to Byron Bay, and Beyond...

*Author's note: as loyal readers are already aware, the writing of City Girl Haz Adventures was regretfully placed on hold for the remainder of the author's voyage. Pains are being taken to fill in the missing portions of the author's journey. The author is very sorry.

The rain began as a light drizzle, the threateningly-dark clouds rolling in across the Sydney skyline as I waited to board what would become my main means of transportation for the next three and a half weeks up the East Coast of Australia -- the Greyhound bus. And not just any Greyhound bus...the overnight Greyhound bus (I truly am a glutton for punishment). While waiting to board, I struck up a conversation with a lovely young Austrian couple who were, like the rest of the entire bus, heading the same way as me. As the bus made its way out of the city, we shared snacks and stories of our travels up until this point. As the evening turned into night and the bus grew silent with sleeping passengers, I turned on my iPod and was rocked to sleep by the gentle swaying of the bus and the rain pelting against the window.

Hours later I awoke cramped and cold (thanks to the bus's over-zealous air-conditioning) to a stunning view of the early-morning sun glinting off a great blue expanse of ocean. Another hour (and one blessed coffee- and bathroom-stop) later and we arrived in the charmingly quaint beachside town of Byron Bay, best known for it's surfing spots and for being a former-hippy-commune-turned-slightly-touristy vacation destination. After securing a room (in a shared apartment with its own TV, no less) at the friendly-staffed Holiday Village Backpackers, I grabbed my towel and, joining a group of Canadians from my hostel, headed straight for the beach. Where I would have stayed 'til the cows came home, were it not for the unwelcome prodding and minor guilt trips from my new friends to "see what else this town has to offer!" (damn Canadians). And so, my stay in Byron Bay consisted of the following:

Day 1:
Beach, Beach, and some more Beach. Opted out of beach volleyball due to possible bathing suit malfunctions and general disinterest with the sport in general. Added two new words to my vocabulary - Snakebites and Schoolies - respectively a highly-alcoholic beverage made from a combination of cider and lager beer, and rowdy Aussie high-schoolers on holiday. Both dangerous in high doses.

Day 2:
Daytrip to Nimbin, a small community where the 1970's counter-culture hippie spirit and practices are alive and well. Popular destination for the lovers of peace, love, and the cannabis culture. And rainbow art. Lots of it.

Day 3:
Hiked during mid-day heat up to Cape Byron, most notably famous for being the easternmost point of the Australian mainland . Nearly became famous for the grisly murder of an insufferably chipper and cheerful group of Canadians.


Note to self, must make up for lost beach time at my next destination... Noosa here I come.