Byron Bay - Welcome to Hippy Central !!!

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  Byron Bay, Australia
Monday, March 24, 2008

Arrived in Byron Bay about 30 minutes behind schedule. We crawled into the town for the last hour, typical bank holiday traffic !!! According to my Greyhound schedule, we were leaving Brisbane at 09.00am and arriving at 12.45pm. However the clocks moved forward an hour when we crossed the border from Queensland into New South Wales. After all these hours on a coach we have finally moved from one state into another! So journey time only actually 3 hours 15 mins allowing for delay.
Coach drops us on the main street - Johnson Street, the place is packed. I can only describe the place as hippy central - it is like going back in time to Woodstock, there are so many people dressed in flower power stuff, and of all ages too !! There are camper vans of varying sizes and conditions, many all hand painted or sprayed up !!
One made me laugh, as it had a group of girls packed into one, chugging down the road. And it had the Coke logo on the side - ENJOY COKE. But the K had been changed to a C. I bet they are getting plenty of attention as they drive into town!!!!!
The hostel was only 5 minutes walk from the bus stop, and was one of the smaller ones. In general I have found those ones to be better, and certainly more friendly. Had a great room which was on the first floor, it had a large balcony with table and chairs with a view down the road to the main strip - great for people watching! ( Made up a bit for the fact it was quite pricey ! )
Late afternoon I went for a wander down the main road. The place was still absolutely buzzing with people, many of them coming and going from the Jazz Festival.

Byron Beach

Went to the beach and stayed there for an hour, once again ideal for watching all the crazies on their surf boards. No one seemed to be having much success.
Had an email from my Canadian Buddies I met in Fraser Island. They are unable to get their camper on a site, so are staying in surfers paradise for another couple of days - bit of a shame, but the place does seem it is already full to bursting, and any accommodation is a total premium.
Got back to the hostel at about 8pm, and decided to spend the rest of the evening on my balcony reading my book, with a bottle of Banrock Station fizzy red wine. Most wines ar similar in price to home, but this works out three pounds fifty a bottle - 8 or 9 quid at home - major bargain!!

Started Easter Monday feeling abit lethargic, I think its the bubbles that does it. Decided to spend the day on the beach. Have got my big coach journey tonight to Sydney, so feel like having a relaxing day.
Weather is absolutely great again today. Very hot but with a good breeze on the beach. Sea is that lovely aqua green colour, and nice and warm. The waves seem much bigger today, and there are lots of people surfing ( or trying to ) am sure I have not seen anyone stay on a board for more than 5 seconds yet.
Wandered back down the main street to the hostel about 4pm. Soon as I get off the beach out of the breeze, am wondering whether the factor 30 has done its job!!
There are lots of street entertainers about this afternoon. There is one guy who had a huge crowd of people watching him, he has all the gear, amplifier etc, and was singing and playing the guitar. Had an amazing voice actually - looked a bit like Ozzy Osbourne - though come to think of it Byron Bay seems to be filled with people that look like him - and have some of the same hobbies too !
Stopped for a chicken Kebab, which was really good, and picked up another bottle of Banrock, purely medicinal to help me sleep once I get on the coach. The Bombay Saphire has taken a hammering also, so dont want to be caught short, bitter lemon bottles are ready for the coach!
Well its time to head for the coach again, thats my 2 days/ 1 night here in Byron Bay over. What a cool place, have spoken to a few people that have arrived here weeks ago, and stayed around, I can understand why.
I can see the Greyhound coach being pretty packed tonight. So its 13.5 hours to Sydney...............

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Someone else admiring the view!

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