Town of Glitz and Glam

Sadly enough, Shannon and I parted ways when I arrived in Surfers Paradise last night, the town of glitz and glam. She headed straight on to Brisbane. Surfers, as the locals call it, has a very Vegas feel to it with tons of high rises, resorts, and lights, lights, lights. It’s very different from Byron, which I loved. I had booked a surf package in Byron, which included two days of lessons and I had a great time learning Australia’s pastime. I was able to stand up twice on the board on my own on my first day and on the second day, though I was tired and had a headache from the night before, I was even better. I stood and rode the waves in the majority of the time. I was really happy I learned to surf because I’m hoping to rent boards on my way north along the east coast and practice. Not only is surfing a fun activity but it’s a great workout. I was so tired after the second day that I fell asleep at 9pm, party animal that I am, and slept basically through the entire night.

I took a walk last night around Surfers and if you had told me I was in South Beach, I would have believed you. The town is littered with restaurants, bars, shops, and neon signs. Surfers is a tad tacky and caters to a certain type of tourist – those with money and those looking to get drunk.

I had set out originally in search of ice cream. After coming up empty, I asked a convenience store clerk who directed me toward Baskin Robbins in the mall, which would surely be closed, so I said thank you and left. I came upon a waffle café that served milkshakes, decided that would do, ordered, and headed toward the beach. As I got closer, I found myself smack in the middle of all the tacky action. There were people everywhere enjoying leisurely dinners, perusing the sale racks at shops, and sauntering toward the bars all snazzed up for a night on the town. I walked around for a bit sipping my milkshake and taking in the sights. I knew I wasn’t in Byron anymore when I spotted a Louis Vuitton. I walked past at least nine different ice cream parlors/gelaterias in the span of three blocks. The convenience store clerk had failed to mention these.

Though I’d eaten dinner already, I stopped into a pizzeria called “New York Slice Pizza.” I just had to take a look. The slices looked New York enough, but they probably wouldn’t have been as good. However, at 5.50AUD apiece it was not “New York Price Pizza.” Speaking of New York delicacies, I was craving a bagel yesterday morning so Shannon and I walked around Byron until we found a place serving them, and I happily paid the exorbitant 4.50AUD. However, I unhappily ate the cream cheesed sandwich roll with no hole set before me. It was a sorry excuse for a bagel, and I was disappointed.

I was hoping to head to the beach today, but I woke up to an overcast sky. Instead, I’ll probably walk around and check out the shops and hope the weather clears later on. I’m still searching for a denim skirt and a decently priced bathing suit. Tomorrow I’m heading to Brisbane for Christmas. I’m really looking forward to spending the holiday with a family and not in a hostel. I’m also looking forward to checking out of my accommodation in Surfers. The room I’m staying in is about half the size of my room at home and is currently housing six people. It also has no air conditioning or real ventilation of any sort, so I was roasting in my tiny upper bunk last night.