My Aussie Adventure ~ Day 5

Today will be our last day at Gold Coast. We had been planning from yesterday that we  will go to the beach in the morning, walk around a bit, take some memorable shots before proceeding to Carrara Markets, which is known as one of Queensland's biggest permanent markets.

Sadly our morning was marred by the rain, so we decided to take a walk, and it was quite a distance too as we wanted to take a few photos of the Clock Hotel, one of the landmarks in Gold Coast with a history.  As Mr Peter our guide explained, this hotel was built by a Singaporean woman at a cost of $16 million, only to sell it off later at a loss for $10 million for reasons he did not explain why.  It now holds a 3 level bar, a bistro and a gaming centre. What is unique about this hotel is that at precisely every hour, we can hear its musical chime and see minature figurines move around just above the clock.

As the rain got heavier we decided to go on back to the hotel to dry ourselves while waiting for the rain to stop....but it did not.  Not wanting to waste our day and as soon as the rain eased down a little, we decided to head out Carrara Markets after enquiring how to get there from the hotel concierge counter.  We were informed that there is a special courtesy bus service for hotel & resort visitors which would only cost $1.00 for pick-up & return from the market..(isn't it great!).  If not we have to fork out the normal fare of $5.00 for a one-way trip.  The pick-up point at just right out front of the Hard Rock Cafe..just a stone throw away.  So 'armed' with just an umbrella, we set out on our very own 'adventure'.

The bus ride was pleasant as the driver explained the routes to us and the return pick-up time from the markets back to our destination.  The bus ride took less than 45 mins.  It began to rain heavily again as we arrived at the Carrara Markets.  The markets consists of 5 acres of indoor & outdoor stalls.  Places to eat, bargains from fruits, veggies, plants, arts & crafts,  jewellery, hardware, fabrics, pottery & much more.  We still braved the rain to see the outdoor stalls but as the rain got heavier we decided to return to the hotel by the 1.45pm bus as the last bus back is at 2.45pm.  If we were to miss the last bus, then we would have to find our own way back.

Stone fruits & fresh cherries are sold at a good bargain..and yes they tastes as good as they look =)

From various types of sausages to all kinds of cheese

These are Didgeridoo ~ a native musical instrument

Minature Didgeridoos on sale

Beautifully crafted local handicraft

And of course ~ The Boomerang

Stalls at the outdoor market

Taken while waiting for the bus to arrive

On our return, we dropped or shopping items off at our hotel & still undeterred by the rain, with umbrellas & all, the four of us strode on to the beach nearby which is just less than a 10mins walk from our hotel ..... just to get a few shots at the beach.  Well..if not, how can we say we have been to Surfers Paradise if we did not go to the beach !!  It was still raining & windy and yet we manage to hold on to our umbrella & take a few shots (actually only 3 to be exact)...lol.

Then we decided to go to Coles Supermarket, one of the biggest chainstores in Queensland, to see what we could get for dinner & also to do a bit of shopping as today will be our last day at Gold Coast.

All you can eat @ Pancake Paradise

Some sights outside our hotel ~ from top left Quack'rDuck, a vehicle that can travel from land to water, St.John Church, Watermark Hotel & a Gold Coast Cab.

Some breathtaking sights from our hotel window.

Breakfast at The Waves Restaurant @ Watermark Hotel

Our tea time with delicious scones from Coles Supermarket

Dinner was instant noodles & roasted chicken from Coles Supermarket

Dessert ~ stone fruits from Carrara Markets

After our dinner, we did our packing and watched a little bit of television.  My other half was tired out and was soon snoring away.  As for myself, I found myself wide awake, as I gazed out the window, looking at the rain falling down onto the streets far below, a feeling of sadness came over me....how time flies, I wonder....as today is our last day at Gold Coast.

My Aussie Adventure ~ Day 4

Itinerary for today...SEA WORLD !! I had been looking forward to this when I planned my aussie holiday......Dolphins, Koalas & Kangaroos....a MUST SEE =)

SEA WORLD.....What can I say about this place? FANTASTIC!! For me, I feel so happy to have been there, to touch the gentle Ray, starfish, to watch the sea's most endearing & gentle dolphins perform their tricks, watch  for my 1st time..Polar Bears, Sea Lions & the world's feared creatures of the sea ...the Shark..all live before my eyes!!

It began with a hot day, just like yesterday in Movie World, but it being moring still the sun was bearable.  Our 1st stop was to watch the 'Fish Detectives Sea Lion Show' ~ a comedy sketch which involves  a sea lion named Clawde (and was he HUGE!), the show brought laughter to us all which left us light hearted.

Next was the show everyone had been eagerly waiting for....the 'Imagine Dolphin Show' where we experiance a most unique & wonderful presentation by the world's most popular & endearing mamals ~ the Dolphins.  Their amazing agility & grace as they interacted with their trainers was simply overwhelming.

THE MOST FACINATING SHOW EVER !! =)

Feeding time at the DOLPHIN NURSERY where the trainers would teach the baby dolphins simple tricks.  Baby dolphins are a playful lot & we can see them playing around with each other, tossing balls around, so much alike young children.  And then there was this one baby dolphin who decided  it wanted to play ball with us.  I took this shot just right before it tossed its ball to us playfully.

The next shot was taken right after it had tossed the ball to us, after which it called out in gesture for us to throw it back to her, she then playfully continued playing with her ball as it swam away.... simply amazing !!

The 'POLAR BEAR SHORES' is another of my favourite, I'm sure everyone was as amazed as I was as we watched this huge but graceful creature's underwater swimming and it's playful behaviours through the large underwater viewing windows.

Next...time to come face to face with creatures of the deep & one of man's most feared creatures of the ocean.....the SHARK! at  Shark Bay.  Shark Bay is the worlds largest man-made lagoon system for sharks.

ENTRANCE TO SHARK BAY UNDERWATER VIEWING TANK

Then once exiting the viewing gallery there is a man-made shallow Touch Pool where we can personally have a feel of various sea animals such as the beautiful starfish and even sea urchins & sea cucumber.

A seagull decided to take a rest at one of the stones in the Touch Pool =)

Watch the Ray Fish swim gracefully in a shallow yet wide pool called the 'Bay Reef' where visitors can feed, touch & observe these wonderful creatures as they gracefully swim & manoeuvre underwater.

It began to rain not too long after but we were lucky that it was already in the later part of the afternoon and we had already seen most of the park.  Pity that we had missed out on the Monorail where we could have had a sceanic 2km trip through the park, due to the heavy rainfall, it wasn't operating.  Eventhough the cable car ride was operating, the open sides of the car would have got us all wet...such a waste =(

(The Monorail passing by the Sea World Theatre as we were watching the Fish Detective Show earlier)

(Background ~ where the Jet Ski Extreme performance is held & above ~ the Cable Car)

The final stop was at the entrance/exit point of Sea World to watch the 'Jet Stunt Extreme Show' ~ featuring some of the world's best jet ski stunt performers with some cool aerial flips & jumps.  I was so engrossed watching & cheering that I had forgotten about taking any photos.

(Background ~ people waiting for the Jet Stunt Show to start...the seagulls are practically everywhere)

(The Lagoon where the Jet Stunt Extreme is held)

(Some scenes around Sea World)

Sharing with you a video I took with my camera during the 'Imagine Dolphin Show'...the video is rather shakey cos I dont really know when the dolphins gonna come up again...lol..but anyway hope you will enjoy it =)

This is the video taken during the 'Detective Sea Lion Show' =)

(Souveniers from Sea World)

(The entrance ticket to Warner Brother's Movie World & Sea World)

Tonight's dinner was something special for us ~ dinner at Hard Rock Cafe, situated at the heart of Surfer's Paradise.  Great atmosphere & great food..except for the noise & loud chatter from other patrons.

(The bar ~ some what unique in design)

(Some of the variety of Beers served at Hard Rock Cafe)

And this is just the appetiser ~ BBQ Chicken wings with the most delicious cheese dip

Our two main dishes ~ BBQ Pork Ribs & BBQ Steak

The lovely staircase leading up to the cafe filled with momentos & photos of rock stars

This pants was designed by Elvis' costumer Bill Belew who was responsible for some of Elvis' memorable stage costumes.

This is one of my favourite shots.  Taken just as I was about to take my hubby's photo right outside the Hard Rock Cafe when this group of jolly Aussies came right out (after a few drinks I suppose =P) and cheekily posed right infront of my camera!!...lol

Today is yet another tired but satisfying day for all of us. Tomorrow will be our free day and we are looking forward to our day at the beach & Carrara Market =)