Once again sorry about the slowness of the posting, there should be two more following this one on quickly. We spent 6 days with family friends Eliot and Maxine, in their beautiful home just outside of Surfers Paradise. We were only going to stay four days but at their insistence, coupled with the fact there was so much to do, we stayed longer. Upon arrival we settled in to our own two bedroom flat that was to be our accommodation for the next few days, (complete with widescreen television and pool table) and then asked Eliot what the best things to do were. He instantly recommended Sea World as a good place to visit, as there are 5 or so theme parks situated around Surfers Paradise all with huge rides. However as we arrived late on the 15th we decided just to hit the beach and check out the surf that the area is reknowed for and named after. It proved to be true, the surf was very good, but sadly a touch to big for me so I forwent the surf.
Next day we rose fairly early to go to Sea World, and drove off in the car. For $100 dollars we gained entry to Sea World and over the next two days we could go to either Wet n’ Wild Waterpark or the Warner Brothers Movie World theme park. In sea world we went on all the rides which included a trippy, Bermuda triangle/alien invasion log flume, a decent if slightly small rollercoaster and the rocking pirate ship. We also went on the few water rides they had. Most importantly we viewed the polar bears, dugongs and many other marine life exhibits. The highlight however was the excellent Dolphin show, which included flips, synchronised displays and best of all the surfing of the dolphins by the trainers. I did get some very decent photos, but you will find out later on why they are not viewable. All in all it was a very enjoyable day. We returned to the flat to watch some tv on our huge screen and fish out the back of our hosts property.
The next day Eliot had very kindly booked and paid for all of us to go on a fishing excursion in our own tinny boat. So we got up bright and early, clambered into the small boat with a small 5hp engine and drove off across the Surfer Paradise inlet waterways with a little difficulty. We drift-fished along the inlet waterways for an hour and a bit without too much success. Then we decided to moor the boat up, cross the sand peninsula and fish the ocean. So we tied the boat to a tree and trekked across the peninsula for about 15 minutes until we reached the sea. Here we had about 20 km of beach entirely to ourselves which was simply wonderful. After an hour of fishing I had caught a big Bream, which Eliot pronounced to be one of the best he had seen in a long while! Dave also caught two small Dart fishes. Mark of course was fishless. We headed back to the boat, with me feeling very smug. The smugness disappeared when we discovered our boat was now high and try on the mangrove mud. So with the four of us huffing and puffing we managed to push the boat back into the water and drive off. However this was easier said then done, because the tide had gone out hugely leaving incredibly shallow parts all over the water system. This meant every five minutes for half an hour I was hopping out of the boat to drag it off yet another mud bank. This was not my idea of fun, wading through thick, knee deep mud heaving three grown men in a small aluminium boat. However after a while we were free and progressing smoothly. We wetted a line for a touch longer with much the same result as before, and so decided to explore the hideously expensive looking properties all around us. These places were sickenly big and beautiful. Still I know where I’m going to live when I am older, jokes! We returned tired, a touch sunburnt, but very happy.
The next day we headed off to Movie World to experience all the fun at the fair! The theme park was dominated by the impressive sight of a red and blue, huge roller-coaster with impressively large loops and all the shizbang! However upon arrival we discovered it was temporarily closed. However we went on the Lethal Weapon ride which was like starring in the movie, you felt bruised and battered after coming off it! Then we went on the straight up and down batman ride which left your stomach many matres below you. Dave did not enjoy this ride, with good reason. Throughout the day we amused ourselves on all the rides the place had to offer, including the now opened superman roller-coaster which propelled you at a frightening 100km in two seconds upwards. However towards the end of the day I manged to lose my fantastic camera. How I have no idea, we narrowed it down to being in one of two places but of course it was in neither. Hence from Surfers there are no photos unfortunately. In the evening we cooked a barbecue for our hosts including my wonderful Bream!
The next two days were taken up with relaxing at the beach and finally surfing the big waves at surfers. For me it was also taken up with filing my insurance claim for my camera. Boo hiss! On our last evening with Eliot and Maxine we were treated to cooked, fresh mud crab. These me and Eliot caught in pots out the back of their property. They are truly a delicacy and one can understand why they cost so much in the shops! All in all we had a truly fantastic time with our generous hosts. They made us feel extremely welcome and invited us openly into their homes. Thank you very much.
After Surfers we headed off to Caloundra which was interesting……..
Jack xxxxxxx
