Tuesday, April 04, 2006

Colo(u)rs


This mural lines a church parking lot in downtown Brisbane. I look forward to seeing it- and might even consider driving just so I could park here.
Kevin and I found these yellow flowers on a bush while walking along the river one Sunday morning. They were much more attractive than the enormous orb spiders who were living higher up.

I believe this bush was blooming beside the local mini-mall at the end of our street. I played with photoshop to make this painterly picture.

Native flowering shrub.

Signage








More from Fortitude Valley

Chinatown (you'll remember)

Because I've been receiving acupuncture at the natural medicine college, I am in Chinatown every week. Not a bad place to visit. Colo(u)rful ... AND, I think I found my next job/career! (see the posting on the last storefront in the Chopstix Arcade.)

Dreamworld 4: Tiger Island

It was the tigers that introduced me to Dreamworld. My Auntie had videotaped a program from Animal Planet about Tiger Island. These tigers were all raised with lots of human interaction. In the program these photographed tigers were kittens. Now, they're all grown up and they put on "shows" twice a day.


They use chicken parts as reinforcers. Here the chicken is being tossed in the air. The keepers told us of an unfortunate peacock that flew too low through tiger island and discovered just how well a tiger can leap!


The other reinforcer they used was a carton of milk. That's what is in the trainer's hand in this photograph.

After the big show- nap time. The trainers stay with the tigers. They said they were there to supervise the tigers (naturally solitary animals) and break-up altercations. I wondered just how that was done.

In that original introduction to Tiger Island the viewer watched visitors getting close, even touching the tigers. This was as close as I got. Thank you, Marianna for the tigers and the shirt. Look closely at the sequins- they are quickly jumping to their ends!

Dreamworld 3: Wildlife!

This lizard was the first inhabitant of Dreamworld we met. Well, there was probably a pigeon or ibis before, but.... This guy is a wild man.









Koalas: It was feeding time when we arrived and the "honors" went to a group of Japanese tourists. They are in the enclosure depositing eucalyptus branches and taking photographs.



There were two dingoes (dingo?) in this enclosure. The bathtub is filled with water. I thought it was pretty clever. The dogs looked fit, young, and strong. Kind of surprising for dogs who I'd expect get little exercise.... I mean, hey, they've got a car, why walk?

Saturday, April 01, 2006

Dreamwowrld 2: Amusement park

Three photos of rides at the amusement park of Dreamworld. I did ride the log ride - got very wet. And, Kevin convinced me that a smaller rollercoaster from which your legs hung loosely would be kind like riding on a swing. Ahem. Perhaps it was that experience that influenced me to "filter" these photos in photoshop. Kevin wanted to ride the coaster, above, but the line was not moving and an inquiry revealed they were having technical difficulties.


If you look closely, you'll notice that not everyone is riding feet down on the centrifugal force ride, right.

Dreamworld 1- Wiggles World

Last Saturday Kevin took me to Dreamworld- about 60 minutes south of Brisbane. We were celebrating Christmas (2005). We arrived when they were opening at 10 AM. Follow Kevin, here, and lets visit Wiggles World !
Here I am at the welcoming archway of THE home of the Wiggles! I didn't actually see any of the Wiggles, though I'm not sure I'd recognize them. Seems like the color spirals around their heads might be a good clue, however.

We THINK we found where they live- but no one responded to Kevin knocking on their door.

Shopping

We've got beautiful produce - especially at the FreshZone. It is a 15 minute walk and features SUPERCARROTS!!
While walking through Chinatown, I found this disturbing meat market. I'm not sure you'll be able to see the sign clearly, here, but the middle chalkboard boasts Special Pork Mince and... AMERICAN RIBS ! I don't think I'll be traveling alone down there again.


Kevin demonstrates the superior castor wheels on Australian "trolleys". This grocery is within a mall and the regular stores weren't open yet on Sunday morning.












Goodnight from Ann and the geckos!