Shades Of Blue

Day: Friday 1st Sept 05. Place: Still in Gold Coast Aussie, yey!. This day was a much anticipated day for us. We had a fantastic intro to the theme park the day before with a fabulous time in Movie World and today it was time to explore the underwater world and its surroundings, at Sea World.
The local bus ride to Sea World was breathtakingly beautiful by itself, as we rode towards the coast of Sea World drive at Main Beach. The cool sea breeze and squirks of sea gulls greeted us at the entrance into the spectacular view of the main show area. We knew were in for a great day as we scanned through the park map for attractions to check out. Today was a day to take it easy and enjoy the surroundings of electric blue shades of the sea water and skies. We stroll through viewing the gorgeous sea animals, the polar bears, penguins and seals. Not to mention the up and close shark bay which was stunning yet peaceful to be at. The shows held in the park were also educational and comedic. My favorite was the Dolphin show. I have always thought dolphins are gorgeous and intelligent. And I was proven right at the show. Envied the little girl who got picked to touch and 'make friends' with one of the dolphins.

The Quest For the Golden Seal and Ski Challenge show was not very impressive though. But we had a nice tranquil time hangin out at Sea World.
We caugh the bus back a lil earlier today. It was only 5pm when we reached Mercure Resort again. Dropping off our bags, we left the room again to head for the beach. Nope, not to swim or surf mind you, but to snap photos what else? :P

5pm in Gold Coast at this time of the year was like 7pm in KL. It gets dark faster. So we power walked to the beach, for the first real view of the whole stretch of Surfer's Paradise (SP). It is absolutely stunning. Usually beaches are guarded by jungles and palm trees, but this beach is like a modern suburban one where it is guarded by skycrapers and modern city infrastructures. My kinda beach!

We strolled on along the beach but still on the pavement because the wind from the sea was strong and cold, despite the sunshine. As the skies darken, small stalls were seen to be set up along the pavements. Oh, night market! Yeay! I read about this somewhere, but didn't think the info was valid.

The stuff at the market was mostly arts and craft made byt he locals. Got a cool kangaroo fur key chain and surf board pic frames. Besides that, the shops on SP sidewalk mall is pretty cool. Lotsa bargain souvenir shops, and surf brand boutiques such as Quicksilver.

We shopped a lil, saw a cool Latino tap dance on the streets, hung out at Starbux. For dinner, we were missing rice too much, so we had chinese food, which was delicious but pricey. Then we walked home slowly. Our walking route to-and-fro hotel and SP street mall, was a mere 10mins walk, passing bungee ride, and various car rental places. So good to be back in the room, as my feet was aching for a rest. Aussie tv in the room was dissapointing though. It's either Aussie tv are pathetic like that, or the hotel was too cheapskate to get more channels.

The next day, we struggled between to decide whether to visit Dream World or not. We end up not going, because the stuff in there doesn't look too interesting, plus 2 water theme parks/rides? We didn't even bring our swimsuits. Our minds were tuning more into exploring SP further and hanging out there for the day. So that we did. Woke up late, packed our stuff, checked out, kept our bags at the reception (our flight weren't till 8pm that night), then head off.

Weather was beautiful. We walked a diff route but end up at the same destination. Today we explored SP's amusements, such Wax Museum, Ripley's Believe It Or Not, Infinity and SpaceWalker (sci-fi amusement). Shopped, walked, coffee, lunch and just absorbing the surroundings. It was pure laidback and no worries mate! We sat around mostly today, as we dragged the day passing by till we had to start walking back to our hotel, where our chauffer will pick us up to the airport.

But before long it was time to board the flight home. I didnt wanna go home of course. You can tell from my long face, even my husband thought I was mad at something..The plane was fully packed, which made it more annoying. Food was not bad, I was extra tired, wanted to watch 'Lords Of Dogtown' but dozed off halfway. We reach KLIA 20mins early. Our walking paces still remained slow. No problems at the customs of course, our officers were not even in view. My post-vacation blues has started to creep up within me..

For more pics you can click here http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/urbanbtch/album?.dir=446d&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/urbanbtch/my_photos