Hello again! It's been a little while so I though I should post a little update! As you can tell from the title I'm now in Byron Bay, one of the essential Backpacker stops on the way up the east coast.
The last few days in Sydney were pretty chilled out affairs, mainly filled with me making plans for my trip, spending the odd hour here and there checking out the beach, and disappointingly watching DVDs on the one or two rain filled days we had! Evening were spent chilling out with a cold beer or four at a beach side BBQ, playing Boggle and Scattegories, watching “So you think you can dance” and keeping a little human being entertained whilst her Parents and her Aunt played with flat-packed furniture! All good fun!
I also checked out the aquarium at Manly... Oceanworld... which was erm, I think cheesy would be the best way to describe it. In fact the most interesting exhibit had nothing to do with marine life at all, a display of Australia's deadliest spiders. Thought I should check those out for when I inevitably come across them in the outback! For all of $7 there are worse ways to spend a couple of hours in overcast Manly, but I'm not entirely sure it's something I'd recommend to a friend!
Something I would recommend however is the rather beautiful walk from Bondi Beach to Coogee, an hour or so strolling down a magnificent ocean side walkway following round lots of beautiful little coves and beaches, all being used by sun worshipers and sports fanatics alike. Best saved for a sunny day, which thankfully it was!
Then early on Thursday morning, after a move from my Hostel in Manly to the YHA in Sydney city centre, I hopped on a bus to start the first leg of my travels up the East coast. First order of the day was everyone on the bus getting to know a little bit about each other which kept us entertained for some little while, especially upon finding out the another couple on the same bus as me were from… Crowborough! Small world! After 10 hours or so, broken up with periods of sleep, chatting and stopping for food, drinks and a stretch of the legs, we finally got to “Surf Camp” (Actually a small holiday village in the small town of Arrawarra). So after a quick change into swimmers, it was down to the beach to hop on a surf board and make fools of ourselves! I’m pleased to say I spent far more time standing up that I ever imagined I would, and despite the heavens opening had a fantastic time. There is something rather exhilarating about fighting your way through breaking waves on your way out, but it’s not nearly as fun or rewarding as standing up and letting the waves carry you back to shore again! I can definitely see the appeal, and I may have to have another go when I get back to Sydney. Think I need a little more practice till I hit the waves in Hawaii!!
After some good tucker and a few well earned beers on the beach it was time to turn in before another few hours on the bus the next morning! Upon arriving in Byron and getting some food down us, it was straight to the Beach… and what a beach! Long sprawling almost-white sand, with nothing but a wrecked boat and the Pacific to spoil the view! Needles to say we’ve spent a fair while there over the last few days, don’t worry, most of me is still yet to tan! We did take time out yesterday to take in “Jim’s Alternative Tour” which was pretty cool, a tour to Australia’s cannabis capital Nimbin, carefully set to a 70’s stoner rock soundtrack… with at least 4 Pink Floyd tracks, great fun! The tour also stopped by and area of land owned by a full time Hippy from New York, who bought 50 acres of land, and has hand planted it over the last 3 decades with over 5000 varieties of trees and plant life, quite an awesome achievement, and an absolute lunatic, but very entertaining!
Well, that just about brings me up to date I think. Hoping everyone at home is well and looking after yourselves.
Take care, and look out for another update soon!
Adrian
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