tour and taste for yourself visit here. http://www.xxxx.com.au// Read a cheeky bit more!

Story Bridge Adventure Climb-Brisbane

One of only three bridge climbs in the world the Story Bridge Adventure Climb was a great way to see more of Brisbane and the surrounding suburbs without having to leave the city centre. A short walk along the waterfront, from our hostel on Edward St through the city botanical gardens and over to Kangaroo point and we were there. Reputedly at 80 meters above the Brisbane River below, the highest point would surely be high enough to see not only the Glasshouse Mountains in the distance but also maybe even the sea.
We turned up early at the Adventure Climb Centre which is directly under the bridge, not far from the famous Story Bridge Hotel, maybe not dressed to impress but certainly sporting some killer attire. Anne looked like a lovely summer afternoon in the short floral dress she held onto rigidly, arms plastered by her side like a Roman Sentinel, or else be at the mercy of a gust of wind blowing it around her ears. Phil sported an urban hip-hop look, wearing denim shorts that made him look not so much 50 cent as his country cousin 50 cent a pound. I still had on a rather pink pair of pink flip flops (I can’t call them thongs, people would get confused) and a pair of tan coloured git-pants and a collarless white shirt, making me look like I’d just stepped out of a salon, then tripped.



The manager Paul Lewin came down to say hello and was a little surprised and maybe even disappointed that we weren’t in our bin bags. “If only you knew how much thigh was on display until he got those shorts”, explained Anne, “you wouldn’t be surprised that someone eventually had to clothe him”. He explained to us that we would have to have a run through of the safety precautions first, but that before dusk was one of the best times of day for climbing the bridge

With her gust of wind problem for now abated Anne moved around freely talking to people, while Phil just chilled yo, and hung out. I got used to the strange looks I was getting for wearing pink footwear. Soon enough Kirsty, our guide up to the top was with us, introduced herself, was pleased to meet us, then breathalysed us. After this we were taken upstairs to the changing room and given our climbing suits. All-in-one zip-up affairs, they are made for speed and efficiency and once donned we were then lead to another room, with simulator stairs and harnesses.

Once strapped in and clipped on we were shown how to use the safety harness with the wire clasp securing us to the stanchion of the stairway that ran with us as we walked. Feeling ready for action, we were then introduced to the bone transducer CB Radio headset which was clipped to our harnesses and wrapped around our heads. A head torch each was given us which we hung round our necks. The ration packs and machine gun we were expecting didn’t come, but a handkerchief was handed out, which we dutifully tied to our wrists and tucked up our sleeves.

The bone transducer headset works by vibrating sound through the skull and into the brain. The ears are not covered so you can still hear, and talk easily. The only snag with the technology is that if you happen have a hip-hopping friend behind you as you ascend the many steps to the bridge, laughing so hard at you in your snug-fitting speed suit that to keep the amusement going he keeps turning up the volume on the CB radio so that when your guide stops to tell you a fact her voice bores so deep into your brain that for a second you’re ready to do whatever she commands.

If this keeps happening, repeatedly, sneakily, and without your noticing, you can end up feeling lobotomised and a little brainwashed by it all. “Please watch your head”, I intone blankly to no one in particular. “The Story Bridge was built in 1935, by … as part of…” I say without quite knowing why.

Eventually I regain control of my mind, and we continue up the flights of stairs below the bridge, and out onto the walkway up the Story Bridge itself. At mid afternoon the traffic below is building up, the evening is calm and warm, with little wind, and Kirsty keeps us informed, and in control of my brain, as we ascend.

The view was spectacular, with the winding river lights illuminating South Bank with the skyscrapers of the CBD speckled silhouettes against the gradually pinkening sky. As we got higher we could see over the other side of the river, to Newstead and beyond. The peaks of the Glasshouse Mountains appeared between two highrises to the north, while south appeared the Gold Coast hinterland, and to the west Mount Coo-tha rose gently, with Moreton Bay and its islands to the east.

Stopping for a picture at the top, we paused for a good look round, and watched the sunset as it went from pink to a deep red, then spread out and melted a deep rich ochre. A very tranquil way to enjoy Brisbane from such a height, and capture views you otherwise miss out on. The suburbs merged in the distance as the vista sprawled out to the sea, which was just visible.

The safety instructions paid dividends in the end, as we felt safe and secure despite being 35 metres above the traffic and 80 meters above the river. On the loop back around Kirsty told us of the 1.5 million rivets used during construction, that were heated up and thrown to the worker, who caught its head and hammered it home. The work that went into the construction is, as ever with these tasks, immense and impressive.

Despite working under conditions that would give any self respecting Occupational Health and Safety Board severe piles if they were to see such a thing today, there were only three deaths during the five years it took to build, and considering they worked unharnessed, on stark supports, without railings or handholds, dangling their legs over a sheer drop or running up the steel girders it is a remarkable testament to the guts and skill of the guys back then. Of the million and a half rivets put in back in 1940, only four had to be replaced a few years ago when engineers inspected the bridge.

The Bridge is over a kilometre long and 24 meters wide, includes 14 000 tonnes of steel and has at its base 41 250 cubic metres of concrete, and it moves up to 200ml each year, requiring the expansion joints that take this into consideration, as it swells and contracts with the seasons. Luckily we managed to strike it on a day when it was fairly stable and by the time it got dark and we had on our headtorches and the bridge lights shone, and the city scape shimmered and glimmered with a thousand lights, with the river meandering languidly we were happy and content to have climbed the Story Bridge.
Thanks for the climb guys.
To book an adventure climb please vivist http://www.storybridgeadventureclimb.com.au// Read a cheeky bit more!

Day Two

Sppag Trek -The Next Bifurcation

It is only day two of our trek and there is already $1779 which has gone directly to book aid international.
After a bit of a hungry start to the day we spoke to a few people about Book Aid, hopefully spreading the word about their worthy cause.
We are a little worried about how we are going to make sure we can get a little fuel along the way, as we are working but unable to take money, but I'm sure somehow we will find a way.

Invited to do the Story Bridge Climbing Adventure Climb during the afternoon, we were extremely fortunate to see a birds eye view of the city as the sun quickly changed the sky hues through a gamot of colours then suddenly dropped behind the skyline.

Mel, Rachel and Andrew, supporters of the great work Book Aid International do, took us for a fantastic feed in the evening. What a feast! Thank you! Although it was the only meal we had yesterday it was huge, delicious and made going without during the day worth while! How guilty we felt, as we sat there with our over filled bellies, thinking 'Hmmm surely going without is supposed to be harder than this!' We are very grateful that we have clothes on our back, and nice clothes at that too, and that we are being fed delicious food by supporters.

Here is the beginning of my post. And here is the rest of it. Read a cheeky bit more!

Off With Your Pants! Day 1 of the Cheeky Trip!

Day 1-What a wonderful response! We were out there in the Valley Mall yesterday wearing our bin bags. Before we got there people were waiting around to donate goods to our cause. The Wicked Campers girls brought a custom made van door with our names sprayed on it, nice! I wonder how long it will take using this Fred Flintstone type vehicle without wheels?

We spent the day the whole day under the glaring sun in sweaty plastic (it didn't end up raining like we feared.) We endured all the laughing, pointing, gasps, looks of horror and sympathy but met some wonderful people throughout the day.
The stall holders in Valley Mall kept us in constant supply of refreshment and food and many donated items from their market shops.
People offered us places to stay, jobs to do, many donated items for us to wear and we have a hostel to stay in throughout our time in Brisbane until Wednesday.
We've a bunch of thanks to give Susie Gardiner who made a fantastic banner and some delicious home made biscuits. We'll be using this banner all around Australia Susie! Thanks, thanks and more thanks!

Anne was very surprisingly interviewed for a fashion magazine, which stated her dress sense as "interesting". She described her bin bag/garbage sack look as.... "Street skip rat," or "RUBBISH!" Gareth's mum adds.

Carlie from Nova radio came down to give us a bag of goodies! Thank you lovely.

As you can see from the video, Gareth did try to smuggle some biscuits but he was soon found out during the de-robing session. EVERYTHING was given up to the two beautiful girls at Wicked Campers. Sorry about the low quality of our video, we are waiting for the girls to send us a clearer, more professional link but until then we will have to do with the one my sister took on her little camera.

Please visit the Book Aid News page, where you can see what we are doing for them over the next four months.

Thank you so much to all those great people who have offered beds, food and jobs up the eastern coast of Australia. We will be seeing you soon. We are still looking for a few more jobs and beds between Townsville and Mt. Isa and further west. If anyone has anything to offer we would love to hear from you.

Phil would like to thank Gareth and Gareth would like to thank Phil.

We spent most of the day without footwear but by the middle of the afternoon we could walk home safely. Phil would like to thank the very giving guy who took the shoes off his own feet to give to him on the spot! Wow! That is generous!!!!!

What an inspiring day. The support and encouragement we received was phenomenal and we are so very grateful to everyone who left all the positive comments in our message book. We appreciate everything that people have done for us. We understand that there is a lot being done behind the scenes which we will never know about, such as people spreading the word about our cause and about Book Aid and we thank you all for your had work.

Wow! After a day in the sun clad in black plastic, sweaty and smelling a little stale. We feel great in the knowledge that the world is a great place full of people with a good sense of humour for a great cause. Read a cheeky bit more!

Your Review Here--The Golden Palace Restaurant, Brisbane

China Town, Brisbane, a relatively small pocket of red and gold running parallel to Valley Mall, opened on Chinese New Year 1987. Designed by three Chinese architects and three engineers from Guangzhou in China’s Guangdong province, Chinatown Mall is regarded as the most authentic in Australia. Walking up the mall and gazing at the shops surrounding a grand pagoda—which was rebuilt in 1996 after it exploded when a car drove through a second story window and landed on it in Jackie Chan’s film, First Strike—you will find Chinese supermarkets offering imported Asian goods, Chinese herbalists, duty free shopping, jewellers, a weekend street market and of course the plentiful, colourful restaurants. Steamy aromas escaping the many eateries and sights of the marinated birds and meats in the shop windows will tempt you into submission, but if you manage to make it to the top of the mall without eating yet, then you may want to visit the Golden Palace.

Sat in a cheerful room, I tasted something I had neither heard nor seen before. Presented as delightfully as it smelled, and smelling as deliciously as it tasted, it was something of a creative signature of the Golden Palace. Crafted by Hong Kong trained chefs, the glistening coat from a mighty oven roasted chicken had been gracefully removed and draped over, to tailor fit, a steaming prawn meat valet. The crispy chicken skin was a fine garment for a surprisingly complementary torso.Suzanne, the daughter manager of this long established family run restaurant, proudly invites us to join her.
“We’re one of the oldest Chinese restaurants in Brisbane and the biggest in the Valley and city area.
This restaurant was opened over 20 years ago and has been under the management of my family for over 12 years.”

A multi lingual waitress, looking authentic in vivid mauve and gold, carves a juicy Peking duck by our table and places succulent slices of the offering onto home made crepes. The self rolled crispy duck pancakes left us holding back on licking our fingers for want of more, but the next dish, wagyu steak cut into bite size, melt in the mouth morsels, outdid the first. Each mouthful was a gift for the tongue, chefs Peking sauce complementing the prime beef without overpowering the palate.
With two teams of staff, each working along side either the yum cha chef or the a la cart chef to perfect receipes and service, Suzanne proudly exclaims that the food has an ability to advertise itself once customers try it. Relying greatly on word-of-mouth marketing, she has a number of regular patrons. Her only complaint is that she sometimes finds that her frequenters tend not to be as adventurous as she would like them to be. By allowing staff to try new dishes, so they can appropriately describe all menu items, she influences some visitors and regulars to widen their knowledge and appreciation of Hong Kong cuisine. “We want to make sure every customer is satisfied every time, so the restaurant promotes itself. This is how we maintain a full house every Saturday and Sunday lunch time.”
The food presentation was outstanding, with pieces of vegetable artwork adorning each plate, carefully hand crafted to mimic flowers. The waiters and waitresses were friendly and it was very easy to find comfort in the relaxing environment. “The floor staff must speak English and Mandarin or Cantonese, and our chefs are brought here on their merits as specialist chefs in Hong Kong cuisine."
Although it isn’t exactly a first date place, for lack of privacy or romantic lighting, I would bring the family or a group of friends for any occasion to sit around one of the Golden Palace’s circular tables, which ensure a sociable, authentic eating experience coupled with a whistle wetting Australian wine list.
With a 350 seat capacity, and two private dinning rooms, the Golden Palace often holds corporate events, weddings, yum cha banquets and it has convenient ATM facilities. For menu and reservations please visit the Golden Palace website here.
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