Awesome Time!!

The trip to Gold Coast was good. It was awesome. Will furnish the details of the trip later.

22nd June
Our flight to Singapore, which was scheduled at 5.45pm was delayed for 20 minutes. Luckily the connecting flight to Brisbane was aropund 9.30pm. Still had a lot of time. By the time we boarded Qantas flight to Brisbane Megat and I were sleepy and hungry. Luckily Ellix had some snacks while waiting for the flight. At least I had one less problem that I had to handle.

The flight to Brisbane was OK. Ellix, as usual, was a bit excited as it was her first long trip (the furthest that she went was to Bangkok and it only took about 2 hours). She had fun time with the flight entertainment, switching from movies to games and to movies again. In between, she would do her coloring on The Wiggles activity book which wa given out to all children.

Halfway through the flight, I guess she felt a bit tired. She kept asking how much longer are we going to arrive in Australia. According to her, she can't wait to get there. Can't wait to go to the beach. Hmmm... despite telling her that the weather would be too cold for us to swim, she still insisted that we bring her to the beach... just to play with the sand.


23rd June
Finally, we arrived at Brisbane airport around 7.15am. Ellix was excited. Considering that it was still around 5.15am Malaysian time, she was already very chirpy and kept asking about this and that.

After getting our luggages, we had to queue at the Immigration. The queue was quite long. It was OK as we were not in a rush but it just happened that we had to endure somebody's body odor. Gosh.. how can some people are not sensitive about this. All we could do was, I tengok kat Megat and Megat tengok kat I .. and both of us geleng kepala.

The immigration process went fine and around 8.15am we were safely admitted to Australia.

After a brief visit to the restroom, we went ahead to the car rental section. After comparing the prices, etc, we finally decided on Thrifty Car Rental. As they were out of compact cars, we had to settle for the normal, medium sized family car. The total amount for 1 week rental was AUD371. Seems a lot but actually if we were to take public transport, it will cost us about that much also. But then, having a car if much more convenient to move around.

Around 9.30am we were already in our rented car, Mitsubishi Mivec (much to Megat's delight), and leaving Brisbane Airport towards Gold Coast.

The 1 hour drive to Gold Coast was quite smooth. Considering that both Megat and I had never been to Australia, we didn't have problems getting there as there are road signs everywhere. The traffics also are much better compared to KL's.

Locating our apartment block (Santana Holiday Resort, courtesy of Leisure Holidays) also was not difficult. When we arrived, the unit was not ready yet. Sue, the resort Manager, suggested that we go get our breakfast first while waiting for it, which seemed like a good idea.

We went to a cafe nearby and ordered fish and chips and hot chocolate . .. Our first meal in Gold Coast..:) It was ok but we have tasted better.

When we got back to the apartment, the unit was ready. We were showed where to park our car and how to get to the unit. Too bad, it was located at the top floor (3rd floor) and it was a walk-up! So, getting our bagages up was quite a chore.

The apartment, to our surprise, was quite cosy. It was a one-bedroom unit that came with full kitchen facilities, washer and dryer.

Megat decided to go for a short nap. I thought it was a good idea, but ellix , being ellix, asked me to play with her. So, nak tak nak.. had to layan her for a while until my eyes couldn't tahan anymore. Told ellix that I need my nap badly. Surprisingly, she joined me and slept on my arm, as usual.

We got up around 2.00. Actually I woke up first and then had to wake Megat and Ellix up. Maybe it's the exciteent of being in a new place, I didn't have much problem this time.

We had quick shower, and by 3pm, we were already out of the apartment and headed to Pacific Fair Shopping Complex, which is about 10 minutes' drive.

We had our lunch (more like very late lunch) and then when to Coles for some groceries. Bought loads of drinks (juices, milk, choc milk, etc), some breakfast items, toilettries, etc. As usual, ellix took the chance to get something for her too .. one of the stuffed animals.. (we found out later that everytime we went out shopping, there must be something for her even though she insisted that..'this is my last one'.... ) .

By the time we left the shopping Center, it was already very dark.

Didn't go out after that. Still felt a bit tired.


24th June

Woke up quite late.. around 8.30. This time I had problem waking up both of them.

After I had showered, went to the kitchen to prepare some breakfast. By then, thank God... Ellix woke up and I managed to persuade her to wake her abah up... which she did in her own way... shouting!

While waiting for both of them to get ready, I planned for our itenary for the next one week.

Once breasfat was done, we went out to our first theme park... the Movie World. When we got there, the car park was already half full. Luckily the queue was not that long.

As expected, ellix was so excited. She kept telling us that so and so said we should try this ride and that ride (it seems that she told her friends that she's going to Gold Coast and two of them happened to go there before).

First we went to Batman's Adventure but we have missed the first two trips. The next one would be at 1pm. Ellix saw the Batman's spaceshot and wanted to go on it. Luckily it has height limit and she's not tall enough to qualify. If not, we will be in trouble. We have to company her to go on that dreadful looking ride. No way I'm going on that one and knowing megat.. he is even worse.

Next we went to Shrek 4D Adventure


MORE TO COME.....

Howdy Gold Coast!!

Finally, the time has almost arrived. By this time tomorrow, I'll be on my way to Singapore and then to Brisbane. Our bags are packed and we are ready to go...almost!!!

Ellix has been counting days since a month ago. Every day she will ask me how many more days for her Australia trip. She even told us what she plans to do there. She keeps asking us to make sure that she gets to go to the beach every other day. Even when we told her that it's winter in Autralia and it's going to be cold, she said that's ok. She will be fine. Well.... ellix just love beaches. She can spend hours and hours playing with the sand.

It feels good to know that I will be away from work for a week. Free from the 'office politics' and free from all the problems that keep cropping up lately.

Can't wait to step my feet in Gold Coast!

A Holiday Worth Waiting For

I wish I don't have to be back to work yet.

The 6 days spent in Penang was wonderful. We had a blast! Holiday Inn Penang was a great place for families. The room was nice and facilities are great. Ellix loves the kidspot. Once she discovered the place, she basically doesn't want to go elsewhere, except the beach and swimming pool. Even her meals were taken there.

Come to think of it, I think I would enjoy it as much as she does too, if I am her age. She got to do handicrafts, arts, etc, etc. She made a bead-necklace for her and a handpainted mug for me.

Since ellix is basically taken care of at the kidspot, that left my husband and I some time to ourselves. We could go to places that Ellix would compaint (because it is not comfy enough) without having to worry about her.

Too bad the holiday is over.

Counting the Days....

Today is the 25th of Ramadhan. How time flies. Thank God this Ramadhan seems like a breeze to me. Sedar tak sedar, next week is already Hari Raya.

Since my mother is in Mekah performing her yearly Umrah (won't be back until the second day), we will be spending first day of Raya in Kuala Kangsar. Insyaalah, will be going there on Sunday. As Hari Raya most probably will fall on Tuesday, that leaves us with one day to jalan-jalan around Kuala.

After Raya prayer and function kat Istana, we will shoot off to Penang. Tak sabar rasanya nak go for holiday...the much needed holiday. The hotel rooms is booked and paid and our things, even though not being packed yet, are ready. I hope the 6 days 5 nights holiday in Penang will be worth waiting for!

6 more days to go!!!!