Throw Some Shrimp on the Barbie!

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Hey guys! We're writing to you today from Byron Bay, NSW! We've been here a day now, and before that we were in Coffs Harbour, so here's what we've been up to:

We left Sydney shortly after posting our last blog and took an overnighter bus up the coast to Coffs Harbour. We got on at 11pm and arrived at 7am.... I had been dreading the overnighter bus, but to be honest it wasnt as awful as I had anticipated. For one thing, it wasn't full so we both got two seats to lay down on, and for another thing, I actualy managed to get a few hours of sleep! success! So we arrived bright and early in Coffs and were pleasantly surprised to see a shuttle from our hostel, the Aussitel Backpackers, waiting to pick us and a few other travelers up. We checked in with no problems and immediately liked the vibe of the hostel. After the huge Sydney hostel we enjoyed being in a smaller hostel... and one with a pool!! So we headed out exploring and first went to Muttonbird Island, an island just off the shore connected by a seawall to the mainland. The island is called Muttonbird Island because it is home and breeding ground to mutton birds... they dig holes and keep their chicks underground in the shallow holes while they hunt.... and thus tourists are warned to stay on the path to avoid breaking an ankle in one of the holes! It was realllyyyy hot out but we hiked to the end of the island in the hopes of seeing some dolphins... no dice, but it was a nice walk. We went to the Jetty next, and ate some DELICIOUs fish and chips at the fishermans' co-op restuarant. the fish was caught just earlier that day! we swam and watched little kids jump off the pier and i got burned. That evening we made some friends at the hostel and experienced our first authentic aussie barbie.... ie BBQ. There were sausages, burgers and loads of salads! excellent!

We got up bright and early for our second and last day in Coffs to go WHITEWATER RAFTING! the tour group picked us up at 7am and we drove about an hour and a half inland to the Nymboida river for a full day of rafting. We were put in a boat with 4 aussies and a guide and taught the basics of rafting.... paddle forward, paddle backward, stop, get down (ie duck because it's going to be bumpy) and then we went to the "test rapids". Our boat got through no problem. One of the other boats managed to have two guys fall out, to the amusement of their buddies. Quite hilarious! The whole trip was amazing. We went through class 3, 4 and 5 rapids,. Rapids are classified based on danger level, and a class 6 is considered unrunnable. We saw turtles and almost hit some startled kangaroos while driving in the car on the way there. After the river trip, we were treated to yet another delicious BBQ with steaks and sausages.... and were joined by some very persistent monitor lizards that wanted in on the food (they look like kimodo dragons).

Next stop was Byron Bay! We arrived here yesterday and are staying in the famous Arts Factory Lodge, and BB institution. It is like a cross between a luxury resort and a hippy commune. There is a pool. spa, digeridoo making sessions, yoga, a pub.... we've taken pics because you won't believe it unless you see it. It's paradise. We spent the day hiking the lighthouse trail, a 4km trail that takes you to the easternmost point in Australia! we past Watego beach, a good surf beach, and climbed up to the pretty lighthouse on the top of the hill. It was hot. Last night we went on a nature walk with a legit bushman... he taught us abou the different plants in the area and their medicinal uses. We tapped a palm for the fresh water collected inside. We ate strange native fruits and learned which parts of bamboo are toxic to humans. Annnnnd he showed us all how to throw a spear. We checked out the Buddha Bar, located next to our hostel, and enjoyed $2.50 beer happy hour! The beer was brewed in a microbrewery about 10m away from where we were sitting, and TJ thought it was quite good!

Today we slept in (12 hour of wonderful sleep) and wandered around the village in the morning since it was a bit cloudy still from an overnight rainstorm. TJ bought some new boardies and I bought a new beach bag and some bracelets. I'm embracing my inner hippy haha! Tonight we have recieved free wristbands to a place called "cheeky monkey's" but have not decided if we're going yet.... it sounds interesting.....

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Comments

[Peter]

I love how to speak Australian, you just seem to have to attach an "ie" to the end of the sentence. Barbies, boardies, sunnies etc.