Gold Coast Adventure

~ The only way to celebrate the end of exams ~

Recipe:

- 5-star hotel

- Pool

- Sunny days

- Buffet breakfasts

- Restaurant lunch and dinners

- A huge shopping centre 5 minutes away (plus a shopping budget)

Result = an amazing few days to forget about your worries, empty out your wallet and to even out your ugly sock-tan

Two weeks ago I tagged along with my mum to a work conference that was being held at the Gold Coast. I had such relaxing 4 days at the Star hotel that I couldn't bear to leave the hotel room when the time came to journey back home.

I mean, look at this view from the room...

To showcase some photos from the trip, please enjoy my mini blog entries and recount of my trip!

Day 1

8:02am | two minutes behind schedule, ran to the car with two huge weekend bags to start the adventure!

10:42am | after picking up a co-worker of mum's, and riding along the highway to the GC we finally made it to the hotel. I didn't take any snaps of the lobby or the entrance, both were under renovation (and also I didn't want to look like a tourist ahahaha :) When we walked into the room, we fell in love instantly. Really modern, a good size for two people, and the comfiest beds!

11:17am | feeling satisfied with the room on the 14th floor, the parents went to lunch in the Garden restaurant with friends that live nearby, while my sister and I went to Pacific Fair, a huge shopping centre a short walk away, with the sole objective of buying me a pair of sandals since I had no other wearable shoes except for my trusty white nikes.

12:33pm | we walked around a fair bit, and decided to visit Myer. There were stunning formal dresses on display, so after contemplating whether we could try them on or not (for about 15 mins), we sneaked in the dresses into the change rooms. What ensued was a fashion show that could rival an America's Top Model runway.

2:22pm | after 40 mins of contemplation, which sandals were the most comfy, best value for money and the prettiest, I finally bought a pair (to my sister's relief), and we went for a promised treat - Cowch Dessert Bar - and spoiled ourselves to some hot chocolate. Note to future self: Cowch has very pretty cocktails.

7:21pm | mum had a conference reception at which attendees collected their lanyards and received free drinks. After a few niceties, we had dinner at an Italian restaurant with two of mum's co-workers. The Carbonara I ordered was a little salty. Ew.

Let me just note that in the hotel alone, there are 7 restaurants and bars as well as the huge Jupiter Casino. I mean, it's pretty big.

Day 2

5:37am | we didn't close the curtains when we went to bed, so at this ghastly hour I was rudely woken by the bright sunlight creeping through the window. It was alright though. I enjoyed the sunrise for 30 seconds then turned around and hit the snooze again.

7:30am | ding ding breakfast time! As mum headed off to the breakfast served at the conference, I enjoyed the buffet breakfast that was charged to the room. In comparison to other buffet breakfasts I've had (for example Disneyland Hilton Hotel YUUUUMMM the fact that they had combined peanut butter and chocolate squeezy spreadable thingies won me over as quick as you can say choco), not the best or most options, but alright. It was pretty lonely breakfasting alone, but eh, I'm there for the coffee and that's all that matters.

10:25am | the friendos drove up for the day! SO FUN AND WINDY THANK YOU FOR COMING <3 The day consisted of swimming and lounging at the pool, hotel room chilling, holiday planning...

Pacific Fair shopping, Coco Cubano nacho and calamari lunch and Ben & Jerry's (+muffin) for dessert. Delish.

3:30pm | I mean, when visiting the Gold Coast how can one not visit the beach at least once? So we decided to go. Well, bad idea. Not even close to the seashore, it was 'sunglasses blowing off and hair in every direction' windy. When we finally made it through the wind tunnel, the waves were cold, no sun, so you couldn't even have a good tan sesh let alone swim. Plus sand was going everywhere. Disappointing. After a few minutes reminiscing our schoolies ocean mems and our beloved Connor, we headed back to the hotel. There was a brief intermission with my toe cramp for 5 agonising minutes but we made it back. In case you were wondering, it was still windy.

5ish pm | after having some dessert at the hotel room and more holiday planning, the amigos said adios, so I sat admiring the brilliant sunset from the room.

6:46pm | since my mum has connections in all places, I got my personal lanyard and attended the conference barbecue sponsored by one of the many attending companies. The food was super delicious. And the drinks were super delicious, daiquiri yum (but tasted a little like the liquid berry flavoured panadol, not gonna lie).

10:32pm | after hearing some absolutely ridiculous life stories from several conference-goers around the table and discussing Apple's innovation process and development, it was time to head up to the hotel room. It was an absolutely insane but fun night!

Day 3

5:44am | once again woken up by the sun. Once again turned around and fell asleep.

8am | lonely breakfast time. I had two cups of coffee that morning, and a pain au chocolat. yuuumo

10:04am | feeling cooped up in the room, I decided to go on an adventure to the seashore again and wanted to walk all the way to Surfer's Paradise along the beach to see what the schoolies kids were up to. Turns out thats a long way away, especially when it's unbearably windy again. At least I got a groovy pic.

When I turned around this is what I saw. So I decided to head back to Pacific Fair for lunch before the storm hit.

While I was walking to the huge crossing, small droplets started to fall, and you know, I was hopeful that I would get to the shopping centre just in time. OH WAS I WRONG. As soon as I got to the huge intersection traffic light that literally takes years to go green, it started pouring like someone had switched a shower on to full intensity. I had my hat and sunglasses on already so they briefly acted as an umbrella (because even if I had an umbrella with me, it would result in me flying away with it like Mary Poppins). By the time I got to the centre, I was soaked through. My thongs were squeaking, my shirt was a different colour and it looked like I was fresh out of the shower because my hair was dripping. Luckily I had my peasant shirt in my bag for a change of clothes, otherwise I would have gotten sick. (the picture doesn't do true justice to how soaked I was)

4:08pm | finally got back to the hotel room to enjoy a watery, not milky enough coffee and then to the pool with mum. It was windy and cold, and again started raining, but I got a quick swim in anyway :) when the sun came out again though, it was beautiful.

7:14pm | finally din din. Went to a dumpling restaurant, which was accurately classified by my mum as a glorified take-out, but we enjoyed it nevertheless. I also tried a milk tea, super interesting, can't remember what flavour it was but it tasted very very sweet, like banana. It also tasted better when diluted 1:4 water.

8:44pm | since day 3 was a Tuesday, and holidays are no exception for skipping tv shows, I was planted in my clothes, favourite new sandals, a bathrobe and a cup of English Breakfast tea (with a minuscule drop of milk, definitely not enough but not the point) watching my fav The Good Doctor. I think it will forevermore be my favourite tv show. Scared for the finale episode this week eeek.

Day 4

8:39am | dad came to pick us up. But before checking out, all three of us went to the buffet breakfast. Finally not alone! What a great way to end the story :)

10:44am | on the road home, reminiscing the amazing mini vacation and secretly hoping to be this lucky, scoring conferences and small getaways with my future job.

☀️

Its been two weeks since this wonderful adventure so it's about time I upload this. This is actually a whopper of a blog post, I couldn't make myself write it for two weeks and now just smashed it out.

Congratulations and thank you to you for reading this far! As I said, what a whopper. No other word to describe the length.

I hope you like the new website design, and the new sections I've added. It's pretty simple and minimalistic at the moment, and I'm also deliberating a new name and logo! More regular posts soon! All the love N