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Published: November 2nd 2005
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5:30am!
At Byron Bay Lighthouse So we arrived in Byron Bay with plans to camp on the beach for 3 days. It sounded like a great plan, except for one thing. When we were checking into the campsite, the attendant told us that they were expecting hail storms that evening and maybe we should re-think the camping idea. No need to say that twice to me, so we picked a cabin and everything was cool. I think Chris still wanted to camp but I was getting a cabin no matter what, even if I was by myself in the cabin. The cabin contained one double bed, one single bed over the double bed (like a bunk bed), a TV and a small fridge. Washrooms were a 2 minute walk from the cabin. Washrooms were very clean, better than the hotel in Cairns. Within hours of checking in, the rain started and then the hail did come. I was quite thankful to be indoors and not in a tent!
My first day in Byron Bay was spent exploring the town, quite lovely and checking out activities for my second day. Chris decided to give surfing a try, Sarah opted for diving and a haircut (don't ask)
and I picked kayaking with the dolphins and whales.
Chris surfed on the first day while Sarah and I checked out the town and Sarah and I did our separate activities on the second day there.
I thought kayaking would be nice, simple, relaxing and I could work on my tan. I was wrong about the nice, simple, and relaxing part - at least my legs got tanned! First of all, you need to kayak into the surf to get away from the beach. Kayaking into surf is not easy. Other kayaks did tip over but thankfully, my partner (a skilled Aussie girl) and I managed to stay in the kayak. To get through the surf, you need to paddle hard, strong and fast into the wave (not exactly my strength, I am used to just sitting there and someone else doing the paddling for me). I admit, I did get air once going over the waves and much water in the mouth and eyes. Saltwater does not taste yummy nor does it mix well with my contacts. Once you made it past the surf, it relaxed a bit but not much. If you are prone to sea sickness, this is not the sport for you.
After being in the kayak for over 2 hours, and still not seeing any dolphins or whales, we headed back to shore. All I saw was blue jellyfish! Kayaking back to the beach is the fun part cause you get to ride the waves. We actually rode a couple of waves and went back out for more. We hit one big wave and crashed right onto the beach. I have a lovely bruise on my right arm from the kayak. It matches the bruises on my left leg from the motel pool in Cairns (yes, I fell getting OUT of the pool in Cairns and gave Sarah a good laugh)!
I had my second babysitting opportunity in Byron Bay. My first opportunity was in Cairns and it lasted about 20 minutes (Sarah and Chris had done a quick bakery run). In Byron Bay, Sarah had decided to get a hair cut and Chris was out trying a boogie board. So it was me and Nathan for 60 minutes this time. The day earlier, I had bumped his head on the upper bunk bed (yes, Dayna, I did the same thing as I did to Mitchell when he was a baby). This time, according to Chris I did leave a mark on Nathan's head but just a small one. So Nathan and I went for walk while Sarah got her hair cut. We got back to the shop before Sarah was done, Nathan woke up and I had no idea what to do next. I could not figure out how to raise the chair in his stroller, Sarah was laughing at me from inside the shop. Finally, I decided just to lift him out and bring him into the salon and leave the darn stroller outside. I don't think Nathan was harmed from this experience with me. Nathan and I have been practicing his crawling every day. I am determined to have him crawling by the end of my stay here - much to the family's delight!
We left Byron Bay and headed for Dorrigo National Park and Rainforest. We left the sunny beach for the rain - what a GREAT IDEA!We were going to spend one night camping in the rainforest. Luckily, it was raining when we arrived in Dorrigo, so instead of camping, we stayed in a cabin. This cabin was $64 for the night and contained 1 double bed, and 2 single beds. Well worth the money for a dry night. So on this camping Australia trip, I have yet to camp, but at least I have used my sleeping bag a lot as the cabins do not come with linen.
The family hiked the rainforest. Since hiking in the rain is not my idea of family fun, I drove around the town looking for a post office to mail off some postcards and found a phone both to call home. I did attempt to join the family on the hike but the family had gone off on side paths and I did not meet up with them until we all made it back to the start of the hike. My hike - 30 minutes and no rain.
After leaving Dorrigo, we continued south until we arrived in South West Rocks. Sarah and I keep calling the place Smooth Rock Falls after our grade 10 history teacher. We have no idea why, but the name change suits us.
We plan to stay here 2 nights and get some diving in. We shall see! At least we have left the rain but my tan is not getting any darker!
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Ann
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Lanoline
Where is it???? :)