Quan Yin and purple orchids

Swathed in enchanting Vanda orchids, Quan Yin showers very real blessings along Brisbane's river front. Except the orchids are unreal. They're cleverly crafted by Nong, a talented Thai girl who travels weekends from the Gold Coast to display her wares at South Bank Lifestyle Markets beside the Brisbane river. As real as nature but intricately fashioned in fine white clay, each hand made leaf and petal is delicately painted and styled into authentic looking flowers that stopped me in my tracks. I swore never to accept artificial flowers, but never say never. These artworks share pride of place with Quan Yin.

Jacaranda time at the Regatta Hotel

Brisbane's slightly infamous old watering hole stands right across the river from our new apartment. So near yet so far. Takes me back to college days. The Brisbane Boys College rowing shed once stood on the waterfront adjacent to the pub. Head of the River. I was too young to row but not to slip into the then hotel gardens. Actually saw a woman chain herself to the foot rail in the bar to protest that females were not served in the bar. Police dragged the lady off to the lockup. We've come a long way, baby.