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  • Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary in Gold Coast

    Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary in Gold Coast

    Gold Coast is a coastal city in Queensland, Australia known for its long stretch of beautiful sandy beaches such as Surfers’ Paradise. It’s also famed for many fun-filled theme parks like Warner Bros Movie World, Seaworld, Dreamworld and Wet’n’Wild. All the above made one great combo for a family trip to bring my boy along. We were booked on Scoot where I had good experience for its bigger planes and comfortable wide seats on my previous trip to Sydney. Sadly, it has been getting bad press due to unfortunate delays nowadays. But I do hope this budget airline can turn things around and continue to provide competitive pricing for its routes.

    The flight departed from Singapore and arrived at Gold Coast International Airport as per schedule. We then picked up the Kia Carnival from the car rental company and headed towards Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.

    Gold Coast International Airport

    Car Rental Kia Carnival in Gold Coast

    Entrance to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

    Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

    Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary started off being a bird sanctuary before becoming what it is today. The huge green park houses a collection of Australian wildlife natives like Koala Bears and Kangaroos. Right after the entrance are the tree-hugging Koala Bears and they are definitely the crowd’s favourite. My apology for the somewhat blurry pictures of them as they were surprisingly very active that day.

    Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
    28 Tomewin St, Currumbin
    Queensland 4223

    Koala bear of Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

    Koala bears at Currumbin

    Koala bears of Currumbin

    Koala bears swinging at Currumbin

    Visitors to the park can take a photo while holding one of the Koala bears for a fee. Yes, we did that too!

    Visitors photo with Koala bears at Currumbin

    The park is such a big place but thankfully that there’s the miniature train which can reach the various stations.

    Statue at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

    Wildlife spotted at Currumbin Sanctuary

    Miniature train at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

    Train ride at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

    However, our time of visit did no favour in catching the animal shows. So, we tried out the Treetop Challenge instead which have ropewalks and ziplines up above the ground. My boy couldn’t do the challenge as he was below the minimum age of 6 years old back then. But my younger cousin who tagged along for the trip said she had fun, especially with the ziplines (Flying Fox).

    Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is a great place to bring the little ones and have close encounters with some of the animals. It’s best to check out the showtimes at their website prior to the visit.

    Treetop Challenge at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

    Treetop Challenge at Currumbin

    Ropewalk at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

    Ropewalk of Treetop Challenge at Currumbin

    Treetop Challenge at Currumbin Sanctuary

    Ziplines at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

    SuperBee Honeyworld is across the road from the sanctuary. It’s not exactly a big place but there are loads of honey products being sold here and there are samples to try. We also went for the simple tour where the keeper explained to us about bee stuff.

    SuperBee Honeyworld at Currumbin

    Products of SuperBee Honeyworld Currumbin

    Samples at SuperBee Honeyworld Currumbin

    SuperBee Honeyworld in Currumbin

    Peter’s Fish Market

    We had our dinner at Peter’s Fish Market which sells and serves fresh seafood at a reasonable price. It’s more of a fish market actually but they provide the cooking service too. Just pick the seafood, bring it to the cashier, pay up and get an order number. That number will be called once it’s cooked and Viola to great food!

    Peter’s Fish Market
    120 Sea World Dr, Main Beach
    Queensland 4217

    Peters Fish Market in Gold Coast

    Dinner at Peters Fish Market GoldCoast

    Dinner at Peters Fish Market Gold Coast

    STAY: Entire Apartment at Broadbeach Waters via Airbnb

    This was my first overseas accommodation stay with Airbnb, yeah, I know but I am more of a hotel person. But I decided that it’s best for all six of us to stay in a single apartment for the trip. And what a great experience it turned out to be, thanks to our wonderful hosts, Kathy and her mum!

    Their decent-sized homely apartment is clean and well equipped. The apartment’s location is excellent too. Provision shops and dining options are just across the road. It’s a short drive to Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, Broadbeach and the various Theme parks. Nice place, wonderful people, one great place to stay in Gold Coast.

    Link to the apartment: https://www.airbnb.com.sg/rooms/877875

    Airbnb at Broadbeach Waters Gold Coast

    Bedroom1 at Broadbeach Waters Gold Coast

    Bedroom2 at Broadbeach Waters Gold Coast

    Bedroom3 at Broadbeach Waters Gold Coast

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    What are your thoughts about Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary? Leave a comment and share it with me.

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  • FoxTown Outlet and Lake Lugano

    FoxTown Outlet and Lake Lugano

    FoxTown Factory Outlet is situated in a sleepy town of Mendrisio, near to the Swiss-Italian border. The Outlet is a highlight by shopping tours coming from both Milan or Como. FoxTown is in fact way nearer to Milan than to Zurich. But we went ahead to check out this outlet mall anyway. It’s within a short walk from Mendrisio train station surrounded by a somewhat industrial-looking neighbourhood. There weren’t many shoppers on that particular day and no sighting of tour buses either.

    Mendrisio Train Station

    FoxTown Factory Outlet

    There is quite a good selection of well-known Italian brands like Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Ferragamo, Gucci, Prada, Tods, Valentino and Versace. Another good thing for non-Swiss residents to shop here is that the Tax Refund can be processed and collected in FoxTown.

    However, the prices here seem to be on the higher side as compared to other Factory Outlets we had been to. For some reason those Outlets with Euro pricing looks to be a better deal especially after the Tax Refund. Needless to say, no shopping bags for us here.

    Shopping at FoxTown Factory Outlet

    Prada store at FoxTown Factory Outlet

    After some cheesy Swiss Fondue lunch at the nicely decorated Chalet Suisse restaurant, I made an impromptu plan to visit the nearby Lake Lugano, known for its scenic surroundings.

    Chalet Suisse at Foxtown

    Swiss Fondue at Chalet Suisse

    The beautiful Lake Lugano

    The southern Swiss city of Lugano feels more like being in Italy than Switzerland. There are plenty of Italian influence here that can be seen in its architecture style and food. Lugano can easily pass off as an Italian city if not for the Swiss flags and Francs when paying. But of course, it is well known for the beautiful Lake Lugano surrounded by magnificent mountains. It’s somewhat similar to the equally beautiful Lake Como in Italy.

    It takes a few minutes to walk from the main train station down towards the lakeshore. Thereafter, the relaxed stroll along the lakeshore promenade was such a joy for its scenic views. How I wished to have more time here to explore further.

    Lugano view from train station

    Lugano view from the train station

    Lake Lugano

    Jetty at Lake Lugano

    Jetty point at Lake Lugano

    Boat Rental at Lake Lugano

    Building at lugano

    Lake Lugano and mountain

    It looks quiet and laid-back all around the neighbourhood as I wandered about. The colourful buildings and squares like Piazza della Riforma are like reminders of Lugano’s nickname of the ‘Little Italy’.

    Piazza Della Riforma in Lugano

    Street in lugano

    Street of lugano

    Building at lugano

    City hall of lugano

    Dinner at La Cucina di Alice

    The restaurant with a nice view of Lake Lugano was recommended to us by a local. And indeed, the food at La Cucina di Alice did not disappoint, it’s delicious! I must also mention about the impeccable service rendered by the friendly waiting staff. I would definitely visit again if I find myself back in Lugano.

    Thereafter, we made our way back to Zurich and prepare for our return flight the next day.

    La Cucina di Alice at Lugano

    Dinner at La Cucina di Alice

    Meal at La Cucina di Alice

    Dessert at La Cucina di Alice

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    What are your thoughts about FoxTown Outlet or Lugano? Leave a comment and share it with me.

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