Four-day Weekend

I had a legit four-day weekend! After my workshop ended at 10am, Aunty Jenny took Jackie, my grand-aunt, and me to the Four Winds Rotating Restaurant, a seafood buffet at the Gold Coast! The food there was so good! And the restaurant (which was on the 26th floor of a hotel) slowly rotates, so you get a 360-degree view of the Gold Coast while enjoying the delicious food. It was really amazing 😃 

Seafood Buffet

What is the fastest way to clear the beach? Thunder and lightning! After the buffet, I went back down to the beach. The forecast predicted rain, but at the time it was still sunny so I thought I’d swing by. I was having a great time when suddenly the sky lit up and made rumbling noises. Immediately, all the surfers got out of the water and everyone headed away from the ocean. By the time it started raining, only the lifeguard patrols were still on the beach. I got soaked on the way back to the hotel, but it wasn't bad compared to the 10pm ultimate practices I’ve had in the rain (in much colder winter).  After the rain, there was a rainbow across the ocean. I am very beloved. 

Same Afternoon

On Friday, Jackie and I went to MovieWorld! It’s an amusement park with roller coasters and photo ops (think a small DC superhero-themed section of Disneyland). Jackie loves thrill rides, and we went on the Superman Escape ride twice! It goes from 0 to 100km in two seconds — that’s Superman fast! MovieWorld is not very big, though; we went in around 10.30am and finished most of the rides by 1.30pm. I’m told that Australia’s population cannot sustain anything too massive… But at least that means the lines are shorter!

MovieWorld!

We got to Jackie’s university dentistry clinic early that afternoon so she showed me around. I had to wear her uniform just to get into the clinic, but we were able to sneak a picture with a help of a friend. It’s one of my favourite Australia pictures so far hehe (see below). I also got a souvenir (a dental kit), and she even showed me the vending machine for teeth! It's where the students can buy more plastic teeth to practice filling and drilling (not actual real teeth). 

Dr. Jackie, My Tooth Hurts...

Of course one has to make a stop at the beach on the way back to the hotel. I took a lot more beach pictures, and I entertained the thought of being a graphic designer/photographer (see below). But then I wouldn’t make any money and wouldn’t be able to travel and see beautiful places like Australia 😔. There was also a boat out on the water all weekend. It sucked up sand from one part of the beach and spewed it out (into the water) to another part. The Gold Coast loses a lot of sand during storms and high winds, so essentially the beach needs its sand replenished. Nothing is perfect. 

Saturday: surfing take 2! It was windier this Saturday so the waves were rougher, but it was still fun and I stood up on my own! Aunty Jenny also came by and took pictures (and videos) of me so I have proof I can (kind of) surf.

Saturday night was the main reason why we (the Ip family and I) were down at the Gold Coast again: it was Uncle Michael’s 50th birthday party. It was such a grown-up party with fancy hors d’oeuvres and drinks. I was asked whether I wanted white or red… I did have my first legal sip! Alcohol doesn’t taste very good though. And I haven’t dressed up in so long.  

Party Dresses

On Sunday, Uncle Carey drove us to Burleigh Heads Beach and stopped on the way at an amazing bakery called Paddock. We hiked up a hill and the view is so amazing! Just look at the pictures (I may or may not have thought about taking wedding pics here [my mind was primed because Viv was talking about being a bridesmaid in two weeks]…):

Burleigh Heads View

Picture of a Picture 

Anyone Wanna Swim?

We then went to Point Danger, the border of Queensland and New South Wales (QLD and NSW are different states), aka more nice views. On the way back, we got Famous Yatala Pies (YAHT-la). It’s a pit stop by the state route (highway), and the pies are really yummy! So much good food this weekend 😃.

Point Danger

I also blog for Arcadia Study Abroad Program where I just copy and paste some of my entries from here, but this is not one that I would submit. While I’m still studying abroad, this weekend didn’t feel like a study abroad. It was a family trip. I am not just a tourist here, but a VIP visitor where Aunty Jenny, Uncle Carey, Viv, and Jackie go out of their way to show me amazing places, treat me to delicious food, and take me on family outings. I don’t have to Google for the best restaurants or things to do because I know the food critic, the Gold Coast specialist, the chauffeur, and the theme park expert. They are my family, and they love me so much. 

So much more to share, but it's time for bed. I also need to get on top of those essays and assignments. And to some, happy first day of Uni!