Australia-The GOLD COAST

Day three of our adventure started with a beautiful sunny day in Sydney and the promise of sunshine further up the coast to a place called Surfers Paradise.

We took a taxi to the airport, where, while shopping the the fabulous Quantas Terminal, I heard the call for Brisbane passenger Gener Uulm.  Knowing this was an unusual name, I quickly departed the store to run smack into my colleague from DC who look in shock while running for his gate yelling "Summers, what on earth are you doing in Australia!"

We landed in Brisbane to more cloudy weather and rain, rented a car and started for the coast.  In Australia they drive on the right and opposite the US so find it easy to believe that I nearly gave Roy several heart attacks in the 60 klm ride to Surfers Paradise.

We arrived to Surfers Paradise, which can only be described as the cross section of Fort Lauderdale meets Dubai!   The most beautiful beaches in the world stacked three deep with glamorous hotels, casinos and shopping.  Or as Roy described, "Vegas meets the beach."  After sitting for an hour we decided to chase the sun and head south along the beach.  after about 10 miles we reached a more low key surfing village called Burliegh Head North...alas we have finally found Australia! 

Even despite the rain, the beauty of the gold coast is unmistakable, the beaches glorious and the waves continuous.  Day 4 has more time in Surfers Paradise, the further North to Gladstone where we catch the launch for Heron Island and the great barrier reef..Stay tuned,