Surf's Up Duuude!
Byron Bay,
Australia
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Yes, we're in Byron Bay. A mecca for surfer wannabes, and of course hippy wannabes too. We're fitting right in, but I'm not sure under which category. We're here from Sydney for a week to finally do what we've talked about since we left Glasgow: hang out on a beach, learn to surf, get sunburnt, and generally take it easy... I have to admit I'm very glad that we no longer have a vehicle, and I'm also glad to see the back of the tent. Yes, the camping leg of our trip is over for the foreseeable future, and I can't say I'm missing it.
So we're booked into a YHA hostel for six nights, our bus back to Sydney is sorted, and basically we are proper backpackers now. There are no illusions that we are doing anything other than having a good time here, no pretensions of travelling (man) or a search for cultural experience, nope, we're here for the beaches and the sunshine, and it is fantastic.
We haven't done all that much so far, but this morning we had a surf lesson which was great fun. I'm considering hiring a board to splash about like an overgrown child in 3ft of water some more... But I'll have to wait until my muscles stop aching. It was actually kind of hard work. But even though I'm 30 years old and supposedly a mature adult, I have to say that jumping around in the water with a huge chunk of plastic with fins on it really is some of the best fun you can have with your clothes (barely hanging) on... Other activities so far include frisbee, soccer on the beach, and lounging around reading/drinking/eating.
This is my third time in Byron and so in the interests of consistency: Byron is a hell of a lot more developed since I was here last. The Woolworths is now surrounded by shops, there are loads of extra streets and new shopping malls - all little alternative independent places, of course, with all the surfer gear along with the hippy gear and the alternative lifestyle gear. Having said all that it's still a hell of a laid back place. And no wonder with the amazing climate and the beautiful beaches. I haven't seen too much hippy wannabe shit going on, thankfully - last time I was here I stayed at the Arts Factory and was surrounded by it. That place is now the Arts Factory Village, incorporating the Pighouse cinema but with loads of very nice new bits added like a huge bar, spaces for Capoeira and Yoga, etc, etc.
All this alternative lifestyle is big business, right enough, but I'm too relaxed to mind or to pay too much attention. I had been a little apprehensive about the East Coast backpacker route, and yes there is a wet t-shirt competition on tonight at Cheeky Monkeys, but it's easy to avoid that stuff and just have a good time. Right, I'm off to do some yoga on the beach to stretch and relax my aching surfing muscles...
