The Gold Coast trip blog post comes to its end. Here are some extra scenes not included previously.
The Stay
Sandcastle on Broadwater.
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| Spacious balcony with jacuzzi. |
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| Waking up to this every morning. |
Showing posts with label Australia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Australia. Show all posts
Gold Coast: Extra Scenes & Travel Videos
Gold Coast, 2014
The Gold Coast trip blog post comes to its end. Here are some extra scenes not included previously.
The Stay
Sandcastle on Broadwater.
The Gold Coast trip blog post comes to its end. Here are some extra scenes not included previously.
The Stay
Sandcastle on Broadwater.
Gold Coast: Surfers Paradise & Harbour Town (GC14 Part 5)
Gold Coast, 2014
Woke up real early but the sun was already way ahead of us. And it was only 5.30 in the morning. We were in Gold Coast for 4 days, but have yet to be at the beach. So this morning, we were going to Surfers Paradise!
Surfers Paradise
We were among the very few to be at Surfers Paradise this early. People are not as crazy to leave their bed at this hour. The beach would be more crowded in the afternoon. When we reached Surfers Paradise, to our disappointment the beach and its area were dirty with lotsa garbage. Food wrappers, empty cans and beer bottles were everywhere. And not just that, people were sleeping at the beach, with bottle still in their hand. Must be partying real hard last night.
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| Gotta love the sky! |
Woke up real early but the sun was already way ahead of us. And it was only 5.30 in the morning. We were in Gold Coast for 4 days, but have yet to be at the beach. So this morning, we were going to Surfers Paradise!
Surfers Paradise
We were among the very few to be at Surfers Paradise this early. People are not as crazy to leave their bed at this hour. The beach would be more crowded in the afternoon. When we reached Surfers Paradise, to our disappointment the beach and its area were dirty with lotsa garbage. Food wrappers, empty cans and beer bottles were everywhere. And not just that, people were sleeping at the beach, with bottle still in their hand. Must be partying real hard last night.
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| See those trash? |
Gold Coast: Dreamworld (GC14 Part 4)
Gold Coast, 2014
When we were planning the itinerary for Gold Coast trip, our main target was to cover the three main theme parks, but the challenge was to squeeze all these three within five days. Not everyone in our group shares the common interest. So we need to plan what's the best for everybody.
On our 4th day in Gold Coast, we planned to go to Dreamworld just the two of us. We let the rest to choose their own activity of the day. As there's just the two of us, we got all the time to ourselves and be straight to the point. No kids, no stroller and no side track. Only me, him and roller coasters. Total freedom!
We arrived early to the front gate and there were already bunch of people waiting for the park to open. There are too many gates and counters with different queues for different types of ticket. So we were a bit confused. After asking around, we found out that the ticket we bought online need to be redeemed at a counter for real tickets (with bar codes). So this process pretty much delayed our entry for like 15 minutes. But it's still acceptable. Upon entering, we decided to go through all the roller coaster rides first and try to finish them by the 1st half of the day. Seems like a very cool and ambitious idea, right?
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| Welcome to Dreamworld. Anything looks familiar? |
When we were planning the itinerary for Gold Coast trip, our main target was to cover the three main theme parks, but the challenge was to squeeze all these three within five days. Not everyone in our group shares the common interest. So we need to plan what's the best for everybody.
On our 4th day in Gold Coast, we planned to go to Dreamworld just the two of us. We let the rest to choose their own activity of the day. As there's just the two of us, we got all the time to ourselves and be straight to the point. No kids, no stroller and no side track. Only me, him and roller coasters. Total freedom!
We arrived early to the front gate and there were already bunch of people waiting for the park to open. There are too many gates and counters with different queues for different types of ticket. So we were a bit confused. After asking around, we found out that the ticket we bought online need to be redeemed at a counter for real tickets (with bar codes). So this process pretty much delayed our entry for like 15 minutes. But it's still acceptable. Upon entering, we decided to go through all the roller coaster rides first and try to finish them by the 1st half of the day. Seems like a very cool and ambitious idea, right?
Gold Coast: Sea World (GC14 Part 3)
Gold Coast, 2014
It's the day to get up close with the sea life, in one of the popular spot in Gold Coast, that's Sea World! Well, I just wanted to see dolphins and ride on roller coasters. :)
Affinity - Dolphin Show
This is definitely a show not to be missed when in Sea World. You'll sure be impressed by how clever these sea mammals are. The length of the show was just nice and overall very entertaining. Arrive early to the show arena to secure a good spot. If you're lucky, you might get to become a volunteer to get up close and personal with the dolphins.
It's the day to get up close with the sea life, in one of the popular spot in Gold Coast, that's Sea World! Well, I just wanted to see dolphins and ride on roller coasters. :)
Affinity - Dolphin Show
This is definitely a show not to be missed when in Sea World. You'll sure be impressed by how clever these sea mammals are. The length of the show was just nice and overall very entertaining. Arrive early to the show arena to secure a good spot. If you're lucky, you might get to become a volunteer to get up close and personal with the dolphins.
Gold Coast: Warner Bros. Movie World (GC14 Part 2)
Gold Coast, 2014
G'day, mate! It's roller coasters day today! Weehuu!
We're going to Warner Bros. Movie World! I actually wanted to be there before the park opens, but it's not easy to handle 10 people and be on time. Anyway, it was a hot day! Despite that it was weekday, people were still swarming the place. We then found out, it was Schoolies week. It's actually when the Australian high schools graduates just finished their finals and ready to partayy. So imagine teenagers who just got "freed" from school, full of hormones, loud, spreading everywhere around Gold Coast, and we were surrounded by them.
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| Jalur Gemilang spotted! So proud. |
G'day, mate! It's roller coasters day today! Weehuu!
We're going to Warner Bros. Movie World! I actually wanted to be there before the park opens, but it's not easy to handle 10 people and be on time. Anyway, it was a hot day! Despite that it was weekday, people were still swarming the place. We then found out, it was Schoolies week. It's actually when the Australian high schools graduates just finished their finals and ready to partayy. So imagine teenagers who just got "freed" from school, full of hormones, loud, spreading everywhere around Gold Coast, and we were surrounded by them.
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| The "main street" of Movie World. |
Gold Coast: Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary (GC14 Part 1)
Gold Coast, 2014
I should have been to this place loooonnggg time ago. But just until 2014 that I got to do so. Well, better late than never.
It was our summer vacation in the land down under. We took a very early morning flight to Coolangatta Airport, and arrived in the afternoon. After immigration and custom clearance (my first experience with an adorable airport dog), we called East Coast Rentals to pick us up from the airport. The staff then came and picked us up, and took us to the Tugun branch (only 10 minutes away from the airport). We rented two Nissan Almeras (pre-booked) to accommodate all 10 of us.
I should have been to this place loooonnggg time ago. But just until 2014 that I got to do so. Well, better late than never.
It was our summer vacation in the land down under. We took a very early morning flight to Coolangatta Airport, and arrived in the afternoon. After immigration and custom clearance (my first experience with an adorable airport dog), we called East Coast Rentals to pick us up from the airport. The staff then came and picked us up, and took us to the Tugun branch (only 10 minutes away from the airport). We rented two Nissan Almeras (pre-booked) to accommodate all 10 of us.
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| Touched down! |
Sydney-Melbourne Road Trip: City Tour & Luna Park (AU13 Part 6)
Melbourne, Australia 2013
This is going to be the last post of my Sydney-Melbourne road trip. On this day, we had a free and easy city tour around Melbourne by city shuttle bus (it's free!). Melbourne is a modern city, and we could find almost anything here. Enjoy the pics!
This is going to be the last post of my Sydney-Melbourne road trip. On this day, we had a free and easy city tour around Melbourne by city shuttle bus (it's free!). Melbourne is a modern city, and we could find almost anything here. Enjoy the pics!
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| Federation Square. |
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| Free city shuttle. |
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| Hosier Lane and its urban art. |
Sydney-Melbourne Road Trip: Mount Buller (AU13 Part 5)
Mount Buller, Australia 2013
We're super duper excited for today's itinerary! We're going to Mount Buller! Which means, we got to play with, snow!
Mount Buller is around 3 hours drive from Melbourne. I tell you, the sceneries we see along the way up to the mountain is spectacular. We even got to spot wild kangaroos too. Check out the website for weather/snow report.
Three layers of winter clothing and hand gloves, checked. We're so ready! This post is going to be full of jakun-moment photos. Here goes..
We're super duper excited for today's itinerary! We're going to Mount Buller! Which means, we got to play with, snow!
Mount Buller is around 3 hours drive from Melbourne. I tell you, the sceneries we see along the way up to the mountain is spectacular. We even got to spot wild kangaroos too. Check out the website for weather/snow report.
Three layers of winter clothing and hand gloves, checked. We're so ready! This post is going to be full of jakun-moment photos. Here goes..
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| Reached Mount Buller! From this point, we have to park our car and take a shuttle bus to go to the ski resort. |
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| We're here! |
Sydney-Melbourne Road Trip: Hello Melbourne! (AU13 Part 4)
Melbourne, Australia 2013
This was going to be our last day living in the camper van.
Before I start, here's a little note on the caravan road trip. You might already heard that the enforcement on road safety is very strict in Australia. We must comply to the speed limit, that's for sure. Infants and kids must use proper car seat or booster seat. One of my friend experienced a local cab driver who refuse to start driving until all her kids sit down and buckle up in the child car seat. Yes, the people are obliged to the rules. And it is no different when it comes to driving a camper van. Speed limit, buckling up and child car seat, same rules apply. During our road trip, we convoyed two vans (the camper van and the MPV). Most of the times during convoy, only two persons will ride on the camper van (driver and co-pilot), and the rest will ride on the MPV. Reason being is that, the passengers' seats in the camper van are the same dining seats (the one at the dining table) and they are quite uncomfortable for long ride. It can't be reclined or adjusted like other normal vehicle seat. So imagine sitting straight for 3 hours (because you still need to buckle up). Tak ke sakit pinggang? If you've seen other travellers doing otherwise, well I could just say, do it at your own risk.
Let's get back to the story, shall we. Wondering how it looks like from the inside of the camper van?
This was going to be our last day living in the camper van.
Before I start, here's a little note on the caravan road trip. You might already heard that the enforcement on road safety is very strict in Australia. We must comply to the speed limit, that's for sure. Infants and kids must use proper car seat or booster seat. One of my friend experienced a local cab driver who refuse to start driving until all her kids sit down and buckle up in the child car seat. Yes, the people are obliged to the rules. And it is no different when it comes to driving a camper van. Speed limit, buckling up and child car seat, same rules apply. During our road trip, we convoyed two vans (the camper van and the MPV). Most of the times during convoy, only two persons will ride on the camper van (driver and co-pilot), and the rest will ride on the MPV. Reason being is that, the passengers' seats in the camper van are the same dining seats (the one at the dining table) and they are quite uncomfortable for long ride. It can't be reclined or adjusted like other normal vehicle seat. So imagine sitting straight for 3 hours (because you still need to buckle up). Tak ke sakit pinggang? If you've seen other travellers doing otherwise, well I could just say, do it at your own risk.
Let's get back to the story, shall we. Wondering how it looks like from the inside of the camper van?
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| The kitchen. Those on top are stove and sink (covered if not in use). Also seen here is the dining table at the back. |
Sydney-Melbourne Road Trip: Kangaroo Encounter! (AU13 Part 3)
Batemans Bay, Australia 2013
I enjoyed so much looking at sceneries during this road trip. Seluas mata memandang. It's wonderful! But the downside of travelling in winter, the sunset is by 6 pm, and by then, everything was dark already.
We reached BIG4 Batemans Bays (caravan park) at night. After we parked our ride in the rented space, the ladies started preparing dinner and looking out for the kids as usual, while the gentlemen took care of laundry and the rest. In most caravan park, they have this laundry room completed with washing machines and dryers. All self-service.
The next morning, we rise and shine to see beautiful beach before us! The weather was nice and breezy and the sky was so blue, I just don't want to leave! We just had a little time to take a look around the caravan park and the beach, before we start moving. Our plan for that day was to get some Australian marsupials encounter. Can't wait!
I enjoyed so much looking at sceneries during this road trip. Seluas mata memandang. It's wonderful! But the downside of travelling in winter, the sunset is by 6 pm, and by then, everything was dark already.
We reached BIG4 Batemans Bays (caravan park) at night. After we parked our ride in the rented space, the ladies started preparing dinner and looking out for the kids as usual, while the gentlemen took care of laundry and the rest. In most caravan park, they have this laundry room completed with washing machines and dryers. All self-service.
The next morning, we rise and shine to see beautiful beach before us! The weather was nice and breezy and the sky was so blue, I just don't want to leave! We just had a little time to take a look around the caravan park and the beach, before we start moving. Our plan for that day was to get some Australian marsupials encounter. Can't wait!
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| I just realize that I haven't put any full picture of our ride. So here it is, Joe Jambul. The jambul part (the bulged compartment right above the driver's and passenger's seat) was where I slept for 3 nights. It looks compact from the outside, but I actually can even change clothes in there. It's like changing clothes on bed while sitting. |
Sydney-Melbourne Road Trip: Blue Mountains (AU13 Part 2)
Blue Mountains, Australia - 2013.
Before I start, as you can see, this is a way long overdue blog post. So it might lack of details and information. But I'll try my best and see what I can do. We don't have much photos though, but I think we pretty much cover most of the things in our travel videos (YouTube links on top right). Don't miss it.
It was the third day in Sydney. We picked up our 6-berth camper van from Apollo Motorhomes and feeling super excited! Road trip begins today! Owh, have I told you that I love road trip (especially when I'm not driving)?
Before I start, as you can see, this is a way long overdue blog post. So it might lack of details and information. But I'll try my best and see what I can do. We don't have much photos though, but I think we pretty much cover most of the things in our travel videos (YouTube links on top right). Don't miss it.
It was the third day in Sydney. We picked up our 6-berth camper van from Apollo Motorhomes and feeling super excited! Road trip begins today! Owh, have I told you that I love road trip (especially when I'm not driving)?
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| Our 6-berth camper van. The dining table seen here can be transformed into a double bed at night. |
Sydney-Melbourne Road Trip: City Tour & Bondi Beach (AU13 Part 1)
Sydney, Australia - 2013.
Touched down Sydney. Sejuknya! Excited nya tiada calang-calang lagi apabila kulit diliputi udara sejuk. It's winter bebeh! And Malaysian loves winter (kan?). First thing first, get a data plan. Bought a few Yes Optus prepaid sim cards with data plan at a very reasonable price and we got a superb 4G connection. Update lah Instagram sepuas-puasnya di mana jua anda berada. Next, collected our rental mpv, an 8-seater Kia Grand Carnival which is spacious. Then we had a quick fillet-o-fish dinner at the airport Mcd, before we finally off to Adina Sydney Central apartment (nearby Central station) for check-in. The 2-bedroom apartment is furnished with flat screen tv, stove, kitchen utensils for cooking, clean dishes, dishwasher, washing machine and dryer. All complete.
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