🇦🇺 Gold Coast Day 1 [Travel Diary + Tips]

Just finished A-levels and finally on my dream trip! Though short (4-7 July), it’s been packed with fun! 🏨 Accommodation Mantra on View – $120/night (for 3 pax) 🚍 Transport Walked, took buses/trams (no rental car since none of us drive 🚫🚗) 📍 Day 1 Itinerary 1️⃣ Surfers Paradise Beach 🏃‍♀️ Pre-half-marathon jog + strides (race prep!) 2️⃣ Gold Coast Expo Centre 🎽 Picked up my race kit + bought Maurten gels (forgot my usual Honey Stingers 😅) 3️⃣ O Bagel (5-min walk from Expo) 🥯 Classic Lox Bagel for carb-loading! (Next time trying Drop the Beef!) 4️⃣ Coles + Beach Stroll + Nap 🍞 More carbs (bread!) → chilled by the sea → power nap at hotel 💤 5️⃣ Dinner @ Vapino Italian 🔥 Waited 1 hour (lesson learned: BOOK AHEAD!). 🍝 Ordered Pomodoro Fettucine (too acidic) + stole bites of parents’ Margherita Pizza (too hard). Not amazing, but good for pre-race carbs! 6️⃣ Messina Gelato 🍦 Another 30-min queue (worth it for pre-race ice cream!). My pick: Mango + Lemon Sorbet (tangy & refreshing!) Mom’s pick: Nicky Glasses (rum + chocolate – bitter-sweet!) 💭 First Impressions 🇦🇺 Aussies = friendly & chill (vs. Singapore’s stress vibes). 🏝️ Gold Coast = active & clean (rare smokers, minimal litter!). ⏳ "Slow service" culture (relaxing but… be ready to queue! 🐌). Next up: Race day! 🏃‍♀️💨 #GoldCoast #TravelDiary #Australia #HalfMarathon #Foodie #CarbLoading #MessinaGelato #SurfersParadise 🌴🍝