I actually got to Byron Bay first thing Tuesday morning. And oh my, what a place.
Obviously it is a complete change of pace from Sydney, and also a complete change of attitude (and somewhat less expensive). Plus despite being a fair bit smaller, I've found a good deal more to do with my time. I've gone for walks along the beach and seen dophins jumping through the waves. I'm yet to see whales but it's (hopefully) only a matter of time. I'm currently learning to surf - hilarity may or may not ensue. The first lesson was certainly entertaining. There's snorkelling, dive schools, horse riding trips, hang gliding, parachute jumps, a trapeze school... the list goes on. I could spend a lot of time and money in this place. In an effort to do the former without doing the later, I have arranged with the hostel to do a bit of housekeeping work in return for free accommodation. So I shall be staying here about a month. Yay!
Ah yes, the hostel. On my travels thus far, a number of people recommended that I stay in The Arts Factory Lodge. It's a laid-back, hippyish place that used to be a pig slaughterhouse, apparently. It's a fairly large hostel with most of the dorms being arranged on the first floor, each opening onto the wooden balcony overlooking the swimming pool. There's a camping ground too, plus teepees and various other oddities. There's also a sauna, reading room/book exchange, cinema, digerido/yadaki classes, bike hire, a weekly fire show... See why I'm liking this place?
Hopefully I can get to know the area a bit better over the coming month as well as relax after seven weeks on the road. I've already made it out to have a quick look at Lismore, Nimbin and some of the surrounding beauty spots like Minyon Falls, although the drought means there isn't actually any water falling at present. I've had a good explore around Cape Byron and watched the sun rise at the most Easterly point in Australia. Next week I intend to get a tour of the lighthouse, have surfing lesson number two and do some more exploring. Pictures to follow. Look out for the next exciting installment!
