The Gold Coast, just the name conjures exotic climes. Memories, of heat, and pools, and the sea, tumble together inside my head. Already in New Zealand, it is a short hop over the 'pond' as the locals call the Tasman Sea. Excitement builds, as I plan where to go. With the centre of the red land burning hot, most of the large towns are around the coast. What a coast though, from Darwin at the top, to Adelade at the bottom. What a magical country, as well as being a place well slanted towards having everything it's inhabitants could wish for. I tell you now, if if were not for the fact most f my family are still in England, I would live in Australia. In fact, it still my dream.
Trip booked, fare reasonable from New Zealand,a. Couple of hundred NZ dollars. The trip is only a bare three hours long, you spend longer getting through customs, and on the plane, than the actual flying time. Even NZ is better thought out than England. The airport far more beautiful, and impressive. There are plenty of cafes, coffee places, shops, and seating areas to help you get through customs comfortably. What with today's extra security measures, getting through most airports can be a nightmare, but has to be done. Oh, for the old days, when things were simple, and we did not have nutters sitting on the sidelines, causing us hassles, and delays. Sometimes, I think the world is crazy. But what choice do we have, we must cope with whatever we need. I know, better safe than sorry.
I remember how easy, how simple it all once was. When my parents first began going on holiday abroad, when they were in their forties. As I had a young family, and could not imagine ever being able to fly anywhere. Always curious, I asked so many questions about the food on the plane, that they saved one of the tray meals, and bought it back for me to see, and try. Can you imagine trying to get through customs with that food today? The whole place would light up like a Christmas tree, as dogs, and staff descended to fine you, and slap your wrists, or even cart you away as an enemy of the state.
So, back to Australia,(and I wish I were). Landing at the other end, is always exciting for me. I get this knot in my stomache, and a rising sense of excitement, I'm home, I'm home! Something I have felt since my first visit, many years ago now. Even though I was not born here, nor lived here for a long period. I did come, and go quite a lot, living the best part of three years there. Both when my parents, and brother lived there, and after my parents moved on to New Zealand. My much missed younger brother died there, so that gives me a great sense of family still there. A part of me, will always be there, even though, I am sure in I would feel like that regardless. Even though his wife, had him cremated, with no visible resting ground, his spirit is there, he loved the place. He felt, at the time, it was the closest he would get to Africa. A land he saw with many similarities of colours, temperature, and soul. Everything except the animals, I think. In a way, he now belongs to the greater energy of the land I head for.
What a land it is, with its vast desert interior, housing the ancient Ayers Rock, and the lovely, characterful little town of Alice Springs. What a spiritual place I found it to be. The rest, as I said, is mostly coastal settlements. Strung around the circumference of that large, red land. Hot, and humid to the north, near Darwin, cooler, and more temperate climates to the South, near to the big towns of Adelaide, and Melbourne. Me, well, I got to know its heat first. When I went to Darwin, it's there I left my brother. I have visited all of the other major towns. Still, I prefer the country around the Gold Coast, a bit down from Darwin, on the coast. More like half way down that coast really. Many of the seafront places, are high rise apartments, very nice most of the are. Some with fanciful, almost Spanish looking outlines. Which, I suppose is the Moorish influence from Spain, which has somehow, left an impression on the Gold Coast.
The Gold Coast is now known as the Theme Park capital of Australia. All major theme parks located somewhere between the coast, and Brisbane city. There is so much more to the coast than that though. Of course, there are parks, waterways, and in the hinterland sits magic mountain, and some sweet little tourists towns. How could you not want to visit the zoo too, everyone wants to see the kangaroos, crocodile and the koalas. The kangaroos are so tame, you can pet them, as they sprawl on the ground. The birds, and the trees are as colorful as the coastline is magnificent. With its unusual skyline of buildings, andwhite sands, miles of it. It's buildings are futuristic, with walks, and cycle paths, set in the shade, beside the sea. I always think real planning has gone into making facilities for the peopl. Wide walkways, cycle paths, shade, and seating stretch for miles. I feel they look after their people, far better than many countries I have seen. Of course, being mineral rich must help afford such luxuries.
As a place to visit, you can not go wrong. I would be there again, tomorrow, if I could. It's beautiful, it's comfortable, the people are friendly, and the sun shines most of the time.
My words here, barely touch the surface, to what Australia offers you, the Gold Coast in particular, but there is so much more, every town with its own character. Go, and experience some of it for yourself. I know you will not be sorry. One visit is never enough.
So many places to explore, visiting is never enough. Not for me, anyway......
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