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Wake up to someone elses alarm. Think to myself that they are getting up very early as my 5.25 alarm hasn't even gone off yet! Check my phone... its 7am. Heart skips about 4 beats and I simply cant believe it. Throw on a dress over my pjs, grab my phone and purse and run down to the Oz Ex office. Its closed. Ring up the number I had saved on my phone for them and luckily got through to a really nice woman but obviously couldn't help being upset. Explained what had happened and she told me not to worry and rang the driver... yep I was too late but I knew that already. Had a bit of a cry as I was so angry at myself, I know I had set the alarm but I must have done something wrong... have pracitsed a lot today! She said she could book me on for tommorow which is good as it means I only have to pay for another night here and I am definately ready to move on anyway! I was really worried about the no show fee - its something like $50! But she said the first time you miss it you don't pay, just don't do it again! This was a relief as I really cant be throwing more money away! I was still very annoyed and upset so rang home. Spoke to Dave which was actually really good because I could chat to him about my worries about the Oz Ex and he made me feel better. Suggested other hostels to stay at for the night in Sydney but decided I'd just stay at Wake Up so I didn't have to faff around with anything else. Really glad I spoke to him, then I spoke to mum quickly to tell her what was going on. Decided I would make the most of this day and decided maybe this would work out for th best... obviousl it is annoying but I was actually quite good at being posetive. If i had to pay the no show fee it wouldn't have been as easy but I just saw it as I picked a random day to leave Sydney anyway, now I was just doing it a day later. I decided to do today exactly the plan I had had for yesterday. Bit risky making plans but I thoguht I would go for it. Got another night at Wake Up with no problems, in the same room, which meant I could go back to bed! Slept, then got up and changed and at 10.30ish I left the hostle. Another gorgeous day! Passed a free internet cafe so popped on to check my messages etc but didnt want to stay on too long as I wanted to get to the beach in time for the festival! Didn't know what time it finished but it said it started early. Left the cafe and got to the bus stop at 11. There was a bus at quarter past but it didnt come till half past. Then it took half an hour to get to Bondi. Bondi was packed!! It was the final day of the festival which meant the finals of the competition so I actually went on the better day! Got on the beach, put my sun cream on and walked around. It was totally free to get in which was cool. Like most free public events its was full of teenagers, and everyone looked like they'd walked straight off the set of Home and Away or baywatch, all dolled up! It was quite nice not knowing anyone as I could slob around with my backpack on and my hair a mess and not care haha! I queued by a stand to get a free snow cone (why not!) and watched this surf simulator competition which was pretty cool, there were some kids doing it who were awesome! After that I went and sat on the beach to watch the aurfers! Was sat quite far back at first but thought I might as well go right next to the sea! So was sat right at the front, brilliant view! Right by the speakers too so I could hear the commentary really well. Was really cool wacthing the surfers, the waves weren't huge but they were doing some cool tricks. Some of the top surfers in the world were there! Lots of people would run over for autographs etc when they came out the sea! Felt lucky to be there especially on such a gorgeous day. Sat through some of the heats then stayed to see the final, for which everyone stood up to get the best views. Apparently there were 25,000 people on the beach! They announced the winner (who was really good, called Josh Kerr) and did a little awards presentation. I then sunbathed for a bit with my iPod in, reading my book. Decided I would head home at about 3 because I knew the later it got the busier the buses would be. As I was walking along the beach though I heard some awesome music and facing away from the beach there was a stage with a band called Georgia Fair. They were really really good, like a really chilled out Kooks mixed with Kings of Leon and Phil Collins. Just 2 guys with guitars and amazing voices. So I sat on the grass and watched their set which was beautiful. Got on the bus and read by book on the jounrey back. Started walking completely the wrong direction when I got off but luckily realized my mistake before I was too far along! Started walking back to the hostle when I found another free internet cafe so here I am, have done my last 3 days blogs and feel better for having got it all out my brain haha! Planning to go back to the hostle and try and get an ealy night, if thats possible in such a noisey room! Will definatley not be missing the bus tommorow thats for sure.
After writing that last section I spoke to one of the guys in the travel shop I was in which was lucky! I had been considering going straight to Byron Bay as thats what the women on the phone had suggested but my OZ pass included a free surf lesson at a stop on the way which I would have missed! So really glad I checked! He said there were 2 stops before Byron Bay - Coffs Harbour and Spot X Surf Camp (where the free lesson is). Hadn't really heard about Coffs harbour but planned to go as I assumed most other people would, as its on the way up. The guy was really helpful then I walked back to the hostel. Got in my room and there were 2 new girls in there... and they were getting on the Oz Experience the next day, like me! They were really nice and ended up having a good night in the room, the Welsh guys were a lot calmer and actually really funny. We all chatted then watched a film, ended up staying up really late but hoped with 3 of us needing to be up in the morning, I would definately not miss the bus! So I actually did make the most of the day and enjoyed it :-)
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