Brisbane Bleeds: Sticky Fingers and Humidity
okay, so like, i’m pretty sure i’m running on fumes and lukewarm coffee. brisbane. it’s… a thing. i landed yesterday and immediately felt like i’d stepped into a slightly damp, perpetually sunny sauna. the air pressure is seriously intense - 1009, they said. feels like 26.06. i just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. it’s thick, you know? like trying to breathe through a wet towel.
I was supposed to meet Liam, my contact for the street art tour, but he ghosted. classic. i ended up wandering around South Bank, which is basically a giant, slightly overpriced boardwalk. tons of food trucks, which is always a plus, but also a whole lotta screaming kids. it’s… a lot. i grabbed some fish and chips from a place called “The Fish & Chipper” - someone told me that their battered barramundi is legendary, but honestly, it tasted like sadness and deep-fried regret. 3.5/5.
Spent the afternoon exploring Fortitude Valley. it’s a weird mix of dive bars, vintage shops, and places that sell questionable Thai food. i found this amazing record store, ‘Vinyl Paradise’ - seriously, the guy behind the counter knew everything about obscure 80s synth-pop. he was rambling about a band called ‘Neon Static’ for like, twenty minutes. it was… intense.
I’m staying in a tiny Airbnb in Kelvin Grove. it’s basically a glorified cupboard, but it’s cheap and close to everything. my neighbors are a couple of blokes who seem to be perpetually arguing about something involving a vintage motorbike and a very specific shade of blue. if you get bored, Ipswich is just a short drive away.
Speaking of locals, I overheard some drunk advice at a pub last night. someone told me that the best way to experience Brisbane is to just get lost. “Seriously,” they slurred, “just wander around until you find something that smells vaguely interesting.” wild.
Here’s the gear list, because someone needs to keep track of this chaos:
Camera: Canon 5D Mark IV (obviously) - gotta capture the humidity.
*Drone: DJI Mini 3 Pro - for aerial shots of the city sprawl.
*Rain Jacket: A ridiculously oversized, neon pink one. Because, Brisbane.
*Portable Charger: Like, three of them. Don’t be caught without juice.
*Notebook & Pen: For scribbling down random thoughts and potential street art locations.
*Flip-flops:* Essential for navigating the sticky pavements.
I checked out the Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) today. it’s… fine. a lot of modern art that makes me question my entire existence. but the building itself is pretty cool - all glass and angles and stuff.
I’m heading to New Farm tomorrow. apparently, it’s got a really cool farmers market and a bunch of cafes. i need caffeine. desperately.
I heard that the best place to get a decent coffee is “The Brew & Co.” - but someone also warned me that the line is always ridiculously long. decisions, decisions.
Seriously, this humidity is a beast. it’s clinging to everything. i’m pretty sure i’m sweating through my clothes. but hey, at least it’s not raining. (yet.)
Check out this TripAdvisor page for some more Brisbane recommendations: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g255991-Brisbane_Queensland-Vacations.html
And for some local eats, Yelp is your friend: https://www.yelp.com/map?cat=12&limit=20&geokit=false&q=brisbane+restaurants
Let me know if you've been! Or if you have any tips for surviving Brisbane’s oppressive humidity. seriously, help.