Went for holiday in GC with Nat, my sister, Katherine and her 2 boys, Luke and Matthias. Pity Ben could not join us as he had just started his new job.
It was one of the most worrisome holidays that I've ever planned. Firstly, I worried that Kat and I could manage 3 active boys and secondly the H1N1 virus which was spreading like wildfire in Australia. Till the last minute, we were still checking the news to make sure that the Gold Coast was not badly affected. The boys were looking forward to the trip and so off we went. Of course, we got ready our hand sanitizers, anti-bacterial wipes and masks, just in case!
12 Jun, Day 1
Our flight was at 11.30pm, an overnight flight arriving in Brisbane at 9am local time. The flight was uneventful and I was glad that the boys had a good few hours of sleep.
13 Jun, Day 2 Circle on Cavill @ Surfers Paradise
We checked into our apartment, Circle on Cavill which overlooked the ocean. We decided to book a 2 bedroom apartment so that we could look after each other and also cook to minimise our expenditure. The apartment was spacious and the boys had a great time running around and soaking in the spa tub! And the rate was reasonable too.
Train ride from Brisbane Airport to the apartment
The stunning view from the 44th floor of our apartment
Living Room & Balcony
Bedroom
Lunch was fish and chips at one of the restaurants downstairs. They had everything there, from supermarkets and retail shops to pubs and restaurants just seconds away from where we stay.
Here are the cousins posing for a photo while waiting for their lunch
Ice-cream at Baskin Robbins. It was very cold that night. And it was fun fighting to share the cup of ice cream. I did not want the boys to have too much just in case they develop a cough.
14 Jun, Day 3 @ Dreamworld
We found out that we could take their express public bus shuttle to the theme parks which was so much cheaper than the door to door private shuttle which we planned to book. And the bus stop was just across from our apartment.
While waiting for the bus.
Do we look like twins? The stewardess on the flight asked if we were.
Dreamworld
Checking out the height limit
With SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick Star (I think)
As Katherine was not keen on the thrill rides, it was left to me to accompany Luke and Matt for them (ok, it was those mild to average ones). The last time I sat on these rides was more than 10 years ago at Magic Mountain in the USA!
And of course the kiddy rides with Nat.
Nat enjoyed the bumper cars the most. We went at least 3 times.
Luke and Matt enjoyed the water rides but not Nat as he got wet. Fortunately we brought along extra clothes.
By the way, I sat on this ride alone. It was pretty scary as it went round 360 degrees....
The boys. I personally like this photo
Matt, Luke, Kat and Dora
Nat and moi
Kat and me
15 Jun, Day 4 @ Paradise Country Farm
Heard from Kat that Luke and Matt enjoyed the farm most. They fed the kangaroos, the sheep, and the goats. Cuddled the Koala, milked the cows and played with the sheep dogs. Kat was also invited up on stage to for sheep shearing!
16 Jun, Day 5 @ Movie World
Can you believe that it was my first time watching a 4D movie? I enjoyed the short screening of Shrek but not Nat (as usual, he covered his ears throughout the 15min screening).
Nat recognized most of the characters but dared not go near them as he was afraid of their make up and big costumes.
Batman (Nat's Daddy's favourite!!)
Flash Gordon and friend with us
Scooby-Doo and friends
Shrek.
Some fun rides
Last but not least the Star Parade at Main Street
While the boys enjoyed the theme parks, getting close and personal with the animals and running and rolling around at the beach, Kat and I had our fair share of fun. We enjoyed each other's company, seeing how the boys were having fun, the weather and of course, the Korean hotplate that we had for 3 nights consecutively at Uno Korean Restaurant just downstairs from our apartment!
Kept forgetting to take a photo of the food until the last night when we were half way through! Imagine how delicious it was that we could not wait to tuck in immediately once served.
17 Jun, Day 6 @ Whale Watching & Surfers Paradise
We woke up early to go whale watching today. Fortunately the wharf where we were supposed to board the cruise boat was just opposite our apartment.
Having a cup of hot coffee before setting off
Instead of the usual yacht, this house had a helicopter!!
As it was only the beginning of the whale watching season, we only caught sight of a dolphin and a few humpback whales. We did not take any photo as I told Kat that we should just enjoy the moment instead of getting too caught up in taking photos. We did manage to take a video clip of one of the whale doing a tail slap as though it was waving "goodbye".
As it was only a half day tour, they boys asked to go to the beach again (yes, they had been there twice already) after lunch.
Surfers Paradise
Nat. One of my favourite photos
The boys rolling about in the sand
Luke chasing after a seagull
I admired the patience of the surfers, waiting for the right wave to come which sometimes can take more than 20mins
We had an ice-cream each since it was the last day there.
Gold Coast has never been on my list of holiday destinations. But after this trip, I will put it on my list as it was really a good and fun place to bring the children. We sure did enjoy ourselves, and Nat did not even want to come back!!
