Rising early, heading off to Kurrawa Beach just a short three minute walk from your resort, join the dozens of other early risers strolling along the glistening sands enjoying the first warming rays of sunshine. People walking their dogs, playing with their children, even though it’s early, life is bristling on the beautiful Gold Coast beach.
Stopping to chat to a local who is beach fishing and hoping to catch his breakfast, he tells you luck is on his side this morning, he just landed his fourth Dart fish, he gives you a little tip, “use yabbies mate, they’re much better than worms…”
Half an hour later you venture to one of the many restaurants along Surf Parade, Victoria Mall or even the Oracle Walk for breakfast. Spoilt for choice, they are all tempting you with their ‘Big Brekkie”, consisting of eggs, bacon, sausage, tomato, mushrooms on sour dough bread or a healthy alternative in muesli with Greek yogurt, blueberries, strawberries and raspberries drizzled with honey. All this for less than ten dollars, washed down with a steaming pot of English tea or frothy cappuccino.
Over breakfast you try to decide how to spend your day on the Gold Coast, there is so much to see and do here. Choosing a trip to Tamborine Mountain, you head back to your resort, make a thermos, pack a blanket and head off on the short 45 minute drive to the picturesque mountain.
Stopping off at the information centre in Doughty Park on the mountain, chat with the friendly staff and collect some free maps. You may even hear a story about the beautiful yellow tree snake that was sunning himself on the steps earlier or the six foot python looking in through the window. Only to be reassured that they are harmless and more afraid of you than you are of them. Why not call into one of the many cafes and grab a sandwich or two to eat with your thermos in the gardens.
The Botanic Gardens are less than a ten minute drive from the information centre, so you head off with thermos, sandwiches and camera hoping for some memorable shots of the day.
You are greeted at the gardens by bush turkeys, kookaburras and whip birds. There are a variety of walks from which to choose such as the rainforest walk, Japanese garden, cascades, orchid walk and more. All of which can easily be seen in a couple of leisurely hours walk. Stop off along the way at one of the many “Contemplative” seats to enjoy your cuppa while listening to the birdsongs.
Leaving the gardens drive along Gallery Walk, here you will be tempted by 40 varieties of fudge in Fudge Heaven whilst browsing many of the galleries, craft and book shops.
You will definitely want to come back to Tamborine Mountain to walk along the top of the world amongst the rainforest canopies on the Skywalk, venture underground in the Glow Worm Caves and sample the wines and cheeses.
Tamborine Mountain is the perfect get away for a romantic night or two, with a variety of accommodation styles available. Enjoy one of the walking tracks provided on the mountain or spend a couple of hours being pampered in the spa at the Escarpment accommodation and day spa.
Whatever you choose to do on Tamborine Mountain your time here will be memorable and we are certain you will want to return to experience more of what the mountain has to offer.
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Tuscany
On the way to Tuscany we spent the day and night in Florence. Wandering the streets, looking at the Duomo and sights and sounds of the market. Coffee and pastries in a cute little cafe outside the markets, people watching. Italians love their dogs, they take them everywhere, even on the trains.
After a delicious dinner in our hotel we spent the night in our suite, rose early the next morning, met Amanda and Theo at Florence train station, had a stroll and a bite to eat, picked up our BMW at the airport and headed for our villa in Tuscany about half an hours drive away. But it seemed to be in another part of the world, out of the bustling city and into the beautiful rolling hills of the countryside.
The four of us had a villa on the hillside all to ourselves. Up a long driveway lined with pencil pines, just like a postcard.........
Everything was green and lush, flowers blooming, all set amongst grapevines and olive groves with the most breathtaking views all around the villa.
What a setting for our wedding!!!!!!
All the preparations were perfect, flowers, food, ceremony, music, all organised by the women running the villa. We had nothing to do except enjoy the day.
The weather was absolutely gorgeous, clear blues skies and a cool breeze.
The ceremony was on the lawn in front of the villa with a backdrop of the vineyard and rolling hills.
Lunch was a six course banquet cooked on site by our own personal chef "Anna" and served by our waiter,"Tommy". They even made us a wedding cake, Italian style.
The ceremony was at 11, lunch at 12 and we all enjoyed the day so much nobody wanted it to end. Finally about midnight we decided to reluctantly end the day with one more toast to the bride and groom................
After a couple of days rest we all decided to venture into the little villages around the area, much to our surprise we came upon a local market where we bought our supplies for the rest of the week, had lunch and did a bit of shopping other than food and wine LOL.
We spent a day in Siena, a walled medieval city. Very hilly with amazing buildings.
Next we went to Todi, to meet the people we are house sitting for in September. They made us a lovely lunch, which we weren't expecting. We thought we would be there for about an hour.....Four hours later we left......It was a lovely day, they have two miniature Sardinian donkeys, seven cashmere goats, three cute dogs and five cats that you don't really see much.
They live on 35 acres of olive groves, on a hillside with amazing views into the valley and woods. Apparently around 11.30 at night, porcupines come into the yard and eat up their garden............
Part of their stone home was built in the 16th century and the other part was built in the 1800's. Can't wait to come back for the house sit.
Hope you enjoy the photos. Amanda has more and when we get a copies I will post some more.
After a delicious dinner in our hotel we spent the night in our suite, rose early the next morning, met Amanda and Theo at Florence train station, had a stroll and a bite to eat, picked up our BMW at the airport and headed for our villa in Tuscany about half an hours drive away. But it seemed to be in another part of the world, out of the bustling city and into the beautiful rolling hills of the countryside.
The four of us had a villa on the hillside all to ourselves. Up a long driveway lined with pencil pines, just like a postcard.........
Everything was green and lush, flowers blooming, all set amongst grapevines and olive groves with the most breathtaking views all around the villa.
What a setting for our wedding!!!!!!
All the preparations were perfect, flowers, food, ceremony, music, all organised by the women running the villa. We had nothing to do except enjoy the day.
The weather was absolutely gorgeous, clear blues skies and a cool breeze.
The ceremony was on the lawn in front of the villa with a backdrop of the vineyard and rolling hills.
Lunch was a six course banquet cooked on site by our own personal chef "Anna" and served by our waiter,"Tommy". They even made us a wedding cake, Italian style.
The ceremony was at 11, lunch at 12 and we all enjoyed the day so much nobody wanted it to end. Finally about midnight we decided to reluctantly end the day with one more toast to the bride and groom................
After a couple of days rest we all decided to venture into the little villages around the area, much to our surprise we came upon a local market where we bought our supplies for the rest of the week, had lunch and did a bit of shopping other than food and wine LOL.
We spent a day in Siena, a walled medieval city. Very hilly with amazing buildings.
Next we went to Todi, to meet the people we are house sitting for in September. They made us a lovely lunch, which we weren't expecting. We thought we would be there for about an hour.....Four hours later we left......It was a lovely day, they have two miniature Sardinian donkeys, seven cashmere goats, three cute dogs and five cats that you don't really see much.
They live on 35 acres of olive groves, on a hillside with amazing views into the valley and woods. Apparently around 11.30 at night, porcupines come into the yard and eat up their garden............
Part of their stone home was built in the 16th century and the other part was built in the 1800's. Can't wait to come back for the house sit.
Hope you enjoy the photos. Amanda has more and when we get a copies I will post some more.
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