Home Back

Sunshine Coast, Brisbane & Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia
12th April to 18th April 1998

Rode on the Sugartrain for a guided tour through Australia's largest pineapple-producing area, the Big Pineapple. Also visited the Underwater World (above right) at Wooloolaba Wharf Complex, the largest oceanarium in Australia which was an 80-metre underwater tunnel. I had the opportunity to touch starfishes at the "Touch & Feel" coral lagoon. With the sea breeze and perfect warm weather, I ended the day by walking along the beach shops and boutiques at Noosa.

Think sun, surf and theme parks!! I went to Dream World (above left), Movie World (above right) and Wet 'n' Wild ( below left) except for Sea World. Was also on a day-tour to Brisbane which includes a visit to and around the city (South Bank Parklands), the Woolshed (participated in the sheep shearing session), had a carry-the-koala session and visited the Mt Coot-tha Lookout. Unfortunately, I couldn't get a perfect view of the city from Mt Coot-tha because of the mist after the afternoon rain.

The Gold Coast is also home to Surfers Paradise (above right). A large commercial centre offering an attractive beachfront which is lined by a number of cafes, restaurants and not lacking in shopping arcades. I had an opportunity to walk the beachfront lantern markets selling a range of unique crafts. I bought a couple of 'dream catchers' for keeps. The Red Indians believed that if these dream catchers were hung above the bed, one's bad dreams escape from the hole in the middle and the good dreams be captured within the web of the catcher and at the first ray of sunlight, it would then be transformed into positive energy which would then be channelled to the sleeper beneath. According to the legend, the dream catcher was used to sift dreams and visions which held the destiny of the future.