February 3, 2015 (Brisbane, Australia)

We woke to a great view from our hotel room out over the Brisbane Bridge and River. The Brisbane River is almost like the main freeway here. They have a free water taxi and other boats that are going all the time up and down the river. After breakfast we began our day by hopping on a water taxi and getting off a couple of bends and stops later at South Bay. South Bay was the home of the World Expo back in the 1980s. As a result it is a lovely park area with a variety of sights, including a manmade  beach and swimming area, a Chinese herb garden, a Nepalese Pagoda, pathways lined with bougainvillea and a large ferris wheel from which you can see most of the Brisbane city area. There are lots of cafes and museums in the area and a fun area to spend our day. After exploring the lay of the land on foot and scoping out where we wanted to eat lunch later- Conveyor Belt Sushi place and Chocolatier, we went up to the top of the large Ferris Wheel in the center of South Bay. It was good to give us views of where we wanted to go. Promptly afterwards we rented City Bikes, which we can pickup and park around the city. First stop was the iconic BRISBANE letters that sit against the city scape along the bike bath. We rode bikes to the Herb Garden where you can take samples if you like. We went around and tried all the herbs and spices and I taught Sam what they are used for. My favorite was Chocolate Mint- tasted just like an Andes Mint. It was really fun and a really peaceful place with a large bronze statue of Confucius. We rode up and down the river and when it came time for lunch we stopped at the conveyor belt sushi stop called Ginga. It was very authentic to the one we had eaten at in the Kyoto train station back in Japan in April. I swear if Sam could live anywhere, it would be Japan. After we went to my stop- Max Brenner’s The Bald Man’s Chocolate- or something like this ;) There were several restaurants in the area that were chocolate cafes. Everything on the menu was chocolate #heaven. I ordered the dark chocolate fondue and we ate outside and enjoyed the afternoon. 

As we made our way north on the bike path after lunch we came across Riverlife - outdoor recreation spot on the river where you could kayak or Segway. Sam has been wanting to use Segways for the past few weeks as we have seen several Segway tours in the cities we have visited. We waited on their dock and hung out out of the sun, which was really hot actually. When our time came we took out their beefy tired Segways through their obstacle course, Sam was a natural ;) We were doing the cones and speed bumps and doing speed races. We then went out on the walk and went down to the Brisbane Bridge. Sam swapped out with the instructor on his really fast 9 bar- like a Segway. He was going pretty fast and then started to make a quick turn and then overcorrected and he was thrown off the “bike”. Man Down! Thankfully I think it startled him more than did any damage, but he did scrape a knee and land on his wrist. It hurt for a few minutes but then he was back on the Segway, the old one, and cruising. I am so thankful that he wasn’t really hurt!

In the evening we made our way back to the hotel via ferry and changed out for our night at the LDS Temple in Brisbane. We took a taxi back to Kangaroo Point where we came to the small Mormon Temple and were able to go in and serve. The folks working at the temple were very nice and was enjoyable to visit with them. They said they had a huge hail storm recently and the temple had some damage, some broken windows and some chips to the gilded Angel Moroni, which is a statue that sits on top of most LDS Temples. The statue is a depiction of one of God’s messengers Moroni that we believe visited a young man Joseph Smith in the early 1980s, who we do not worship but we believe restored gospel truths as a modern day prophet back to the world that had been lost since the time of Christ. Moroni faces east to Israel above most temples, and calling out to all Tribes of Israel and God’s covenant people to come unto Christ and announce that Christ will come again. In the temple, as I mentioned before, the work of sealing families together for eternity happens. We believe that all sacred work has to be done on this earth during this time where we prove ourselves, learn and then we can take all this knowledge, experience, and our sacred covenants and ordinances (keys to happiness and blessings) with us as we continue to progress throughout eternity with our families. All are invited to come unto Christ and all are eligible for the blessings of the temple as they come prepared to do so. (www.mormon.org) 

After dinner we walked down the road and found a Thai place called Hung Hat and enjoyed our meal while reflecting on the nice experience we had at the temple. The temple is a place of peace and we believe a House of God. Tonight I particularly felt that as I was overcome with a feeling of love and peace while we were there and that the Lord was aware of us. I am very grateful.  

 View from our room this morning onto the Brisbane Bridge, which is one of the 3 bridge climbs in the world along with Sydney's and Auckland's 

 Riding the Ferry over to South Bay 

This arcade walk covered in Bougainvillea  was so beautiful and went for at least a mile along the water front at South Bay

Riding high on the Wheel of Brisbane overlooking the river and the city

 We rented City Bikes and rode all around the area and up along the miles of river bike paths

 South Bay has an  herb park, part of the remnants of the World Expo that was in the 1980s here in Brisbane

 Confucius says.....Mom says.....

 Sam's favorite:conveyor belt sushi, just like in the Kyoto Train Station 

 For dessert we went to one of the several chocolate restaurants where everythign served is chocolate and had fondu!! Love it! 

 Riding our bikes along the river the walls and area are covered in art. I just love this fish designed and made from machinery parts

 Headed back to the Marriott on the City Ferry

 Enjoyed our night together at the LDS Temple 

 LDS Temple in Brisbane

Our authentic and tasty Thai meal near the temple 

 Picture perfect Brisbane 

Getting touristy and getting around in Brisbane on CityBikes 

 Most touristy, getting our Segway on. Trying out our skills on the Segway obstacle course #samhasskills 

Segway ride along the water front with Sam down to this park and then back to the Segway rental place.