Wild Week on the Gold Coast

Greetings from South Beach, Miami.

I got in last night and ended up crashing a few hours before waking up and strolling the streets in search of coffee. Addictions are crazy things eh? Get off the black tar for weeks and one espresso is all you need to become some zombie in search of a fix.

I spent last week on the Gold Coast. Tourism Queensland is running this campaign where they invited 22 writers from around the world to explore their state and then hang at this 5 star luxury apartment for the week; I was the first aka the guinea pig.

Above is a video of the spot at Peppers Broadbeach and a slight update on what went down. It was a quiet week blogwise but that happens when things get egregious in the best way possible.

I’d go on but I’ve just written about it here & penthouse video tour coming.

Lots of updates coming aka blasts from the past as once I hit Little Corn it’s groundhog day.

I’m writing this from South Beach, Miami and the weather is sweet.

The flights were long, didn’t sleep much for most but did pull a take off to landing pass out from Los Angeles to Miami.

Quite the scene here, I dare say. I’ve been to Fort Lauderdale a few times but never Miami; everyone seems to want to party.

The place I’m staying at had free drinks from 7-8 so I loaded up on sh!t rum before eating some pizza and a rainbow roll; good sushi from what I’ve seen.

I’m here for 3 days and only came here to load up on fishing tackle / snorkel gear and whatnot for some island friends but I fulfilled such said duties in Australia.

As a result, I have little on my plate besides meeting some friends for drinks tomorrow and hitting Red Steakhouse with an associate the next day.

I’m tempted to go out but my body is screaming for sleep; we’ll have to see what happens.

Interesting characters abound here like that Russian lady I just chatted with who works on a yacht, the Aussie guy who sells mining equipment, Spanish lady traveling or these girls from Indiana who are half in the bag at 8pm but claiming it’s one of their birthdays..

I’d go on but I’ve been offline for nearly a day, lots to catch up on. No photos, phone has been dead since somewhere above Fiji; hopefully rectify all that tomorrow.

I write this form my apartment at Peppers Broadbeach where I’ve been the last week on the Gold Coast; this evening was egregious in the way of when you roll into a hand with a full house and play it hard with a straight face. Roll through the motions and crush your opponent on the river; whatever that means.

Tomorrow at 8am aka in 9 hours I’m getting picked up by the fine people at Limoso Limousines and I’m making my way to Brisbane International Airport to catch a lift to Los Angeles which only takes 12 hours. From there, I’m on a mission to Miami and I’ll stay there for 3 days before heading to Managua.

The plan was to load up on gear for the island  and such but I walked into K-Mart today and loaded up like you wouldn’t believe; bought stupid amounts for stupid amounts minus stupid.

I also met a nice lady to enjoy the late afternoon with while being social in the checkout; life can be great when you’re willing to throw yourself out there and wave the flag of momentary vulnerability.

Little Corn is my new home and I have plans to build a Caribbean Compound overlooking the reef. I need a place where I can grill lobster in peace and gather my thoughts but also rent out when I’m not around which is basically all the time.

While in Miami, I’m doing nothing but hitting up Red Steakhouse for a SHABL business meeting with one of my solid associates.

I’ve been in Australia for two weeks but I’m a fan; Australia is sick and I’ll be back.

This photo at the top is from the Penthouse in Tower 2 towards Surfers Paradise.

I’ve had a pretty crazy evening tonight which we don’t need to go into details about. I met up with some coal miner friends of mine who I met and had the pleasure of partying hard with in Lagos, Portugal in 2010.

Long story short, we hit it hard and half way through these meter maid ladies came by so I thought I’d get a shot and show you what it was all about.

Basically it’s like this, you pay $5 and get a photo; some cash goes to the meters the rest goes in their pockets.

Guys, Surfers Paradise goes off! I have a golf game at a premier club tomorrow at 7:45am hence I’ve called the evening at 11PM as I’m older and wiser than younger years.

The Gold Coast of Australia is pretty slick; heck most of Queensland is good times from what I’ve seen and I’ll leave it at that.

Had a kitesurfing lesson today and it’s definitely a sport I want to get into more. Something primal about harnessing the wind but more on that later. Let’s talk about Surfers Paradise for a second.

Surfers Paradise is on the Gold Coast and somewhere that if you’re in the area, I suggest you visit. It’s got a great vibe to it and the beach is busy with lots to do and even more to see.

I went there with my kitesurfing instructor afterwards for a pitcher of beer and then we cruised the beach for a while. You’ll see all sorts of creatures from all walks of life and most of them are interesting.

There is a real scene and on this day, there was also a market which was most amusing with all sorts of stuff you never knew you needed, will be fine without but probably want anyways.

Something cool, they have these girls dressed like Vegas Showgirls (sorta) who walk around filling expired meters with coins aka parking meter fairies of sorts. If you want a photo it’s $5 and that cash goes towards more meters.

It’s a tradition here, no clue how it started but I’m a fan of it and I’m sure you will be to. Cool spot this and as I said earlier, if in the area do check it out and drink some beers.

I’d continue but apparently I’m on a mission to make myself vomit from peel n’ eat shrimp.

I think this gives you a good idea of what it would be like if you did the day trip to Machu Picchu taking the train, hitting up gate of the sun and hiking down.

It’s a seriously long day so do yourself a favor and stay in Machu Picchu Pueblo a night instead of taking the train home like some pleb.

If this place interests you at all and you you’re going to be in South America; do it.

Greetings from the Gold Coast,

I’ve made it to the Gold Coast and if I never make it a step further, I’d be ok with that. This place is another world and at I’m definitely in Australia but also feels like I’m in Brentwood again aka where OJ lost his mind.

Imagine a place with a beautiful coast, every amenity and a female population that appears to be sponsored by Lululemon. I’m at Peppers Broadbeach for the next week in an apartment which couldn’t be better suited for me; I.love.it.

I went for a stroll and saw this sashimi platter that started talking to me. Then I had this image of me sitting there by myself as the sun set stuffing sashimi through my smile when I decided against it.

I found the entrance to a mall and decided to investigate. If found this grocery store where it seemed half the people perusing the produce were women fresh from some fitness class donning spandex suits sent from their sponsor.

This is the type of place which strengthens your resolve and makes you a better person. Obviously I just got here but this is my first impression and keen to get to know this place better.

In case you’re curious, I’m in Australia as a guest of Tourism Queensland and probably leaving next week but might just stay here and call it a day.

Happy Australia Day from the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia.

This is one of the few place in the world I’d consider living; its got it all.

I’m off to Aussie World followed by a game of golf at Twin Waters. Afterwards I’m driving up the coast to Noosa to meet a friend and see where the night takes us.

From what I’ve heard, the most Australian thing to do is have a barbie with mates and listen to Triple J Top 100 Countdown from 10AM-7PM while crushing beer.

Good day,

I’m writing this from Pelican Waters Golf Resort on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland, Australia; love this hotel room.

I flew from Hamilton Island to Brisbane and drove here last night; it was monsoon style madness and my first time on the left.

Driving on the “wrong side of the road” wasn’t so tough.

What is tough is navigating a monsoon while remembering your indicators and whatnot are on the flipside; you can read about it here.

The Whitsundays are incredible and the vast majority are undeveloped; Hamilton Island is your gateway with everything you could imagine AND MORE. Here are some photos from the sky.

I’d go on but I’m teeing off in an hour and have pressing issues.

P.S: Stay tuned for photos from Hamilton Island Golf Club, it’s unreal.

P.P.S: Nothing special about Virgin except Richard Branson owns it.

These are photos from a helicopter ride I took over the Great Barrier Reef the other day at Hardy Reef in the Whitsundays about a two hour cruise from Hamilton Island.

This is obviously just a sliver of the reef itself, it spans over 2600km and to say it’s massive would be an understatement and it’s clearly the world’s largest reef.

Photos kinda speak for themselves and most definitely a memorable experience.

More on this area at a later date, round two of the breakfast buffet is calling me.

Click here to read my full write-up on a day at the Great Barrier Reef.