Schoolies week in Byron

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The roads from Coffs to Byron are quiet and well maintained and the countryside beautiful. Our sat-nav lady does almost all of the rest so driving isn't really a major burden when it's only for 4 or so hours. We checked into the YHA place and went to have a nose around. It seems fairly chilled in Byron and a little hippyish. The beaches are beautiful, with squeaky white sand and fish 'n' chips is order of the day. There is definitely a lot of drinking to be done here if the mood is right. We had a couple of beers at the big Beach Hotel bar and after showering went for an inadvertantly posh meal at a place called balcony. I'm having a really good time wid da boys but it is carving through my finances. I was tired adn feeling poor so flaked early in the evening but O&M went for it in a big way. They were very merry when they made it back to the dorm at around 3am. There was live music and cheesy clubbing on offer by their accounts.

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Next day...

We hadn't confirmed our desire to stay on one more night and as a result were woken early as we had to be out by 10am. The phrasing of the staff member was entertaining though:

"Do you guys want to stay another night?"

"Errr, yes please."

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"You can't. You room's been taken. Be out by 10am please."

This did not go down well with the hungover M&O who were struggling with being awake let alone having their hopes of a lie in dashed so recklessly. We looked around for something else as we did want to stay and after trying a few places settled on the first one we'd been to. It was a motel with a small apartment with a balcony, oven and fridge. Only a little more than a dorm too! We went to have breakfast while we waited for it to be free and realised quickly that the place was filling up for Schoolies Week, hwich is when all the highschool kids head for the beach towns to celebrate the end of their exams etc. The breakfast was awesome and I destroyed mine. Oli did likewise, but Martin's delicate stomach was likely to reject his and went back almost untouched. This was of some concern for the chef and the waiter came out to ask if it was ok, to which Martin honestly replied that he was too hungover to eat. I found it all a bit of a giggle but also hoped his form would improve through the day.

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The apartment was good 'n' comfy and we can also save a few bucks by eating in. We then went to the beach to brave the strong rays from the sun and the almost chilly water. It put into context how spoilt I was in Goa as it really tightened your nuts up first stepping in. The water was, however, crystal clear and the waves good fun. We did the Byron thing and got fish 'n' chips and sat watching the waves (trying not to be distracted by the topless chicks nearby!) froma grassy knoll. We spent the early part of the evening in eating, and playing cards while Oli and I drank and Martin started to find his feet. He got a beer down and was almost back in the game so we went out . We caught a really good live band at the Beach Hotel who played a kind of reggae/ska with quick tempos and some latin influences. I was definitely on the way when we hit the next venue, the Great Northern Hotel. Everything is a blur except a wonderful kebab and urging Oli to talk to some iffy chick. I was having a ball!