Byron Bay (and other such adventures!)

So, last week, as part of an "adventure orientation" for international students, I went on a trip to Byron Bay. Byron is this rather small beach town about an hour from Gold Coast - it is also "the eastern most point of the Australian mainland" (very exciting, I know :P) I loved it though! The beach was... BEAUTIFUL and in the distance you could see blue mountains painted across the horizon. The town itself was also very cool... it was like a little hippie town, honestly. (((Magda & Meg- you both would have LOVED it, I thought of you two the entire time.))) We stayed in a hostel that had direct beach access!

First, we went to the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary where we got to hold Koalas and feed Kangaroos... it was a lot of fun, although a little strange to think that I had eaten kangaroo only a few nights before ;) 

 This is the view of Byron bay we got on our hike to the lighthouse (below). The hike took us about an hour and went up a large hill (although, being from NW Ohio, I considered it a mountain) and through part of a rainforest, it was ridiculously exhausting but an absolutely amazing experience. I trailed way behind the rest of the group (which spread out pretty quickly anyway) and just let myself meld with nature- it was an indescribable feeling... I was at absolute peace with myself and the world.

The lighthouse- behind it is the path to the "most easterly point of the Australian mainland" Which, of course, I hiked to as well. 

On the way back I was walking with Evan and Jesse and we watched another group of kids decide to walk along the beach, what they didn't realize was that the beach they were on was separated from the beach our hostel was on by a huge peninsula of rocks... at one point on our walk back Jesse, Evan and I could see them at the rocks from a path that was much higher up. I have to admit watching the problem solving process was morbidly fascinating. First, they tried to climb the rocks- that was very uncomfortable to watch because it was clearly dangerous but we were too far away to yell to them, let alone do much if something happened. Eventually, they gave up and we kept walking- I assume they turned around and went back the way they came although I do wonder if they tried to climb up to the path next, they probably could have done it. 

My group went Sea Kayaking at 8 o'clock in the morning... it was rough let me tell you. The waves we had to go through trying to get out were intense. Although, I have to brag for just a moment, my partner Joe and I were one of the only pairs who did NOT flip over once :) That being said, the ocean still pretty much managed to kick my ass. We were searching for wales and dolphins but, unfortunately, we didn't find any. I would do it again in a heartbeat though, like I said, it was intense. 

Surfing lessons! Once again, the ocean DESTROYED me. haha. Although, I did manage to stand once. It was funny though, even the one of the instructors made fun of me; after about my third nose dive he came over and said "I keep watching you eat shit, and it's really rather funny" (now read that in an australian accent and you will understand why I laughed so hard I was nearly knocked out by the next wave) It's exciting though, trying to learn something you never thought you could do... it seriously became a mission for me, I was DETERMINED. I have a friend here, too, who surfs and says if I rent a board he'll continue to teach me. 

I also attempted to learn how to skim board from some people at the beach who were doing it. That was also quite interesting :P 

I love being here, I feel like everything and everyone around me radiates adventure and it's awesome. Almost anyone here is up for anything. As soon as I get a job, my first paycheck has already been designated for skydiving. :D