Gold Coast

Time for holidays up early 3.30 as getting picked up at 4.15 by taxi to take us to airport. Get to airport in about 30minutes already checked so just drop bags off. Whilst waiting for flight have a coffee but didn't feel like food at this time as too early. Flight departed at 6.05 was only a short one 1hr 20minutes I slept whilst Tiago play on phone. Arrived at Gold Coast at 6.25 as there a hour behind Sydney. Once there get luggage didn't have to wait to long and then how to get to our hotel. Saw a shuttle bus sign which included airport transfer and theme park transfers so decided to get that for 3 days only $78 each. Unfortunately we just missed the bus at 6.45 so had to wait til 7.30 til the next one and trust it to start raining. But at least whilst waiting arranged for pick up to go to Dreamworld theme park and airport pick up. We were the last to be dropped off at our hotel QT and obviously hotel not ready as can't check in til 2. QT Gold Coast is an extroardinary hotel where an eclectic mix of design and art come to life. But we needed something to eat and couldn't see anything at hotel we fancied as only a little coffe shop. So walked about 5-10 minutes found a cafe just had a bacon and egg bap but do breakfast buffet for $15 so might come tomorrow for that. When walking back to hotel thought our pick up was there and by time got to hotel bus gone but was 15minutes early. Luckily it wasn't our bus and ours arrived at 9.20, 5 minutes after pick up, picked up a few other hotels. First stop wet n wild then movie world we were last to be dropped off but dreamworld looked so much better than movie world. Got there 10 am, as soon as got through trust it to start raining but luckily can get pass to go between both parks Dreamworld and Whitewater World park, which we got. Then off course it stopped raining so decided to stay in dreamworld in total went on 8 rides first was. My favourite ride was the BuzzSaw which was also the longest queue and is a 15 storey roller coaster where you plummet down with speeds of up to 105km/hr. Most extreme was The Giant Drop a 120m free fall ride which I was abit unsure about doing where I did have to close my eyes at one point and gripped Tiago's hand tightly. The calmest was the Rocky Hollow Log Ride but you have to do it and was quite fun and the one felt the funniest was the Claw where felt abit lightheaded after. We also did Zombie Evilution last which is laser tag but unfortunately lost Tiago so didn't do too well but was first time but still quite fun. Got picked up at 16.15 and was 2nd drop off. As soon as back at hotel got changed then go out for dinner since not really had lunch only coffee and chocolate panettone, so quite hungry. So went to Hurricanes for dinner as remember seeing this morning when arriving. Unfortunately we couldn't get a window seat which would off been nice with the view off the beach. We both decided to have the beef ribs for a change me half and Tiago full. Was very nice but abit more fatty than the pork ribs which we usually have was very full afterwards. Then decided to go find Coles to get a few nibbles which took abit to find had to use goggle and trust it to start raining. Luckily once been to Coles it had stopped raining then to get some wine. Once back at room drunk wine whilst looking out the window admiring the view but was not late night must of been asleep about 9pm. Tuesday got up about 7ish and then to the place we saw yesterday for buffet breakfast, first take pictures of view in the nice chair near lifts. The buffet breakfast was very good lots of choice must of gone up twice had full breakfast first then pancakes. It was then back to the hotel to get collected by the bus at 9.15 to go to Whitewater world. Got there just after 10am and first stop to get Pass so can go between both parks again. First stop Whitewater World a waterpark situated in Coomera next to Dreamworld with 10 water slides and 2 children's areas. First ride was The Green Room which accelerates riders from a 75 metre tunnel to a 15 metre funnel very enjoyable. Tiago then wanted to do the wedgie which was a drop and loop water slide which was unsure about doing. So thought would watch him do first but looked better from bottom than the top of the slide. Also the lifeguard let me press the button to release Tiago from the wedgie. It was then to do the Super Tubes Hydrocoaster which was a very long queue but probably ended up taking less than a hour. The Super Tubes Hydrocoaster is where you are blasted from the 18m tower down the 236m track of terror was lots of fun. Next was the Bro a blue ring octopus which is a thrilling race between 8 riders on mats unfortuantely Tiago beat me. Then it was the Rip which is a launch from the 16 metre tower into a 12 metres of pitch black terror. We then decided to the Triple Vortex where we queued quite a while to get the two person tube which Tiago carried to the top. After queuing for so long to go the ride was a big disappointment no drops and a flat ride compared to the others. It was then time for coffee and pringles before going on the Green Room again one of our favourite would of gone on Super Tubes Hydrocoaster again but a long queue. So then we went to play in the Cave of Waves where you can relax on the tubes but none left but luckily just hit it right for the waves. It was then to dry of on the loungers before going back through to Dreamworld to play on a few more rides. Since enjoyed the Wipeout yesterday went on there first and trust as soon as we got on it it broke down. But we decided to wait and was only a wait of about 10 minutes and this time sat in front where felt the spins, twists and tumbles more. Was tempted to do the BuzzSaw again but was a queue so did a few which never did yesterday like the Shockwave and Pandamonium. Since the Pandeamonium was near the kids thought it might be quite tame but got to choose fast or mild we went fast were you spin, twist and upside felt abit dizzy afterwards. It was then to play the Zombie Evilution again as Tiago wanted to play struck with him this time but got an even lower score than last time. Before we got picked was time to get some picture and got picked up at 17.15 today and was the first drop off. Once home chill for abit then go out for dinner and had seen a nice restaurant last night overlooking surfers paradise beach below Hurricanes. Went to Elston bar and restaurant which does Mediterranean cuisine I had duck and Tiago the portions looked abit small but was actually very filling and delicious. It was then to Coles afterwards to get a few nibbles and walked past the slingshot on way back to hotel, which is a human catapult but decided against doing it. Once back at hotel chill with wine looking at the nice view from our window helped by been high up. I ended up falling asleep early which Tiago not impressed about and he ended up going for a walk along the beach at about 10pm. Got a lie in on Wednesday think woke up about 10am but by time got organised must of been nearly 11ish. Was going to go for the breakfast buffet again where we went yesterday but unfortuantely was just finished thinking about 11.30am. So ended up going to the pub 'The Clock Hotel' which we had seen near Coles for $7.95 sirloin with mash. Unfortuantely when it came out Tiago's did not taste right and he ended up having to send it back. The annoying thing is their tried to tell him it was because of the spices there had put on it but had tasted mine aswell and definitely different. It was then to the coles shopping outlet to look in phone shop as Tiago needed a cover for his new iPhone 6 plus, which he got. We were then off to find the Q1 tower as included in a package we got with Dreamworld, white world passes. The Q1 (abbreviation of Queensland number one) is a skyscraper in Surfers Paradise, on the Gold Coast. It lost its title as the worlds tallest residential tower to the 348 metre building the Marina Torch in Dubai on 29th April 2011. As of May 2012 it is the sixth tallest such building, the Q1 is the tallest in Australia and the Southern Hemisphere. Q1 skypoint offers spectacular 360 degree views of the Gold Coast with breathtaking views of the shoreline and you get to the top in less than 2 minutes. So we sat at a table near the edge to admire the pretty amazing view which went on for miles and have a coffee on the 77th floor. The only thing it was a shame that we hadn't known there did food as could of had afternoon tea instead of our steaks. It was then to walk round the observation deck and look at all the distances from all the different places but disappointing not one for England. The height and the magnificent view blows you away from the beautiful beach strip to the Hinterland and is a great way to take in the sites from the Skydeck. You can get some great pictures up there and luckily the weather was nice so we could see everything. Whilst up at the Q1 skypoint we had our passport pictures and you can also do the skypoint but decided against it as didn't look that amazing. After doing the skypoint it was too walk back to the hotel but not before stopping at the Surfers Paradise sign to get pictures. But it was very difficult to get the full picture of the Surfers Paradise sign due to the traffic. We then walked on the beach as it just had to be done was a few on considering it was windy and a few jellyfish on beach. Once back at hotel was still early so we decided to go down to the pool to chill for abit. Unfortuantely the pool not that warm so just went in the jacuzzi instead which was nice apart from all the kids. It was quite funny was a few kids in jacuzzi unsupervised and parents not taking any notice even though should be supervised under 12years. We stayed in for a while but then the kids started to get abit annoying as kept going under the water. After that was time to get changed to go for dinner decided to go the Greek take away/restaurant next where we ate yesterday as looked nice. Even though we got there quite early was still busy and couldn't get a seat outside but luckily got one inside. At the Greek Steet Grill we shared the mixed meat platter which was reasonable priced, got plenty and tasted good. It also reminded me a little of working in Cyprus eating this food just a shame no room to fit in halloumi. After food was back to the hotel to pack and finish our last bottle of wine as fly to Cairns tomorrow.