Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
‘Ok, you’ve made it to the promised land. God’s own earth.’ That is how the Lonely Planet describes Byron Bay and every word is utter truth. All down the east coast I had encountered people saying how much they enjoyed Byron and how a few days quickly turned into a few weeks in the utopian shire and it is easy to see how. Days spent sunbathing or surfing are followed by evenings of relaxing or partying. All surrounded by the laid back, hippy atmosphere induced by the locals.
For me, Byron Bay was all about surfing. I had had chances further up the coast to surf but it wasn’t until Byron that I finally gave it a go. I have to admit I have never been that interested in surfing. One thing I did know was that it wouldn’t be easy, however I didn’t realise just how difficult it would be. Never mind trying to stand up, which I managed once for the whole of about half a second, just getting yourself to that position is incredibly tough. Firstly you need to battle through the pounding waves that do their best to wash you to the shore. Time and tide gradually work the energy out of your shoulders as you battle to a position where you can catch a decent wave. Once you have managed to target one, a quick about turn needs to be followed by paddling as fast as you can so you’re at a fast enough speed so you can ride the wave. After this then you can try to stand up. All of this was very difficult but also very enjoyable and something I am going to continue to work on during my trip. Plus you look incredibly cool walking down the street with a surfboard in hand.
Another fun activity in Bryon was a trip to Nimbin. The town of Nimbin started in 1973 when a group of student bought some cheap land from the failing dairy industry for an experimental Aquarius Festival. 35 years later the hippies are still around smoking pot in their tie dyed shirts. Sadly we weren’t there for the annual Hemp Olympix but we did get to see the psychedelic and surreal Nimbin Museum and Hemp Embassy. The only disappointing part of Nimbin was that the long-haired hippy drug dealers I was expecting were actually Bodie, Poot and Little Wallace from The Wire. I should have known a peaceful, love-spreading community couldn’t hold off the corruption of The Game.
In Byron I also stood at Australia’s easternmost point and visited the lighthouse. Another strange experience to add the the growing list of this trip was sitting in a park at Byron’s Begger’s Banquet and listening to a folk band sing A Fairytale in New York by The Pogues in Christmas decorated 30’C weather. I also bought an advent calendar in Byron Bay. The hell I was gonna miss out on Christmas chocolate just because I was down under!
- comments