Monday started before dawn with a plane up to the Gold Coast so we could go to Byron Bay. We stayed in the Backpacker's Inn on the Beach. The accommodation was basic but the hostel was really cool and had loads of extra things on offer. Gerard took full advantage of the free body board hire and did his best to ride the waves constantly. The weather was slightly patchy but brightened up each afternoon and we had tonnes of time lazing on the white sands. Byron's beaches were gorgeous and the town had a very relaxed bohemian vibe with plenty places to eat and drink.
We woke up to grey skies on day two but after an hour of chilling in a hammock in the hostel gardens it was soon sunny and time for the beach. That evening the hostel offered a bbq with all you can drink sangria in our hostel and a free fire show. We laughed at how much water the fire-eater was drinking after the show. During the party we got chatting to lots of people, mainly doing gap years - jealous, and Gerard decided to have a drinking contest with an American...Scotland won.
After much persuasion Gerard talked me into trying out an activity so we were up bright and early to the sunniest and hottest day so far so we could go sea kayaking to hopefully see some dolphins. We had lunch outside a cafe at 7 am and could feel ourselves burning all ready! We were picked up by the bus at 8 and after a very quick lesson on how to use the paddles we were kitted out with life jackets and helmets - which turned out to be very necessary. There was a big group of us - maybe ten boats in total (2 to a boat). Me and Gerard were the second to try to get our boat over the huge waves by the shore. We tackled the majority - with lots of splashing on our faces and squealing from myself (not used to getting my face wet) and just as we were about to reach the instructor further out in the sea a huge wave broke and tipped me out of the boat, and Gerard came tumbling after. We were trying to keep hold of our oars and locate the boat and keep our heads above the water, which was not easy considering how many more waves kept battering us whilst we were down. We made it back to the beach just in time to see the same thing happen to another pair. It took three attempts but we eventually made it - and we weren't the slowest. We were out at sea for the best part of two hours but unfortunately didn't see any wildlife. The rowing was incredibly hard work and the water was still very choppy. We headed back slightly early with another pair - feeling quite sea sick. The thrill of making it back without falling on the waves again was amazing - especially as we watched everyone else including the instructors fail on their way back in and fall over. Thanks to Mum and Dad for their holiday money which paid for the experience. We had a ball but don't think we'd be likely to try again. We definitely have aching shoulders today.
Afterwards the hard work wasn't over as we decided to climb up to the lighthouse overlooking the bay, which is the most easterly point in the whole of Australia. It took us about 45 minutes to reach the top but the views were well worth it and we had been walking through a rainforest with lots of interesting noises. We even passed a giant lizard plodding along on the way back down.
The rest of the day we soaked up the last of the rays on the beach with a few large scoops of well-earned ice-cream and got back to Sydney just in time for bed.
Fiona
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