Byron Bay and beyond

March 12
Spent the morning in the hotel room packing and getting ready to go get the van........Took a taxi there. Before I could leave I had to watch two videos, one on driving on the left side of the road and the other on the maintenance of the van. Well, the guy finally brought the van around and I was stunned. It's not a camper van, it's classed as a motorhome. Casa Mighty sleeps 5... count them 5 people. It's 2.8 meters higher than the average van, has a bed that opens up at the top and the other bed out to the width of the van. It has a microwave, fridge, freezer, sink, an electricity. Getting in the van is like climbing into a monster truck!

I left after my orientation and headed out towards Port McQuariie... but I had to get out of Sydney first!! There are 2 ways out of Sydney, via the tunnel (you have to pay a toll) and the other is over the Harbour Bridge (which I just climbed yesterday). Me being me.... I opted for the cheaper way out. This meant manouvearing Casa Mighty through Downtown. After many twists and turns (and getting lost, of course) I finally made it onto Harbour Bridge. I was so proud of myself.... first I climbed Harbour Bridge, now I drove over Harbour Bridge!!!!

I never made it to Port McQuarie..... why? Because I got lost, made a wrong turn and landed up in North Haven, about 38 km away. I was so tired and stressed that I decided to stay at the Holiday Park I had passed last. It was closed, but I managed to track the manager down and asked him if he could open for me. A lady alone.... how could he say NO. Got settled and headed out to the beach. The sun had just gone down, the waves were pounding, and the wind was blowing. Just as I got back to Casa Mighty, the lightening started followed by the loud booms of thunder. It was neat to fall asleep listening to it (it went on for most of the night).
Emerald Beach - stopped for lunch

March 13
Got up and decided @ 7:30 am that I'd get breakfast on the road. Off to Port McQuarie where I found a cute little cafe called Cerido. Headed off for Byron Bay (about 3 hours drive). Now, I don't know what happened... I got to Byron Bay at about 3:30 pm (of course I got lost). Went in to get a site, the Holiday Park was full. So off I go in search of another one. Found one... Beach on Byron. Got settled and went to find Tallow Beach. It is a beautiful beach with white sand. The wind and waves were wild.

March 14
Woke up to heavy rain, so I took my time getting up. After breakfast, I headed out to find the Lighthouse. I had heard that there was a paid parking lot at the top and a free one 300 m below the Lighthouse. I pulled into the first paid parking lot and started walking.... and walking.... and walking. Apparently, I parked in a lot for The Pass beach. 25 minutes later, after risking my life, walking on the side of the road I arrive at the Lighthouse only to find the paid parking lot I was supposed to go to. Beautiful views and a great breeze at the top (it was a long hot walk). I headed out to the Eastern Point view point, got half way there, took a picture and headed back. Too hot to walk to the end. On the way down (one way road), I found the free parking lot!!!!

In town I stopped at a restaurant called "mongers" and had fish and chips (it was so yummy). After that I headed down to the beach (so nice to have my house with me) and played in the surf. It's been years since I did that. I watched 2 little girls (around 7 and 9 years old) grab their surf boards and head out to catch a wave.

Byron Bay is a hippy dippy kind of town. Its a place where all hippies got to visit but really never leave. The atomostphere is very relaxed.