tin can heart: Byron Bay and Burleigh Heads!

We’re finally free of Sydney and everything that came along with it – weddings, Australians, wearing clean clothing – and have moved on. We’re amongst other backpackers now for the first time in the six weeks we’ve been in Australia. The last six days were spent in the frenetic little surf town of Byron Bay, charming in all aspects except perhaps its full-to-the-brimness. The town is teeming with backpackers and accents and dreadlocks. All these things are lovely in their own ways, but it’s a bit exhausting to feel like just another one of ten thousand. We met six or seven different people from Kelowna just in our hostel, to give you an idea. Byron Bay introduced us to the relative joys of goon – 4.4 litres of wine sold in a box for 11 dollars. (!!!) Goon is the universal backpacker drink and definitely played a part in a few late nights lying on our backs in the sand on the beach, listening to music and staring at the stars. It also played a part in the giant bruise on my shin from slipping off the insane metal picnic tables that fill the dance floor at the backpackers bar. Not my scene.

We met a few really lovely girls from Kelowna at our hostel and have since moved on to the tiny beachside town of Burleigh Heads with them. We’ve rented a gorgeous two bedroom apartment between five girls for the week. It’s a deal and we have a fully equipped kitchen, living room, balcony, and view of the ocean! Burleigh Heads is tiny and sunny and just outside the apparently gaudy and over-developed (but nonetheless very popular) city of Surfer’s Paradise. I think its going to be a beautiful quiet little week of swimming in the ocean and eating right after a few too many nights out in Byron Bay. I’m looking forward to seven days of rest and girl time before I head to Noosa by myself for a few days. Once again but no less sincerely, I miss you all. I hope spring in Canada is treating you as gorgeously as early fall is us here in Australia.

apparently this is one of the most scenic sites in Australia but it rained so hard that it was impossible to see past the end of your arm. So, just me in the picture then.