Feel the power: Suburb #52 Griffith

Suburb no 52 was Griffith, basically just across the road from where my guests stayed at the East Hotel for their #humanbrochure experience - as I decided it was finally time to take my Australian politics obsessed co-adventurer on a Petrov flavoured adventure.

Griffith, formally known as the much more awesome 'South Blandfordia', is one of Canberra's oldest suburbs. It is named after Sir Samuel Griffith, aka 'Oily Sam', the first Chief Justice of the high court - who was also a Welshman, translator of Dante, lawyer, politician, Attorney General, leader of the Liberal Party, Premier and Knight Commander of the the Order of St Michael and St George.

The streets here are named after explorers.

I had been to Griffith shops many times before as one of my favourite restaurants Rubicon is here, plus a great Thai restaurant. But I discovered that it has now become an organic foodie paradise - with yummy vegan ice cream for sale and wheatgrass-a-go-go. I can't believe that until our visit I hadn't been to the Vietnamese restaurant here either - clearly somewhat of a Canberra institution.

I wish this sign in the toilets had been left just for me :p I don't think so but it did still make me smile...

As did most of far-from-bland Griffith. I love the sense of history in this suburb - with heritage listed buildings everywhere, including the art deco Whitley houses...and gorgeous old homes with inspiring gardens that I would kill to live in.

The former residence of the Petrov's is here...as well as the Russian Embassy which was famously spied on from the pub across the road.

There are gorgeous parks everywhere - and its all so green :)

Below is a sculpture in the shape of a prow of a boat, designed in honour of Willem Janszoon, the first European to sail through Australian waters in 1606.