More than a year ago, we had our trip to Queensland for
the first time. Destination, Surfers Paradise. Main Goal, to go to Warner
Brothers Movie World, Wet n Wild and Sea World. It was exhausting for me. We
had to get up early so we can go finish our planned activities every day. But I
have to stay up late, fixing up everything, washing/drying up our clothes and
preparing again our things for tomorrow. I was only relieved with the good
foods we had. They were yummy plus cheaper than foods in Sydney.
On the 25th of December 2013, we went to Queensland again. For the kids, to have fun travelling long distance, for me and Willy, to see the property of Willy's clients who want to sell it. But I know Willy as well wanted to be with his brother and his family who are now staying in Brisbane. Since we decided not to join on Christmas, Noche Buena, Willy's aunty's family, he thought of spending Christmas with his brother, Julius and his family. It didn't turned out to be like that anyway since Julius and family don't celebrate Christmas. I mean not the traditional way like cooking and feasting, exchanging gifts. It was more like holidaying.
We went to shopping centers on the 26th, Boxing Day, hoping there would be lots of sale just like here in Sydney. Unfortunately, not that much or not the way we have been expecting. We were not really impressed with the foods in the food court in the shopping center. Foods are better in Surfers Paradise and in Brisbane CBD. We visited Jupiter Food Fantasy again. We had a great experience in this buffet restaurant inside the International Jupiter Casino/Hotel, before, in 2012. We had an expensive but very much worth it breakfast buffet before. We promised ourselves will gonna come back again and enjoy it again. Yes, we came back, but not breakfast buffet, this time lunch buffet. We had a discount because we've been booked by Julius' church mate, who works there and included us with her other bookings, their group from the same church. There was bit of confusion. But anyway, foods are scrumptious as usual. I like all the cakes and the Turkey with cranberry sauce and the ham. We should come back again...for dinner!
On the 25th of December 2013, we went to Queensland again. For the kids, to have fun travelling long distance, for me and Willy, to see the property of Willy's clients who want to sell it. But I know Willy as well wanted to be with his brother and his family who are now staying in Brisbane. Since we decided not to join on Christmas, Noche Buena, Willy's aunty's family, he thought of spending Christmas with his brother, Julius and his family. It didn't turned out to be like that anyway since Julius and family don't celebrate Christmas. I mean not the traditional way like cooking and feasting, exchanging gifts. It was more like holidaying.
We went to shopping centers on the 26th, Boxing Day, hoping there would be lots of sale just like here in Sydney. Unfortunately, not that much or not the way we have been expecting. We were not really impressed with the foods in the food court in the shopping center. Foods are better in Surfers Paradise and in Brisbane CBD. We visited Jupiter Food Fantasy again. We had a great experience in this buffet restaurant inside the International Jupiter Casino/Hotel, before, in 2012. We had an expensive but very much worth it breakfast buffet before. We promised ourselves will gonna come back again and enjoy it again. Yes, we came back, but not breakfast buffet, this time lunch buffet. We had a discount because we've been booked by Julius' church mate, who works there and included us with her other bookings, their group from the same church. There was bit of confusion. But anyway, foods are scrumptious as usual. I like all the cakes and the Turkey with cranberry sauce and the ham. We should come back again...for dinner!
It was December, Wilhein's birthday! We celebrated his 9th birthday in Kamekaze, a Japanese Restaurant in Darling Harbour in Sydney. And the blowing of the candle in Ginga Restaurant in Brisbane with Julius and family.
We re visited San Kai Restaurant as well. We had a good experience in this place. The foods were yum yet affordable and the people were polite.
Kids had fun in the beach, playing in the sand, but we didn't allow them to have a swim because that time the water was a bit rough. Instead they had a night swimming for two consecutive nights in the Brisbane CBD. Brisbane built a pool and a man made beach, open to everyone, 24 hours a day, except maybe during the maintenance time and it's FREE!
As I think of Queensland, I always thought of mangoes. It's where usually Australian mangoes come from. But my disappointment again because I've not seen mango plantation. First time I went there, it's okey coz it was winter season, but the second time?...it was summer and it was mango season. Well, maybe next time, we'll include it in our agenda. For consolation, we've passed many houses with mango trees full of fruits not yet ripe, still green in color.
The Macadamia Castle
On our way back home, we dropped by at the Macadamia Castle along the Pacific Highway near Byron Bay, NSW. Willy was not impressed with their burgers, but I liked the coffee, and we all like the pancakes, especially the black forest pancake and the lychee one. Was the coffee with macadamias?... we bought different items in bottles, all have macadamia as main ingredient. There are other things to see and enjoy in the castle, but we got only interested in the shop and cafe. I bought this little book for $6 telling the history of the Macadamia Castle. I was thinking it's a family business passed on to four generation. I was wrong, it's a business sold from one owner to another. The present owner is the fourth one.
Thursday Plantation Maize
After filling up for petrol in Ballina, NSW, we saw the signage of the Thursday Plantation, makers of antiseptic, shampoo, cream, etc, all made from tea tree. We've been using this brand for quite sometime. So we got interested visiting their office/shop. We were able to purchase a few, had seen their video showing the history of the Thursday Plantation and had little fun in their mini maze. My question however is, how come their shampoo and conditioner are more expensive than those being sold in Chemist Warehouse.
We stopped over again in that little shop and bought bananas, sweet and fresh tomatoes and non pasteurized honey. Of course we couldn't forget Fredo's Pies selling different flavours of pies, one being weird is the crocodile pie. We like their pies, they're really good. So we were getting disappointed when it was already getting dark and we couldn't find it. So Harold called them, luckily they have a few shops now in different places. We went to this new shop of them, but we were not happy with their service. We still bought some and ate it in a nearby park. We still like the friendly people in their main shop.
@ Jupiter Hotel
brothers had a good laugh...
We had a good time re visiting Queensland minus the fun/activities in the theme parks. We are thankful to Julius, his wife Luz, and their children, Justice, Daniel and Faith for accommodating us in their beautiful home and for being patient tour guides. ♥ ♥ ♥
