Category: Travel

Another gorgeous sunrise. Christy and I went down to Coles and picked up some groceries. I then had some breakfast while putting together some lunch for the water park.

Around 10am we were finally ready to head off….

to Wet n Wild…

I didn’t have an underwater camera (due to me forgetting a camera changer that Athena is bringing up tomorrow) so there aren’t that many photos.

Unfortunately much of the park was closed, including the area were we usually sit, so after walking around for a bit trying to find somewhere, Kevin suggested we rent on of the private cabanas. I’d actually been thinking about it earlier so I said yes, I’m pretty sure Kevin was rather shocked (as I normally would say no).  Today having some nice padded lounge chairs seemed very appealing. I didn’t get a good photo of the cabana, but you get the idea. There was also a locker which was great, and you got 4 meal vochures (remember I had made lunch earlier!!).

Kevin & Christy did a couple of slides (from the ones that were open). Unfortunately I didn’t think my lungs could handle walking up a lot of stairs, but I did manage the lazy river :-).

We returned back to the cabana I lay in the sun for a bit while Christy and Kevin went in the wave pool.

It was a nice warm day but the water was a little chilly.

 

Not sure what the life guards were planning, but I thought they looked funny all standing there (when there was usually just one).

After soaking up some rays I went over with Christy to watch her do some slides.

She chose not to do this one…

but did do this green one.

It was a long wait, so she only did it once, and went back to the cabana.

Our lovely sun had disappeared by now so we came back to this…

Kevin had one of the burger meals for his lunch but I was really looking forward to the salad I had made so I had that.

and then read through some magazines.

Christy swam in the wave pool some more. Eventually we were all so very relaxed but getting cold, so decided to pack up and head home. On the way we collected our 3 remaining meals (Kevin had one for dinner, and Athena one for the breakfast the next day). The drinks we had on the way home and the muffins were packed up for tomorrow.

While we all had a nice day, it was a shame so many slides and places were closed in the park. If we’d had younger kids we would have been devastated to find the kids area closed as that was where they played almost all day.

Back to Surfers we drove…

And it was actually warm enough for me to enjoy an afternoon snack on the verandah.

As I said before Kevin had one of the lunch rolls for dinner, so I cooked myself some pasta.

Around 7.45pm Kevin left to go and pick up Athena from Coolangatta airport. She rang when she arrived to ask where we were. Kevin wasn’t there yet but when I checked on find my friends I saw he wasn’t far away.

They arrived back at the apartment some 40mins later and it was great to hear all that Athena had been up to during the last few days. She seemed to really enjoy her independence and did great at looking after herself.

Todays vlog :

A stunning sunrise this morning (so glad I’m an early riser) and finally some sunshine, making the Gold Coast look as it should.

The view from our bedroom balcony…

and the view from the main balcony…

Breakfast today was banana on toast.

Around 9.30am I heard from my friend Paula that she had arrived. It was my first time meeting this lovely lady, though we have been online friends for 4-5 years.

We had drinks at Max Brenner – finally I got a delicious Iced Chocolate. And Christy became best buds with Paula’s little boy, Dan – once he warmed up and found his voice.

 

After drinks we headed up to the resort so the kids could swim. It was pretty cold but Christy managed to get right in.

After a bit we moved so the kids could use the spa. Love this photo of them having a chat.

It was lovely getting to sit and soak up some sun while chatting with Paula. Kevin had taken himself off to lie in the sun and listen to his book (currently he is listening to Outlander).

All too soon it was time to say goodbye to Paula and Dan and head back to Sea World.

Kevin was happy we arrived in time to see  Spongebob Paradepants. Not to sure I was – that was 8 minutes of my life I will never get back :-).

We then went to Penguin Encounter. Much better! I could have watched these guys for hours.

We then caught the monorail to the far end of the park and got some lunch. I got a ham baguette. Kevin had planned on eating the ham, but the seagulls beat him to it :-). It was really yummy. Heaps better than my sandwich yesterday.

While having lunch Christy discovered she could do this. How did she not know this?

Kevin & Christy then went on this rope climb.

They then went on some rides. Unfortunately my feet were pretty sore today so I waited and managed to catch them on  Jet Rescue,  just :-).

Strangely there are hardly any benches to sit on so I had to make do with a short stone wall.

They also did Storm again, then went to see the 3D movie. Another dud pick by Kevin!

Then my request of the polar bears. There was only one out and it was nap time but he was still awesome to see.

And look what was back? The walrus bench. Made me so happy :-).

Last up was the Jet Ski show. Pretty awesome but hard to photograph so be sure to check out the video at the end if you’d like to see more.

We then headed back home, relaxed and admired the sunset.

And saw the full moon peaking through the clouds.

Kevin had got himself a chicken roll for dinner so I just had a wrap using leftovers from last night. Kevin headed off to bed early (as he wanted to get up early for the Apple launch) and I watched some cycyling.

Todays video:

A lovely start to the day. Watched the sun come up (though the clouds) as I edited a vlog. Eventually I made some French Toast for breakfast….

and we headed out to Sea World, arriving shortly after opening..

 

First up the gondolas.

We could see the grey clouds rolling in, and unfortunately they arrived while we were still on the ride.

Luckily the downpour didn’t last too long and by the time we were seated for the Imagine dolphin show, it was sunny again.

While we waited I enjoyed some cold popcorn and Kevin & Christy didn’t enjoy their cold churros.

As always the dolphins were amazing.

After the show Christy was booked for a dolphin pat.

She got to pat Squeak and really enjoyed the experience.

Then it was time for some rides.

Storm was pretty cool but very short.

We then went on the Viking log ride – which did seem pretty tame after Disney’s Splash Mountain.

Time for some lunch. There weren’t many veggie choices so I got a sandwich, which unfortunately wasn’t very nice so I only ate half. Then had some of Kevin’s hot chips.

By now the rain had returned and gone again but we were all suffering with sore feet so decided to call it a day. We tried to take the traditional walrus bench photo but he wasn’t there. So sad. Can’t understand why they would remove it.

On the way we stopped to see the Pelicans. Thought this one was so cute!

We then drove back to our apartment. I put my feet up and worked on a blog post, Christy did some homework for school and Kevin had a nap and watched a movie. Around 5pm Christy and I headed over to the indoor pool. It was cool out so I wasn’t keen but thought I’d be a good Mum.

We went in the sauna, then the pool. The spa was a little too crowded. While the pool was quite nice, I got cool quite quickly.

The reward however we getting to enjoy the sunset from the pool.

Dinner was taco bowls with some TV. We also got to enjoy the moon.

Todays vlog :

More rain on and off this morning. But I very much enjoyed my view while I worked on editing the vlog for yesterday.

 

 

Around 9am I decided to watch some of the cycling, but I was rather disappointed to get the last few minutes of the race instead of the last hour and half. Seems the TV guide was incorrect yet again.

Finally Kevin & Christy were awake. Kevin went to buy some coffee. I got ready for the day. Kevin & Christy went to buy some stuff for breakfast and when they got back I made cheese on toast. It was a rather slow and restful morning. We ate outside but it was a little on the cool side (very windy) so we didn’t linger too long.

Around 11.30am we were finally ready to head out…to Officeworks. Kevin needed something for our internet connection and Christy wanted some stuff as she’d left her pencil case at home.

I thought she was getting a basket and had to laugh when she got the little kids trolley.

On the way back into Surfers we detoured out to the Spit to have a little look at the area.

There were a few people out for Fathers Day, but not too many due to the cool, windy weather.

We returned “home”, parked our car and headed out on foot.

 

Christy had to stop for a cuddle with her beloved Bakers Delight (which is not currently open).

We headed into the main shopping area and quickly found ourselves in a lollie shop.

 

Of course, we had to buy some of our favourite British treats.

And Christy made a new friend.

 

She was keen to see the beach where many scenes from H20 Just Add Water (her favourite TV show) had been filmed.

Not what you normally expect for Surfers Paradise. Where are those blue skies??

Christy’s foot was starting to get sore and we were all getting a little hungry. We finally found somewhere with a decent vegetarian choice. Quite fitting too as Kevin had been keen to eat at one of the many Irish Pubs here, and it was Father’s Day.

The food was really good. Just far too much of it. I had a sweet potato & chickpea patty on Turkish Bread.

Kevin ordered chicken wings – snack size!!!!

After lunch Christy and Kevin went to Infinity (Christy really wanted to go today so made it Kevin’s Father’s Day present). I’ve done it once but didn’t like it. Too many dark rooms for me.

While they were there I went and got our groceries from Coles. They joined me towards the end and together we managed to get all the bags back to our room.

By now my feet were incredibly sore so it was good to put them up for a bit, while watching some more rain clouds role in.

Christy went to have a swim & spa in the indoor pool. We enjoyed leftovers for dinner, while watching Got to Dance. We then watched a special on 9/11 – even though it is Christy’s actual birth date, this is the first time she saw what actually occurred. We attempted to watch another show after this but first Christy fell asleep, then I fell asleep, so it was bedtime for all.

Todays vlog :