Travelogue: Australia Gold Coast (Day 7)

Posted on June 15, 2016 by Tempted to Love

Although I can’t wait to share with you my experience in Gold Coast Sea World but I just have to tell you… If you haven’t read my previous post, I think you should!!

Day 1 – Melbourne (Touch down)
Day 2 – Melbourne (Queen Victoria Market/South Wharf)
Day 3 – Melbourne (Great Ocean Road)
Day 4 – Melbourne (Catch up/Shopping)
Day 5 – Gold Coast (Surfer Paradise)
Day 6 – Gold Coast (Movie World)

Today is the last (full) day I have in Gold Coast!

And as usual, we woke up early to start our day! Good thing about staying in Sea World Resort, you do NOT need to drive/travel long journey out of your hotel!!

To start of the day, we were brought to this lil area to watch the dolphin show..

If you asked me, they’re great! But if you’re not a morning person, you can totally skip this.. No particular WOW moments but this dolphins were beautiful!!

By the time we’re done with the show, the park is still EMPTY.. LOL! YES, we were very EARLY!!

So what else to do? Walk around while it’s still empty!!

Actually we didn’t take a lot of pictures .. If you ask me, I thought our SEA Aquarium is slightly better..

I love the show though! They’re funny and how nice to have interaction with viewer!!

And of course after the show, most of the attractions are open and that includes FOOD KIOSK!!!! We had Domino Pizza and sandwich from some random kiosk!

Well, pizza is just so-so but sandwiches in Australia taste so good!!! Flavourful and fresh!!! Even my mama who’s not a sandwich lover said it’s nice!!

Well, As the park close at 4pm.. we chop chop waste no time and hop into the monorail and head to our next stop!

While in the monorail, I managed to capture below image! I don’t know about you but I think this pic looks stunning! Of course, it’s filtered!

Once we reached our stop, we head to take this log ride (Viking Revenge Flume)~ We probably took this twice or thrice…! It’s really fun & the reason it’s fun is because of the great companion!! Mama was so sporting and agreed to join us play this!!

And warning! If you saw Jet Rescue Ride and thought it’s some manageable/mild ride because it the track seems all so low, NO NO! BIG NO… It’s super intense!! We nearly FLEW OUTTA our seat!!! It zoom at a speed of 70km/hr!!! Seriously you dun even have a chance to see your surrounding!! Click HERE to see it yourself!!

After all the rides, we head to the next jet ski show.. hmm.. If you ask me, I think it totally alright to skip this show (although we did stay through out)..After the show ended, we went to the nearby souvenir shop to grab some gift for our family and friends!

After this show, we didn’t stay around for too long and left the park.. We took the monorail again to head back to the hotel station! Just before the train arrive, I took some pic for mama since she wore her ONYXE bracelet out! Erm.. Focus on the bracelet actually! HAHA!!

Got this from ONYXE for quite some time already and it’s still looking good and great!!

And who can miss a last wefie before exiting the park!!!! We’ll be back (I think!)

We head back to hotel to unload our stuff and head out (to Surfer Paradise) for a good dinner!

HERE WE ARE!!! HURRICANE’S GRILL!! Highly recommended by a friend who has been in Australia for the past 6 years!!!

We ordered steak/chicken wings/rib/calamari!! Portion is big and taste heavenly!! If you ever have the chance, TRY IT!!! You won’t regret! Four satisfied customer leaving the restaurant!!

Did I mention, service here is good too!!! They even helped my mama with her bib – and LOOK AT THE RIB!!! BTW, this is only HALF RIB!! All our jaw dropped when we saw the portion! >_<

And to end a great night, we have to end it with a nice dessert!!!

Movenpick ice cream!! Girls always have space for dessert!! HAHAHA!!!

And a last wefie before we end our day to have a good night rest!

To the airport the next day!!! BYE BYE AUSTRALIA!!!

Travelogue: Australia Gold Coast (Day 6)

Posted on April 23, 2016 by Tempted to Love

Mommy feeling good i suppose? Waking up early to enjoy the harbour view! LOL!

If you have plan to visit the park, i suggest you do a lil homework.. I believe from time to time, the park will have online ticket promo.. That time we purchased the annual ticket! Not that we are filthy rich and always coming back but because if 4 person is going to the park, we can make use of the “Buy 3 annual pass and get 1 annual pass free” promo! So in the end, getting the annual pax is cheaper then getting a day pass!!

And true enough, we didn’t have any plans to go again until I get married!!

The park opens at 9.30am and rides at 10am.. BUT there’s aready long queue before 9.30am!!!

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We just can’t let go of anything chance to take any “WE WERE HERE” photos!!

It’s totally a good time to visit the theme park during cold season! You’re like never gonna perspire no matter how hard you play, no matter how scorching hot the sun is!

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We were like super enthusiastic, running around hunting for characters to take picture!!

Of course, park rides were also part of the itinerary!!

First ride, Scooby Doo Spooky Coaster! LOL~ Totally thrilling first ride that got all our brain cells excited!

Super love this shot and those who know me will know why! I COVERED my double chin WELL!!!

Another favorite shot, The Mama(s).

Carousell and Mum – every kids favorite!

I love the above picture too but the full size image is not very flattering hence I grabbed from my instagram! If you like, you can click on above image to check out my other IG post!!

If you’re THRILL RIDE person, I think you shouldn’t miss this Arkham Asylum Ride and the Green Lantern ride !

Green lantern was close for maintenance hence no queue! to avoid disappointment, it’s better to check out the maintenance schedule from the park site (HERE)!

Other than all the rides, we were merely posing around in the park and waiting for the street parade!

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OK OK!!! 3:30pm!!! All Star Parade~~~ YEAH!!!!

Shortly after the parade, we left the park. You must be thinking, WHY SO EARLY??

The park ain’t really that big actually! Probably without kids could be another reason. If you have kids coming with you, the children park is definitely bigger than USS!

So say BYE BYE to park, for now!!

BEFORE WE END THIS POST, LET ME GIVE YOU A MUST-READ-TIPS!

What’s the most headache thing when it comes to travelling? COST SAVING, isn’t it??

We want cheap air fare, we want cheap accommodation, we want cheaper rate to everything we can get! See, I even bought annual park ticket to save!!

To get cheap air fare, plan your trip early. When I say early, I mean 6-8 months AHEAD, not 1-2 months.. When you plan early, lower class economy seats are definitely available – ta-daa~ you get cheaper rate! Plan for two-to-go, wait for promo.. this helps!

To get cheap accommodation, spend all your time going from site to site to compare price? N-O-! Time is money, remember?? Just go to one site and let it do your work!

HotelsCombined.com.sg!

Even when you’re always on the go, fret not! They have mobile app!! A few tap and you can get the best deal at your preferred hotel!

This site is even smart enough to tell you the occupancy rate and suggest alternative dates.. Talking about saving money AND time! *wink*

So what are you waiting for?? Start planning your year end vacation now!!!

Stay tune for my next post about my day at SEA WORLD!!!

To read more about my Australia trip, click below!!

Day 1 – Melbourne (Touch down)
Day 2 – Melbourne (Queen Victoria Market/South Wharf)
Day 3 – Melbourne (Great Ocean Road)
Day 4 – Melbourne (Catch up/Shopping)
Day 5 – Gold Coast (Surfer Paradise)
Day 6 – Gold Coast (Movie World)
Day 7 – Gold Coast (Sea World)

Travelogue: Australia Gold Coast (Day 5)

Posted on April 21, 2016 by Tempted to Love

“Goodbye~ I know its time we gonna say goodbye~”

Early in the morning, we called a maxicab from hotel lobby and head to the airport! It’s literally EARLY because the sky is still dark!

About (maybe) less than an hour, we’re at the airport and managed to catch a glimpse of sunrise~!!! Can’t remember if we had our breakfast, but I know it was a pretty cold morning that day!! But again, NOTHING can FREEZE our excitement to go GOLD COAST!

Side note: Sun is beautiful here in Australia! I love sunny day here in winter season!

YES, our next destination…… GOLD COAST~!!

*waiting to board out plane*

tick tock tick tok~~~ *fairy dust everywhere*

HERE we are in GOLD COAST!!

Yup, we went to the carpark and pick up our rented car and head str8 to……

Seaworld Dr, Main Beach QLD 4217, Australia!! SEAWORLD RESORT!!

I must say, the traffic is really smooth here and great drivers great people around!!!

And now that we’re checked in, let me show you the room…

Room isn’t as BIG as our Melbourne apartment (this is all we could afford – seriously! A cozy deluxe room~) But they have awesome view!!

Just look at the children’s playground!! Oh man!! I’m sure gonna bring my kids here (during winter!)!! MOMMY LOVES WINTER~

Okay, enough of views and selfie!! Let’s start our first day in Gold Coast now!

But save the best for last!! We’re not going to Seaworld/Movie World YET!! We’re going gonna get ourselves familiarize with the area first… which means… SHOPPING!!

We’re now on the road again and LOOK AT THE BEACH!!!!! Panoramic view for the lifeguard!!!!

If you’re wondering where were we going…? We were on the way to Surfers Paradise! Isn’t it a must-go place? LOL.. Plus there’s a beach market happening every Wed/Sun evening..

Yes it’s WEDNESDAY the day we arrive!!! HURRAYYYY!

Upon reaching Surfer’s Paradise, we were trying to find a lot… but realize we don’t understand the signage here! -___- Couldn’t do a thing… we head over to mall’s carpark..

We didn’t do much here except shopping and eating! Not forgetting taking a good PHOTO to show people that WE ARE HERE!!

Not my most flattering photo but IT’S OKAY!! It can be compensated by a good ice cream later!!!!

Having ice cream during winter season is probably the next best thing that one could have done! I JUST LOVE IT!

Nice cold ice cream and not-very-crowded street..

… until this caught my attention! I have no idea what plant is this.. but it looks funny to me.. hmm. how rude but nevermind that. I think Lunch is more important!!!

And we found this lil cafe selling mostly western/asian food (acceptable for our moms)..! Not very fantastic but not the worst I guess..

And indeed.. fish and chip is good here! If you ever come to Gold Coast, just pop by any western restaurant and order a plate of fish & chips!

After dinner, we walk along the beach and enjoy the sea breeze (OH by the way, it ain’t so cold here in Cold Coast, so u can actually bring less heat pack/less layering..) and saw Silver Steve!

He really just “sat” there for hours.. more like Silver “Stiff”… XD LOL! Good job!

Yes, about 5-6pm… most stalls are open and it gets really crowded as the night gets darker!! Most items are handy craft, nougats, handy crafts.. LOL Hence we didn’t really buy a lot..

Can’t remember what time is it already but the beach is getting crowded as the clock ticks..

Very soon, we had enough here and went back to our resort for an early rest!

Yes, The Moms wana do laundry again! HAHAHA!

REALLY!! If you have kids, you should just bring them here at least once!!! They would love this water playground!!! BTW, it’s Spongebob Squarepants at that corner where the colorful lights are.

The show ended shortly after we reached our room – no chance to take more picture!!

Ended a relaxing day in preparation for the next two most anticipated day!!

Stay tune!!

To read more about my Australia trip, click below!!

Day 1 – Melbourne (Touch down)
Day 2 – Melbourne (Queen Victoria Market/South Wharf)
Day 3 – Melbourne (Great Ocean Road)
Day 4 – Melbourne (Catch up/Shopping)
Day 5 – Gold Coast (Surfer Paradise)
Day 6 – Gold Coast (Movie World)
Day 7 – Gold Coast (Sea World)

Travelogue: Australia Melbourne (Day 1)

Posted on September 21, 2015 by Tempted to Love

I haven’t been doing lotsa shopping recently because my pocket had burnt a big hole from my recent Australia vacation!! Hence today’s post will not be about product review but about my AWESOME VACATION!

*Turn back time*

Somewhere around April, I was chatting with my mom and we randomly suggested going on a vacation – to somewhere we haven been before.. Vietnam..? Shanghai..? Australia..? What.. wait? Australia sounds good…! Winter soon and the weather is going to be so awesome! Without hesitation, we checked out airfare, accommodation and places of interest!! To make the trip merrier, we even jio-ed (asked) my cousin & aunt along – that’s how we come out with “四个女人一个梦” (4 woman and a dream) for our FB album! Dream is to visit Caucasian country!

So.. Trip booked! Accommodation booked! 1-day Tour booked! OH! But I haven’t mention to you where I’m going isn’t it? hahaha! We are going to Melbourne/Gold Coast!! Woohooo! Winter and beach!

*Fast forward*

Finally the day is here to catch our flight! It was a pretty rush day for my cousin & me! We need to be at the airport by 7pm but we were stuck at work until 4.30pm! But anyway we made it to the airport..

We took a redeye flight from Singapore to Gold Coast.. I tell you, any flight more than 4 hours is really a pain in the a**! I couldn’t sleep well through out the journey and the only consolation was…. I got to see SUNRISE!!! Woohooo! It was beautiful I even woke my mom up!!!! And about another 2-3 hours… We saw BEACH!!! Wahhh getting excited (even when writing this post)!!! Look at the clear blue sea, or green?!!! Oh mannnn~~

So we have arrived our 1st destination – Gold Coast! Nope, we are not staying here for now! We are taking a domestic flight to Melbourne from Gold Coast! We are spending our first part of the vacation in Melbourne!!

And now allow me to present to you….. Melbourne!!! Pardon the dirty window…

The weather looks cold isn’t it!!

After collecting our baggages, we headed to the taxi stand! At this point, I actually feel that Australia indeed is a very safe place! People are friendly, helpful and orderly!

The lady stationed at the taxi queue was really alert! Just a slight commotion (no arguement involve, just a state of confusion) from far end, she noticed and walked very quickly and cleared the doubt!!

So usually for 3-4 person with baggage, I suppose a maxi cab will be your only option for a more comfortable ride to your destination! They only have one kinda taxi (company) so don’t worry about hoping the wrong taxi or taxi not able to bring you to your destination (ie: Hong Kong’s Blue/Green/Red taxi). Taxi in Melbourne are all metered taxi hence no daylight robbery! SAFE!!

Again, I can’t emphasize this enough, Australia is a safe place seriously! People there are so helpful and friendly..! Okie, don’t drift to much… You can click on above image on the meter fare breakdown..

Destination arrived!!! The affordable, reliable and convenient apartment!

Pegasus Apartment Hotel – 206 A’Beckett St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

*BEWARE! Photo flood!!*

Note: We have booked a 2 bedroom apt! Rate is about S$325 per night~

*hallway*

*living/dining area*

*bedroom 1*

*bedroom 2*

Everyone so keen with the kitchen!! hahaha!!

Oh, that’s a fridge at the far corner!

Yo do not need to bring or even buy anything pots and pans! Pegasus have it all!

4-5 sets of plates, bowls, fork, tablespoon, soup spoon, teaspoon, knife (for meals and for slicing/cutting), drinking glass, wine glass, mugs, cups and even saucer,

A tong, can opener, peeler, laddle, tea pot, big pot, small pot, drainer, pan, toaster, microwave, kettle, coffeemaker and of course the stove!!

Such well-equipped kitchen!!!! Check out the glossy tiles too!

*toilet*

Water is adjustable to hot/cold temperature

*full length mirror*

What makes the hotel in its best location?? Being near to Queen Victoria Market of course & its near town too!! It’s like QVM on your left and Town on your right!

We can see the whole QVM from our room! BIG AND GORGEOUS! Definitely a place to return again!

After exploring our room it’s almost 4pm in Melbourne!! Not that we spend half a day exploring but because we arrived Melbourne late hence by the time we reach Pegasus, it’s about 3pm already… Not much time left for shopping so we just walked arounf the neighbourhood to familiarized ourselves before we meet up with my long distance friend for DINNER!!

Before we meet up, my friend had already told me we will be dining at this place that sells awesome Italian food! I must say Papa Gino’s indeed taste AWESOME!!! Although I am back in Singapore, I STILL MISS their pizza greatly!! Probably the best pizza I ever tried! FULL of ham and bacon on a thin crispy crust!!! Worth every single cents!!

The only thing is that they do not accept reservation – but I’m not sure if it’s only because it’s weekend or they just don’t. Whichever the case, I think you should still come try Papa Gino’s!

I can’t remember exactly what time we are done with our dinner (not too late perhaps) BUT I can remember it was a FREEZING NIGHT – the coldest night during our whole vacation!

…………BUT again, nothing can stop us for ICE CREAM dessert!!!!

Pidapipo is quite new along this street (sorry i can’t remember street name well but you can google it la~!), probably just 6 months old.. they serve gelato, yummy gelato! Many flavors too!

Looking at the way the we dress (esp my aunt), I’m pretty sure your can tell it’s really freezing! Seeeee… NO HANDS can be found – too for for even a victory handsign!!

V(^__^)V

A big thank you to my friend who brought us around & showed us the way the day we touch down! Although we did not had enough sleep but it was really an enjoyable night!