Tuesday, 25 November 2008

NATTER: MY HOUSEHOLD ON HOLIDAYS - QUEENSLAND 2008

The beach on Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast, Queensland

Helloooo everybody, I’m back……after two glorious weeks on holidays in sunny Queensland – well actually, not so sunny cos there were some serious storms whilst I was up there, didn’t I???

However, I was lucky enough to dodge the worst of the storms but even when it was raining, the temperature was still perfect. Which is not what I can say about the temp in Canberra at the moment! It is nearly the beginning of summer and when I arrived home on the weekend, the temp here was 9°C! Go figure??? And it has not stopped raining here since.


This is where I stayed in Surfers Paradise


The beach at Noosa Heads, Gold Coast, Queensland


I stayed in Surfers Paradise at the Gold Coast and also in Noosa at the Sunshine Coast. I was in heaven with all the yummy shops around. My favourite was Elkhorn Avenue in Surfers Paradise as the street houses all the designer shops. I had a tough time deciding on a Louis Vuitton or Gucci handbag – I finally opted on a Gucci bag…..always been a little partial to Gucci. I also went crazy at the Wedgewood and Villeroy and Boch factory outlets. My bank account is looking so pathetic at the moment!!!


Louis Vuitton on Elkhorn Avenue, Surfers Paradise


My favourite shop, Gucci, right at the end of the designer lane, opposite Louis Vuitton on Elkhorn Avenue


My purchase this trip.

Even on holidays I was waking up at 6.00 am but I actually enjoyed it - it gave me a chance to have breakfast by the pool and read my books before the sun was up. I actually found some old Mills and Boons and it made great reading. I can't remember the last time I read those books....actually I do...20 years ago!!! I was really glad that I found some Janet Dailey books at the Carrara Markets. She used to be my fav M&B author. I also watched a few movies (the wonders of having a portable DVD player).

My holiday reading and movies

My favourite Thai Restaurant - they have won numerous awards and the food is divine! Within walking distance from our apartment, which helped.

Make sure you visit Norma and Frank Bailey of Zanette's Gelati at the Chevron Renaissance Shopping Centre in Surfers Paradise. They make the best ever Italian ice creams, truly! My favourites - Macadamia, Pistachio and Ferraro Roche, yum, yum.

Anyway, am I pleased to be back? Yes and no. I definitely do not miss work. In fact I am dreading going back to work; having to catch up on 3 weeks of work. One consolation - Christmas holidays are coming in less than a month's time! Yipee.

My total journey these holidays was 3007 kms.... Oh yeah and I drove all the way!!! It's a sixteen hour drive from Canberra to Surfers Paradise and I drove in one go on the way back to Canberra. I also had my first ever puncture since I have been driving a car. On the way up, I broke journey in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales and spent a day there. I took over 600 pictures (no joking) and it was so difficult to decide what pictures to put up on my blog. It is going to take me forever just to sort out them out. So, I hope you enjoyed the snippets of my happy shots from my holidays!

PS: I would have put more pictures up but as it took me 2.5 hours just to load these few pictures on the blog, I am afraid that my patience is running quite thin. We are not amused!!!

16 comments:

ICook4Fun said...

Welcome back VG. Glad you and your family had a good holidays. The last time I read a M & B book probably about 22 years ago. Janet Dailey was my fav author too. Can't wait to see the rest of your holidays pictures.

VG said...

Thank you Gert. It's good to be back.I have missed you.

I was getting so frustrated with the server today. It took me over two hours just to put the few pics up. Can't wait to see what storm you have been brewing up in your kitchen. I'll visit you soon and will write about my holidays in more detail in an e-mail.

Love, VG

Anonymous said...

Welcome back. Good pictures tells a lot more than words. I am a visual person and appreciate all your pictures.Looking forward to Christmas too.

VG said...

Hi Hong

Thank you. Would have liked to put up more pics but my server was exceptionally slow today.

Hope you have been keeping well and that you had a great time with Mrs M.

Hugs, VG

Family First said...

Ooh surfers paradise! I love that place! Been there about 5 yrs ago as a surprise gift from hubby (then boyfriend la) ... else you think I would have married him .... hahaha!

Anonymous said...

Hai Vin, welcome back and glad to know that you've had a great holidays! Yeap! I'd really missed you too, dear! Seeing some of your pictures here make me feel like sitting in front of you and share more n more fun of your holidays!

Also thanx a lot for the award..so honoured!! Meaning that I've to respon on that 7 questions too?? Huhuu..

Anyway, looking forward for your new recipes dear!! :D Kisses and hugs...muaahhh!!

VG said...

Hi Jo

Of course....they have to 'proof their love', don't they? he!he!. Mine bought me a bag, so he must still love me after 18 years, LOL...

VG said...

Hi Kak Ummi

I wish you were closer than we could go for holidays together and catch up on my photos.

Yes, unfortunately, you have to answer the seven questions too....It's the price you have to pay for the awards...as the saying goes, "nothing in life is free". So true.

At the moment, no mood to cook as all my family is sick with the cough and cold. In other words, takde selera nak makan. But, I still have to cook so watch out for some recipes.

Take care, hugs and kisses from me.

PureGlutton said...

Hey welcome back! Was wondering about your absence... must be a fantastic holiday! I have been there some years ago & can still remember the v nice places we visited :) Looking fwd to your pics & more stories.
Cheers...
chris (short for christina)

PureGlutton said...

Hey, i used to read Janet Dailey too - years ago, LOL! Btw, I'm going for my holidays in Oz next week - Perth! Can't wait!

VG said...

Hi Christina

So good to finally know your name, I am Vin.

Ya, we love going to the GC. It's great up there. Funny how you, Gert and myself all used to read Janet Dailey. I think she was one of the best writers during our time. I also liked Carole Mortimer and Karen Van Der Zee.

So you are off to Perth next week? Hope you have a great time. I like Perth too. Make sure you go to Fremantle and eat/drink at the pubs there. They make some really good boutique beer. Make sure you try the honey ones. Pity you are not coming to the east coast - you could visit me then!!! But if you do, let me know. Take care.

PureGlutton said...

Hi Vin, just call me "Chris" :-)
Thanks for your suggestions - we will certainly go to Fremantle, visit all the markets & try as much food as possible, LOL! And thanks for the invitation to visit u - will certainly remember this if we ever go to Canberra - heard it's a lovely city :)

VG said...

Chris it is. Canberra is ok if you like history and art galleries - The War Memorial in Canberra is one of the best in the world. We have some good wineries and eateries too. BTW, My offer for a visit stands indefinitely.

Anonymous said...

Welcome back Vin. Great pictures. Love your new handbag.

Grace

Salt N Turmeric said...

Sounds like you had a great time. I heard about the storm. Yikes! My friend is there now with the family for holidays too.

I too love Gold Coast. The clubbing (then lah!) and the shopping (also then. lol).

VG said...

Thanks Grace. It's good to be back, I think!

Farina you party animal you, LOL. Mr G and I wanted to go clubbing too but when we saw the average age at the pubs was 20 year olds, we decided to buy a bottle of bourbon and have our own party by the pool in our apartment. Sigh....oh to be young again!

I hope your friends get to experience at least some sunshine. Fingers crossed!

BTW, when were you here?