'A Taste of Thai.'

I visited the fabulous Brisbane Thai Festival last Sunday but left the 'Food' part of the blog for this Market Friday post. So it is my pleasure to submit it for the weekly #marketfriday challenge organised by my friend, @dswigle

If you missed my Brisbane Thai Festival check it out
here

This was the colourful scene that greeted us when we arrived at the Roma Street Parklands. White peaked tents and bi-coloured sun umbrellas for visitors to take advantage of as they sampled the delicious Thai meals provided all around the perimeter of the grounds.

Throughout the year, guided tours are available to view the picturesque Parklands. It is a great place to have a picnic and many office workers in the nearby buildings head for this area to recharge their batteries and have a bite to eat before going back into the grind. But today the gardens were dedicated to the Thai Festival and a huge crowd gathered to listed to live music, dancing and of course.......enjoy the variety of Thai flavours available.

My mouth is watering as I see this sign for N.Z. Fried Mussels. Having grown up in New Zealand, I have had my fair share of fried mussles cooked in thin, cripsy batter and in an instant I remembered the wonderful flavour of these seafood delicacies.

Amongst the other tempting dishes from this stall below, were Thai Pumpkin Custard (sounds interesting) and Pad Thai Chicken.

Everyone should try Deep Fried Icecream at least once don't you think?

Now, you'll have excuse my ignorance but can anyone tell me what Thai Wi-Rat tastes like? I saw the word 'Rat' and decided I'd skip this one and move on. But now that I am putting this post together my curiosoty is getting the better of me.

After a quick search I see that the Thai Wi-Rat is a very popular restaurant situated in Fortitide Valley, Brisbane. They are apparently well known for serving more traditional, Thai peasant street food. Their menu looks wonderful but I am still in the dark as to the meaning of the name. Perhaps my friend @hangin (an Aussie expat living in Thailand) will be able to enlighten me.

Between meals, drinks and entertainment, people took the time to wander through the gardens to add to their experience of the day.

The Roma Street Parkland provide facilities such as free barbeques, playgrounds and a variety of places to sit and relax......or to take photos as I always do especially as the vistas change with each season and flowers are always being pulled up and replaced with new, seasonal ones.

Feel like some Pork Belly with Sticky Rice or some Pork Rolls? Or what about some tasty Fish Cakes?

One of my favourite places in the Parkalnds is the mini rainforest.......a sheltered oasis featuring large mature trees, ferns rockeries rushing creeks and waterfalls.

And some of those mature trees have the most magnificent above ground root systems which is always a happy haven for adventurous kids.

The Parkland Expolorer was kept busy throughout the day taking passengers around the park.

Of course I couldn't go home without taking a few pictures of the flora.
These red grevillea flowers were in full bloom.

On my way out, I took a look behind me for one last glimpse of the Festival. I wish I could have stayed until it got dark for some night shots as the festival didn't close until 7pm.

But I satisfied myself with this beautiful garden scene which completed my day perfectly.

THANK YOU FOR VIEWING. HAVE A GREAT DAY.