"Movie World" and enjoying the Gold Coast...

 

Yesterday, I went to "Movie World" on the Gold Coast, and we had fun until I went on the 'Scooby Doo' ride, which made me feel sick. Note to self: Don't have breakfast before going on the rides.

It reminded me so much of 'Disneyland' in Anaheim, California, where I visited family many years ago. It was neat to visit again, with so many changes since my last visit a few years ago.

It was also neat to visit 'Surfer's Paradise' strip near the beach, as I had tried to find accommodation there with our 'Timeshare' booking, but it was fully packed.

However, where we are on Kirra Beach is so refreshing because it's only minutes from the airport, and the beaches are lovely to walk along, with so many visitors from around the world.

I've also enjoyed grocery shopping here because food is a lot cheaper with more variety to buy, e.g., fresh mangoes, tropical fruits, although meat is about the same.

Today, we're looking to finally go on our 2-hour cruise. It's a long story, but we missed the boat twice already, so we're hoping to go early and then go to "DreamWorld", which is like "MovieWorld" but has a lot more to it.

Then I can't wait to finally complete our "Worlds" tour, and either jump into the ocean or go for a spa at our hotel pools, or even soak in the swimming pool after a long, hot day driving to the various destinations. 

It's definitely been a well-deserved break before the year gets into full swing: teaching classes, defending my thesis, working on more writing and publishing books, and then considering where the next holiday will take us...

Breathe, enjoy and relax at Kirra Beach, Gold Coast, Australia...

 

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Here we are at Kirra Beach on the Gold Coast of Australia, enjoying rest and relaxation, with plenty of fun along the way. The pic is a view from our hotel resort balcony, with Kirra Beach on the horizon.

Yesterday, I was able to go for an early morning walk, and there were lots of people out and about walking, scootering, biking, running and enjoying the mild weather after some rain.

My family and I also visited SeaWorld at Surfers Paradise and did a little shopping along the way. It's been good to sightsee and notice little changes along the way; we last visited this area some 10 years ago, when our children were very little.

Last night, I had a visit from my elder brother and his wife, whom we had just met in Samoa last month. It was neat to meet my niece and her husband and catch up on their growing families.

Today, I'm also notching up to get ready to defend my PhD thesis, which I'm treating more as a 'talanoa' or cultural discussion about things pertaining to my thesis. I must say I thank God for getting this far; there were so many times I couldn't see myself finishing it, but I'm almost at the finish line.

I've also been so thankful for my supportive family; I couldn't have done it without them, and I'll never forget my father's last words to me: when would I finish? It willed me to complete it. So next Tuesday, I'll be ready to speak with my three examiners, one from Samoa and two from NZ, who were able to read through the thesis.

I'm also preparing my 20-minute digital presentation to summarise my PhD studies and share it with the faculty, other staff, and family. To get to this stage is nothing short of a miracle, and I'm so happy that I get this chance to reflect on what I need to do next, whilst taking stock and enjoying the Gold Coast...

Happy 21st Birthday celebrations...

 

I have been so crazy busy since returning from Samoa, with my middle child's 21st birthday, which we celebrated with a neat family dinner at a restaurant overlooking Henderson Valley.

She also got to enjoy her new wheels and stayed in an Airbnb for some girl time with her sisters. It's been such a whirlwind celebration, as tomorrow we're flying out to Australia.

Yes, we're going to the 'world's' to check them out with our youngest, who has never been to Brisbane. So it will be a first, and we'll probably check out the local markets there too.

Not to mention that we're staying at Kirra Beach, just south of busy Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast, and we may even get some time to catch up with my brother and his wife, and my nieces and their families, so they can meet their NZ cousins.

Will be taking over some books to share some of the ancient Samoan stories with our family in Australia, and then check out the beaches there, with one just across the road from where we're staying. It's going to be fun, and I'm looking forward to it as I'm on long-service leave, which is an extra 2-week-long break from Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, where I work.