Australia, Brisbane, Visiting Brisbane in October During the Jacaranda Festival Time

If anybody asked me to pick a fine time to visit Brisbane, the capital of Queensland in the down-under land of Australia then without hesitation, I would recommend the month of October. This will give the compassionate traveler a chance to see Brisbane when the Jacarandas are in bloom.




Driving around Brisbane in October

Once a year, in October, the city of Brisbane and the surrounding areas turn purple because of the Jacarandas. It is a sight to be appreciated for it's splendor. Drive anywhere in Brisbane and you will find them. Suddenly, where there used to be green trees, the scenery has changed colour. This time of the year a traveler can appreciate the long term planning of the city gardeners.

About 20-30 years ago, someone chose to plant Jacarandas along the Main Rd (Ipswich Rd) at South Brisbane just off the Story Bridge by envisioning what the street would look like to the people who were driving by in the future. Now the future is here and every time we drive by and witness the bloom, it really is spectacular.


One of the good things about touring Brisbane in October is that there is no extra money needed for this, unless you count the fuel cost, of course. For free the traveler can choose a cafeteria next to a Jacaranda tree and enjoy the scenery while having a meal or drinking tea.

 

Choosing Jacaranda Festivals and favorite picnic spots at weekends

There are several famous spots in Brisbane for the compassionate traveler to have a picnic or a possible festival. The New Farm Park with it's ring road is the most favorite choice for the local people in the city area to spend some time during the weekends or the afternoons. There is also a beautiful rose garden there to be enjoyed at this time of the year. In other areas, for example in Ipswich, you could choose the Goodna Jacaranda Festival as a destination.


And it is not only purple you would see. It would be all the other spring colours that celebrate the time of the year as well. A highly enjoyable experience for a traveler with no extra cost involved.

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UK, London, V&A Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green

One of the most fascinating and enjoyable places in London for a compassionate traveler to visit is the Victoria & Albert Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green.

Our friends who have a few children say that they mostly "live there" and after visiting and witnessing all that is happening in the museum on a daily basis I must agree that one very well could. V&A Museum of Childhood is the kind of museum that you include in your frequent visits list. The exhibition and the activities change so often that it becomes a good place to pop in and have a lunch picnic at least once a month.


A few years back the museum underwent a thorough revamping. The exhibition was rearranged in themes that enabled much larger displays. The museum also got a new entrance hall inspired by the original designs for the building in the 1870's.

I thoroughly enjoyed walking around the display cabinets and finding my old childhood memories.


The collection of the old dollhouses was the highlight of my visit. My daughter found the dolls she used to play with and my son was totally fascinated by the action figures that represented the era when he used to play with them. There was something for everyone.


One big part of the museum displayed mechanical toys and small cars. We also found the display that presented book illustrations and what an illustrator does a fantastic experience.

If you are visiting London for a longer period of time, do plan on at least two days of visiting this inspiring museum as there is too much to absorb for just one visit. If you live in London or nearby, lucky you as you can also plan on participating in the many activities that the museum programs for children.

Thoroughly enjoyable experience. I give it 10/10!

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