The posh wine & dine guide in Gold Coast

This is a media trip made possible by Scoot and Tourism Queensland.

A ticket to the USA starts from at least $2000. What if you can sample a taste of Miami with airfares starting at $300?

Flyscoot.com has started their flights to Gold Coast since June 12 from Singapore. I was on her inaugural flight with live inflight entertainment, The Noose.

Gold Coast, touted to be the Miami closer to Asia, is all glitz and glamour.

They have underground cultures like the Meter Mates.

The meter mates are usually bikini cladded babes who trawl the streets of Gold Coast topping up quarters for parked cars which are about to expire. They are supported by local businesses to put in quarters for drivers when the State declared parking to be charged. It's such a community driven initiative!

But other than the leggy tanned girls, Gold Coast offers some of the freshest foods, finest dining with stunning views (not leggy tanned girls).

Bazaar at QT Hotel
beats any buffet in Singapore hands down, well almost (I like Straits Cafe).

An interactive markeplace, Bazaar offers an enticing international mosaic of foods. I returned to the seafood section thrice, eating oysters like there's no tomorrow or like there's a hunk waiting for me in bed. I normally wouldn't touch an oyster, but when it's so fresh like Bazaar's, once i pop i can't stop.

The crabs are even caught by QT's own trawler!

Wood fired pizzas, classic pot roasts, premium meats and refreshing organic salads, it's an ABSOLUTE steal at only AUD 69 for adults and AUD 21 for children under 12. The value hunter Singaporean in me will DEFINITELY return if i visit Gold Coast again.

I particularly like how at one corner, they displayed their meats for diners to see which includes a whole piglet (dead of course). Remaining true to QT's tastefully kitschy hotel design, it was definitely a shocker but fun to spot! Reservations recommended.

7 STAGHORN AVENUE

SURFERS PARADISE QLD 4127

☎ ph:07 5584 1200

Lauxes Champagne Dining Lounge
Spelt backwards is Sexual and was done on purpose. Lauxes specializes in champagne so it is ideal for a pre-dinner drink.

Sleek, chic and luxe is the theme of interior.

A multi-talented musician who plays the piano, saxophone and sings provides entertainment while you sip like a rich man.

Song request coasters.

Starting from 19 AUD for a champagne cocktail, the champagne prices are very reasonable to be chi chi.

A cheeky find in the bathroom. It's a nice sight if you pee standing.

2685 Gold Coast Highway

Broadbeach QLD 4218

☎ ph:07 5531 5555

Moo Moo The Wine Bar & Grill

is a stone's throw away from Lauxes. If you dine here, you have to order a steak because that's what Moo Moo won awards for. You can also tell from its name right?

Since opening its doors in 2005, Moo Moo has won Queensland's Best Steak 2008, then Gold Coast's Best Steak Restaurant 2006,07,08 and 09.

With an interior decor of natural stone finishes, sleek curves and state of art lighting system, while it isn't good for food photography, it is good for putting the sexy back into steak.

The selection includes grass or grain fed beef, otherwise organic. I had the grain fed wagyu beef for AUD 55. Sides all come at an additional of AUD 8.

While the wagyu did not melt in my mouth like in some Japanese restaurants, it was tender and juicy enough to be a good piece of meat.

The desserts however is to-die-for while the service of Moo Moo is first class.

If you only have space for one, go for the brownie (AUD 12). It comes out freshly baked, with the center gooey and moist, like lava cake! Topped with a scoop of vanilla, the best brownie i had in my entire life!

Reservations are also recommended as it is packed when i got there at 8pm on a weekday night.

2685 GOLD COAST HIGHWAY

BROADBEACH QLD 4218

☎ ph:07 5539 9952

Seaduction
While Moo Moo unique selling point is in a good piece of meat without bells and whistles, Seaduction gives premium ingredients that excites 3/5 senses. Taste, smell and sight.

Tuna steak at AUD 36

Scallops with black pudding at AUD 16

The scallops were succulent, and even though black pudding is cow's blood, i licked up every drop. It was grilled at the right amount of time, making it a little crispy.

Lemon tart at AUD 14

Located right at the coast, every table provides uninterrupted ocean views.

8 The Esplanade

surfers paradise

Sky Point
Like almost every city that now has a tall building to be proud of, Gold Coast doesn't lose. Sip a cocktail 230 meters in the sky.

However, there is an admission charge of AUD 21. Drinks not included. You may also do a Sky Point climb. See http://www.skypoint.com.au

Osteria Vivo
Jupiters Hotel & Casino offers a SUPER good dinner and show packages. It's only AUD 89 for both! Considering how divine the Italian food is and how entertaining MUS.I.C is. A MUST-DO!


You don't even have to go Las Vegas with Scoot's low fares.

If you can't decide what to pick, you won't regret the risottos.

I highly recommend the asparagus risotto (AUD 24).

Herb roasted scallop risotto (AUD 28)

Quite a show for it to come out as an overflowing cup, then voila.

The grilled pear, Parmigiano Reggiano and Parma ham salad (AUD 19) will make any person who won't eat greens wallop this.

The capellini comes with generous serving of herb garlic prawns. The choice of pasta is angel hair which makes my stomach fit more in!

Don't forget to try the authentic Italian carbonara as well. Not drenched in a creamy sauce, the Osteria Vivo's carbonara is clear and cooked with pork lard. It's almost Asian! It's my first time trying an authentic Italian carbonara, i'll close one eye with the calories because it's worth it! I won't want to eat another creamy carbonara after this.

While there is all that glitz and glamour, you can also dine in nature!

O'reillys Vineyard requires compulsory reservations.

Lamington national park rd

canugra valley qlsd 4275

☎ ph:07 5543 4011

The Polish Place
on Mount Tamborine is another unique dining experience of its own.

Outfitted like an authentic Polish place with an AMAZING view of the valleys,  The Polish Place is a 20 minute drive from the city and is certainly worth it.

The winter soup with barley, chicken, carrots and potatoes is good enough for a light meal.

A generous portion of salmon, the home made potato mash was yummy and the lemon sauce had a buttery finish.

The highlight of the place are the friendly lorikeets who come say hello.

You don't even need to visit the Currumbin Wildlife Park! If you are afraid of birds, there is indoor seating available.

but to eat outside with stunning views of the plunging valley? Well worth the risk of bird poop. Surprisingly, these lorikeets really don't poop! There isn't ANY bird poop on the table nor floors despite the family of lorikeets.

Mountain cabin lodging outfitted the Polish way are also available, but if you're there for a meal, be sure to also check out the mini museum! Privately owned, it is a space for owners Ania & Phil Sowter's prized collections.

Entirely made of leather.

Gold Coast, famous for fun night and day.

This is a picture caught at dawn, the moon still visible but the sun is rising.

Gudang grosir baju anak murah - harga pabrik !!
www.gudanggrosiran.com Categories: advertorial, gold coast, scoot, travel

Things to do in Gold Coast (other than theme parks)

This is a media trip made possible by Scoot and Tourism Queensland.

This was me in Gold Coast some ten years ago. 

All we did was do our rounds in theme parks, that's why we went Gold Coast. The best way to see Gold Coast is to self-drive and this family trip was the most memorable because my dad forgot his driving license! That was ok,private transport was arranged for our party of five except we went trekking and we emerged 3 hours early AND hungry, with the transport nowhere in sight. We had to walk hours on the highway to the nearest cafe to get a phone and get a meal.


We could see no end to this hike,this was ANOTHER hike after a 2 hour one in the forest. 14 year old me did not want to walk anymore,so i threw a tantrum by sitting on the roadside refusing to move.


No one cared about me,obviously. In the end,i still had to get up or be left behind.


Redemption beckons! Much thanks to FlyScoot.com and Tourism Queensland, i re-visit Gold Coast and did so much more.

GET WILD & WET
While i absolutely adore theme parks like Movie World & Dream World, i was pleasantly surprised at what fun riding the speed boat gives. It wasn't quite scary despite in this photo,the guy beside me was caught looking at me with disbelief before departure.

That's me second row, second from the left.

I challenged all those sitting in my row to ride it hands-free. The first one to grab the bars loses. It was double the fun being thrown about like dirty laundry. Mark was very chivalrous in using his bigger body to shield me from the water. Getting the golden shower relentlessly makes it triple the fun? Achieving the "wet look" effortlessly, that was the trend 2 years ago.


I am such an adrenaline junkie that initially i was like "bah,no kick. What's so fun? It's just a speed boat."


Turns out,its NOT just a speed boat but a turbo charged boat that cuts very close to tall solid concrete pillars which made me sure we're gonna crash and die, go beneath low hanging branches which made me sure we're gonna get caught and die, perform such sharp turns i was VERY sure we're gonna capsize and die.


More than just a thrill ride, i particularly enjoyed the stories that came with it.


We made pit stops and spot kangaroos and wallabies along the coast (wild dolphins if you're really lucky).


http://paradisejetboating.com.au is also the only one who doesn't live on Sovereign Island yet is able to enter the restricted Sovereign waters.

Sovereign Island, a class on its own is an enclave of islands that is a drop of paradise. A prestige waterfront lifestyle for only the very rich. Most curtains of these luxury homes were drawn but from the detailed commentary, i could draw up imaginary visuals. But i didn't really have to because there's Google.

A swimming pool that runs in the living room.
I have actually thought of this before for my dream home!
Damn it, someone else did it before me.

Interior pictures are made available because most of these homes are for rent when the owners are using. Agents managing these homes can even arrange Lamboginis for you as part of the accommodation package.


What was outside the house, we could view. Some of the most beautiful homes i've ever seen.

A pool next to a lake.

All homes are next to the waterway. This is the titanium roof home where the roof alone costs 1 million AUD. The entire house is 20 million, with a 30 car garage. It is owned by a doctor who specializes in titanium prosthetics. It literally cost him an arm and an leg!

Then there's one that looks like Tuscany,

and castle, of course that'll be a castle.

Bring a waterproof camera if you plan to take pictures. Paradise Jet Boating will strongly discourage you to bring any loose items though.

I think i look like Uncle Fester.

Book Paradise Jet Boating at 1300 JET BOAT (538 262) 

+61 7 5526 3089 or 07 5526 3190

Morning tours costs AUD $49 while in the afternoon is at $63.

BE A ZOO KEEPER

I've always wanted to be an animal trainer but i didn't know how to embark on that career path. At Gold Coast, there're a host of animal experiences, i did it all! Well, almost.

At Sea World, you not only learn about marine life, watch animal performances and sit theme park rides. It's a one-stop spot for a whale of a time. Yes, you can also book yourself on a guaranteed whale sighting tour. Most attractions like the experiential sting ray pool, roller coasters etc. are included in the ticket price which makes it very value for money!

Sitting on an unusual roller coaster where you ride a jet ski was super fun!

You may also train a seal, get behind-the-scenes with a polar bear, do a shark encounter, or experience Antarctic with the penguins!

                

Look who crept up to shore as soon as i walked with a bucket.

Dolphins in Sea World Gold Coast are born in captivity. Want to know how dolphins sound like? At 0:15 of the video, you'll hear something that sounds like a lizard. That's how dolphins talk to its own kind. At the end, the long noise it makes? That's merely just noise that doesn't mean anything to its species. The trainer asked it to say "thank you".

I've checked. Dolphins don't smell fishy. They may be mammals (just so you don't leave hate comments calling me a bimbo), i thought they would smell like a fish. Also, i thought they would feel rubbery, but how they really feel like under my fingers is indescribable.

Look! My smiling face and slit eyes is like the dolphin! 

Do not pet a dolphin on its cheek/ face as that's where their sensitive ears are. Their ears are SO tiny!
It's merely like a pierced ear hole.

With new attractions (e.g. Dino Land) opening this month in Sea World, you'll be in for a treat! The Meet the Dolphin Adventure costs AUD 160.

Then, there is the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. I was super excited that morning because nowhere else in Australia but in Queensland can you carry a koala!


Most places in Australia, they don't let you hold those precious. I remember in Perth, i stood beside a koala on a tree branch! That was the closest i got.


But look at me here!

I don't even care it's fondling my boob! Koalas have privileges!

Currumbin Wildlife is a non-profit sanctuary, it's heartening to know that they only charge AUD 19.95 for a photo with the koala while other animals may be cheaper. They could have easily charged more because everyone would want a koala! The sanctuary also do wildlife conservation work and have a functional animal hospital. Injured koalas have been brought to their sanctuary. Some koalas because of deforestation find themselves on the ground and therefore attacked by dogs. There was even a man who accidentally ran his car into one and the poor koala got trapped in the front grill of his car! Both man and koala were badly traumatized.


So do make a donation when you visit Currumbin. The donation boxes can be found at the WILD LORIKEET FEEDING! These birds are not trained to land on me, neither are they toilet trained.

I'm brave, and they made my double chin appear.

I love the lorikeets! Though this is probably what my teacher meant when she scolded the class for being 鸡杂的要死, the lorikeets are really pretty and super friendly with humans.

I feel sorry for this baby gator though, it looks very lifeless. Then again, we wouldn't want a gator lively will we? This baby saltwater gator can grow as massive as 800KG and close to 5 meters long!

 Spot the joey!

Visit Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary at 28 Tomewin St, www.cws.org.au

GET GORGEOUS VIEWS

With a hotair balloon experience AT SUN RISE!
It floats so gently you hardly know you're some 1700 feet above.

Landing was quite an experience. We all toppled over and CRAWLED OUT.

Look at how camera ready one guy is! Popping his head out for the photo despite being right at the back and i didn't even announce my photo taking!

EnLai is so much fun to be with though. It was truly inflight entertainment at its best, watch The Noose being filmed right in front of me. He is so talented with his accents and wit. Very easy-going, down to earth and absolutely no airs about him!

Watch out for the cow dung though!

Book your hot air balloon experience with www.hotair.com.au

SURF

or try to.

Touted as Sufer's Paradise, Surf World pays homage to all things to do with surfing. I didn't know that in Australian universities, they have degrees in surf studies! Part of the curriculum is about the sustaining water environment of course.

                   

Old boards used to be made of timbre. Imagine lugging this out to sea!

Someone then had the grand idea of putting a motor into a surf board.
It later got improvised and became a jet ski! 

Surf World is just next to Currumbin Wildlife, i'd say its a museum only for surf enthusiasts!

For those who are afraid of surfing, they can try stand-up paddling! It's like kayaking except you stand! There is very slim chance of falling but you still can.

Justin Mitchell School of Paddle & Surf
www.jmsup.com

Just being Wayang about things.

The Mile High Club.

Gold Coast, more than theme parks, famous for fun.


FlyScoot.com offers almost daily flights to Gold Coast and other places at attractive prices!


Have you read my Scoot inaugural experience & learn a trick or two at flying budget?


Are you checking out romantic spots further than Bali but closer to home?

Satisfy that wanderlust the wright way.

Gudang grosir baju anak murah - harga pabrik !!
www.gudanggrosiran.com Categories: advertorial, animal encounters, gold coast, scoot, travel