Temperature: 20 Degrees Celsius
Track of the day: Sleeping to dream, Jason Mraz
"Are you sure the 451 bus stops here?" Alecs asks as he scans the timetable at the bus-stop. We planned to leave for the Gold Coast early this morning, but an 8AM departure soon became an 11:00AM departure as sleeping in seemed like a much more favourable option to another early morning. So after spending 45 minutes on the train we arrived at the last station – Robina and now find ourselves waiting for the 
bus to Surfers paradise. We soon realize this bus does not stop here and despite out better judgement grab the next bus we see – despite not knowing it’s destination. “I figure we hop off as soon as we see water,” I say, feeling more and more anxious as the bus moves further and further from the coast. Fifteen minutes into the ride Alecs sees the crystal blue ocean, queuing our departure. We find ourselves in the seaside town of Burleigh Heads. As we head towards the water I spot some surfers riding the waves to the east while sunbathers soak up some rays on the expansive sandy beach while a young lifeguard keeps an eye out in true Aussie style. It’s winter here on the coast, and for a banana bender (Queenslander) that means staying inside, bundled up and away from the water. Still, tourists and the occasional Aussie have come out for a day in the sun and +22 degree weather. “I think we’ve acclimatised way too much,” Alecs says, zipping up his hoodie as we walk down to the beach. “I know what you mean,” I reply, burying my hands into m
y pocket. Despite the cool sea breeze, we both can’t resist shedding our sandals and sinking our feet into the powdery sand that brings back scorching beach day memories from the Philippines and Cambodia. “It’s really quite pathetic” Alecs says staring out into the open ocean, “it’s been less than three months since we were in the Philippines, snorkeling and swimming in a paradise of archipelagos, but I’ve missed it so much.” Nodding my head I roll up my pants and walk closer to the shoreline testing the temperature of the water. “Yep,” I shout to Alecs behind me “it’s cold.” The beach stretches as far as the eye can see, which means we are able to find our own piece of unimpeded beach where we can splash around like fools, kicking water at each other and genuinely enjoying the afternoon. A few kilometres up the b
each is the seaside city of Surfers Paradise, but neither of us are disappointed having ended up here. “We would have never come here if we hadn’t taken that bus,” Alecs say as a large wave sweeps onto shore, soaking the bottoms of my rolled up jeans. “I know – and we’ll get to Surfers soon enough. I reckon we’ll end up liking this place more anyway – Surfers Paradise is quite commercial from what I’ve read.” It is our continual desire to find our own bit of paradise that has us in love with places like El Nido in the Philippines and Don Khon in Laos. Still it seems only right that we should explore the city with ‘paradise’ in it’s name one of t
hese days. After spending quite some time on beach, our stomachs drive us back to the small seaside town for some grub. Spotting a couple sharing some wedges (fries) on the beach – we set off in search of some seafood. We find a quaint little shop with an outdoor patio and order a Fisherman's basket to split. “Alecs they have mango shakes,” I say as we wait at our corner table scanning to drinks menu. As always, Alecs finds it impossible to pass up anything with mango’s and we happily split one of those too. Our lunch arrives – a heaping serving of fresh calamari, prawns and halibut nested in crunch fries. “Good thing we only got one eh?” I say, practically drooling over our food. In an attempt to save as much money as possible for travelling (opting to pack PB&J sandwiches on our outings), Alecs and I have eaten out on only one occasion prior to this since arriving in Australia – so fish and chips and a mango shake is more of a treat than one might imagine. We savour every last moment before walking past the lawn bowling club before catching the bus to the train station and then back home to our apartment.
bus to Surfers paradise. We soon realize this bus does not stop here and despite out better judgement grab the next bus we see – despite not knowing it’s destination. “I figure we hop off as soon as we see water,” I say, feeling more and more anxious as the bus moves further and further from the coast. Fifteen minutes into the ride Alecs sees the crystal blue ocean, queuing our departure. We find ourselves in the seaside town of Burleigh Heads. As we head towards the water I spot some surfers riding the waves to the east while sunbathers soak up some rays on the expansive sandy beach while a young lifeguard keeps an eye out in true Aussie style. It’s winter here on the coast, and for a banana bender (Queenslander) that means staying inside, bundled up and away from the water. Still, tourists and the occasional Aussie have come out for a day in the sun and +22 degree weather. “I think we’ve acclimatised way too much,” Alecs says, zipping up his hoodie as we walk down to the beach. “I know what you mean,” I reply, burying my hands into m
y pocket. Despite the cool sea breeze, we both can’t resist shedding our sandals and sinking our feet into the powdery sand that brings back scorching beach day memories from the Philippines and Cambodia. “It’s really quite pathetic” Alecs says staring out into the open ocean, “it’s been less than three months since we were in the Philippines, snorkeling and swimming in a paradise of archipelagos, but I’ve missed it so much.” Nodding my head I roll up my pants and walk closer to the shoreline testing the temperature of the water. “Yep,” I shout to Alecs behind me “it’s cold.” The beach stretches as far as the eye can see, which means we are able to find our own piece of unimpeded beach where we can splash around like fools, kicking water at each other and genuinely enjoying the afternoon. A few kilometres up the b
each is the seaside city of Surfers Paradise, but neither of us are disappointed having ended up here. “We would have never come here if we hadn’t taken that bus,” Alecs say as a large wave sweeps onto shore, soaking the bottoms of my rolled up jeans. “I know – and we’ll get to Surfers soon enough. I reckon we’ll end up liking this place more anyway – Surfers Paradise is quite commercial from what I’ve read.” It is our continual desire to find our own bit of paradise that has us in love with places like El Nido in the Philippines and Don Khon in Laos. Still it seems only right that we should explore the city with ‘paradise’ in it’s name one of t
hese days. After spending quite some time on beach, our stomachs drive us back to the small seaside town for some grub. Spotting a couple sharing some wedges (fries) on the beach – we set off in search of some seafood. We find a quaint little shop with an outdoor patio and order a Fisherman's basket to split. “Alecs they have mango shakes,” I say as we wait at our corner table scanning to drinks menu. As always, Alecs finds it impossible to pass up anything with mango’s and we happily split one of those too. Our lunch arrives – a heaping serving of fresh calamari, prawns and halibut nested in crunch fries. “Good thing we only got one eh?” I say, practically drooling over our food. In an attempt to save as much money as possible for travelling (opting to pack PB&J sandwiches on our outings), Alecs and I have eaten out on only one occasion prior to this since arriving in Australia – so fish and chips and a mango shake is more of a treat than one might imagine. We savour every last moment before walking past the lawn bowling club before catching the bus to the train station and then back home to our apartment. Until next time so long,
Alecs and Meg in Burleigh Heads
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