Surfer's Paradise: Its not just for surfers

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Hello Everyone!

Being in Australia where most of the inhabitants live within 100 miles of the coast, I often feel how I have been deprived as a child. Maybe I could have been a beach bunny or a surfer dude if only I had been exposed at a young age to the wonders of beaches. I have seen so many families frolicking on the beach here on the Queensland coast. Including parents and their little children complete with child sized surf boards heading out into the waves.
But reality being what it is; I was raised in Illinois. I never even saw a beach until I was 13 and that was the frigid north Pacific. It definitely can't be compared to beautiful Australian surf where the water is so nice. Of course, we had great things in Illinois. We have ...cornfields...and snow. Lots of snow!

The point of this is only that I am not really in a position to judge the paradise like qualities of a beach. There are things that live in the ocean you know-sharks that will bite you, and jelly fish that will sting you, and plants that will eat you! Those images really interfere with my beach appreciation skills. (I am aware that I am going to have to make an effort to overcome my fear of ocean creatures if I am going to see the Great Barrier Reef later in this trip.)

But the Australians have named this place "Surfer's Paradise" and who am I to say different? Its paradise. How they can say that when there aren't any public libraries is a mystery. Surfer's Paradise is in the middle of the so called "Gold Coast." They have 5 famous theme parks here, including Sea World. Of course, famouse is relative. I had never heard of these places before I came here, but they are some of the only amuzement parks in Australia. Not having unlimited funds, I picked two to visit. Dreamworld and White Water World. At Dreamworld you can pet a Tiger and cuddle a koala. Of course you have to pay an extra fee for that. I personally enjoyed the roller-coasters and water-slides. The weather here in 'paradise' is like the jungle. Hot with 98% humidity. So it is perfect for a visit to a water park, or the beach if you like beaches. After Surfer's Paradise it is back to Brisbane to prepare for my flight to New Zealand. I am only allowed 20kg (about 45 lbs.) of checked luggage and I seriously doubt my backpack only weighs 45 lbs.

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