Byron bay at a glance

It was like taking the bus to work. Just an hour flight from Sydney to Byron Bay. Through Jetstar I was able to get a god deal. Just $79 including luggage. That is definitely something to be aware off when travelling by plane here. Because so many people actually take the plane as ‘the bus to work’ just carry-on luggage is included, and adding the luggage afterwards can be very costly.

A short bus ride with a shuttle bus took me from Ballina (where the airport is) to Byron Bay. I got dropped off at ‘the bus stop’, which is right across from where Maya works. It is a travel agency called Backpackers World Travel. She run the shop and knows all about traveling Australia. Definitely a good contact to have.

Maya had to go to a gathering of other travel agents in this bar called The Station. It was supposed to be a training night, which means getting familiar with a new product (hotel/trip/activity), but it turned out to be just having drinks. I tagged along and Maya introduced me to her colleagues/competition. It was a very fruitful night. I got to know a few new people, got offered a room, a free night at EMUS beach resort in Rockhampton and a potential job offer. I guess things move really fast if you get to know the right people.

Maya had to work the next day and I was still recovering from the jetlag and traveling in general. It resulted in going home relatively early. Maya lives on a holiday resort called Oasis. The apartment I get to call home for the next two weeks is awesome. Just a narrow stretch of the Arakwal national park lies between me and the beach. I can hear and see the ocean from the balcony whilst all these to me alien looking birds pass by making even weirder sounds.

I slept in and after having breakfast I went out to discover the resort first. 2 tennis courts, a heated swimming pool and a gym are on the premises. I headed out towards downtown. Byron Bay is a small town of about 9000 people. In the summer apparently the population explodes with the arrival of surfers, hippie and backpackers.

You have a lot of those around here. I still have to get used to that. I don’t mind surfers or backpackers, but hippies get on my nerve. I’m sure they are all very nice people. Open, easy going, loving. The things that you want to find in every person. But hippies also are lazy, don’t contribute to the society they are part of and have poor personal hygiene. If a black person has dreadlocks it is or there belief (Rastafarian) or the choice of hairdo which fits a black guy or girl. If a white person has dreadlocks it is nothing more than lack of shampoo. (Sorry if I’ve offended someone, this is just my humble opinion). I’m drifting off here.

The, so far, best thing about Byron are the beaches. A long seclude one called: Tallow beach. The Main beach and Belongil beach. Beautiful long beaches very suited for long walks or morning runs. Living on Curacao gave me my fair share of beach time. But a long beach to have a nice relaxing walk on is priceless. A cool breeze carrying the smell of the ocean flies past. The sound of waves breaking. Surfers trying to ride those same waves. Like every step is a first one, since the ocean washes away the ones you’ve just made. It is a beautiful place and I can see why so many people come down here.

I made my way up this rock, called The Pass. It is cut off from the main land during high tide. A lookout on top gives a cool view of the surf and an overview of the bay on your left and Cape Byron on the right. This time of year is also the season for humpback whales to pass by here. I haven’t seen any so far, but can’t wait. One of Maya co-workers told me he saw three adults jumping out of the water just yesterday. What a sight that must have been.

I can’t wait for Sunday to arrive. I have booked a skydive! Maya hooked me up with a good deal for the jump and photos and video of the jump. I am so excited. 14,000ft and a full 60 sec free fall over the bay. Wicked!

On day two in Byron I discovered the national park a bit. It is not very big and I did not see any weird animals. Maya warned me to look out for snakes. If I’d see a snake I should stay still and wait until the snake moves away. “Most of the snakes you’ll will be small constrictors, like pythons. Nothing to worry about. But if you see a brown one, don’t wait. Just move”, she said. Turns out the brown snake is one of the most poisonous snakes in Australia. Better watch my step.

Since it is low season in Byron it is hard to get a job. They are not hiring at any of the dive shops, but I do get to volunteer at the Byron Bay Dive Centre. I should swing by on Monday again. They always need dive crew and for me it is a good way to get wet again and do some free diving. Also this will probably result in my first shark encounter ever! Too bad I don’t have underwater camera, but if I see one, I’ll try to be very descriptive. Sharks rule!!

Maya left this morning on vacation to Sri Lanka. I’m watching her apartment until she comes back. It feels a bit weird. Like I am alone again, yet I don’t feel lonely.

There are so many people here that are traveling, just like me. So contacts are easily made.

I’ve also been thinking about changing the purpose of my other blog. The plan was to interview locals and use their portraits as a travel guide. I might still do that, but maybe not online and bundle it or publish hat later. I think I should cater more to the backpackers. Write short stories about places I’ve been and how to get around. Review hostels and travel agencies. This way I get more hits on my page and a bigger chance of making money with it. It also gives me bigger chances of getting free accommodation and perks since people want a positive review. (I know that is abusing journalism a bit, but if you don’t have the money use your wits). So Faces of OZ might change. Even the name, so it’s get googled sooner. Let me know what you think.