Byron Bay

Picturesque lighthouse.
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Byron Bay seems to be the one place that everyone comes if they're traveling the east coast.It's reputation as the place to be has spread far and wide. I even saw a T.V programme exalting it's merits whilst in Malaysia.

It's a lively place , full of coffee shops and restaurants. These days mind , I don't go to places like these. Coffee and toast  I can make in the kitchen . Theres no way I'd pay  $8 for the same in a cafe.

It definitely attracts a younger crowd than other places I've been too. I don't mind that in itself ; theres always a few old farts like me to talk to too as well. But the oldies aren't the ones who wake you up at 4 am when they fall out of bed or find they're locked out the room!

Rainbow in the spray.
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Despite the numbers  here theres still plenty of beaches to go round. I borrowed a bike from the backpackers and a short ride away there were wide sandy stretches with not a soul on them. On the way I saw lots of birds ; very few  of which i know the names of of course. I  saw a flock of parakeets ; each one a vivid mix of orange , blue , yellow and green. ( I think they're the same species i had a photo taken with in Outshorn , Africa , last year.)

I also saw a few wild turkeys , which , like Ibis,  have learned that where people are , food is often nearby and so have become pretty tame.