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Published: April 21st 2007
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Greeting froms Surfers Paradise here on the Gold Coast of Australia. Surfers has by far been one of my favourite stops here in Oz. Myself and Brenda spent our first day getting settled at our accomodation, which was sweetly located just off the marina, and researching the Dolphin Encounter at Seaworld. Fortunately, as someone had cancelled there was an opening available for the next day for me...so I booked it without a seconds hesitation.
So on Monday we headed to one of my all time favourite theme parks---SEAWORLD to fulfill one of my lifelong dreams-- swimming with the dolphins. When we arrived I got suited up and received a backstage pass to the soundbooth for the dolphin show called "Imagine" to see how complicated the whole process of putting on a show with these agile and graceful creatures can be. This took place at Dolphin Cove, which is the largest sandy bottom lagoon ever built for dolphins. After the show at the cove ended and the arena was emptied, I was taken backstage with the others taking part in the Dolphin encounter programme to get a rundown on the show. We were also given a brief about how to
interact with the animals and warned against giving them positive reinforcement unless they performed the task asked of them. These animals are soo amazing and take all their cues from the hand signals given by the trainers. Once we got into the dolphin cove a sense of calmness just overcame me. We were slowly and carefully introduced to Scooter, a 23 yr old female that has been involved in Seaworlds shows since birth. Then the trainer let us take turns using hand signals to get Scooter to perform the tricks we had previously seen take place in the show. We each got to interact with her for about 35 minutes in the water, and used our goggles to observe the strength of these animals under water. It was truly an amazing experience and one I would do in a heartbeat again! PS---Anyone who cares--- all I want for Christmas this year is a dolphin!
Once the dolphin encounter was complete I changed outta my wet, fish smelling wetsuit and joined Brenda to explore the rest of Seaworld. We used our time wisely catching the seal show, the water ski show and a 4D show. Then we got on some
of the rides which was pretty amusing because I think we were screaming loader than some of the 7 year olds, particularly on the "Bermuda Triangle" water adventure. We were very fortunate because the day we were at the park one of the dolphins gave birth to a baby dolphin, so we had the opportunity to observe the new baby in the pool and watch how the new mother and baby interacted, which was pretty fascinating. On our short walk back from Seaworld we even managed to stop for a photo opportunity at the hotel located next to our accomodation called Palazzo Versace, which some of you may recognise from "I'm A Celebrity Get Me Outta Here!"
Then on Tuesday we hit the main beach here in Surfers, unfortunatly the rain clouds followed us over from Ireland because we weren't even out for an hour before it started. So we returned back, made a bite to eat and then hit the town for some shopping and drinks. I definitely plan to come back to Surfers in a few years when I have some money to actually spend, the streets were lined with Gucci, Fendi, Chanel and all a gal's
Scooter
"P.S. --Scooter is the same age as me! She was born in February and I was born in May" favourite possessions! After picking up a few small things, we decided it was time to cool down with a bevie. As per usual, we started in an Irish pub called O'Malleys for one and then took advantage of free champage for ladies night at a venue called "Shooters." It was an interesting wee place with seats covered in cow print material, and a real western theme. Next we discovered they had frozen drinks one was called "Rasbull" and the other "Viagra"....so of course we tried both! God help the men that nite!!! ha ha ...just messing! but I did manage to get a picture with the barman's red hat with a wee propeller on top..so fashionable I know..ha.
On Wednedays (which was Anzac Day here in Oz. FYI- ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. In 1917, the word ANZAC meant someone who fought at Gallipoli and later it came to mean any Australian or New Zealander who fought or served in the First World War. During the Second World War, ANZAC Day became a day on which the lives of all Australians lost in war time were remembered.), we met up with Father Kevin and Marie,
family friends of Brenda's. They were really nice and took us to the Sheraton Mirage resort and spa, which was located just across the road from our hostel accomodation. We were treated to a massive buffet, and you should have seen us...it was like a scene from "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory"--we were in heaven, hadn't seen a spread like that since we left home... and you can bet that we ate everything off our plates (nearly ate the designs on them as well). After our relaxing lunch we took a walk around the grounds and down to the beach to get some last minute pictures.
So as you can see from Dolphins, beaches, magnificant high rises, great shopping and fine dinning this place offers it all.
Next stop: Brisbane! Where we pick up Lindsay -another travelling buddy for our journey up the east coast!
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Amy
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Surfers Paradise, Part 2
Looking at the bottom pictures, that polar bear is adorable, and the scenery there is unbelievably gorgeous!