Broadwater Parkland's The Rockpools and Visitors Centre - Southport, Gold Coast

In the vicinity of the parklands is another feature designed for children of all ages, a water playground for children that's relatively safer than swimming pools or the beaches called The Rockpools. The beaches in the coast have waves unfit for leisurely swimming, thus it's a considerable thought that something like the Rocklands was conceived, especially for the kids.

The aforementioned pool is shallow so most children can frolic from the pop jets that squirt water. I thought it would have been better if there was an adequate puddle for it to merit being called a "pool". The creek bed is supposed to simulate coastal tides with automatic "filling up" and "emptying times". Weird creatures dot the pool, like a half cat-half fish. There are sand bars with red-and-blue nets; wooden walkways beside gardens, and even a BMX circuit.

A lifeguard constantly watches and roams the enclosure. Rockpools close every Tuesday mornings for maintenance.

The Parkland's Visitors Centre is nearby. Wifi service is free around the park from 7 AM to 5 PM, but you have to secure the password from the office which was close during my visit. Beautiful floral shrubs provide ornament to the surroundings.

The Broadwater, which is salt water, provides more idyllic vistas, like a paragliding tourist, jet-skiers, and the touring yachts.

Later that day, I was back to where I first started my exploration - at the colorful trampoline called "The Jumping Pillow" where children could jump away until they're blue. Somersaults, like footwear, however, aren't allowed.

This is the Eye in the Sky!

A catfish perhaps?

Odd creature

The Parkland's Visitors Centre.

The Jumping Pillow

Southport Idyll

The sand, the sea, a skyline that ebbs and peaks like roller coaster on a sketch, and a couple soaking on their intimate moment creating little pieces of magic.

There's always one photo that stands out from hundreds. From the Southport set, this is a personal favorite.

This is the Eye in the Sky!

Southport Central's Architectural Beauty

Southport is Gold Coast's central business district. Being so, you'd expect skyscrapers to equal the more popular suburb of Surfer's Paradise. True enough, while exploring the area's commercial center, in the vicinity of Nerang Road (the suburb's Ayala Avenue and historical core), we were mesmerized with the three-tower Southport Central. In this post, we shall feature this glistening mixed-use property.

This multi-purpose commercial and residential development, located at the corner of Lawson and Scarborough Streets, rises to a height of 417 feet (127 meters), boasting of 40 floors of prime space. With three towers and an integrated shopping and commercial space, this property is said to be worth $700 million.

What aesthetically caught my attention was its interplay of glass panels; red, white and blue colors from its concrete framework. I may not be an architectural expert, but I know beauty when I see one.

This is the Eye in the Sky!

It will house one of the Gold Coast's biggest medical facility, eploying about 5,000 personnel.

Mercantile Experience at the Australia Fair (Southport, Gold Coast)

Would shopping be a feasible activity in Australia? For one, it’s been known as an expensive holiday destination, with higher cost of living. This was one of the factors we considered while planning our visit. To somehow get an idea on this subject, our first visit to a mall could provide the ticket to partially answering that question. 

We entered the mall through a dining plaza which felt relatively cramped compared to the sprawl of Manila’s ubiquitous food courts. With just two levels of shopping spaces, housing over 230 specialty stores, and spread over 640,000 square feet of commercial space, Australia Fair (previously called Scarborough Fair) seemed limited. But this was a comparative perception. 

I turned to face the glass wall, and couldn't help but admire the eastward vista of the parkland and the Broadwater outside. In my mind, the revelers at Surfer's Paradise some 2 kilometers south, would enjoy these indoor pleasures too.

It was past lunch and I've had a more-than-healthy dose of sunshine. Though not particularly hungry, I knew I had to feed myself. After surveying the food court, I saw another MOS Burger outlet and decided to order the same Japanese pork-and-ginger burger on rice bun at $8 (PhP330). After all, there’s no MOS in Manila so it was an opportunity to make hay.

WATCHING A MOVIE

After checking out some DVD titles, I went to the Events Cinemas which was mostly showing uninteresting flicks, except for Martin McDonagh’s noirish “Seven Psychopaths” starring Colin Farrell, Michael Pitt, Sam Rockwell and Christopher Walken. Would I miss the chance to see how a cinema hall looks like in Oz? Turns out that the film, though fraught with dry wit, tested the audience's patience. 

Later that day, I found a Post Office in the mall; bought a postcard for my mom. For two cards, I paid $3.20 (PhP131). These cards had attached stamps, thus saving me a few dollars. How convenient, right? 

Meanwhile, a bottle of coke cost $3.60 (PhP147.50) prompting me to sit back and compare with the rates back home. 

How much is a bottle of Coke in Manila – PhP25 to 35. In Australia, its almost 6x the price. As for film watching, a movie ticket at the Events Cinema costs $17 (PhP695). In Manila, a regular flick costs PhP180; PhP220 for gala premieres. See the disparity? It’s more that 3x the Manila rates.

THE CHINA SYNDROME

I found a garment shop with nice-looking blouses which would be perfect as gifts. Feeling smug after picking a few stuff, I was actually shocked when I found out that they were either made in Thailand or China. I picked a boomerang as souvenir only to learn it was manufactured in Indonesia! Why would I buy an Indonesian boomerang in expensive Queensland when I’m always in Indonesia?

Better yet, why is China taking over the universal market? Let me point out my newly purchased Wenger backpack from a posh mall in Makati. This Swiss brand is a priced commodity. When I inquired of its manufacturing detail, I was surprised to learn that the “materials are from Switzerland, but made in China”. My Gianvito Rossi shoes from an upscale shop in Singapore were likewise “made in China, but with materials from Italy”. 

These days, when you want authentic Italian shoes, you’d have to fly to Italy. Otherwise, you’d be buying stuff manufactured in China. Their "invasion", in fact, isn't exclusive to retail products alone. Even some of our Philippine islands, situated just a stone’s throw away from our shores, have astoundingly become Chinese sovereign - or so they claim. These days, China is prone to feverish land-grabbing schemes. Australia better beware too. Maybe by 2023, China may just decide to claim sovereignty over Tasmania. Just maybe, even the koalas are an inherent Chinese fauna transported by Sir James Cook, and would have to be returned back to the communist country? Before going further into my fascination with China’s virulently invasive tendencies, let me revert back to the original query.

Is shopping a feasible activity in the land down under? Of course, it is. But a “buying spree” is a different matter. There are better countries for this predisposition. Moreover, you’d have to be watchful with your purchases. After all, wouldn't it be ironic for big-spending Chinese tourists taking home gifts that were actually made in China? Or Thais purchasing Australian souvenirs made in Bangkok? Personally, I’d be tickled pink if I were to come home with a bag of chocnut bought from the Gold Coast. Wouldn't you?

This is the Eye in the Sky!

Time for another MOS.

My second pork-and-ginger burger on rice bun.

Events Cinema's waiting lounge. Most patrons have online reservations.

The Food Court (above and below).

A Christmas Store

The Postal Shop

Parking at the second level.