Gold Coast-Byron Bay

---

The Gold Coast, or more specifically Surfers Paradise was pretty much your average seaside party town but with a great beach as only you'd expect in Australia. I decided it wasn't really a place I could spend any longer than a day, so after a few hours on the beach and a run in with Sally from Home and Away (oh yes!!) I booked my next leg of my trip...Byron Bay.

I'd heard that Byron was another seaside town but with a more hippy, spiritual influence and relaxed atmosphere. It's a place where if your'e a party monster you can make it into a crazy drunken mess of a time, but if you're more passive and tranquil such as myself...you can also find a place here. I guess it's just about choosing who you surround yourself with, where you stay and what you do etc. I discovered a really quiant hostel just a 15-20 minute walk from the main town, but right on the beach, that not many backpackers have heard about. This has made the hostel into a retreat for the more mature, chilled out, non party animals who are here to travel and see the country. It almost has a community feel to it as you may have seen on "The Beach". In fact I got a little worried when a dinner time converstaion regarding Bush and the war, stimulated one of the guys here to come out with "Maybe we should start our own nation right here, our rules!!" Ha.

So, I've had my own room with polished wooden floors and bathroom for a week now. I've been spending lots of time on the beach and attending Yoga classes with a friend just along the road in the community centre! Also, every first Sunday of the month Byron hold a market, basically full of hippy stalls but some really cool things and bright colours, live music and a great atmosphere. I went on the first Sunday I arrived and had a really nice day. I stopeed to Listen to the muscial talent of Juzzie Smith, a professional busker who plays a number of different instruments in one song. He was really good and I showed my appreciation by buying his cd for $20!! I know it's a little steep but I thought It'd give the guy a helping hand along his road to fame and I get to hear the sounds of a digeriedoo and bongos even when I've left the continent!

I had a surf lesson earlier this week which was amazing. There were only 2 of us and I managed to stand up and stay on my board on my first attempt at catching a wave. It's such a great feeling but it does get frustrating when you fall off a second after you get on! Last night I went to the cinema to watch You, me & Dupree for only the equivalent of 2 pounds fifty or something ridiculous! May even go again tonight, i'm so hardcore!

So at the moment, I'm quite happy, but I am moving down to Sydney after the weekend. I'm almost at the end of the East Coast now, but I've decided to head all the way back up to Darwin and make my way down via Ayres Rock before I leave the country in November!

Missing you all,

Amy

---

Comments

[Christopher]

Around the world in how many days?
Hi Amy I have been following your trip avidly and can only assume that you are having a great time. I think both your 'diary' and photographs are absolutely awsome. For what it is worth, I think you should write a book. No, two books. One of your diary, illustrated aof course, and one of your photographs. I look forward to catching up with you at some point. I am visiting your Mum, Dad and sisters on Oct 1st, but I know you wont be back then. Take extra special care of yourself. Love Christopherx

[Meems]

Thank you for your support Uncle Chris!
Thank you very much Christopher, for being so positive about what I'm doing. I'd love to make a book of my photographs, I'm not so sure my writing skills are up to scratch but I could give it a go! I went to the Peter Lik gallery over here, he's an infamous photographer over in Australia and his work is inspirational. I'd love to pursue a career in photography I just don't know where to start. I hope you are well and happy and I look forward to seeing you when I return in November. Lots of love Amy xx