On, Under and Across the Southport Bridge

Dilemma faced me when I reached the bridge connecting Southport's parkland and The Spit. Though seemingly trivial, even mundane, it's these decisions that make a visit special because one doesn't exactly plan something like crossing a bridge on foot. I was of course curious. Don't you ever wonder what's on the other side? Of a rainbow? Of an ocean? Of a bridge? There was always the romantic notion, where travelers are concerned, that there could be a "pot of gold" - or "greener pastures"? And isn't it better to find out for yourself?

The other side is, of course, nothing but a sand bar extending from the shore, i.e. a "spit".  The terminology is almost unheard of in American English, so finding its usage on a parcel of sandy shoal makes it even more interesting. From there stood several high rise buildings that look out into the blue Pacific Ocean. The Spit provides a demarcation between Broadwater and the sea. I somehow felt the need to land my foot on the other side. It's a silly checklist, but there it is.

From the parkland of Southport, I decided to checkout what's under the bridge. The walls were littered with colorful murals of the inherent fauna found in the area.

There's a pedestrian lane under the bridge that goes to the other side (where the malls are located). The quality of sand is amazing; fine white powdery sand line the shore, something that the island of, say, Mactan would turn green over. You see, most resorts in the Cebuano island have artificial inlays of white sand. Here, they spill over in Queensland's shores.

The water ways were moderately busy. I could see amphibian vehicles (SuperDuck, AquaDuck, etc.) traveling on the water. These didn't seem to have docking stations anywhere from my view.

So - I crossed the bridge on foot. Not the searingly hot weather could stop me from doing so. I wasn't sure how long it took me. But it was a joy to feel the breeze coming from the Nerang River. Upon reaching the other side, I noticed the construction of a Light Rail Transit (LRT) expected to be operational in 2014. With 14 trams, 16 stations over a 13 kilometer stretch, this train system would radically change the way tourists roam the Gold Coast. If I haven't mentioned it yet, going around this part of the world isn't as tourist-friendly as thought because traveling requires renting a car or taking the taxi which is expensive! Surely, Queensland isn't a pauper's paradise.

He's feeding a school of fish.

From the other side, I could see the parkland, and the buildings that constitute the corporate centers - and the mall. I chanced on an amphibian vehicle as it drove and dove into the waters. Koreans and Japanese nationals were enjoying their river cruise. The money they burn. I tried to bask in the warmth of the sun, but at some point, it was just too harsh to enjoy. More importantly, I've stepped on the land they call The Spit, and though I didn't exactly get reacquainted with the Pacific Ocean this time, I was contented.

Looking at the bridge was like receiving an invisible trophy. I've succeeded to cross THAT long bridge and I was where I wanted to be. Not quite for Ripley's, but it was a personal milestone. Crossing bridges in Australia.

My next minor problem was, I knew I had to get right back to the other side to check out the city center and the Australia Fair Shopping Mall. It was going to be a longer walk.

This is the Eye in the Sky!

Murals on the wall.

I had to walk that bridge?

Take notice of the quality of sand.

Southport's The Spit. 

Koreans and Japanese tourists.

SuperDuck, an amphibian tourist vehicle.

The bridge connecting Southport and The Spit.

I made it to the other side.

The way towards the shore.

Some 20 minutes later, the amphibian is back. That was a fast ride.

Gave myself a pat for crossing the bridge from the park (arrow) to the other side.

Fellow tourists stop by the shore to enjoy the view. They left after 10 minutes.

It is a Lonely Planet, isn't it? ;)

The Old Sea Wall Beach Park of Southport - Gold Coast, Queensland

The Old Sea Wall

At the southern edge of the Southport Broadwater Parkland, before a bridge crosses over to The Spit, is a beach strip that's least visited by the regular revelers, the Old Sea Wall Beach Park which is punctuated by few pine trees and deserted pathways.

In these narrow foreshores, you could probably spend the day on a spot without another soul, except for the gulls and cranes that intermittently dive into the waters. All I could think was the stark visibility these waters. With no degree of turbidity, I wondered how these waters are kept pristine. If these were anywhere in the vicinity of Manila, there'd be slum dwellers feasting on their imagined rights to put up shanties where they shouldn't be. A rich nation has such enviable mechanics of governance, but with a population of barely 28,000 in Southport, the central business district of the Gold Coast, I reckon it's easier to handle than one with a population of say, a million.

As shown on this page, there's a wooden view deck with odd-looking white cabanas where bikers could be seen. I'd have thought that wooden plankways would be exclusive for pedestrian use, but then... maybe they're made for bikers too. This, after all, isn't home.

You could also feed the fish in the water, and there are considerable schools of fish I saw. The bridge connecting the parklands to The Spit is nearby, and so are the beautiful murals on the walls.

Westward, bordering the highway that leads to the bridge, is a small strip of land with a little garden filled with flowers, duly designated as Dr. Eugene Levi Park. We're pointing this out to underline the Ausies' predilection to assign or name parks from minuscule strips of lands so every small corner could be a park.

This is the Eye in the Sky!

Japanese-style lawn

Caryl Battersby waxes poetic:

"Ladies fair, I bring to you
Lavender with spikes of blue;
Sweeter plant was never found..."

This small strip of land with a colorful garden is situated beside the highway. This constitutes Dr. Eugene Levi Park.

The Girl by the Hill - Southport, Gold Coast

She represents the spectator, the traveler if you will, who sits at the corner watching the world go by. That's what came to mind when I saw her and her little bear at the top of The Hill, right in the heart of the Southport Broadwater Parkland. From her "exclusive" spot under the bristling sun, you could see the Broadwater, ANZAC Park and The Spit. The Pacific Ocean hums with its subtle and understated fury just across the eastern strip.

As for me, I could sit there all day, but the Earth moves and transforms, and evolves even without me. So I chose to move on.

While there, a poem came to mind.

YESTERDAY GIRL 
by Richard Hill

I remember her face (I think)
And a summer evening
Standing on the shore
Watching the Mersey
Turning in its sleep
And the seagulls crying
Sliding down the sky
Like kids on banisters
While we wrote 
I love you
In the sweaty summer sand
With sticks
And skipped across rocks
And both held hands
To keep falling 
Out of love.

But we couldn't.


With these somber thoughts, I leave you, and this girl to her musings.

This is the Eye in the Sky!

The spectator.

The little bear seems to be prodding her to move on.

Pensively staring at the distance.

ANZAC Park

The Spit

From afar you'd think she was real.