Queensland Holiday April 11-April 30 2024.
We were picked up by Gavin at home for Ken at 2.00pm and Jeanette at Kooyong Lawn Tennis climb at 2.25pm. Jeanette had enjoyed an Ionian Luncheon meeting.
Our quick transfer to Melbourne Internastional Airport took 25 minutes as it was during school holidays and the roads were quieter than usual.
Check in went well, although we were near the limit for Weight. We had one large case, golf clubs and then hand luggage.
We waited and Ken purchased a chicken roll for a light meal on the flight. We then walked and used the new walkalators for the longish walk from Reception through to Gate 41. We boarded exactly on time and our flight was ready for Departure at 4.55pm. We departed a little earlier than the scheduled 5.05pm time and relaxed. The flight was full and Ken died have a little sleep.
Arrived at Coolangatta, Gold Coast Airport at 7.05 after what can only be described as an excellent flight. The terminal has been significantly refurbished and upgraded.
We went to the Service counter at Sixt Car Rental and completed our rental. Then collected our luggage from the Carousel and Ken’s golf clubs from the oversized area.
Then to our Car which was parked at C16 and a short walk from the terminal. A very comfortable small SUV, which we will set up fpor our needs tomorrow and take photos etc.
What is usually a short drive of 25 minutes took over aqn hour to drive to the Sofitel hotel in Broadbeach. They have commenced major roadworks to accommodate an extension of the Tram line from Pacific Fair Shopping Centre right through to Burleigh Head asnd it is a very slow path.
The Sofitel is situated in a perfect location between the Beach and the Tramway in Broadbeach.
It is comfortable and we have a superior Corner Suite ( using our Accor points). We check in at 9.15pm and are pleased. We do some unpacking and watch some AFL ( Brisbane beat Melbourne ) and are in bed by 10.30pm and we both sleep well until almost 8.00am.
We awake to a near perfect morning.
Our plans for today are simply to get us from here , after a long walk to the Beach etc, then to Coolangatta and check into the Beach house.
We will do some shopping at a relaxed pace. Weather is clear with temperature at 9.15am of 22Degrees Celsius.
We found the Sofitel quite comfortable and in a great location, probably better than the Novotel, Surfers Paradise. We get a late check out at 12.00pm and drive slowly to Coolangatta. We then visit the Surf club, renew our memberships and then enjoy a lunch of coconut prawns and lamb fry for Ken. We decide against a coffee and it is still too early to check in at the Beach house, we drive through Rainbow Bay to the look out and take photos of the scenery and of our Rental vehicle, which has a couple of marks on it.
Then it it time to proceed to the Beach house and we check in at 3.15pm and our suite is ready for us. We are on eleventh floor in 11001 which faces out to ward the beach and toward the hill. It is a very comfortable 2 bedroom unit with separate lounge and tow bathrooms as well as a full laundry area in the second bathroom.
Jeanette works feverishly to have us unpacked at 4.00pm, time for Ken to go for a walk along the boardwalk. Still beautiful to watch the surf, nothing much changes here.
It is a near perfect afternoon of 23 Degrees Celsius. Ken walks downs to the Boardwalk and spends some 15 minutes watching the surf riders and one sole rider with the small parachute wizzing up and down the surf beach about 200 metres off shore in strong breeze.
Then back to our unit, we do some shopping for tonight but will do a bigger shop tomorrow morning.
We dine in with pate and cheeses and it is thr roughly enjoyable after our enjoyable lunch. We then watch AFL from Melbourne and are in bed By 10.30pm. Ken sleeps well, but Jeanette has a poor night’s sleep. We are up and about by 8.00am , again perfect morning, then we shop.
