North Stradbroke Island

A small post about one of the many islands East of Brisbane.

One can only reach Straddie by ferry. Because of their size we took both vehicles which set us back about AU$320! Wouldn’t bargain to get much in the Suzuki! Thinking about the cost of the ferry now it was a bit expensive then. Then again we didn’t care then – all we could think of was our first December holiday in a new country!

I promise to talk more about Moreton Island next time, but this is what I could remember of Straddie: We had hot and humid days (what else?) with some showers in between! This holiday became special to me because this is where we saw our first koala in the wild and wild dolphins hunting small fish at the jetty! My husband saw the koala from our bedroom window, got the camera and called us. He looked at us and quickly made his way up in the tree where he sat all day…! Then about two days into our stay there, we sat on the rocks next to the jetty when we saw two dolphins coming closer. It was then when small fish started to jump out of the water trying to escape from being dinner. This happened almost every day at dusk. It was just amazing to watch them that close!

If you want to read more about Straddie, here’s the link. Click on the title of this post to view the Google map, in the meantime enjoy some of the photos we took.

Greenmount Beach

We went to Greenmount this morning. It was just another perfect day… filled me with so much gratitude. Could there be a better place to live that here on the Gold Coast? This is paradise for sure. We have white sandy beaches and the water is crystal clear… every time I see it I am in awe…

This particular beach is 30 minutes drive from home. Back home we searched the internet (http://www.realestate.com.au/cgi-bin/rsearch?a=s&cu=fn-rea&s=qld&ss=&ag=&t=res&snf=rbs&chk=0&lead=&ty=&searchFormSource=advanced+search&tb=+KIRRA,+&u=KIRRA&is=1&pm=&px=&pme=any&pxe=any&cat=&o=def ) to see if we could afford to buy a unit there…. Hmmm just too dear as they say here.

Meantime you might find this pic interesting!

Noosa

I sincerely apologise for this long absence from Bloggerland… I promise this won’t happen again! So many things happen in between – you can just imagine. As time goes by I will fill you in! ;0)

We started the second day of the New Year in Noosa. Some people will tell you it is the most beautiful place in Queensland. I totally disagree! Oh don’t get me wrong, it is beautiful but certainly not at the top of my list. I will take you where we have been and you be the judge.

I have posted some photos and my favourite one is where the bird takes his bath in a fountain on the sidewalk next to a coffee shop! Meantime if you want to know more about Noosa go to http://www.visitnoosa.com.au/

Oh, wishing you a very happy new year!

Southbank, Brisbane

I am trying to catch up with all the updates I have to do! I have been so busy but I guess that is no excuse. One has to MAKE time, I know. Well here goes. We had to go to Brisbane or Brissie as we call it on September 17^th. We decided to go by train to give Nan the opportunity to experience the joyride. That is something one wouldn’t dare to do in South Africa, far too dangerous. We travelled from Helensvale station (our closest station on the Gold Coast) to Brisbane CBD. The seats are very comfy and one doesn’t mind the time it takes to get there, which is little over an hour. On our way back we walked along the pretty path in Southbank. Please feel free to view some of the photos we have taken by following this link. I wish I had more time to elaborate on this but for those who want to know more please visit their website. Tonight is André Rieu’s show and I am counting the hours! Be back for more! J

O'Reilly's in Lamington National Park

As I have mentioned earlier we went to O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat in the heart of Lamington National Park on Sunday. A perfect day, as usual! The drive takes about 1½ hours from home. Narrow and ascending its way up to about 920ft above sea level. One doesn’t mind though because the views are breathtaking! Pity there isn’t much room to stop on your way to take photo’s. We arrived there just after 10am. We did the tree top walk first where we met the king parrots half way and explored the lovely garden someone lovingly created. We jokingly gave our donation in the fixed metal boxes and told Nan that she had to ‘pay’ too to avoid being prosecuted as there are camera’s around. There is controlled bird feeding everyday at 11am. You buy a ticket for $4 and receive a bowl of specially selected seed. A small donation for getting up close and personal with these gorgeous feather friends. Please take time and have a look at their website : http://www.oreillys.com.au/ Here are some of the photos we took. Enjoy and remember all comments are welcome. J

Nanna in Surfers Paradise

Days are getting warmer so one has to get out there to enjoy every minute! On Thursday (September 10^th) we took Nanna to go shopping in the heart of the Gold Coast:

Surfers Paradise. She bought some memorabilia and we had a quick lunch at Subway. Need I mention that we couldn’t resist taking a photo of her with the two Meter Maids! They do more than meet the eye: they save you a parking ticket while you have fun surfing! J

Australian Outback Spectacular

On September 2nd we "discovered" the Outback Spirit with Australian Outback Spectacular, an evening dinner show presented by R.M.Williams, filled with outback music, drama and action. This is a permanent attraction on the Gold Coast is set in a giant 1000 seat arena with a cast of larger than life characters and amazing animals. (Cameras are strictly forbidden so one has to go on their website to see more of the venue itself.)

Guests are split into two groups after they receive their free stockmen’s hats with maroon or oatmeal coloured head-bands. The different head-bands depict the station the members of the audience will be barracking and cheering for as they 'battle' it out to bring home the ultimate prize of “top station”. The competition between the stockmen and women of Austral Downs and Wondoola Station gets underway.

We were from team Wondoola. Crack riders from each station show what they are made of as they hang from their saddles at full gallop to race their flags to the finish line. Who will hang the most hats on the homestead and win the title of “top station”?

The tradition of bush-storytelling and bush-poetry around the campfire is an old one; Lose yourself in a mystical campfire rendition of Waltzing Matilda and our national epic – The Man from Snowy River as a mouthwatering and tantalizing array of Aussie food is served during Australian Outback Spectacular! May I add that the red wine we had was out of this world. I rarely drink alcohol but when I tried it, I had to have another glass!

One has to be there to experience the true spirit. Wish you were there!