The Gold Coast

---

It's been 5 days since i last posted here. Thought it was about time I let you know what I'm up to. We left Sydney early Friday morning to go to Brisbane. We saw the Da Vinci Code (thought it was brilliantly done) and otherwise spent the day exploring Brisbane and found that it is exactly the same as all the other cities we have visited. It's a nice place, but if you put me in the middle of it and asked me where i was, i could just as easily say Perth, Melbourne, or Sydney. We stayed one night and then opted for a change of scenery and took a train and bus ride 100km down the coast to Surfer's Paradise, definitely one of the best decisions we ever made.

On Saturday we went to Wet and Wild water park, had a laugh there. Some fast water slides, and great weather. That evening there was a backpacker's club crawl around Surfer's (cost 10 quid for 4 clubs and free drinks everywhere... very good value). We eventually decided to head home at about 3, but the queue for the taxi was ridulous, so we did what most people on a strict budget would do in that situation and hired a limo!! It was a one off, I swear. The next day was a lazy one (it had to be really) and we spent it on the beach. The weather was beautiful, and we got free body board rentals from the hostel, so the 4 of us just chilled out on the beach.

Yesterday (Monday) Rob flew back to England. It was great to have him over for a few days, so we all got on the train back to Brisbane, Rob got off at the airport, while Josh, Sam, and I continued to Beerwah. Beerwah is where Australia Zoo is (owned by Croc Hunter Steve Erwin). That was really fun. Steve Erwin wasn't there himself, but some other guys tormented crocodiles instead!! We saw a couple of really good animal shows, where people fed crocodiles and also a tiger show. They brought out these toys for the tigers to chase and play with, and they jumped about and stuff, was really cool.

Spent today trying to figure out the rest of our time in Australia... not really sure where I'll be when I next blog! It's all very complicated.

Tom

---

Photos

Robe, Me, Josh, Limo Driver, Sam
Yes... we got a limo! Not typical backpacker transport!

Another Beach
Surfer's Paradise, just over the road from our hostel

Croc Show
One of Steve Erwin's minions feeding a crocodile

Tigers
Chasing a toy

Cheetah
Australia Zoo

Elephant
Australia Zoo

Tigers 2
Being fed

Comments

[Mum]

You lucky lot! It just rains here. Limos indeed....there'll be no sympathy when the money runs out. Shame Steve wasn't with the crocs at the zoo, Crikey.

[zara]

email problems
hey matey, just tried to send you an email before i head off to germany and it wont deliver! whats up with your email account? if i dont get a chance to send it i'll try again when im bk in a few weeks. miss you!! zara x

[chris]

lucky you!!!!!
All that lovely sunshine and beautiful beaches you are so lucky ,all we have here is rain ,rain and more rain. It sounds as if the night life is great and cheap except for the limo that is, but you are only young once enjoy it. Love Chris