Goon and Dunny Paper

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Hey guys, how ya goin? We're in Surfers Paradise at the moment and here's what we've been up to!

After our last blog we still had some time in Byron Bay! We did another "workshop" with the crazy bushman Cockatoo Paul, and he showed us all sorts of important Australian survival techniques and crafts! We learned how to make dunny paper (ie toilet paper) out of a certain type of tree bark (hence the name of our blog) and we made bracelets and anklets out of palm fronds. They turned out quite well! We DID end up going to the questionable Cheeky Monkey's mentioned in our last entry... it was all that we expected and more! It was like the stereotypical spring break in Cancun complete with funny contests with contests stripping down for a $50 bar tab (we didn't participate) and dancing on the tables (definitely participated!). Some good clean fun lol. On our last day in Byron the weather turned and we were treated to quite the electric storm! Tons of lightening flashes and a few good booms of thunder, plus it rained heavily... but it was still like 30ºC! We camped out on one of the covered patios and watched the show. As a side note, TJ almost managed to decapitate himself while opening a bottle of bubbly wine when the temperature differential caused the cork to fly off unexpectedly... with the seal still on! Surprise! fortunately no backpackers were hurt in the incident. That champagne is definitely the only decent wine we've drank, since we've otherwise stuck to goon (or GQQN for the local spelling haha). It's terrible. It costs as little as $6AUD for 4L and it sure tastes like it costs. It gets you where you're going.

Next we took the bus up the coast to Surfers Paradise and a new time zone! We are staying at the Surf and Sun hostel, recommended by Chelsea! thanks Chelse, it's great! It's a smaller hostel than Arts Factory, and in the evenings all residents are invited to go out to a club with free cover and free drinks vouchers! The hostel has a pool and is right on the beach, so we're having a very relaxing time here. How would I describe Surfers? Well, it's a lot like Waikiki Beach. Or Miami maybe. There are lots of highrises and all streets are lined with shops (from the trendy to the douchey.... ed hardy??? barf) The beaches are beautiful and the surf is enormous. Today we rented boogie boards from the hostel free of charge and attacked the waves... or rather tried not to be drowned. I've never been in waves that big before and it was great fun. They have designated swimming zones that are patrolled by lifeguards on Australian beaches and the lifeguards do a great job. We got to watch a rescue today when two boys swam out a bit too far and then couldn't swim back. The guard paddled a board out and grabbed them within the seconds... very impressive! Other than that, we've been spending our time walking around the promenade and taking in the sights.

Tomorrow we are headed for Brisbane where we are staying with our friend Jonno! Rumour has it a houseparty may be involved.... more about that soon!

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Comments

[Adam]

maybe you should try the $7 wine
free cover and drink vouchers. The place must've been teeming with Becks. Keepem comin