Japanese Moonrise

[shapeofthings]

Brisbane City - I live somewhere down there about half way to the city centre

After a day spent catching up on domestic matters, Alex and I headed up Mount Coot-tha this afternoon to catch the sunset. The afternoon was beautifully clear and crisp, so I had great hopes of capturing an impressive sunset over the city. Unfortunatley, the clouds did not cooperate, so I didn't get the best shots, though I did get awfully chilly trying!

The sun slowly fades away from the city centre

Those who've been following my journal for a while would be familiar with Mount Coot-tha: it's a common background to my photos of sunsets and storms. The front of our block of flats affords an excellent view of the mountain and I love the way it shapes my days. The mountain itself, however, shapes how most of us see Brisbane. Short of a helicopter it affords the best view of our spawling city and leafy suburbs, the river out to Moreton Bay and the sand island beyond. Most every evening you'll find a mix of locals and tourists soaking up the view.

Sometimes it gets a little crowded, but there's enough view to share

Lots of people doing what I was doing, watching the city buildings reflecting the light and day sink into evening. Alex sat and watched the people until the cold breeze made him retreat. I persevered, snapping people pics whenever someone caught me eye.

Alex gets caught out, people-watching

Our city heart is small (though growing - note all the cranes!), but the city itself is a sprawling mess of suburbs stretching in all directions. Out to the bay and it's islands, north and south to the coastal strips, and west, out to Ipswitch and the Brisbane Valley beyond. Our mountain isn't very big, but to the west lies the Great Dividing Range with it's mountains proper.

Looking south-west, towards the range

After an hour or so my perseverance was rewarded. Not with a wonderful city sunset (the sun was gone and the clouds had disappointed), but a stunning moon-rise just a little to the south-east. A beautiful sight at any time, made even better with the city spread beneath my feet and the horizon stretching in every direction. Feeling quite chilly by now, we turned for home and drove back down our little mountain. Hot showers rejuvenated cold bones and the night got late quite suddenly. Plans to cook dinner were abandoned and we headed out to try a Japanese place in Taringa we'd heard good things about.

What a feast! Dinner for two of warm sake, miso soup, Japanese salad, chicken skewers, tempura prawn and vegetables, glorious sashimi, and to top it all off the most delicious sesame icecream. A true gastronomic delight of clean flavours and fresh textures! This place is very easy to miss from the street, tucked away with little signage - a true gem. We'll definately go back =) Now we're very satisfied and sleepy, about to head off to bed. Considering making dawn service tomorrow, but it's getting on and I need my sleep right now. We'll see what tomorrow brings!

A good moon on the rise