Well Hello Sailors !

We need a cruise ship terminal, we need one on the Gold Coast.

5000 US sailors and marines will arrive this week after three US Navy ships docked in Brisbane yesterday.

Last night hundreds from the USS Essex, USS Denver and USS McCampbell flocked to the Glitter Strip to soak up the Surfers Paradise night life.

Ten uniformed marines, sailors and Australian naval personnel were on shore patrol to keep an eye over the men and women enjoying their hard-earned breaks.

Imagine how many more would be here if we had the terminal.

Hot Bikram yoga at Burleigh Heads

Bikram yoga (or hot yoga as I like to call it!) is really a life changing experience. Having tried most forms of exercise, and over time losing interest in all, I have finally found the ultimate outlet for both body and mind. Having tried traditional yoga with little enjoyment, it took a lot of convincing by a friend to try this form of yoga, and in a stinking hot room!
Note: stinking- I will get back to later!
So quite reluctantly I went along for my first 90 minute session in a room heated to 37 degrees Celsius, and awkwardly attempted all 26 postures. Each lesson the lithe and glowing instructor reminds first timer's that this will be a life changing experience, and this could not be more true! Regardless of my very limited flexibility and aversion to profuse sweating, I came out of there with more feel good chemicals racing around than I have ever experienced. My heart beat to a new tune, and my skin glowed like I had just returned from two weeks in Tahiti. No sooner had I left the room, I was planning my next visit!. Since this time I have become a complete devotee of Bikram yoga, and you don't have to be Jane Fonda to enjoy! I still can't touch my toes but that does not stop me from getting the best workout I have ever experienced.

Note: I probably should prepare anyone thinking of trying it out that there is certain amount of 'pong' you may first experience when entering, however you quickly get used to it and it has yet to deter even my fussiest friends.


The studio in Burleigh is currently the only Bikram offered on the Gold Coast. This week will see it relocating to newer, larger and apparently fresher premises. You would really be doing yourself a favour to give it a try sometime soon. To check out location and times go to http://www.bikramyogagoldcoast.com.au/

Big Wheel will see HTCM in Court

THE owner of a Ferris wheel that was to soar high over Harbour Town has lodged legal action to recoup $390,000 he says was lost when the shopping centre cancelled the project at the last minute.
The giant wheel was to go up in the carpark of the Biggera Waters shopping centre in January but was halted at the last minute when Mayor Ron Clarke asked for further council investigations into the approval of the 15-storey structure.
Mr Jackson said he spent time and money promoting the wheel, had signs made up to direct crowds, installed fencing, sought private planning advice and organised insurance in the lead-up to signing a lease with HTCM.

Biggest International Visitor decline in 20 years

The Tourism Forecasting Committee forecasts the number of international visitor arrivals to Australia to decrease 4.0%, the biggest decline since 1989, when arrivals fell 7.5% after the strike by Australian pilots.

The current ordeals of the Australian tourism industry come more from the recent poor performance of the domestic tourism segment.

Overview
Factors driving Australian tourism The Australian tourism industry continues to face major macroeconomic headwinds, with all major economies already in or entering recession. TFC modelling is largely based on changes to world and domestic economic growth prospects and exchange rates, with initial results suggesting a sharp fall in international tourism arrivals to Australia and tourism activity by Australian residents in 2009. This section provides a summary of changes to the main factors (including economic) driving these forecasts compared with the assumptions used in the December 2008 release of Forecast, including several factors which will limit the negative impact of the global recession.
Click here to see the full report from Tourism Forecasting Committee.

Broadbeach restaurant Week

There is still time to dine at those fantastic restaurants during Broadbeach Restaurant Week it runs till 26th July 2009, during this week you will be able to know exactly what your meal is gong to cost before you even sit down. There is well over 30 Restaurants to choose from catering to all tastes and cuisines - take the family and john the great atmosphere in and around Broasbeach.

Gold Coast Hotels Slashing Prices

Colliers International's latest statistics show Gold Coast Hotel occupancy sitting at 66.6 percent meaning it has dropped 3.8 percent on last year. The affects of the Global financial downturn are hitting the Gold Coast hard as it is tourism-reliant. Great news is Hotels are slashing their prices so now's your chance to book yourself a holiday for a really cheap rate even if you live on the Gold Coast the family would love to spend a week in a Resort the money you would save on traveling elsewhere can be spent on some fun for the family. Book Your Accommodation Online here.

Nuttall Sentenced

Gordon Nuttall was found guilty of 36 counts of receiving secret commissions totalling $360,000 between 2002 and 2005 from two businessmen, Ken Talbot and Harold Shand. Chief Judge Patsy Wolfe delivered a sentence of 7 years in the Brisbane District Court this morning. Nuttall will be eligible for parole after two-and-a-half years (small price to pay for crime). His family told him 'good luck' and 'be strong' as he was being escorted out of the courtroom, instead they should have told him 'do the crime do the time'. Now his Solicitor is considering an appeal.

Origin III where were all the Fans !!

Last nights game couldn't crack an audience of 2 Million.

Seems most Aussie's were more interested in seeing New South Wales sales executive Justine Schofield be eliminated from Masterchef than see New South Wales defeat Queensland 28-16 the game only drew an audience of 1.9 Million while an audience of 2.23 Million enjoyed watching the Masterchef elimination.

Another Gold Coast Winner

Joel Parkinson has taken out the Billabong Pro at South Africa's Jeffreys Bay, he last won the event there 10 years ago as a wildcard. Heading towards victory at the World title Joel has now won three of the first five events this year to build a 1,404 point lead and is being trailed by CJ Hobgood, with Brazilian Adriano de Souza, Australian Taj Burrow and Damien Hobgood rounding out the top five.

Another disappointing tournament for nine-time world champion Kelly Slater, who lost to Taylor Knox in the third round.

His result in South Africa leaves Slater in eighth place and he knows his chances of a tenth world crown are slipping away.

Surfers now have a break before the next stop on the world tour, which is at Trestles in Southern California in September.

Split the Bill

Gold Coast Bulletin in partnership with Gold Coast Cabs is bringing the split the bill concept to the Gold Coast. The Melbourne Herald Sun has been doing it for more than 15 years promoting Restaurants to their locals giving them exclusive dining opportunities, Split the Bill on the Gold Coast runs from 17 June 2009 through to 6 September 2009 so don't miss out there is still time to enjoy click here for full information from Gold Coast Bulletin. Your chance to dine out for half price.

Haunted on Hedges

Could it be haunted, or maybe each owner is just plain unlucky,
Tony Smith had to sell it unfinished and now it looks like Daniel Tzvetkoff will have to do the same. Who will be the lucky one to finish it or will it forever be cursed to doom each owner as they take it on.

Queensland Oil Spill

There is little the Government can do to legally recover the full costs for the clean up after the Pacific Adventurer's 270 Tonne oil spill, which totalled at least $34M. Anna Bligh said if there is any way the Queensland Government could recoup the money through the courts, such a claim would go ahead. In the meantime Pacific Adventurer has been renamed Pacific Mariner and is back out there moving cargo.

Whats On in July 2009 on the Gold Coast

24 to 26 July 2009
Yellow Pages Gold Coast Home Show and Outdoor Adventure Expo at Parklands Gold Coast. A fun family day can be had by all plenty to see plenty to do and free entertainment. Entry pay once and attend all weekend.

25 & 26 July 2009
Splendour in the Grass Belongil Fields Byron Bay. Annual Music, Arts and youth culture event. As well as the latest and best in music from Australia and overseas, the festival also features local arts and crafts, creative performance and cuisine. Accommodation filling fast Click here to book Accommodation for this event.

30 July 2009
The Australian Ballet presents The Dancers Company at the Gold Coast Arts Centre.
The Dancers Company is The Australian Ballet’s regional touring group, comprising guest artists of The Australian Ballet alongside graduating students from The Australian Ballet School.