Gold Coast 2019

The view from our apartment was exhilirating

When I first heard that the District Unity Games was to be held at Gold Coast, I knew right away that we were going to be there. We have been looking forward to this since Ethan's team won the Unity Games CWS basketball in June, and I have been campaigning for this even since. Apart from unity with the church's endeavours, one selfish reason I had was because I wanted to go on holiday there. It's been 3 years since our last trip to Gold Coast and Erin was still very young to remember anything. On top of this, Ethan had recently shown interest, or should I say willingness, to try out rollercoasters despite his fear of heights, so I really wanted to give him this experience. The good thing is I didn't have to convince Lani at all. She was on board.

We have booked our hotel in August, but decided to change to a bigger apartment because we have friends going with us (the Carungays). We decided on a 2 bedroom apartment at Breakfree Imperial Surf at the Surfer's Paradise. I also found cheap theme park tickets at smallideas.com.au, so those were sorted early. 

Saturday, 5th October

After performing our church duties and doing a bit of grocery shopping, we finally started packing up late afternoon. We left Sydney at 8pm.

Arriving at Gold Coast early in the morning

Sunday, 6th October

After 3 or 4 short stops, we arrived at Surfer's Paradise at 7:30am. It was too early to check in, so we headed for McDonald's breakfast and walked down the beach. At around 9:30am, we went back to the hotel who said we could wait there till our room was ready. Lani and Maica waited while the kids and I dipped in the beach. We went back around 11am and managed to get into our apartment, and boy, it was magnificent! The lounge was 180deg view of surfer's paradise. From the beach on the east, to the tall building down south, to the lovely rivers to the west. It was a fantastic view to behold.

The kids weren't done with water yet, so we headed to swimming pool for another dip.

Late afternoon, we meet with our Singapore friends (the Esguerras and Tarrojas) for a quick early dinner at Pacific Fair. Then we all headed down to Robina to join the Unity Games Bowling tournament. The kids played in the arcade.

Sunset, taken from our apartment balcony

Monday, 7th October

District Unity Games, where Ethan's CWS basketball team finished 2nd place.
We got back to the apartment at around 5pm, headed down to the pool to swim, and had UberEats dinner with the Carungays and Carungays.

Tuesday, 8th October.

Lani and I were up early to buy some stuff from the grocery. After breakfast, we headed to Movie World with the Carungays and Esguerras. Ethan tried all of the rollercoasters. Erin wanted too but she wasn't allowed yet. Went back at around 5:30pm and had KFC dinner at home.

Before and after shots

Wednesday, 9th October

Early walk again to buy more stuff to make pancakes (kids' request), then we're off to Seaworld with the Carungays. Erin enjoyed the entire Nikolodeon area with Mommy. She went on all the rides, and even had her hands up on the rollercoasters. It was also Benson's first time on the big rides, so that was a thrill.

Seaworld

At night, we went to attend worship service at the local of Gold Coast. Met with a few friends from Sydney. Then Ate Maica treated us to Vapiano dinner.

Thursday, 10th October

Cabana na na na

Wet n Wild with the Carungay's. Ate Maica booked a cabana so it was perfect. Ethan was again excited to go on every ride, and he did - even the AquaLoop (he had a last second panic attack and tried knocking, asking the attendants to let him out, but he went on with it anyway). Erin also wanted to try everything but she's still too short for some. Those that she can though, she did. Like the Constrictor, Aqua Racer 8, River Rapids, etc. I thought she'd be scared to go through the River Rapids, but as soon as she got off, she immediately started running up for a second round.

We got back to the hotel at dark and was planning to go the TimeZone. Unfortunately it was already closed, so we ended up eating in.

Friday, 11th October

We drove to Coles this time, so we can buy supplies for the trip back home. After breakfast, we all headed down to the beach for our last dip, followed by a dip in the hotel pool.

We all left the apartment past 12noon and started our journey back to Sydney. We arrived home at 1:30am.