Coolangatta – Gold Coast – Queensland – Australia – December 2020

Tags

Australia, Australian beaches, Coolangatta, Gold Coast, Koala, Queensland

I was so fortunate to be able to travel to the Gold Coast to see my family for Christmas as I know many other people both in Australia in other states and around the world cannot travel at all. I flew from Canberra to Coolangatta Airport where one of my best friends picked me up. I booked accomodation in Coolangatta overlooking the beach and ocean and it was lovely to walk inside and see the fabulous views especially at dusk.

On the day I arrived, my friend Sandy and I met up with another friend who I have not seen for over three years so he took us to Kirra Beach Surf Club; interior is rather old but a couple of vegan options on the menu so I ordered a pasta arrabbiata which was very good. Best part were the views!

I got up early nearly every morning and took a walk along the beachfront; one one occasion for over two hours. You had to get up early as the sun was very warm, actually starting just before 8am. But this meant skies were usually a vibrant blue well apart from one day when it was very overcast but that afforded me the opportunity to walk a little later.

I had breakfast out a couple of times at various cafes but I think my favourite was the cafe under my apartment block which served a very nice mushrooms on toast and great fruit juices.

I think my lasting impression of Coolangatta will be the beautiful beaches and fabulous ocean.

But an interesting impression will always be of a local home that has both the animals from our coat of arms guarding the entrance; they must be about six foot high (180cms)!

Hope everyone was safe and well over the Christmas period and I wish you all a very happy 2021 (and please let it be better than 2020).

Main Beach – Gold Coast – Queensland – Australia – October 2020

Tags

Australia, beach walks, Gold Coast, Main Beach, Queensland, Sheraton Mirage

A couple of months I was finally able to visit my family at the Gold Coast in Queensland. It was my first trip on a plane since the beginning of the year so it was very welcome. I hadn’t visited the Gold Coast for over a year and on my last visit stayed with a friend so this time I opted for a little more luxury and booked a three night stay at the Sheraton Mirage which is located on Main Beach. It really is a beautiful beachfront 5-Star resort. I was greeted with a huge bright foyer with floor to ceiling glass windows which afforded me views of the grounds including the luxurious pool area and the magnificent ocean.

As my brother wasn’t due to arrive at the hotel until after 4pm, I decided to sit outside in the shade under an umbrella and order lunch. The chef made me a lovely vegan salad and the only vegan wine available was French champagne so I thought ‘why not…I am on holidays?’ (I didn’t drink the whole bottle, I took it back to my room for later!!) and of course my obligatory bowl of chips which in the end were taken by a couple of birds who clearly knew where the food was.

The Gold Coast is a renowned holiday destination here in Australia, south of Brisbane, about an hour plane ride away from Canberra with lovely beaches; waves which are great for surfing, theme parks, inland canals and lovely weather. Every morning I would wake up very early and go for a ninety-minute walk along the beach front…which was a wonderful way to start the day.

I wanted to show my brother and nephew the Versace Hotel which was over the road from our hotel, so we walked over one afternoon for a drink and something to eat. It’s quite a lovely hotel with a spectacular entrance including an incredible chandelier then you have stunning floor tiles and when your eyes move outside you have beautiful pools and lovely gardens. I ordered a gin and tonic (my new drink if there isn’t any vegan wine) and my brother and nephew ordered scones, jam and cream. A really nice hour or so just enjoying opulence!

On our last evening my brother, nephew and I had dinner at the hotel which was a seafood banquet and I invited my Godson and his mum who live on the Gold Coast…everyone enjoyed the buffet and the chef made me a delicious vegan risotto. Can’t fault the hotel I must say.

So…for me a lovely three days seeing my family and enjoying what the Gold Coast has to offer…great that I will be returning over Christmas.