My adventures continue. I had a meeting of the Griffith University Friends of the Library Advisory Board at the Gold Coast Campus last week. It was a 10 am meeting so I pondered how I would get there on time.
I could leave Beachmere at 7.30 am and brave peak hour traffic for the 1 1/2 hour journey to the Gold Coast, but it was not a trip that I would enjoy at that time of day. As it was, nails and screws had scattered over the highway and many cars travelling on the route that I would have, ended up with punctures. Two or three tyres were damaged and the road was a mess. Glad I chose Option Two.
Option Two was to stay overnight on the Gold Coast – despite the cost and I was thrilled to get a special offer at the Outrigger Hotel at Surfers Paradise. It is right on Surfer’s Paradise Boulevard quite near Cavill Avenue. Handy to everything, though it was not my plan to do much “touristy” stuff.
I did have a little hesitation about the hotel – I knew it was old, but the price was too hard to resist. I was challenged finding the parking initially, but soon found my way to the Reception area and booked in. My room was on the 5th Floor – No 59, and I opened the door with some hesitation. Clearly the hotel had seen its best days, but it was essentially clean and tidy. My room was large – with a king size bed and a single in the room, with great views. There were signs of its age, but it didn’t bother me.
View to the mountain range.
High rise buildings at Surfers.
The Q1 Building
I set off towards the Q1 building which was only a 5 minute walk away, passing some of the many restaurants which are in the area. So many ethnic restaurants I wished I had company and more $$$$’s to spend!!!
On reaching the Q1 building I found it a little confusing about entry, but someone I asked happily helped me find the right place to book my ticket, which I did and was soon the only one on the queue to enter the lift for the journey up to the 77th floor. The ceiling of the elevator showed us going up – quite fast in fact so that my ears “popped”.
After arriving on the 77th Floor in very quick time, I joined the throngs as they wandered around the building. The huge glass windows – which appeared to be very clean – made it easy to see in all directions. Some folk opted to walk on the outside of the building – attached securely to a steel handrail and wearing full body harness. Not for me!!!
The 77th floor was very busy with a large group of tourists from China. I had a little giggle to myself at their behaviour – loud voices shouting at one another. The only voices I could hear with the Chinese!! They were very busy taking photos – many selfies – and eating and the queue for their “free” tea and coffee was always busy. I walked around and took many photos and just marvelled at the sights.
Looking south.
Looking northward.
The pink building in the middle is the Outrigger Hotel where I stayed.
Well, I can tick that off my bucket list. I am glad I went and I would go again. It is an awesome sight. My suggestion is to pick a very good day. While we could see well in all directions it was a bit hazy. The photos were taken through the glass windows of the buildings too – so you can see how clean they were. I wonder who cleans the outside of the windows on the 77th floor. Not for me!!!
I arrived at my meeting at Griffith University very relaxed after the short drive, and afterwards drove straight home to Beachmere, glad that I had stayed overnight!!!
