WEDDING THAT WASN’T

We were asked to attend a wedding in the gold coast and so although it would be expensive we felt the couple were close enough that we should go.

It’s not easy to get to the gold coast from Alice Springs, you have to fly to Sydney, then catch another plane to the Gold Coast – that is if you are lucky to get one that does not involve an overnight. Anyway so far so good, we managed to get a same day flight with only a short stop in Sydney both days – although that did mean taking an extra day off work and extending the break – not too hard a problem.

We booked accommodation really close to the wedding and reception – Fellini Eco Studio, apart from being close it also looked lovely and the kind of place we liked.

A few months go past – and the trip is close.  WHAT, wedding cancelled and of course it would cost a whole lot to cancel the trip, so decision – we go anyway and have a break.

Next issue – flight back changed times and would now involve an overnight in Sydney – and another full day off work, expensive, but no choice in the matter.  This trip was turning out to be more expensive than going overseas for a week – and taking as many days off work.

The flight to the Gold Coast was late, so by the time we had found a supermarket for supplies and driven to the accommodation it was dark – the office was shut and we just had to find the cabin in the pitch black.  Still it looked nice and was roomy, we put an outside light on and loved the whole glass wall over the spa bath looking out to the trees.

You should never judge a book by its cover is the message – the toilet did not flush, even after my partner tried to fix it.

Once the wedding was cancelled we planned our stay to fit in as much as possible.  We left early in the morning to go to Lamington National Park as we drove up the weather got worse and worse, wet and misty but beautiful.  The road up was steep and winding and due to recent rains have the road had been washed away in many places, quite a hairy drive. I had wanted to take photos of trees in fog/mist and low and behold it was provided.

 
O’Reillys is an amazing place, would love to stay there sometime the views are fantastic and there is so much bird life.  The walks through the forest are great and we spent most of the day here. Very overcast on the walk so tried taking pictures of Fungi and anything else we could find that looked interesting

We had rang the accommodation to report the toilet in the hope that they would fix it. They said they had done but it was not to be, first time we used it it still did not work and it was too late to get hold of them again.

Next day we reported it again but also left early for today’s trip.  They could not fix the toilet, and said they would leave another room open for us to move to.  We got back near dark but the room they left for us had the door open all day (could be snakes and anything in the room now), but stank like a public toilet – obviously a damp problem, so we put up with using buckets to flush the toilet and stayed in original room.

After we left we did eventually get a refund for 2 of the nights.

Hinterland Regional Park was our next destination – we love our walks, birds and nature, we got great shots of a dragon and a yellow faced whip snake.  We drove around the area, stopping at the Nerang River for a picnic lunch and generally just enjoying the scenery.  It was a lovely day and so great to see lots and lots of greenery and lush foliage

Day 3 Natural bridge, springbrook and the hinze dam – so many photo opportunities.  The road we had wanted to take to Springbrook was closed – again due to the rains washing away the roads so we went the long way round –which added interesting scenic views.  ON arriving we also discovered most of the walks were closed as the paths had also washed away but we did get to go the arch which was very fast flowing due to the rains.  Very different from last time we were there in 1992 when there were no fences or restrictions.  Another great day out.

All too soon it comes to an end, the last day was spent in Burleigh Heads and exploring the local coastal areas. Burleigh Heads National Park walk is stunning – although it would be much improved without the many joggers.

Now we have a whole day in Sydney due to the flight change so we trekked of to the Chinese friendship garden, very tranquil and pretty spot, then of to lunch.  The plan for the afternoon was the botanic gardens but just as we started to head in that direction the heavens opened and it poured, a café and coffee was next to see if it would stop, but no such luck and there ends our trip.

A bit of Aussie Humour