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Published: August 21st 2010
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“Bloody Byron Bay” was the bus drivers response when I told him my name and destination. Didn't really get it, but I think it was a joke. So there I was boarding a Greyhound bus in Surfers, after a couple hours of laying on the beach in the morning sunshine. The day was gorgeous, the bus ride beautiful as we drove past beaches and into the hills. In 2 hours time I was getting off the bus in Byron Bay in the afternoon sunshine. This town is quite a contrast to Surfers. Gone are the busy streets, the loud noises, the limousines, the posh shops, busy beaches and the skyscrapers. Hello to two storey buildings, relaxed streets, independently owned shops, friendly people and a nice beach.
In a short walk I found a hostel, dropped of my bags then headed for the beach. Byron Bay itself is a beautiful arcing beach surrounded by hills. Some surfers, some sun bathers, some families. A nice quiet beach. I went back to get my guitar as I had seen a park bench with a nice view which made me want to play in that spot. My guitar session winded down when the sun
was getting low in the sky. I walked along the beach and watched the sun creep below the hills and leave the bay in a glow of darkening orange.
At the hostel I met some good people. One of the first people I met was a really stoned Canadian guy laying in a hammock playing guitar. So later on that evening we had a little guitar jam with some of the other gang from the hostel.
The next morning I got up early and set out on a hike to the lighthouse. The lighthouse is perched on a hill overlooking the bay and takes around an hour to reach. The trails lead to secluded beaches, through rainforest and into the hills with amazing panoramic views of the bay, the sea and the town itself. Once I reached the lighthouse and was enjoying the view of the ocean below, I heard people getting all excited about something. I looked to where these people were pointing to, and caught a glimpse of a large whale surfacing for a quick second out at sea. We all waited and watched, and in the few minutes that I participated I caught a few
glimpses of some whales (it was from a good distance though).
Time goes at its own pace in Byron Bay, and I was warned ahead of time about this. Over the course of my 4 days I found that time was something one never thought of. Get up, enjoy the weather (the beach, hikes, guitar sessions with a view or even window shopping at some of the unique shops in town), have some beers with the hostel gang. One thing about this town is that everybody is friendly. You could find yourself in a shop, having a good chat with the shopkeeper about weather or travel or the area. We even found time to watch the bats fill the sky above the hostel in the orange glow after sunset each night. There were loads of them, swooping, making noises in the darkening sky all flying the same direction.
I played alot of guitar in Byron Bay as I had met another Canadian guy who was travelling with a guitar. We had similar tastes in music, so it worked out well. We kept everybody entertained with our own version of “Leaving on a jet plane” that became “Leaving on
a greyhound” as every night another traveller would say their goodbyes before departing for the Greyhound station.
Tuesday arrived, bringing with it some serious weight. My flight to Melbourne was due to leave Wednesday night from the Gold Coast. So I had to book my bus to get me to the airport on time or not book the bus, skip the flight and wander for a few more days or weeks. My mentally had completely changed, I was having so much fun and I was really getting used to this weather in the mid twenties and sunshine. The relaxed routines I had carved for myself, the constant flow of new and interesting people and just the feeling of doing whatever I wanted was serious fuel for me wanting to skip my flight. But later on in the day I finally went to purchase my ticket. My gut feeling was that it wasn't the right decision but I do have a good circle of friends to spend my last 3 weeks in Melbourne with.
Tuesday I partied as it was the last day of my vacation. Trivia at another hostel then out to a bar for a few drinks
(We finished second in trivia). It was a really fun night and throughout the whole night the battle continued, “Should I stay or should I go?”. Wednesday was a beautiful morning, Elliott and me spent the morning on the beach with the guitars. I had a beer in the afternoon sunshine then boarded my bus. As the coach pulled away, I had to keep telling myself that I had made the right decision (but I didn't believe myself). I boarded my flight, it was 27 degrees at Coolangatta, and in two hours time I stepped off the plane and into a 10 degree Melbourne night with some cool winds.
A few days have passed since my return to Melbourne. I have a sun tan and have been getting comfortable into my new role of having a full time social life due to not having a job. One thing has not changed I made a bad decision and should have spent a few more days up north. I'm living Melbourne and dreaming “Bloody Byron Bay”.
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Martin Ladyr
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Hey dude, also have so incredible memories for Byron Bay.