Pasta & Rice: Perfect 5 @ Gold Coast

It was the Perfect 5 @ Gold Coast...

Perfect weather
Perfect food
Perfect entertainment
Perfect beach and
Perfect stay & company! So maybe the perfect 6 but for sure, it was a perfect holiday!

We cut it real close in getting on the 18.55 flight to Gold Coast as we had left our respective offices at only 5pm! It was a mad rush and even when we got on the plane, it still hasn't hit us that we're on holiday. But once we reached Gold Coast, our holiday officially started! We checked in quickly at Crowne Plaza and settled in quickly in our nice comfy room.. the bed was a king bed and plenty of space in the room!

Enjoyin in the balcony of Crown Plaza

Great weather and nice view (look like Marine Parade)

Got a view of the Nice pool downstairs.

We started our day bright and early - surprising if you know Jem and Gie, we're not early morning people - But we managed to get out of bed by 7.30am and made our way to our first destination - DREAMWORLD! The best place in Aussie for the thrill seekers.

Our rented blue Toyota Yaris

Off we go to Dream World!

It was a slow start to our day at the Gold Rush Rapids ride. Not very rapid if you ask us. We were bored mid-way through the ride and Jem was slightly annoyed at getting wet! It wasn't a big thrill ride so it was abit silly that one wave splashed into our "boat".

First stop at the Gold Rush

The highly anticipated log ride was closed for annual maintenance to Gie's disappointment. But the disappointed face didn't last long... as we gamely strolled up to the Giant Drop, not knowing what to expect! In fact, I think neither of us thought much of the ride until we were strapped on and there was no escape! The Giant Drop was true to its name as it took us 120m (39 stories) up into the sky and dangled us for what seemed like an eternity before plunging us to the ground at breakneck speed! It took us a mere 5 seconds to hit the ground again but it sure felt much longer! The view was amazing up there but surely, no one would take the ride for the view! Seriously, not one for the faint hearted and honestly, if we had known exactly how high the ride was, we might not have gone on it... twice!! haha.. it was awesome but really really scary!! One of the scariest rides we'd ever taken and it set the standard really high for the rest of the thrill rides.

Poor Gie missed her log ride

The crazy Giant Drop

The Tower of Terror was another new ride at Dreamworld which promised big thrills as well but we felt that it was not as thrilling as Giant Drop. Can you believe that? The Tower of Terror shot us up into the same tower that supports the Giant Drop and after reaching about 10 stories high, it reverses back as quickly as it shot up. But, after Giant Drop, this was nothing! Another old favourite is the Cyclone, the traditional roller coaster that includes 360 deg spins! Just another fun ride now for us since it doesn't have the minimum 4Gs required to charge our hearts!

The Tower of Terror!

We took a mid day break at Tiger Island and watched the tigers laze around in the sun. Unfortunately Jem went off to buy us drinks at the time the trainers took the smallest tiger out for the crowd to pat! Gie got to pat the tiger on its back much to her glee, just minutes before she was just telling Jem how she wanted to touch the tiger and got her wish! Sad thing though, no photos were taken since it was more important to touch the tiger than take an up-close photo!

In front of Tiger Island

A gauge of how big the Tigers are

Cute tiger smiling at us

Jem wanted some up close and personal time with some animal too!

After Tiger Island, we rushed around what little time we had left to take the Giant Drop one more time, Tower of Terror and the Cyclone! Then, we ended our Dreamworld adventure on The Claw which swings you (and your arms and legs) up to 10 stories high in the air while spinning to give everyone equal viewing time of the sky and upside down to stare at the ground! Woohoo!! Pretty impressive and to think we almost missed this ride coz Jem was reluctant!

Breaking out of Jail

Crazy ride called the Claw!

With starving tummies (we didn't eat all day cept for Macca's breaky), we made our way to Broadbeach for a seafood dinner at half price! Here's a tip for those travelling to Gold Coast, grab the tourist coupons for the discount at some restaurants. If you find the one for Yellowfin, go for it coz the food there is absolutely fab! We had the calamari for starters and Jem ordered the grilled seafood plate and Gie had the Heineken beer battered baramundi. It was really really yumm and it was abit unfortunate that they forgot our order coz we had abit of a wait on the mains. Nevertheless, food was really superb and fresh and very nicely done. It was so good that we went back on our last nigh, this time for the seafood platter for two! heee...

Dinner at Yellow Fin Seafood (highly recommended)

Seafood platter at 50% off! How worthwhile was that!

Take 2 at Yellowfin

No time was wasted on Day 2 as we got up early morning to hit the beach! Sun, sand, sea what more can we ask for? It was a beautiful morning which was the perfect start to an awesome day at Movieworld!

Morning at Surfers Paradise

Lazing in the sun, lying on the sand... ahh.. beach bliss!

Can you spot Batman's spaceshot and Superman Escape the ride?

In front of the Warner Brother's Sign

Even though Giant Drop has upped our thrill factor, we still thoroughly enjoyed the 2 most thrilling rides in Movieworld - Batman's spaceshot and Superman's Escape! Batman's spaceshot was something like the Giant Drop but not as high and it's different in that it counts you down to take off and shoots you up with a 4G force and brings you back down just as hard! The non-scare feature is that it then bounces you up and down a lil' bit more just so it isn't that bad. After Giant Drop, even this gives Gie the scares! It was all too familiar - the dangling in the air and the mad speed it bursts up and down!

Batman the ride!

Our favourite in Movieworld was definitely the Escape ride! Super speeds, twists, turns and almost vertical drops made this a must go! Again and again! Even if to perfect the photo taken! Pure adrenalin and fun even at the expense of collecting bruises on the arms! All worthwhile and already, wishing we had more time to go back for more!

Escape with Superman!

Here are some other feature rides at the Movieworld which we liked!

Scooby Doo the ride - a surprisingly good coaster indoors!

Wild WET west ride!

A trip to Movieworld is not complete without Bugs n Babs!

After Movieworld, we took a short drive to Brisbane for dinner and Friday late night shopping at Queen Street Mall. Nothing spectacular in Brissie but Gie managed to find her winter jacket there. We had dinner at Chinatown which was quite a let down, the food there was not great at all, so for those visiting Bris, please give Chinatown a miss and stick to the ang mo jiak.

We spent the final day in sunny Gold Coast beach followed by shopping at Harbour Town where Gie found her winter boots, there were many nice shopping factory outlets at Harbour Town and it is one of a must shopping destination for the shopaholics. I leave you pictures of Brisbane as well as Harbour Town and not forgetting we capped it off with a seafood platter dinner at our favourite restaurant Yellow Fin in Broadbeach!