Surfers Paradise

Surfers Paradise
Nov. 21 – After the group photo, we headed across the bridge and out of Sydney, passing by Newcastle, NSW’s second largest city. We continued north to our accommodation at Rydges Nautilus Resort, right on the beach of Coffs Harbour (NSW 'Banana Republic'). That afternoon was spent enjoying a walk along the beach and collecting small rocks. Met TJ from Dublin, Ireland, Andrea from Rome, Italy (who seems to have lost his glasses). Travelling with Vicky, we met couples (referred to as Couples); Lee & Bonny from Alberta, Canada; Rob & Marietta from Wisconsin; Lee & Ann from Delaware; Mike & Lynn from Houston. They thought we were a couple too. After dinner, we went to a local pub for "get to know the your fellow travelers", to shoot pool and chance to taste their local beer. I had VB (Victoria’s Bitter which will be my beer of choice for the rest of my stay here in OZ).

Nov. 22 – Continuing north, we stopped at Cape Byron, Australia’s most easterly point, with its dramatic cliffs and views. Dolphins were an added attraction. Byron Bay is a trendy town and home to Paul Hogan, Olivia Newton John and other glitterati. The crowd (most hippies, who never outgrown the 60’s and backpackers of every nationality) come to enjoy the beaches, cafes, streetside restaurants, and shops. Watego's Beach is one of the best beaches for surfboard riding on the east coast.

We then crossed into Queensland, (setting our clock 1 hr behind), arriving in the late afternoon at Surfers Paradise. Mercure Resort will be our home for the next 3 nights. Jinelle, Vicky’s new roommate, was joining us here. My roommates were Mike (Ontario, Canada), Andrea, Jeff (Sydney). Good thing no one snores! Samantha from UK showed me a postcard with my name on it!

After dinner at the hotel, we went to Jupiter’s Casino and came out $55.00 richer. Then on to dancing at Melba Bar. It is schooly week (our version of spring break except these are high school kids taking a break before they take their college entrance requirement test).

Nov. 23 – Nice day for a morning stroll and "sightseeing" along the white sand beach. The Couples were learning to Surf. Afternoon I went for the "Off the Edge" adventure. It began with mountain biking down single trails through the forest to the Nerang River. Following Aisling (UK), we got lost on the bike trail. (She also had a nasty crash with minor scraps on her legs and arms). Then off the bikes and into a powerboat for speed, spins & jumps down the river past million dollar homes in to the Broadwater. From the boat it’s parasailing. Some opted for jet-skiing and bungy jumping.

Afternoon pizza picnic with champagne as the sunset along the river. The character of the group was starting to shape up. This was going to be a fun group.

Nov. 24 – Downhill bike adventure. We went up the mountain (1,080 m), trek through the rainforest to waterfalls, and had barbecue lunch. As we were ready for the 20 mile downhill bike ride to the valley, it started to rain heavily. A couple of brave souls including me decided to go for it on a bike equipped with lousy brakes on a treacherous asphalt slick road (not to mention lightning strikes). The group was divided into two groups, the novice bikers following the tour leader and the kamikazes (Lee from Alberta, Craig from UK, and Peter from Holland). We would wait and let the tour leader get ahead by about 2 miles before we go zooming downhill.

Dinner was at Dracula Cabaret restaurant. Apparently Jinelle complained about something so he got roasted to an embarrassing moment by the Characters.

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