I originally plan to welcome my 30th birthday in Paris, in a hotel overlooking Eiffel tower. Economics played a big part ( read this: kulang ang budget) and since I am in New Zealand, I decided to explore our neighbour, Australia. I thought of going to Sydney, then a colleague suggested me to check Goldcoast. Google, Yahoo search, Australian tourism website descibes it as "beach lovers haven". So there I book a flight via Pacific Blue cost me $350 (AUD), I used http://www.webjet.co.nz/ , it's a website comparing airlines, hotels and sometimes you get the best deal just like http://www.expedia.co.nz/ and http://www.jetabroad.co.nz/, . Next one is to research my accomodation, cause its my 30th and I feel the need to splurge a bit in this area, having missed the Paris plan (note to self: move on, LOL), I booked a one bedroom (seaviews) in Mantra Circle in Cavill, http://www.mantra.com.au/queensland/gold-coast/surfers-paradise/accommodation/resorts/mantra-circle-on-cavill/ it's a fabulous one bedroom self-contained apartment. It felt like a princess, the wall between the bathroom and room is a full mirror, so you can see the views while having a bubble bath (too much info, hehehe).
Oopsie, i forgot, i have to get an Australian visitors visa (another story I guess?)
April 26, I arrived at the Coolongatta airport just after a 3-hour flight safely and excited, after the immigration and getting my bags from the "carousel" (LOL), I checked an ATM and withdraw some money but to my horror I can't access my account, it's because I transfer all my money to my Savings Acc. and I forgot that I requested ANZ to not allow access on my SA a month before that, very "smart girl" am I, right? so there I go, didn't bother to bring cash, EFTPOS (ATM card) not working and alone. Can't call my bank in NZ as my phone is not roaming. Started to feel a bit nauseated and afraid, a charming taxi driver smiled at me, haha, your going to be my knight in shining armour, I asked him if he can drop me off my hotel and I will pay him the next day, explain my situation, blah blah blah...he was indeed my hero....
Soon as I checked in, called a friend in NZ and asked to send me money thru Western Union and got me started. In the midst of all the drama, managed to enjoy my first day...Dined in one of the restos just outside my accomodation and then walk to the beach...I decided to go back to my room before 7:00pm as I want to watch the sunrise on my 30th. Got myself a nice bubble bath ( brought my good old Bodyshop bubble bath), and off to watching the views from my balcony...
Day 2 - got up 6:00 am, head to Surfers Paradise beach to watch the sunrise on my birthday...It was a beautiful day, what else can you ask for? a breathtaking view, weather to die for and "HOT SURFERS" hahahaha...
Breakfast in a restaurant oppossite the beach. Head back to my room to prepare for an afternoon cruise around GC. The cruise boat is docked 5 minutes walk from my hotel, the cuise started 2:00pm and for $60 (AUD) its including afternoon tea (read this: pastries, tea, coffeee and cold drinks). The staff was so nice to take my pictures as I am alone and can't use my tripod in the boat (too risky). I enjoyed the cruise as I saw the most expensive house along the coast, houses with helicopter and yatch parked outside cause they are in the middle of a small island, so their ride is either heli or jetski or a small yatch...sosyal...I had my dinner at a revolving resto in Crown Plaza, good food, awesome views and not that exensive...then after dinner, headed to the bars, one by one, one tequila shot per bar, but I was careful not to devulge that I'm alone to anybody or tell them where I was staying. I ended up with 6 shots, got home after 10pm...had a great birthday, alone it is but it was a good time to have some soul search...
Day 3 -5, next posts...
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