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Published: July 15th 2006
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'sup everyone
I'm back in a more civilized part of the country and actually have some free time for the next couple days. That means I can finally do a real update on my blog. This is obviously cause for global celebration.
I'm currently in Surfer's Paradise which is in southern Queensland. Honestly, it's a pretty miserable place. Picture Niagara falls, only with the ocean instead of the waterfall. The city consists of commercialized shopping areas, casinos and tourist traps. It even has the many of the same attractions as Niagara, such as a Ripley's museum and Hard Rock Cafe. The only upside is Simon (my cousin)works here in one of the hostels. I knew he was somewhere in the city when i showed up but i didn't think he'd be so easy to find. When I got of the bus he was literally the first person i saw.
My dislike of Surfer's Paradise is compounded at the moment because I'm just coming from my favorite place I have ever been in this world so far. (side note: I think i just saw the smallest dog in the world. Seriously, its body is the size of my fist.) But i digress.
The Happy Coach
Here's the bus that took me to Nimbin. Yes, the acronym is intentional. The entire area to the east of Byron Bay is as close to paradise as it gets. The central town is a place called Nimbin. It is one of the world's counterculture capitals, full of free loving hippies and other societal castoffs. I'm pretty sure i could walk down the street completely naked and nobody would bat an eye. If you are unable to conform in a typical location this is where you go.
I stayed at a place out of town called the rainbow retreat. This is where i got my first real taste of Australian wildlife. Wallabies hopped around like they owned the place. Our toilet is also the home to a crazily colored snake which was taller than me if stretched out from end to end. Needless to say it turned an ordinary night time bowel movements into a terrifying sequal to the anaconda movie franchise. The entire region around Nimbin used to be a huge volcano. The volcano has eroded away leaving a circle of mountains surrounding a diverse rainforest. Hiking and sightseeing in the area is unbelievable. It is one incredible sight after another. No surprise that all the retired hippies settled here. It just
seems as though the energy all around you is different there. The rain water tastes better, animals act like animals and food literally grows everywhere for anyone to pick up themselves.
As for Nimbin itself, I have never seen anything like it. The police are unable and unwilling to enter the town. It has a much deserved reputation as the marijuna capital of the world. More than three quarters of the businesss on the main drag are cannibas and hemp related. The main bar in town is the hemp bar. Needless to say, they don't serve any alcohol. If hanging out with crazy old stoned men is your thing, this is the place to be. I've never been to Amsterdam but i doubt it is even half as unrestricted as Nimbin. Although it is close enough to a perfect place I've seen, there are still some problems. The no law enforcement has allowed plenty of harder drug dealers to move in. The dealers can get quite pushy as well, but normally they respect a polite rejection to their advances. The only time I was feeling a little uncomfortable was in the Nimbin museum "coffee" shop. A young kid, probably around
The Nimbin Rocks
this interesting rock formation on the outskirts of town is very significant to the local aboriginal population. 14, sat down at a table and calmly loaded a handgun to show off to his friends. Needless to say, I was out of there pretty quick.
Hitchhiking in the area is a great way to have some interesting conversations. The sunday market was about an hours drive away and i had to hitch there and back. On the way there i got to hear all kinds of 9/11 conspiracy theories and on the way back I learned all about my past lives.
As for Byron Bay, it was a bit of a let down. I stayed at an anal retentive backpackers called the arts factory. I've never in my life had to put down a security deposit in exchange for a coffee mug. I want to keep heading north for the time being. I'm craving some hot weather and there are way too many tourists in Byron and the Gold Coast. I should be headed up to Brisbane tomorrow or the next day, depending on how messy the pub crawl gets tonight. I'll be sure to get plenty of incriminating photographs of Simon for his family to see 😊.
Stay tuned,
Brian
Also, check out www.nimbinhempbar.com/webcam to watch
Nimbin
typical building on Nimbin's main drag some of the crazy action in the hemp bar. Check out the fridge on the right hand side of webcam #2. Do you see a yellow toque placed on top. Does it look familiar? That's right, it used to be mine. I'll write the story of how it ended up there at a later time. Peace out.
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Aunt K
non-member comment
More incriminating than what we have!?
We already have pictures of Simon "sleeping" with empty bottles in his hand; said pictures having been sent by the man himself. Anything any juicier might be too much for us. And what do you mean "old" men; surely they couldn''t be any older than your esteemed aunt and uncle and we are NOT old.