Brisbane, Days 2&3

I figured how to use the transport system and get back into Brisbane from where I stayed with Celia in Wynnum to meet some old colleagues for lunch.

After a nice catch up and sushi I trained to the Gold Coast where my dear friend, Lauren picked me up ready to PARRTTTYYYY.

And party we did. Starting with ciders at 3pm (Kirin have bought out a wonderful apple and ginger flavour) we got ready and headed in to meet Mikey and Kat, some of the loveliest people you would ever be so lucky to meet.

We had dinner at Sage in Broadbeach (cue more cider) followed by heading to Stingray at QT for our ex flatmate, Sean’s 30th.

True Sean style, the party was classy and well done. Even a media banner and a red carpet. There were some emotional speeches and then we partied on into the night.

A guest appearance by our other long term friend, Mike turned into rounds of shots and what ended in a 3am McDonalds stop.

Great times!

Saturday I was (surprising, I know) hungover and spent the day with Lauren watching crappy TV and eating awesome food.

At around 6pm Scott picked me up to take me back to Brisbane for the Lions game so it was farewell to Lauren and back on the road.

Poor Scott had to put up with my overtired babble the whole way but the honey had got me a coconut water to aid my hydration – I was totally impressed.

We made it to the Brisbane Lions v Swans game in the 2nd quarter. I worked for the Lions for around 18 months and it was actually my first time in the stands watching a game! I usually sit in the media box so it was quite novel to be out in the crowd. Lions lost but always great to see them play and catch up with my old colleagues. We even went up to admin and had a drink with the crew (after Lisa persuaded me) before heading back to her place.

Full intentions to hit town but we were all so exhausted we gave up quickly and retired to bed!

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Decent nights sleep… LOL

Who was I kidding?!

After the gig we drank at the surf club until they closed the bar and kicked us out. So we did the logical thing and went to the Casino!

A retarded amount of shots and cider later and we headed to Broadbeach for pizza and kebabs. Clichè , I know. But I did get some free pizza thanks to a lovely Turkish guy. I’m not sure what time that was.. Maybe 3am? Not sure.

At home half the crew jumped in the pool but I was distracted by a phone call from one of my fave people, Sheldon, who lives in Essex, London. Had a chat for about an hour before checking out the others were up to and decided that I was exhausted and sleep was a better option.

Come 6.30am I was awake.
I can never sleep before a morning flight, just too much in my head and the worry I would fall asleep and miss my flight. Especially in my delicate (read hugely hungover) condition.

When my parents called me at the airport I was so hungover and tired I could barely string together a sentence!

Flight was delayed an hour but they put us on the aircraft first which meant we couldn’t use out phones. Now poor Seiji will be waiting an extra hour for me.

Good news is I have 4 seats to lie across in here!! Someone was looking out for me ad knew I needed a decent nap.

So I will leave you with my thought of the moment:
Why are airplanes so damn cold?! BBBRRRR

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How Bazaar

This place is just gorgeous. Located upstairs in QT hotel, you must go here for breakfast and I am sure that the other meals will be just as fantastic.
Set out as a market it is amazing just to look at the way the food is presented.
Imagine what you would like for breakfast… It’s there. HUGE variety.
I loved the way their juice section was set out, with daily juice bottles set out for you to choose. Fresh and full of flavour I could have sat there all day nibbling.
I had a few hot options – bacon, scrambled eggs, tomato, hash brown and then headed off for some museli with fresh berries and heaps of strawberries washed down with a daily juice. Was full and happy as can be. Perfect way to start the day!

Bazaar on Urbanspoon

Yamagen

I love Teppanyaki. Yamagen did not disappoint.
The girls and I headed out for a nice dinner and ended up here, mainly as it was part of the hotel we were staying at and therefore rather convenient.
Our cook was hilarious, and made the evening memorable with silly jokes and great fun on the hot plate!
We chose an $80 set menu and a bottle of Pinot Gris to keep us going until we made it to the bar at Stingray.
Again, I highly recommend this place. The favourite part of my meal would probably have been the scallops and the steak fillet. The food just keeps on coming and you can’t keep up with it! I couldn’t finish my fried rice and was left with a very full belly. Not complaining!
Unfortunately, as I am lactose intolerant I definitely got the worst end of the deal when it came to dessert. While Lauren and Alescha got to enjoy brandy snaps, I was dished up some lemon sorbet with a sprig of mint. Ah the joys of dietary requirements.
Great service, very attentive waiter, a hilarious cook and delicious food makes for a very enjoyable evening.

Yamagen Japanese on Urbanspoon

QT Gold Coast


Spent a lazy Easter Friday at QT Hotel Gold Coast with Alescha.

What a fantastic hotel. It feels almost like a boutique hotel, with all of it’s little quirks but it is a decent size, with two restaurants and a bar.

Cute idea – lemonade in the foyer. Refreshing and super cute in different sized jars with paper twisted yellow & white straws. Just help yourself while you wait to check in or lounge in the retro foyer.

I have to say – the beds are AMAZING. Divine even. We checked in and went straight for a nap. You lie on them and it’s like they suck you into them. I could have happily just slept the weekend away! We even came home early from the bar as we were so looking forward to hopping into them!

Rooms are huge, funky, unique furnishings and you can purchase anything in there. Great idea by them. Even the bathrobes and lamp are for purchase!

Lucky for me, working at Rydges, I received staff discount and REALLY reasonable rates. HUGE thanks to Natalie who helped us out with an upgrade and complimentary bubbly & macaroons too!

We dined at Yamagen for Teppenyaki, Stingray lounge for drinks and a snack and then at Bazaar for buffet breakfast.

Definitely worth a look to eat, play and stay!

An Easter weekend

Well it wasn’t very Eastery really. I didn’t even get any eggs! I did buy hot crosses buns for Brekky though.

Anyway I’ve been slack as writing this and thought I should really eat on it as it is the weekend again already. Thank God for short weeks! Yeww!!

My Godsister* Alescha came to stay with me – we had a full on time!

Thursday dinner at Sakè, which was amazing. Devoured a bottle of Ume cherry plum wine with our meal which was really different. Took us forever to finish it actually and when Benny joined us and tried to order another bottle we were both arguing with him that we couldn’t do another!
After that we headed to Limes hotel – was an awesome night. Lots of cocktails and laughing.

Friday saw Ben jump in my bed at 8am with music blaring. Not impressed sunshine. He got us up and out for brekky at Tuppy’s then head to the Goldy for our stay at QT Hotel – such a funky place! We ate at all the restaurants there – Yamagen for Teppenyaki dinner, Stingray lounge for cocktails and pizza and Bazaar for buffet breakfast.

Lauren joined us for drinks and due to the annoying rules in place for drinking on Easter Friday we retired back to our rooms at the hotel to lie in the amazing beds an some quiet drinks. Maybe not so quiet for Lauren who awoke at midday with a massive hangover. At the same time we were on our way back to Brisbane. Stopped at the mall for Alescha to have a looksie and go shopping + I bought a new suitcase for my impending trips (YAY.)

When we got home I had a quick nap (a sign of a great weekend is a nap each day) and got ready to go out. Ben, Ru & Lisa joined us but Ben dropped us in town and headed home instead of coming out to play. Pretty sure we killed him the first night.

Town was dead, no one in the Valley really we wondered from place to place before making the longer walk to Alfred & Constance, where of course there was a line. Drinks ensued and we danced away on the Tiki bar. Great venue. Alescha wanted to check out Brizzy Clubs so we ended back at the Met which had by now filled up. Fast forward 3 hours and the girls were well and truly tipsy, while I was ready for bed & Lisa had headed home at midnight.

Maccas was full as per usual but you must understand that it is imperative to a hangover and feeling better in the morning!

Sunday we relaxed and missed our Sunday sesh, I was exhausted and Alescha was hung. Movies and me cleaning out my wardrobe were about as far as we got! Ben came over and I did a platter for dinner with a huge bowl of guacamole mmmm.

Alescha flew out Monday arvo 🙁
We headed to the city and Valley for a look and my fave place to eat at the moment – Harajuku Gyoza for lunch before spending some time at DFO and time to say goodbye.

*definition of a God sister – my parents are her God parents.

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