Sunday, November 30, 2008

Day 10

Gold Coast, Very Sunny (it's Austin's birthday!)

A sunday. I had egg & ham roll for breakfast. Didn't expect it to appear as a burger when my order came :)
Cost me $5.95 and a glass of orange juice $4.

We all (that includes me, MF, MK, Scott and his 2 daughters, Lacey (6) and Summer (9), MH) headed to 'Wet & Wild'. 

There we are, in front of the entrance. It is indeed a cool park, a water world. No chance to bring along my camera to snap photos.


Well, I did manage to snap one from far when we came out of the park. I went on a few scary rides. Just to name two of them- Black Hole, Twister.


I almost regretted when I was in the one shown below. Gosh. I was nearly thrown out of the tube as the speed is faster than I have imagined. Thank God that I survived~! LOL
We were all wet and tired. Grabbed a quick dinner and I even got myself a tatoo at the back for $7. Pretty cool huh? We were on the way back to Brisbane the nite itself after a short stroll. I bought a kangaroo skin coin pouch $2 and a rain coat at Surfer's paradise.





Saturday, November 29, 2008

Day 9 (Part A)

Gold Coast, Sunny (Day) + Stormy (Nite)

MK and MF went to fetch MH from the airport and we went for breakfast at Harbour Town. We dropped by Coles to get some sun block and lotion before setting off to Sea World. I bought a Summer Pass, which entitled me entrance to Sea World and Wet 'n' Wild, A$77.

We went on some rides, watched a 3D show on deforestation and global warming, a dolphin and seal show and many others.



Posing for the I-have-been-here photo to bring home with.


For the 1st time..touching a live starfish.

Random shots with my camera.

Another I-have-been-here photo.
This is what I called Fish Directory. *wink
This fella here is real.. the fake comes next. scroll down..

HUH..there it is.. me, taking from the display board.

It's Sesame Street @ Sea World!


The interesting detective seal show was cut short due to the storm that is approaching. Take a look at the sky..wooouu..
It started raining and we have no choice but to get shelter under the big roof. But the rain was so heavy and the wind was so strong that we all still get wet. Nevertheless, I enjoyed myself.
Some more pics taken at Sea World.



Day 9 (Part B)

Gold Coast, Evening (after the rain)

Southport in Gold Coast. Nice scenery. Such a laid-back and relaxed place.











Friday, November 28, 2008

Day 8

Brisbane, Sunny

Andrew booked a taxi to send me to airport. How sweet of him to make me a cup of milo early in the morning. It only took me 15 mins to get to the airport. Paid $24 for the taxi. $20.70 + $2 hiring fee + $1.30 tips.

I was given an aisle seat in the plane which I think it is more convenient for someone like me who needs to visit the toilet every now and then. I checked-in thru a ticket kiosk and Virgin Blue makes check-in so much easier. Just key in your booking no. and you can get the ticket printed.

Got myself in Brisbane at 6.30am Brisbane time. It is an hour slower than Sydney, so I earned an extra hour flying against the time. My pepper spray which I hanged on my backpack was confisticated by the airport police. Sigh. I was rather reluctant to surrender it until I agreed with the officer that it actually endangered me as well as anyone can use that to spray at me. So they need to ensure that no one in Brisbane has a pepper spray.

MF arrived on a 11.30am flight but I did not see her coming out from the gate. I checked the Arrival screen and it was Gate 43. I was probably too sleepy and did not notice her when she came out. Her phone was out of batt and luckily she is clever enough to use the airposrt PA system to page for me. Smart gal! (A good tip for those travelling and find your cellphone dead, don't panic, do what MF did.)
MK (Max) picked us up from the airport and we headed to Gold Coast after having lunch.
The apartment that we stayed is facing the sea, nice view which cost us A$110 per nite. We then met up with Scott for dinner at the casino. I has Greek lamb with salad.




Thursday, November 27, 2008

Day 7

Sydney, Sunny

I took train to Central on my own to meet up with Andrew as MF is at work today. We had Dim Sum for lunch at Chinatown. He spent. =)

Found something interesting at the restaurant. It is my 1st time seeing a toilet door being locked with security password. haha. But you can find the password on the door, wondering what is the purpose of them locking up the toilet. Interesting huh?

We went to Paddy Market after lunch, which more or less looks like our Petaling street but this is a smaller version of that. Went back around 3pm. Bought my ticket from Brisbane to Cairns $89 and from Cairns to Sydney $129. Cairns will be my next stop after Brisbane. As for Gold Coast, MF & her bros will be going too.

MF, Andrew, Aylwin and I had dinner at one of the chinese restaurant and i ordered duck meat noodle. too salty!! ;~( That nite, I went home together with the 2 guys as Maroubra is nearer to the airport so it will be cheaper to take a taxi from there.

Andrew's room is dust-free, super clean. very rare for a guy, huh? That's my BIG BRO. I went straight to bed after booking the hostels in Brisbane & Cairns, which cost me $150, as the taxi will be picking me up at 4.30am.



*Tips: Book a hostel from http://www.hostelbooker.com/ Save some $$ for other stuff. A hostel is cheaper and you get to know more new friends!

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Day 6

Sydney, Sunny

As I did not sleep much the night before, I was sleeping throughout the whole journey. It's quite a pleasant flight with Jetstar, except for the small bump.
I was forced to squeeze out my shampoo & shower gel as I was only allowed to bring <100ML liquid/ gel with me in my hand luggage. Wasteful but I was left with no choice. Who would have expected that the flight is actually a transit flight from Bangkok-Melbourne-Sydney and thus I have to fly from international terminal, causing me all the hassle.

After meeting up with MF, we went to Banksia where she used to stay. $9.50 bus + train ticket. She is staying in Flemington now with a landlady and her son, Leo. I had tomato beef fried rice for lunch.


We then travelled to the city and MF brought me to Chinatown.







We managed to meet up with Aylwin and a gal friend of his, Katherine for dinner. We had sushi, all plates cost $2.80. Lobster salad is good but the green tea tastes really funny. Have to order apple juice to get rid of the smell. Aylwin spent us and it was great catching up with old friends.



Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Day 5 (Part B)

Some pictures taken at Docklands.

















Went shopping at Myers after long stroll at the Docklands. =)









Day 5 (Part A)

Melbourne, Pretty Sunny

I actually plan to get up early to explore around the city but did not manage to wake up early. Was in the city at around noon time. Got down at Melbourne Central Station and went straight to Michaels Place. It is situated between Elizabeth Street and Longsdale Street. They have a nice collection of cameras, all sorts of brands. (I can only recognise a few brands *wink*)



I then wandered around, trying to get myself back to Central Station. Was hungry so I grabbed a sushi roll $7 at the mall. Eaten the sushi and took the cute-looking, fish shaped soy sauce with me. It took me so long to get to the Parliament as it was 12 noon, so Parliament Station has become the last stop instead of the 1st (Trains change rail direction after mid day).
It was lucky for me that I bought a daily ticket which allows me to go back and forth a few times to get myself moving to the right direction. Thanks to Pauline who has advised me earlier.


And finally, here I am. The Parliament House. I have to walk from La Trobe street as they were having strike so tram moving towards that direction, have to stop somewhere else.



Walked further up from Parliament House to get some pics.

There are 2 nice churches. Amazing architecture. Did not jot down the names though. Hehe. =p


Met up with Pauline after 5pm and we went to Docklands.