Coolangatta, Gold Coast, Australia....or what time is it?

Feb 27- arrived at the Gold Coast international airport, a modern and pleasant introduction to the Gold Coast.  I didn't have any preconceived notion regarding Australia.  I knew they have sharks, 8 of the 10 deadliest snakes, 750 kinds of reptiles, koalas and kangaroo and beaches (it would take one, 27 years to visit every beach in Australia).  What I didn't know until now is how spectacular those beaches are.  How clean the country is and how pleasant its people are.We all know about quite a few unique Australian traits: home of the cricket and rugby as a sport, Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman and Crocodile Dundee as celebrities, koalas and kangaroos unique this country-continent....but do you know that only 22 million people live on this continent making it the least inhabited on the planet....85% of that population live within 50 kms of a beach! No wonder they win so many medals at the summer Olympics! Australia has 10,000 years of history in art, traditions, folklore know as "Dreamtime" by aboriginals. Discovered by James Cook in 1770, 11 ships arrived in Sydney full of convicts to start this "New World". The French arrived 2 weeks too late to claim it for themselves. By 1880, the Gold Rush made Melbourne the richest city in the world. Politically, it's history is also colourful....second to give vote to woman (after New-Zealand), first country to implement 8 hours a day work in 1856 and first police force ever made of well behaved convict in the world! There is 3 times more sheep in Australia than people and it also has the largest Greek population outside of Greece. They are also the biggest gamblers in the world and drink, on average, 96 litres of beer a year! If that doesn't impress you, there is also 60 wine regions...so they drink a lot! They even invented the wine cask and guess what else....the "selfies"

After three weeks in the Cook Islands we were ready for some action.   The trip from the airport to the Twin Towns Club and Resort in Coolangatta was short and sweet.  Only 20 minutes.  Along the  way we caught a glimpse of Kirra Beach.  The view from Kirra Beach stretches for miles, all the way to Surfer's Paradise some 27 km in the distance.

Our residence for the 3 weeks, the Mantra Twin Towns, sits on the border of two states, Queensland(QLD) and New South Wales(NSW).  In fact part of the complex is in QLD, the rest is in NSW.  Now,  on paper, that isn't really a big deal.  There isn't a border crossing, no customs, you really can't see any difference between the two states.  In fact the sign marking the imaginary line is the only  demarcation.  The real problem is time....NSW has adopted daylight savings time, QLD does not.  You can literally see an hour ahead or back at the same time.  The hotel sticks with QLD time to make things easy.  The time zone does present some tricky planning.  Most places will ask which time you want, you just have to remember what you agreed too! Our apartment for the 3 weeks is absolutely phenomenal........large bedroom with ensuite, huge living and dining area, our very own laundry room and...the best part....the view! This is going to be a very cool stay! Our happy hour with the group is on the terrace and everyone can bring their own wine and snacks......The pool area is great and the weather is an average 26 degrees every day....a bit of rain, mostly at night, but nothing we can't handle. The hotel is connected with a walkway to a large complex with hundreds of bars, restaurants, casino across the street. There is also 2 large supermarkets within a 5 minutes walk (prices very similar to Canada) and of course the ocean 200 metres away! Let's not forget the  beautiful morning walks around "Danger Point"...so relaxing.

The trip started with a bang.  A 4x4 adventure up a fire trail to the top of Mt Tamborine.  The unique part of this unexpected undertaking was the vehicle we would be riding in.  A bus!!  28 of  us comfortably seated, high above the ground.  A great view of the rising mountain and the steep drop inviting us should the driver miscalculate the terrain.

I got the front seat, which meant a birds eye view of the perils soon to be offered.  Everyone was chatting noisily until our driver/guide, Tim, opened the gate and charged the bus up the narrow tree lined path................the roars became white knuckled silence as we bounced up the rocky water carved trail 

The race to the summit took an hour, with stops along the way for photos and to let  the bus engine cool down.  More than once the front tires spun wildly on the granite rocks marking the trail.  It was breath taking to see the blue rubber smoke billowing up around the  bus as it strained under the load.               The view from the top was amazing.  Eucalyptus trees and the Gold coast on full display.

After the excitement of the climb we re-entered civilization, stopping for Devonshire morning tea with scones, jam and of course a large dollop of cream.  I can still taste the smooth, rich texture of the cream nicely balanced by the local organic jam. 

The tea was followed up with a wine tasting at a local cellar.  The chocolate port was a special treat.  After feeding and drinking, we continued our tour visiting the pristine rainforest of Springbrook including the natural arch and 5 different waterfalls. The lunch at an outdoor cafe was excellent. We took time to roam the boutiques and art galleries in the little village.

To end the day,  we visited the iconic "Buck's Farm", where the one and only, Buck lead us through a variety of organic products that he raises on his farm.  To say Buck is a character is an understatement.  He might be the Crocodile Dundee off organic farming.  Witty and to the point.

These little items, pictured above, are called Finger Limes.  The fruit inside has the look and texture  of caviar,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and a super concentrated lime taste.  The little eggs explode in your mouth.  Below is a fruit from the citrus family called Buddha's hand.  It smells like lemon, but contains no juice or pulp.  It is an excellent product to use for candied citrus, peeled or sliced thin and added to a salad, grated and added to salt as a flavour enhancement or infused in your favourite vodka.  Strange and interesting.

Buck also has a huge assortment of natural skin care products that were very popular items throughout the group.  Buck claimed that his wife had been using the face creams for 30 years.  He claimed she was 75 years old, she looked about 45!! (of course he didn't share her age while she was in earshot).  Nobody believed him but....who knows!

A great first day introduction to the natural beauty of the Gold Coast.

G"day Mate

Be Well