As you can see I was really hating it.  Three days, four girls and some sunshine in the middle of August.  It wasn't exactly scorching but it was sunny enough to cop a speckle of a tan.  The gold Coast is as tacky as pink neon flamingoes which is probably why I loved it.

 



 

Very similar to the Melbourne view in August from a sun bed...not.  I bloody love palm trees. Not even that sure why, its not like they actually provide any shade and they're not ideal for climbing (I'm a tree climber) but it's what they represent!

 



 

The view of the pool from our hotel balcony.  I really enjoyed all the pastel colours of the place.  I felt the only thing lacking from this picture were two old ladies in boiler suits playing bridge wearing visors.

 



 

Like this hotel opposite ours! All peaches and cream and 1950's fabulousness.

 



 

Speaking of fabulous, we hit the hotel Palazzo Versace  for some high tea and vulgarity. The logo is on errrr thang...

 



 

Look at that foyer! So decadent and indulgent yet still very rough around the edges...which is how I would describe the Gold Coast in general.  The Versace hotel is probably not where you would stay if you actually had any taste, you would probably stay there to say that you did or if you were one of those third generation Italians who wear Lonsdale and only have an Italian accent when you order Cafe Lattes.

 



 

This was the fabric of the sofas we were perched on.   I didn't hate it in fact, I the opposite of hated it.  although it is dying for some black and white abstract print cushions to bring it into 2012.

 



 

The high tea was a lot of fun and pretty delicious.  It's not often you get to wash down itty bitty salmon sandwiches with a glass of sparkling now is it?

 



 

Or eat blue macaroons!  Seriously, what is the fuss over these fucking things?  It's like a My Little Pony farted in my mouth.

 



 

I just loved the colours! I felt like I was living in a different time! It was like the movie 'Caccoon' you know that movie?  The one when the old people go live with the aliens? No? Check it out yo!  I'm making the Gold Coast sound all romantic and nostalgic but believe me, it turns into an abortion of a place at night.  Look at the dress code for the fine establishment we visited on the Saturday night...

 

 

When a venue has a dress code it is the number one indicator that it is full of winners but when it has a dress code to this extent well...there are no words.  I'm not even hating, I knew what I was getting myself in for.  I thought I could be ironic! But now that I am 31 it appears I have said goodbye to some of my irony and my socially retarded people tolerance.

 



 

That is someones daughter.

 



 

A car outside our hotel.  Man I'm a sucker for powder blue. It is one of my favourite colours of all time. I've always wanted a powder blue vintage car with cream interior since i lived next door to a guy that had one in London.  I would need an entire new wardrobe to match but it would be so worth it.

 



 

Me and the ladiezzz.  We wined, we dined, we dutty wined and we got drunk.  What a bunch of Bettys.

 



 

The 10th floor of the QT Hotel.  I had to nab this shot, its like something out of The Shining.  I know its not an original love but I love hotels. It's like you're not in the real world! What happens there, stays there.  Someone turns your room every morning, there is room service, you can throw televisions out of the window or if you're like me and you're too scared to do that, then you can just steal the pen.  Although the room service at this joint was disappointing to say the least! I've never eaten a Caesar Salad with my hands before!

 



 

Where the QT Hotel lacked in cutlery they made up for in pineapples.

 



 

I was obviously in my element.

 



 

Me being a tourist. Cute no?  I swear to God the sign says 'Surfers Paradise' but I kinda like that Alex couldn't fit it all in, at least it has an element of cool about it. Nah fuck it, its lame.

 



 

Time to check out and return to Melbourne!  Man, you know you live in a good city when you're happy to return after a holiday.

 



 

And I'm back with another addition for the fridge.  I've been collecting fridge magnets since I started travelling back in 1999.  Kitch and nostalgic....that is I.  Queensland is the 4th place I have visited in this great country, where to next?  Drop your suggestions in the box below!