Goodbye Gold Coast

Well our month long stay on the Gold Coast is almost at an end. I initially looked forward to settling somewhere for a month but with all the travelling we have been doing it didn't take long before I got itchy feet. So I'm not sure if in the future I will hang around somewhere this long. That doesn't count home. The caravan park we are staying at is really good and in a perfect location but it's also a park that gets extremely busy over the weekend. I really don't mind it if it's busy but it's when you get surrounded by an extended family in four tents that set up almost on our laps and have the foulest mouths I have ever heard. I just can't believe that families would use this language especially when they have little children with them. Now I'm not against the odd swear word but all the time, when it's yelled and the drunken behaviour that accompanies it is a bit much to take. OK that's my rant over, thanks for listening.

The view of the caravan park we are staying at from Tallebudgera Creek

I was treated to some great cloud formations 

The other day we went had a day trip up to Tamborine Mountain, which is the hinterland behind the Gold Coast. From the east side of the mountains you have beautiful views of the ocean and from the west you are treated to the mountain views. North Tamborine is a delightful little village that caters to the many tourist to the area. It's main street is lined with various shops, cafes and restaurants.

Amazing views

Treated to one last Gold Coast sunset

Gold Coast, Queensland

Well I've now been on the Gold Coast for about 2 weeks now and this is the first time I've logged on to do a blog update. It's not that I've been very busy, I have been out and about but just not on my laptop much. I have been having a few IT issues and it seems the new iPhone update doesn't want to allow me to upload any of my photos - grrrrr.  I have been to the Gold Coast many many times and still enjoy coming here, although I choose to stay in the less touristy areas now. But I think everywhere on the Gold Coast is now touristy and very busy.

Surfers Paradise in the distance

How have I spent my days so far, well there has been shopping at the shopping centres, warehouse outlets and a few markets. Walking along the beach, catching up with friends, eating some yummy food and most of all relaxing.

Amazing fruits at the farmers market

My type of mini golf course - Buddha theme

I have been lucky enough to have my cousin Sue staying for the week. We are extremely close but don't get to spend a lot of time together so this is a very special week.

Suzie and Davine 

One day we headed south to the very spiritual,amazing Crystal Castle and Shambala Gardens. I have been there before and just knew Sue would love it, and she did. Crystal Castle and the gardens is a privately owned property filled with the most amazing crystals, statues, sub-tropical plants, labyrinth and a walk to the most beautiful stone Buddha I have ever seen. We had a glorious spiritual day of meditation and relaxation.

Lakshmi - The Goddess of fortune, prosperity, wisdom and fertility.
She is also the embodiment of beauty, grace and charm.

Avalokiteshvara - embodies the compassion of all the Buddhas

The Great Buddha

The Gold Coast - Surfers Paradise

Last night we decided to drive into Surfers Paradise to the Wednesday night market. As I have mentioned before we love heading to any sort of market, but the only thing we ever seem to buy is some sort of food. I was a little disappointed with this one as I expected being such a popular location it would have had more original, unusual stands but most were your run of the mill stuff. But yes we did still buy ourselves something to eat.

I don't tend to head to the Gold Coast much when I am up in this area as it has become way to commercialised and touristy these day. But it is still popular as it represents Australia's sun, surf, lifesavers and theme parks to the internationals, young families and the schoolies. When ever I do head to the Gold Coast area it always brings back lots of past memories. When I was 20 I came here for my honeymoon, with my ex Paul. Then when I was 40 I came here when my marriage was at an end, then in my 40's I came up here with my two kids, Shane and Rachel for our last family holiday, that is before they didn't want to hang out with Mum anymore!! And in between those times I have been up here numerous times to holiday and catch up with friends. So last night gave me my Gold Coast fix for a few more years.