Sunday, June 29, 2014

Home from Australia

I'm back from my trip! We flew back to New Zealand on last Monday afternoon and then a short flight down to Napier, arriving home about 8pm.  It was soon back to reality having to go to a two yearly First Aid Training day and then back at work for the rest of the week. Our group all had a fantastic time, its a hard to believe that our holiday has now been and gone, that's what happens when you look forward to something for such a long time :)

I've got loads of photos to share and news all about our trip so I'll get started!

We arrived at Coolangatta Airport on the Gold Coast on Monday 16th June and then traveled by shuttle van to our accommodation, the Mantra Sun City at Surfer's Pardise for the next seven nights.



The view from our apartment's balcony early one morning



During the week, we did lots of sightseeing, shopping and activites we'd already booked before leaving on our trip.

One afternoon was spent on a river cruise, that's the high rises of Surfer's Paradise





We took a lift up to the top of the Sky Point tower, marvelous views all around




We had some wonderful meals out duing the week and  I found a new coffee to try out, this was a honeycomb caramel latte from the Coffee Club.


How about that lemon meringue pie, didn't get to try it but it looked so delicious!



One day we spent at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, I got to touch a snake, eekkk!!








Where we stayed was so handy to everything we wanted to do, and there was also time to just hang out, great pool facilities there.



Spent a bit of time on this gorgeous beach :)







Lots of shopping was done, at Pacific Fair, a huge shopping mall and Harbour Town, a brand direct outlet shopping centre.


One night a few of us went to Dracula's, which is not for the faint hearted. Lots of laughs and great music though.


Another trip was to the Carrara Markets, lots of stalls of food, clothing, hand bags, sunglasses, you name it, it was probably there.


We also went to the Australian Outback Spectacular show one night which everyone really enjoyed.

And one final photo on the beach on the last afternoon, quite a hot day, probably 25 c, and I've even come home with tan marks from wearing sandals all week, lol.


What a wonderful week it was, but I was very happy to arrive home to see DH and Hannah. Hannah loved all the goodies I'd bought back for her and it sounds like they had a great time together while I was away.

Back with some crafty news soon!

14 comments:

Elizabeth said...

What a great time you had. We have stayed at the Mantra in Melbourne and Sydney, both very nice, but, the one in Melbourne was the best. Now you are back to our wet and cold weather. Struggling to get warm as John is doing repairs, to front door and replacing back door!!!!!!

Wendy @ Wendysquiltsandmore said...

Your photos are lovely. The Gold Coast is great for a winter holiday for New Zealanders. It's just so much warmer!! I'm glad you had a good time.

stitchersanon said...

Oh my goodness, I am so jealous rofl. Beautiful piccies..so much world and I have seen so little xx The latte look like a meal in itself. Glad you had a good time.

Marilyn said...

Wow, what great architecture they have.
The buildings are gorgeous!
Glad you had fun and got to shop too. :)
Marilyn

Melissa said...

Lovely to share your trip with you! Such a gorgeous place!

Maggee said...

Wow! It looks like you had a GREAT trip! Your pictures are fantastic--so many beautiful pictures of the beach from above and below! And your hotel had so many great pools and such--how could you tear yourself away!?! Thanks for sharing!

Angela said...

It looks so beautiful, thanks for sharing the pics :)

Thoeria said...

I'd say...looking at those pics....that you had an absolutely gorgeously marvelous time! :) Kaolas are so cute! Thanks for sharing your great holiday!

Andrea said...

It looks like a great time was had by all. The place where you stayed is just gorgeous. Loved the photos of the koalas and the kangaroos, not so much the crocodile/alligator!

Jenny said...

Great to read all about your trip, Katrina - sounds like you had an amazing time! It is YEARS since I went anywhere in Australia and I think I was in Intermediate School when we went on a family trip to Surfer's (so long ago!) although a lot of it still looks as I remember it. Hope to take the kids to Australia when they're older. In the meantime it's great to live vicariously through other people's photos ;o)

P.S. That coffee!!!

Sharon said...

What an amazing trip! Thanks for sharing your lovely pictures!

Wendy said...

Wonderful photos, looks like you had a fabulous time!

Catherine said...

Looks and sounds like a fabulous trip!

Gabi said...

Great pics. The skyline looks marvellous.
Would like to go there but's very far from me.
Greetings from Germany

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