The Gold Coast Part I

First Stop-The Bottle Shop: Having heard fabulous things about the Gold Coast- we made a 4-day stop over in Surfer's Paradise. Arriving shortly after eight we met up with some thirty something men heading to a bachelor party who kindly offered us a lift to our destination.  The taxi driver asked us for our first stop.  Both men responded through sly smiles, "first stop- the bottle shop".  As we sipped on some local brew in the back of the taxi bus purchased through a drive through liquor store, the guys were surprised to find out we were headed to surfer's. With furrowed brows- they advised us to beware- informing us we were headed to Ferrell haven. You may ask what a Ferrell is, just as we did. As the taxi zoomed in and out of traffic the guys pointed out ferrell passerbys on the street.  By definition, a ferrell is a person who is nasty, gross or disgusting. As the taxi loomed on- my travel mate and I exchanged quizzical glances -- fantastic,  we were headed to the ferrell capital of the world.

Second Stop- Surf N' Sun Beach Side Backpackers: Don't be fooled by the name- both the website and name boast an oasis of sorts. Walking in through the front gate we were bombarded with a whack of eighteen to young twenty somethings partying it up in cowboy hats and glow sticks. As we checked in (to the most unfriendly staff) we were stared down like we had arrived from a different planet. I felt like a grandmother in  this place. A few 20 year old ferrells passed us by , giving us the one up and over as we dropped our 20kg packs. I couldn't help but think I had made it to hostel hell.

Thank God for small miracles, because before arriving we had booked a private flat for only a few bucks more- and let me assure you- it was well worth it. Private bath, bedrooms, and our own living room and kitchen- it was the way to go. I could only picture myself in a room with 6 other 20 year old's rooming together in bunk beds. I would have rather shot myself.

Third Stop- A quick trip around town and a bite to eat: I will sum up Surfer's Paradise with a quick sister city comparison- Daytona Beach Florida with a Vegas flair. Scouring the strip to find a place to grab a bite we were introduced to surfer's. Meter Maid's clad in skimpy barely there gold bikini's complete with hooker heels roamed the streets. Boys in board shorts stumbling with fistfulls of bagged beer and hard alcohol. Girls in skimpy dresses that were designed to be shirts- one even forgot her pants as she sported a body-suit with 4 inch heels.  I saw more skin than I cared to. I couldn't help but feel that I'd been here before-- twelve years ago on a College trip to Daytona!

In going with the flow, I secured my negative comments to the vault-- as I knew that I was once as care-free and wild as the lot of them. As we settled down to a good glass of wine and nice meal- we couldn't help but have a few good laughs at where we were.

TBC...