North to Surfer's Paradise

After waking up in the delightful dog park, covered in dew and bug bites, we decide to rinse up and catch some rays at Surfer’s Paradise.

Arriving there, we set up camp at a parking garage, buy a whole chicken and bread, and feast on an extravagant breakfast. It’s funny how when you’re traveling simple meals like that seem like the best thing in the world.

Full to the brim, we hit the beach. Despite it’s name, Surfer’s Paradise has terrible waves, but the beach is massive (looks like what I’d expect Miami to look like) and the town is made for fun. When we get there, a bunch of free Easter events are going on, and the town has a great electricity about it.

Strolling around, we are offered to buy tickets to a pub crawl later in the evening, and we are a bit skeptical initially. After some bargaining, we get some discounted tickets and plan to head to the bars on what is promised to be a 600 person pub crawl.

It is.

In probably one of the craziest nights since I’ve been abroad, we launch ourselves into a massive pub crawl. The night consists of a blur of bars, clubs (including Vanity, which is known as Australia’s top night club), beaches, girls, watching a wedding proposal, offering shots to the wedding proposal, and a casino. At one point we run into a massive fight, and after it breaks up Jake and I play doctor on the injured folks. Our little good deed for the trip. It was a bizarre sight too, as the victors thank us for helping to break it up and mending the fallen “because had you not, we would have gotten carried away.” Well, at least they’re appreciative.

After a long stroll back from the casino, we run into some folks coming out of the bars, and we share many a “Happy Easter!” Not wanting to sleep in the van, we grab some towels, head to the beach, and hit the sack as the sun is rising.