· Surf's UpSurfers Paradise, Australia · 14th Jun 2008 · Posted by Chris
So, what do we want to do this weekend? Now that we're living in Brisbane it's pretty much compulsory to take a trip down to the Gold Coast, home of Surfer's Paradise, some of Australia's most popular beaches and, usually, the weather to go with it all. With Sanjay and Rheanna kindly offering to let us use their car while they are away (thanks guys!) we decided to do exactly that.
Actually finding Surfer's Paradise is quite an experience in itself. The road signage heading out that way leaves something to be desired unfortunately as we're not even sure if we ended up at Surfer's Paradise straight away and not at the next spot down! :)
Initial impressions for most people are that the general area is full of skinny, tanned people and the impression for me wasn't much different. Beach culture kinda dictates that you wear as little clothing as possible while drawing as much attention as you can. Some people manage to pull this off pretty well ... the 'big-boned' lady chowing down in Red Rooster was a bit of an exception though.
The beach area is actually really nice so we decided to get something to eat and sit on the sand. Very relaxing indeed. While we were there we saw evidence that the TV show 'Surf Rescue' isn't made up - an asian guy kept drifting outside the flags and getting told by the lifesavers to get back inside the monitored area. At one point they even sent someone out on a surfski to make sure he was alright. He was but it's easy to see how he might not have been.
Further up from the beach is the main shopping and eating area and despite the temperature dropping quickly it was still pretty packed when we wandered through. The usual surf shops are everywhere as are bars (including Irish ones) and shops selling everything you need to fit into a scene like this one. There's even a decorative throne that looks like something out of 'The Little Mermaid' movie ... in fact I think it might actually be.
There are also tables with chess boards carved into the top so that people can chill out while still exercising their minds ... checkmate!
All in all a very relaxing day and we've got plans to come back at some stage in the near future so we can spend a whole weekend checking out the sights. Too easy! :)
Actually finding Surfer's Paradise is quite an experience in itself. The road signage heading out that way leaves something to be desired unfortunately as we're not even sure if we ended up at Surfer's Paradise straight away and not at the next spot down! :)
Initial impressions for most people are that the general area is full of skinny, tanned people and the impression for me wasn't much different. Beach culture kinda dictates that you wear as little clothing as possible while drawing as much attention as you can. Some people manage to pull this off pretty well ... the 'big-boned' lady chowing down in Red Rooster was a bit of an exception though.
The beach area is actually really nice so we decided to get something to eat and sit on the sand. Very relaxing indeed. While we were there we saw evidence that the TV show 'Surf Rescue' isn't made up - an asian guy kept drifting outside the flags and getting told by the lifesavers to get back inside the monitored area. At one point they even sent someone out on a surfski to make sure he was alright. He was but it's easy to see how he might not have been.
Further up from the beach is the main shopping and eating area and despite the temperature dropping quickly it was still pretty packed when we wandered through. The usual surf shops are everywhere as are bars (including Irish ones) and shops selling everything you need to fit into a scene like this one. There's even a decorative throne that looks like something out of 'The Little Mermaid' movie ... in fact I think it might actually be.
There are also tables with chess boards carved into the top so that people can chill out while still exercising their minds ... checkmate!
All in all a very relaxing day and we've got plans to come back at some stage in the near future so we can spend a whole weekend checking out the sights. Too easy! :)
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