Gold Coast -- Day Four

November 30, Sunday
Australian Time: 1951

4th Day

Location: Gold Coast
Accommodation: Montego Motel
Cost: $115 per night
Currency (Singapore is to Australia): 1 is to 1

Breakfast at McDonald’s was surprising once more – the size of the portion was so mini that I wondered how the other customers survived on just one set meal. Their usual consumption size had to be a lot bigger than that! No wonder business in McDonald’s is never as packed as, say, McDonald’s in Tampines. They don’t get enough value for money there.

The one hour trip to Gold Coast flew by and before we knew it, we were stepping out into the scorching carpark in Harbourfront Town. It’s like an American shopping mall, no tall buildings, just rows and rows of shops stretched and curved in a very attractive labyrinth. Anyway, the sun was heating up the open air space, and every single drop of sweat my glands produced evaporated immediately, leaving me dehydrated, hot yet un-sticky. Which is a great feeling, minus the constant parched throat.

There were loads of accessories on sale that would usually have caused a dent in my pockets (about $20 or more), but I got them at only $10, including one free! I was very satisfied with the buy. Sketchers, apparently, is not as popular a brand in Australia as in America, thus the choices were extremely limited and there was no chance for me to dump my old Sketchers into the garbage bag. Oh well. Better luck next time.

Next we paid a visit to the local supermarket, where a whole seedless watermelon was selling for only $3!!! It’s the kind of deal that’s near impossible in Singapore! So all of us jumped at the chance and had to drag the huge watermelon all the way back into our smothering car. The sun was still showing off its radiance.

McDonald’s – again – for lunch. The usual: French fries, Cheeseburger, Nuggets, Chicken wraps and coke…all for $16.40. At least it was cheaper than having Club Sandwiches at The Coffee Club.

After filling our empty stomachs, we went in search for a motel with Internet – which turned out to be a very difficult feat. Since my dad promised my sis that we would stay in a hotel with Internet if she forced down a few mouthfuls of Apricot Yoghurt, we had no choice but to meet with many dead ends before finally coming across Montego. The only reason they gave us free Internet and a lower rate (U.P $135 per night) was because business was not good for this particular motel. But hey, we got lucky and nobody’s complaining.

Anyway, I spent most of the late afternoon researching on things to do and attractions to see. At first we wanted a go at the Hot Air Balloons, but it’s about $310 for each person for an hour’s flight. Of course, they include breakfast and also transport services, but it was still considered expensive. So we gave up on that idea. I came across Adventure Parc, where we get to do exciting challenges like flying fox, rock climbing and crossing bridges hung by a rope through a rainforest! The surroundings would be so genuine, as well as your supervisors, and you would be able to do 3 courses for the price of $41! I considered it relatively affordable, seeing as there were 72 obstacles the instructors would have to guide us through. Also they provided the equipments that were needed, since we would be constantly at least 3 meters above the ground.

But all the excitement would have to wait until tomorrow, since the park closes at 1700.

In addition, I’ve decided to have a go at Kart Racing…it seemed fun enough! I get to drive without a license – who doesn’t want that (you may not, but future drivers like me are certainly gonna be interested!)?!

Finally, the researching was done and we headed out for dinner at Yellow Fin, where the food was freaking fantastic!

Menu:

Smoked Salmon Bruchetta
Salt and Pepper Calamari
Kilpatrick Oysters
Spaghetti Marinara
Gold Snapper
A glass of red wine

All for only $69.90!

The reason for the extremely low bill was because we had a coupon that took 50% off our FOOD.

All the items were delicious and unique! Sauces I had never tasted before in my life melted easily in my mouth and slid smoothly down my throat. The calamari was unlike anything I’d ever eaten – it was thick, chewy and crispy, complete with a lemony sauce that I’d never come across before! The smoked salmon obviously tasted smoked (which I didn’t enjoy very much, but the fact that it was salmon made up for it) and the oysters little bit too salty to my liking. Otherwise, everything else tasted better than I had imagined.

After dinner we had a stroll on the beach… The sand was actually soft and smooth (something you’ll never find in Sentosa)! The sky was a range of different colours (it was dusk), purple faded to gray which became pink and then darkened into a light blue. The beach was clean, the sea was clean and the air was clean. Of course, by then the wind had picked up, and I was shaking furiously in my T-shirt and shorts. I marveled at the lovely ladies who managed to wear bikinis in the scorching sun as well as in the windy evening. Everyone walked around in just trunks and bikinis! Even the diners!

What an eyeful.