Surfers "Paradise", Australia Zoo & Springbrooke

santa and spongmonkey on the way to the gold coast
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Was very excited to be going to the Gold Coast, especially to somewhere called Surfers Paradise. I knew about its reputation for being a party place and was ok with that as I felt the need to party. It was just me and Merel as Didi went up north instead and we had the van. We stopped at Australia Zoo on the way and I am afraid to say that I found it a bit over-rated and think that the main attraction sadly passed away. But I had been robbed of 50 bucks so we made the most of it and had fun anyway.

BIG dragon at Australia Zoo
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We got to Surfers and could find anywhere to stay. all the accommodation was booked up. I have never come across this problem before. Thank god we had the van to sleep in. We ended up having to park it in the driveway of a friend of Merels mums friend back in Holland. These people didnt have a clue who we were. Eric knew Merel had his number and was happy for us to stay in his driveway and they made us dinner and let us have breakfast and showers etc in their house. they had a beautiful elevated house surrounded by mountains - they were rich. It was the first time I had been in a house or about 2 1/2 months so was a treat! But it was a really strange feeling as well. I found myself eyeing the place up rather suspiciously thinking, where are all the backpackers? Where is all the noise? Whats going on here? We stayed there for 2 nights then found a hostel with some space for one night and went out on the town. REEEEEEEALLY not my kind of going out though. Kind of reminded me of a huge riverside. Not my thing as most of you know. But I had fun anyway and ended up bumping into one of the guys from the shit-hole place we stayed at picking tomatos. I was rather close to this guy at the hostel so was nice to see him again...

Schoolies Week... oh dear

BIG tortoise at Australia Zoo
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I did visit Springbrooke National Park while i was here though which is only a short drive from Surfers into the mountains and the scenery is incredible. We went on a bit of a cloudy day and it did rain a bit but it still looked stunning. Take a look at the pics...

It was the worst time to stay in Surfers though as it was "Schoolies Week" which is all the school kids celebrating the end of school. They take over the entire place, all the hotels are full of 16 year olds getting drunk and this is like an organised thing. They are EVERYWHERE. And the "new rave" fashion has definitely caught on with these kids - i dont think they realise how rediculous they look. So really, I was stuck, homeless, in a giant Riverside, destroying my liver to get me through, surrounded by 16 year olds and tarts- I had to leave!! so I did. I left and I am now in Brisbane staying with Mario and Tom who I went to the Whitsundays with and who I looooove and on Friday I am going to see Armand Van Heldan play at this wicked club called Family - a proper night out. None of this Surfers Paradise commercial boll**ks.

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I will fill you in... Oh yes, and a friend from Melbourne is coming to Brisbane today for work and staying in a 4 1/2 star hotel and I can stay with her! YAY! 3 days of luxury and partying!