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Published: August 9th 2007
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Superman Escape
Faster than a speeding bullet! I couldn't get enough, Em couldn't get on. As a last gasp before reality hits I was very keen to get to the theme park belt of the Gold Coast hinterland. I suspected that Em wasn't quite as keen as I but gamely she came along without too much resistance. Ever since I made her go on 'Oblivion' at Alton Towers which left her a shaking sobbing wreck, Em has had an aversion to rollercoasters, perhaps understandably. Given the choice of many theme parks we settled on Warner Brothers Movie world. I figured that there would be enough film related guff to keep Em from getting too annoyed at my constant badgering to go on the thrill rides.
Upon entering the park my inner child, which isn't always brilliantly hidden, would not be stopped. I insisted on kicking off proceedings on the 'Bat force' vertical G force thrill ride. Amazingly I managed to guilt trip Em into getting on with me. I immediately wished I hadn't as the thing took off making Em produce a terrifying noise far scarier than the ride itself. It did provide much hilarity for kids on the ground queuing but I knew I'd lost the war and I would be going on the rest
Funny faces
of the rides on my own. I was made to waste valuable rollercoaster time in shows, ride simulators and ghost trains as a penance. The crowning glory of the park is the excellent 'Superman Escape' coaster that absolutely belts over a huge drop and does all the usual twists and turns. Needless to say I was itching to have a crack. Em wisely decided to sit it out. Due to it being a weekday the kid quota was mercifully low so the line was very short. It soon became apparent that I was the only one on my lonesome in the queue. Friends and couples chatted excitedly whilst I tried not to look like a billy. The final humiliation came when the cry went out for a 'Lone rider'. People made way for me like avoiding a diseased person and I took my place next to a small boy whose parents were in the car in front. He informed me he had been on about 4 times but he was still too chicken not to hold on at the big drop. Coward. It was brilliant fun and I ended up going on 4 more times and to hell
Me and Marilyn
She asked me nicely so I agreed to have my photo taken with her! with the
Me and Marilyn
She asked me nicely so I agreed to have my photo taken with her!social stigma. The fun part was guessing who you'd be sat next to. Most times it was young boys with parents sitting it out. Em had a running battle of wills as to whether to go on or not. I did try emotional blackmail but I think it may have actually killed her so best she didn't all things considered. This became apparent when she very nearly lost it totally on the sedate ascent in the log flume. All up though, I wasn't a bully and Em was very patient and so a good day was had by all.
Onwards and downwards. We didn't bother looking at the Gold coast and opted instead on a trip further into the hinterland, specifically to Springbrook and its national park. Spent a very enjoyable day touring around taking in impressive vistas of the now sprawling developments of the Gold Coast. Visited many waterfalls but due to the drought in this part of the world they were never going to challenge Foz da Iguacu. Still very enjoyable particularly when we spotted a nice big black
snake sunning himself in the campsite the morning after our stay. It's always quite exciting to me to
Byron Sunset
see things that could potentially do you in and this character could have packed a wallop.
Next to the world famous Byron Bay for old times sake. The place has changed very little since we were there some 4 years ago. The legendary surf was sadly absent, especially as there was to be a surf competition that weekend. Them's the breaks - or not as the case may be. We had a pleasant enough time lounging on the beach and soaking up the atmosphere. I did notice a marked increase in posing men. Countless muscle bound men seem to grace every pavement, beach and bar. I think Em also noticed as she walked headlong into an unsuspecting pedestrian while gawking at one prime specimen. It would have been a full impact had I not intervened (I saw the whole thing coming a mile off and had to really battle my inclination to let it play out).
We, erm, really enjoyed the frankly vast Sunday market. This was truly a collection of everything Byron and I can't imagine a larger
Em and Koala
Crikey look at this cute little character, the Koala's quite cuddly as well. collection of Thai dye and hemp clothing in any single place on Earth.
Byron is deservedly popular with its spectacular
Em and Koala
Crikey look at this cute little character, the Koala's quite cuddly as well.beaches and good surf and we'll hopefully be back again before too long as it's only a few hours down the coast. Hopefully I'll be proficient on a surfboard next time round and in better shape so I can maintain my wife's attention!
We couldn't come back to Noosa and pass up a visit to The Australia Zoo on the way. This is the grand achievement of a life dedicated to conservation by the late and undoubtedly great Steve Irwin. He may not have been Mother Theresa but to the people who staff this zoo he was what the Aussies like to call a legend. And not just them, judging by the massive tribute to the man, modestly hidden underneath his crowning glory the 'Crocoseum'. Usually quite cynical I couldn't help feeling a real sense of loss in the place although everyone remained very up beat in the manner of the Crocodile Hunter. I think it was film of his kids holding animals and
New flat
Making myself at home in our new abode. quoting "What a little ripper" that kind of got to me and I'd swear I saw Em fighting back a tear or two.
Very impressive as wildlife sanctuaries and Zoos go. The emphasis is on
New flat
Making myself at home in our new abode.animal welfare meaning huge enclosures and not too many beasts present. The result was that the animals were either un-spottable or asleep but I suppose you can't have it all ways.
And so back to Noosa and effectively the end to what has most definitely been a brilliant honeymoon. Work beckons and the bank must surely be getting grumpy with me. We have had too many experiences to get into what were the best and worst bits. I have thoroughly enjoyed writing them all down here and don't intend to stop giving updates as I'm sure there will be many interesting developments over the coming months. I may have to change sites as I'm not officially travelling anymore but I'm sure we'll keep you posted!
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