Hey everyone, hadn't been too impressed with Brisbane or Surfers so had high expectations coming to Byron Bay and am pleased to say we haven't been disappointed . . . had booked into a hostel called the Arts Factory which has a big reputation over here among backpackers for being an amazing hostel. Its been run by hippies for years and feels a lot more like a community than a hostel, hard to describe I guess, lot os things going on here everyday, yoga classes, juggling workshops, massage classes, digaridoo classes - you name it!

Got here and checked in to find out that our dorm didnt have a door and was called 'the wagon', bit of a mix between a tent and a shed! i've had to give cat the bottom bunk due to her disability which means i'm up in the rafters with all the spiders webs - had to make some poor guys get rid of one last night before I could get to sleep, obv havent changed that much since being in oz!

First night we were here me, cat and al did a 'bushtucker wwalk' with cockatoo Paul - v funny guy, who told us about all the polants in the bush and how you can live off them, how to throw a spear, make fire from sticks etc. the same guy also sells homemade jewellry, has a cafe in town and did an amazing show last night as a one man band, singing, playing the drums, guitar, mouth organ and digaridoo all at once - amazing!

Next morning, me and al went to do a dive at a dive site called julian rocks, just off the coast, as I had forgot to change the clock on my phone to new south wales time (1 hour forward) I slept in and nearly didnt make the pool training before the dive, due to pure luck I made it just in time! Dive was really good, saw stingrays, lots of fish and some wierd animals called wobbigong sharks (bit disappointed however the didnt resemble anything like a shark!), had to climb down a rope in the water to getto the dive site and roll back off the boat which were both a bit scary, loved it though, definately want to do some more at some point!

Next day, went on a day trip to Nimbin, hippie capital of oz, where old people sell hash cookies on the streets, the shops sell ties die clothes and alternative medicine, such a strange place, quite funny though. Unfortunately the weather has taken another turn for the worse, and have had another few days of cloud and rain - not great when you are practically living in a tent! hope it clears up soon!

We are all loving byron bay, so much we have arranged to stay an extra night here, very chilled out surfer town with loads of backpackers and lots to do. Probably leaving on sunday night to get an overnight bus down to the hunter valley to possibly do some wine tasting before heading on to sydney . . . will let you all know how it goes !