I was given the opportunity to attend the AusCert 2008 conference from 18th – 23rd of May 2008 in Gold Coast, Australia. Travelling is one of my passions. In knowing this I was so excited that I will be venturing into a new place, exploring its wonders, shopping, tasting new food and having to experience the famous Gold Coast beaches.
I stayed at the Holiday Inn in View Road which is a few steps away from Surfers Paradise. After the busyness of the conference, I had the opportunity last Wednesday night to have a closer look at it.
You would know that it is the Surfers Paradise beach because it has an arch that says “Surfers Paradise”. The beach was just along tall buildings and hotels, restaurants, fast foods, shops and etc, so it was pretty accessible and commercialized. That night, there were “tiangges” along the walkways of the coast, selling interesting stuffs. One shop was selling puzzles. I bought four and one of them is called Tangram. I have been looking for a Tangram for several months, and it was only here in Gold Coast that I was able to find one. Nice isn’t it? Aside from the products, what also amazed me was seeing the smile of the vendors and people’s faces because I felt their hospitality and cheers.
As I walked down the steps towards the beach coast, I paused and looked at the waves of the sea. It was so peaceful and tranquil, that for a second, I found relaxation and comfort from it. I could feel the fineness of the white sand as I walked through it. It felt like grains of sugar touching my feet. Walking on it felt like walking on the moon, so hard to move because the sand was pulling my weight down. It was a full moon that night. It was a beauty to see the moonlight hitting the waves. Parang painting ba, sarap i-frame! hehehe… At that moment, many thoughts came through my mind. One thought was to be with someone I love for that was a moment to share. A moment to gaze up to the sky and stare at the waves of the sea while embracing and kissing each other.
A lot of tourists visit this place. Probably because of the beach where they can surf and sunbathe, the shops where they can do shopping, the sumptuous food that would satisfy the taste. Or maybe because, like me, they found a treasure here. The treasure of God’s creation. A treasure that would give them peace, relaxation and enable them to see the beauty of life and His creation. That was what I saw and felt. A treasure…for me to keep and share to others.
