Sydney - Byron Bay

Me and Jelly Belly
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Hi everyone,

Welcome to my east coast action. I have decided to split it up into sections so its more manageable for you, the reader! If I typed it up into just 1 entry, it would go on forever! And I want to give all of you the chance to have a tea/coffee break and stretch your legs! I am good to you!

She is called Jelly Belly!

So... it all starts in Sydney. Morning of February 24th, after a fairwell party, me and the boys pack the hired camper van for the first time! Just check out the van!! How cool. She is called Jelly Belly!

Leaving Party! :-(
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Anyway, It was time to hit the road. I met some really cool people at 773 south dowling, so its always a little sad to say goodbye. Holding back the tears I hugged and kissed the gang one last time and piled into the Van. We weren't sure of first stop - just somewhere up the coast a bit! So thats where we headed. We left sydney in style, crossing the harbor bridge and waving at the Opera House.

I was driving, Daan and Renz sat beside me. The Van does have 3 seats, however - we think that it was designed for 2 grown men and a cat! Daan and Renz are both about 6' 3" and when we are all in the front - the amount of room is ridiculous! whoever is in the middle has to crank their neck to the side and also has to deal with the rear view mirror tickling their nose. The Handbrake is basically out of action because the person in the middle uses it as a seat and is fondled every time its needed. So driving skills are used to the maximum. We  lasted 2 hours in this position until - we decided that someone was always going to have to go in the back!

Beach number 1 (1 mile beach)
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So... we drove for about 3 hours and came to a place called Nelsons Bay. We checked the lonely planet for places to stay. It recommended somewhere just off 1 mile beach. It was great. Lovely campsite and good facilities, cool people and wildlife all around - As we arrived a lady was feeding a kangaroo, there were wild koalas in the trees too! We went to check the beach out which was very nice and then made some food. We had a couple of beers to celebrate our first road trip. then to bed - I drew the short straw this time and was relegated to the tent!

A Koala
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The next morning we paid $20 to the guy who owed the hostel and he took a group of us out onto the sand dunes in a 4X4. It was pretty cool off road action. We stopped at the top of one for a bit of sand boarding (as you do!). It was awesome, you go pretty fast and its always funny to see a wipe out! even though it does hurt a bit! I still wake up with sand in my bed!! where is it coming from!! After the tour, we packed up and hit the road. The guy at the hostel recommended a place to stop next. We headed to Belligan. Just off the main Highway north, along a road called 'waterfall way' we arrived at the Belligan YHA. It was pretty quiet but actually really nice. It is built on the side of a hill, overlooking a river and rainforest beyond. The town is very small but had a nice pub/bar and a really relaxed feeling. We relaxed on the veranda, chewed the fat with the the other 3 people in the hostel and watched Bridget jones's diary!all good fun!

Sandboarding
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after a sweaty night in the van we got ourselves sorted early and made tracks, stopping off on the scenic drive to see the odd waterfall. Lovely! Our destination, Byron Bay.

Byron Bay is my favorite town on the east coast. You can even sense the chilled, laid back atmosphere as you drive in. Lots of good looking people wandering the street, a beautiful long beach and a nice selection of shops, cafes and bars. We found a cracking campsite just off the beach with great facilities and a few other 'wicked' van travelers to socialise with. We originally were only spending 2 nights here but liked it so much we extended it for one more.

Renz ready to shoop!
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During the days we lazed about on the beach, topping up the tan. a bit of body surfing now and again and generally taking it easy. After all, thats what we are here for! One afternoon we headed to cape byron. This is the most easterly point of the australian mainland (as you can see from the picture in front of the sign). We managed to spot some dolphins playing about just off the cliff too!

The evenings were spent enjoying the nightlife. An excellent bar called 'The railway' was my favorite, but a close second came 'the balcony'. Its actually a restaurant but the welcoming staff allowed us to have a drink anyway!

the long walk back!
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We ended up in a place called Cheeky monkeys. Its pretty much for the hundreds of backpackers to let their hair down and make drunken fools out of themselves! Spot on!

Hmmm. i think thats it really. Oh we went to the cinema here as well. Went to see 'Apocalypto' I thought it was amazing - good on ya Mel!

So guys, thats part one of the coast. Only 5 days from sydney but well on our way! Next up is Surfers Paradise - Noosa (where we have the night from Hell....)

Big Love XX