Yet another backlogged vacation post (trip took place in early May).
It all started with Jacq messaging me to inform me about AirAsia giving away FREE tickets to Gold Coast, and the rest was history.. 
The whole trip would never have taken place either if it wasn’t also for Andrea being able to secure her dad’s house there for our vacation. 
Now I must say, the house alone is worth the entire vacation as it was immensely comfortable and gorgeous! I wake up every morning in a dream bedroom to a view of the pier that runs past the backyard..
I wonder if I might ever make enough money one day to own such a place..
The high balcony and freezing pool
Front of the house - cool garage that housed 2 MPVs and an electric golf buggy that we could use to drive around the neighbourhood 
View of the house from the pier.. the glass doors on the lower level led to the room I was sleeping in.
This is the scene that I wake up to in the mornings..
Unfortunately, HALF the Gold Coast trip was pretty much wasted for me, because I developed an attack of CVS on my first day there (I fucking hate this shit). Fortunately, thanks to the care of all my good friends, I recovered from it faster than any of my previous attacks.
*Emo section ahead* To Airin, thanks for enduring that awful sleepless night & prepping both suitable food and drinks for me. Jacq, your research on medication + hypnosis session genuinely helped! and both for all the backrubs and massage therapy to ease my overwhelming nausea. The both of you will always hold very special places in my heart. Words cannot describe how much every single little thing all of you guys did meant to me and if it wasn’t for you, I doubt I could have gotten well as fast as I did. Thanks again guys…
I was KO’ed for about a total of 3 days, and it pained me to miss Dreamworld! Ahhh.. I know I would have enjoyed that tremendously since I’m such a thrill ride freak - but oh well, circumstances just weren’t in my favour. At least I have a reason to come here and visit again in the future..
I was definitely well enough to join all for Movieworld the next day however!
The ride behind Andrea, Fei & Jacq was the kickass Superman Escape Rollercoaster - and was easily the best I’ve ever sat!
The ultracool Batmobile, and the not-so-cool Batman or should i say Fatman..
Mr. Shrek himself up close & personal. Kinda stupid looking huh.. is it just me or does anyone else feel like punching him?
The Batwing Spaceshot. A slightly better version of the Genting one, where they shoot you up AND drop you.
Going down the Wild Wild West Falls Adventure Ride
..and ending up completely drenched in cold water..
Groupshot as we were leaving.. L-R : Fei, Jacq, Nic, Andrea, Rio, Airin
Of course, there were a lot more stuff at MovieWorld besides the photos above - the All Star Parade was longer with more characters and elaborate moving platforms, Shrek’s 4D Adventure was the most fun interactive theater I ever saw, there was a “Batman - Shadows of Gotham” play (pretty lame), a “Scooby Doo - Disco Detectives” play (even lamer), and even all those indoor and outdoor kiddy rollercoaster rides (Looney Tunes River Ride, Road Runner Rollercoaster & the Scooby Doo Spooky Coaster) still had plenty of surprises in store for me. The supposedly awesome Lethal Weapon ride was closed unfortunately… 
The following day, Me and Airin went to check out SeaWorld while the rest went shopping at Surfers Paradise. If I thought MovieWorld was fun, SeaWorld was downright utopia for me!
Airin at the main entrance into Sea World
My favourite part of my entire Gold Coast trip - my first encounter with dolphins. These playful, friendly, graceful, beautiful creatures and their fellowship with their trainers put on a show that very nearly brought a tear to my eye.. Made me wonder if being a marine biologist could have been my true calling..
I swear one of them smiled at me. I saw another wave at a small girl at the side. Gosh - these ain’t just ordinary animals, they are sentient!
The smallest cutest ‘little penguins’ (yup that’s what they are called) native to South Australia.
Childishly, pleasantly, entertaining..
Airin and a humongous Dugong named ‘Pig’
There were polar bears at the Polar Bear Shores, and huge sharks and tonnes of different fish species at Shark Bay. I tried the Corkscrew rollercoaster (it was near identical to Genting), then persuaded Airin to try the Pirate Ship and the amusing Bermuda Triangle rides. We even took time off to indulge in the Sesame Street Beach Stage Show, and watch a bit of the Waterski Wipeout Show.
In short, Sea World is one of the most amazing theme parks I have ever had the pleasure of visiting. The entire park is geared towards the research and conservation of marine life, and has plenty of educational messages to remind us that what we have now are all at risk and we could lose it all if we aren’t careful.
Had dinner at this great Greek seafood restaurant at Sanctuary Cove called George’s then the whole group of us headed down to Surfer’s Paradise to jalan jalan..
The arch that leads to the beach.. L-R: Airin, Rio, FoOie
Outside one of the shops, when some really friendly Australians decided to hop in to take photos with us..
For the entire week, we were blessed with the good fortune of having clear skies and no rain DESPITE Australian weather forecast warning us of thunderstorms. That night (our last night there), it finally rained for the first time. At least we were home warm and snug when it happened.
Correction - it didn’t rain, it hailed.
The next day, Airin left for the airport first, while everyone else headed back to town for more shopping. I was trying to save $$, so I mostly just walked around and tried to absorb as much of my surroundings as I can.
All in all, it was a great trip (minus my CVS attack - but even then I’m sure some strange good came out of it), and as I sat in the cramped plane on its long haul flight back to KL, I only wished that all of us could have stayed on longer… Goodbye Sunshine State, welcome back KL haze!
P.S. : Fei’s post on her Gold Coast experience here, and here.
