4 Reasons to Visit Surfers Paradise in the Winter Months

There are a number of events that can influence the number of tourists visiting Surfers Paradise throughout the year, and when tourist numbers are up the cost of Surfers Paradise accommodation will increase. That being said, the winter months in Australia will still tend to allow you to get a better deal. Just because the weather is not steaming hot, it does not mean you cannot have a fun filled and exciting holiday. For some, this time of year is actually the most important. This article takes a look at some of the most popular activities for the cooler months of the year. Some of these activities can only be done during this time, so make sure you know what is going on.

· Whale Watching. August is the middle of the whale watching season on the Gold Coast. There are many disappointed tourists who visit during the more popular summer months only to find out, they do not get a chance to see this amazing natural phenomenon, and see these beautiful creatures in all their natural glory.

· Surfing. While most fanatical surfers don’t care about the weather, and it is the wave they are interested in, if you are interested in trying wind surfing or kite surfing, the winter months provide the best conditions. It is the time of year where the waves are right, the winds are blowing and there is enough room on the ocean to let fly at those amazing speeds. Water temperatures are pretty stable all year round, and while the weather is cooler, the sea temperatures are not that much colder than in the summer months.

· Tangalooma. If you are interested in nature, the cooler months also bring about some of the best nature watching activities. If you are lucky, and happen to pick the right day, you are likely to see Dugongs, rare hump-back dolphines, flying fish, stingrays, huge turtles and a whole lot more. Tangalooma is one of the best places to take part in whale watching and the people who run these tours are very experienced at making your dreams come true.

· All year round. One thing you will always be guaranteed is fun at the array of theme and fun parks, just a short drive north of the Gold Coast. These theme parks can get extremely busy in the summer months, and it is more likely you can find promotional offers to make a family visit all that more affordable.

For families, Surfers Paradise apartments or serviced apartments with sea or mountain views are recommended. You will see some of the most amazing electrical storms in the evenings, and most days it does not actually rain. The winter months can be some of the best times to get involved in nature and enjoy the amazing scenery of the Gold Coast without the steamy hot weather. For nature lovers, it is the only time to go.

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Storks and the Myth

We have a Bali painting here that shows the beauty of storks and other birds. I captured only the stork for this meme.

Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked wading birds with long, stout bills. For centuries the stork has been a figure representing birth, and children were told that babies appear carried by a stork. If you have ever questioned why a white stork was selected for this reputation, here is how the tale is trusted to have originated:

Storks are family-oriented birds who, in addition to being very gentle with their young, are conscientious homemakers, and they return in pairs to the same nesting spot, year after year.

The story goes that when a stork flies south for the winter, it visits the watery swamps of Egypt where the souls of unborn children live. Upon returning, it would carry a child back. The regular absence of the stork during migration made it a likely target of this myth (source:todayspregnancy.com).

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A Morning Surprise

I received a package this morning. I read that it came from Netherland. Suddenly I can guess what’s inside. It must be a book! The book author, a kind man named Rudy E. Groenewald, sent me his book as I can’t get it here. The book is only avalaible in Netherlands.

Months ago, Rudy sent me an email and informed that he’d like to use some photos of mine in his fourth book. Of course I didn’t mind and I was glad that I can help. He needed some photos about Bogor city and luckily he found a few needed photos in my blogs.

Rudy spent his youth and boyhood in Bogor city. In mid of 1960’s, he migrated to Netherlands. After many years there, as Dutch, he went back on vacation to his native Indonesia; to his childhood place. The book title is Pulang ke Kampung Bogor (Go Back to Bogor Hometown). The book is written mostly in Netherlands language and a little bit of Indonesia and Sunda language.

I can’t tell much about his book here, as I don’t understand Netherlands language. I’ll need many times to understand the whole book, hehehe. I can only say that the book recorded his recollections on his origin. He took readers on his fascinating journey and shared his nostalgia.

Dear Rudy and wife, thanks for allowing me to have your book and thanks for mentioning my name under the photos. Wish you a success and good health!

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Ponds at a Café

This ponds that located in the front of the café are very common ones; nothing special with it. But the café is a special one as it was our residence years ago. I’ve ever stayed there; when I was a baby. I remember nothing about the house and it’s a pity that we don’t have the photos of the house either. That's why I love listening my father's stories about the house.

Watery Wednesday

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22, Ceremai Street, Bogor, Indonesia

I’ve ever stayed in this house; for about two years (1972-1974), but I have no any memory about it. I was still under three years old; too young to remember any detail of the house.

This house has been becoming a café right now. Don’t know how, as my father said, the house was an official house belonged to a government company.

Yesterday, we decided to visit the café for the first time. My father still remembers all details of the house. Entering the place, my father took us (me and hubby) wandering the café and explained any change. He told us some interesting stories about the house. We ate our lunch in a room that it was used to be my father’s bed room at that time.

It’s a pity I can’t share more inside-the-café pictures here. Though feels cozy, the café has horror theme. I didn’t see any blue inside! On the other side, you can see mummy, Dracula and Frankenstein on the wall! My hubby wore blue thin stripes t-shirt, I can share his photo here, hehehe. Have a great week ahead to all…

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A Green Skimmer Dragonfly (Orthetrum Sabina)

I captured this dragonfly in a rice field inside a fishing place. I didn’t notice it before; since the rice plants around are also green. This kind of dragonfly is a very common one here. I wasn’t able to take a close up photo; the dragonfly was in the center of the field. I didn’t want to make my shoes dirty, hehehe.

Dragonflies are characterized by big multifaceted eyes, two pairs of sturdy transparent wings, and an elongated body. They have six legs, but most of them can’t walk well. Dragonflies are included into the fastest insects in the world. It’s interesting fact, right?

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Couple’s Corner: My Husband as a Brother

Rofi, my husband, is the sixth of seven siblings. He has three sisters and three elder brothers. I can say that they are close each other. Only one of his brothers lives in their home town. The others live in Jakarta and Bogor. My husband and I stay in Bogor. His sisters and brothers, who live in Jakarta, have homes that aren’t far one another.

Besides one SIL who becomes a teacher; the others are joining in a family business and running it together. So, they aren’t only siblings; but also business partners. I’m so glad that until now they still keep their sibling bonding; though sometimes a big business argument happens between them. I can see that my husband knows how to behave properly; whether as an ‘employee’ or as a brother.

My husband is a caring and helpful brother. In fact, they all always help each other, even in finance matter. I admire their closeness!

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