Gold Coast: Surfers Paradise

When one mentions Australia, Gold Coast is definitely one in the topic. It is as popular as the Sydney Opera House or the kangaroos among tourists. The booming tourism industry makes it a metropolitan city with towering skyscrapers and expensive waterfront homes for the rich and famous. The Q1 building is towering at 320ft and claimed to be the tallest residential building in the world. Along this 60km Gold Coast stretch, Surfers Paradise is the more popular spot among tourists with Japanese and Middle Easters making the bulk of it. I was late to the beach due to shoppings in Brisbane so I couldn't see much daylight activities on the beach. By nightfall, this area turns into a nightlife entertainment hot spot. Young and hot local party chicks turn out in droves to party till morning. Families wishing a more peaceful environment head down to the night flea market along the beach. Shoppers will be delighted with many designer shops opening till late hours. For asians, I bet most of them are trapped inside the casino. The night view from the waterfront homes overlooking the city is just breathtaking. So peaceful and wonderful sight; a bright moon, a million stars, and a thousand more "stars" on the ground, making one perfect masterpiece art of mother nature on the water reflection. If I have the opportunity to stay here, I guess my life span expands 10 years.

A Day In Brisbane

An hour drive to the city in a Ford Falcon XR6 was a sheer pleasure. Sunnybank was the first stop for lunch. This suburb is an asian town itself. I have never seen so many asians in a place before. For once I thought I'm back in Singapore. Had a heartful hainanese chicken rice lunch which I must say better than the ones back home. A quick groceries shopping in asian marts there before heading down to South Banks to check out the man-made beach by the river, overlooking the city. Later part of the afternoon was spent shopping in Queen Street Mall; few streets being converted into a walking promenade with shops lining up on both sides. Had a quick peek inside the Treasury Casino. I won $20! A visit to a foreign city for me is never complete without checking out the Chinatown. The proper Chinatown is located at Fortitude Valley which I come to know was filmed in a Jackie Chan's movie. A day is certainly too short for me to fully explore the city. I'll definitely return soon to check out the hilltop city view and some nice coffee joints.

The Gold Wing Club

I was so busy for the past month leading up to my base check in the simulator last week. I hardly have time for my leisure activities. When one completes the base check, he joins the gold wing club; so my roommate said. I'd rather say the mile high club, minus the hanky pankies. Time to fly the real thing up in the sky. It's a totally new ball game. One and a half more months to go...the countdown begins.