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March 10th 2007
Hi you lot,
Here’s the 3rd installment of my Australian journal for you all to enjoy!
On our first night in Byron Bay (Sunday night) we went to the Beach hotel for a few drinks with our Canadian roommates Graham and Tyler – it had a really nice patio area overlooking the sea. On getting back to the apartment we discovered our first snake since we’ve been here it was bright orange and looked very scary (I’ve posted the picture so you can all share the experience). We had a fairly quiet night as Laura and I decided in our wisdom to get up at 5 and go on a trip arranged with the hostel to see the sunrise. The point we were taken to is the most easterly point in Australia so you get to be the first people in the country to see the sunrise. We were in the minibus by 5.15am and were dropped off at the end of a path and told to walk up the hill to the lookout point. The path ended up being a huge winding trek up a cliff and somehow Laura and I ended up leading the group. It was hilarious it was pitch black and the only thing we had to light the way was my mobile phone, and we were terrified we were going to stand on a snake!! Anyway we reached the top without any fatalities and sat down waiting for the amazing sunrise, trying not to fall asleep, unfortunately it was a really cloudy morning so we didn’t see even a hint of sun!! At 9.30 that morning I went for my first official surfing lesson, it was taken by a really cool old American bloke with a ponytail, who kept telling me I had to “try and feel the wave”. I really enjoyed myself but it wasn’t as successful as my first try. I still managed to get up but kept falling headfirst into the water as soon as I did – there is definite room for improvement and I will definitely persevere with my new hobby. That night we were supposed to go out but I was so tired I fell asleep and didn’t wake up until the next morning; a few hours of trying to surf can really take it out of you.
On Tuesday we spent they day at the beach and that evening went for a cheap meal at the restaurant/nightclub just over the road from the hostel Cheeky Monkeys – while we were eating our meal they started a competition to win 2 free nights accommodation anywhere along the Gold Coast. You had to run up to a guy at the front with $5 dollars in the exact coins he specified, me and Laura pooled our money together and had the right change so I sprinted to the front. As I got there a girl just in front of me was also collecting change – and me being overly polite as usual let her go in front of me!! So we lost the competition with hindsight I should have just run past her but never mind.
Wednesday’s weather was awful it was cloudy and rainy all day. I’d booked to go surfing again in the morning, I and a guy from my original lesson were going to hire a board for a few hours to practice but when we got there we were told that the weather was too stormy to go out safely. So instead I got a pass for the local gym and went and did a workout – I felt so much better afterwards. In the afternoon Laura, I and the Canadians decided to continue the healthy theme of the day and walk up to the lighthouse which took about an hour and a half. Just as we got to the top the cyclone that had been expected for a few days kicked in and we got drenched the rest of them stayed until it passed but I sprinted back to the hostel. That night we decided to go to Cheeky Monkeys for our first proper night. Bourne girls you would have loved it, it was a lot like Lester’s really cheesy music. Instead of a dance floor there were big industrial – looking metal tables that everyone danced on it was brilliant. We had a really good night but had to get up early the next morning to get the bus to Surfers Paradise and we were both feeling a little bit worse-for-wear.
We traveled up to Surfers Paradise on Thursday morning; it was about a 2 hour coach ride and arrived there at about 1.00pm. When we got there we had a wander around the town and went down to the beach. Surfer’s was OK but it’s a bit of a cross between Benidorm and Miami, it’s really really touristy and there are high rise buildings everywhere. That night we were both still feeling a bit fragile so we decided to spend a night in the hostel. We were in the same set-up as in Byron, in an apartment with 3 dorm rooms, a kitchen, living room and bathroom. However, although the apartment was the same the girls we were sharing with were completely different. We had a nice Swedish girl called Suzanne in our room and another nice German girl called Anna in the bedroom next door. But the others were really hard work; they hardly spoke and were really rude. The complete opposite to the Danish girls and Canadian lads in Byron who were all lovely. So we decided that we definitely, definitely preferred Byron Bay and I want to stay at the same hostel when I go back with Holly because it was really fun.
Yesterday the weather was lovely so we spent the day on the beach soaking up some rays – I think I’m now a dark shade of cream so I’ll probably have a slight tan by February!! The beach was nice; all the beaches here are really clean even the really touristy ones. Last night we had a BBQ at the hostel which was only $5 and as we’re on a strict budget came in very handy. Afterwards we went to a club called The Bedroom for the night we got free entry and a free drink. The music was great Laura and I were dancing on the stage for most of the night. This morning we caught the coach to Brisbane we’re only here for two nights. We’re going to the Australia Zoo (Steve Irwin’s zoo) tomorrow and then we are going to spend a few nights camping on Fraser Island which will be a definite challenge for me. I’m sorry this is shorter than usual but I’m sat in the hottest internet café ever and I feel like I’m being eaten alive by mosquitoes!!
Love you all lots and lots and lots
Sam
Xxx
Mum – Don’t worry I think your message sounds very young and “with it” haha love you
Holly – I’m so excited that you’re booking soon you will absolutely love it out here. Can’t wait to see you.
Rachel - 15 weeks to go yey!!
Laura – Did you get your paeds rotation? If not sack it off and come out!! Miss you and Bex lots
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