An east coast journey
Not so Gold Coast
Unlike home the Gold Coast does not have a charm when it’s a driech, and I was lucky enough to spend time here when it was in fact driech.
I was lucky enough to have one day which was opposite of that, fortunately. It was sunny and warm, when the breeze died down, and you can see why this place has the name it does. Off in the distance were big puffy white clouds floating by, but the city itself was basking in the sunshine and blue skies.
As I sat on Southport pier there are locals fishing, jetskis zipping past and couples enjoying the Sunday sun. This is partly what I pictured when people spoke of the Gold Coast.
I even took a tram ride to try and see if there people were surfing (there wasn’t)… there wasn’t and shame it wasn’t really warm enough to lie on the beach for a day.
I do have to shoutout Daily Happy, a coffee shop which I visited numerous times. The coffee, almond croissants and vibes were just what I needed!
And I promise to wear sunscreen Jaro!
Byron Gray
I’ve not had the greatest luck with the Australian springtime weather unfortunately, I did manage to go for a dunk in the sea and spend some time on the beach which I’m super glad about… shame it wasn’t quite as much as I had wanted to.
Byron as a place though was very much somewhereI could’ve spent more time. Its a great little coastal town with great coffee spots and an gelato shop which is definitely in my top 5… shame its on this side of the world.
The day with the worst weather I took myself up to the lighthouse and spent a good portion of the day doing to coastal walk which was nice. It was bloody windy though and there wasn’t any sun but it was a nice enough day all things considered. Dolphins and whales both made appearances which was lovely to see again.
The last full day the weather came to play and I took my camera for a wander late afternoon and that turned out to be one of the highlights of my time in Australia so far. I spent a good wee while at a beach snapping shots of surfers catching waves and then the pièce de résistance I saw a koala and its joey, it was something that was high on my list for Aus and i’m immensely happy I had the chance to see not 1 but 2 koalas in the wild.
Once again I met some lovely people in Byron… Diego I hope you see the Norther Lights, Matt enjoy your time travelling and I’ll see you in Melbourne, Alice I hope you found a flat and to the Germans, Paula and Emily ,do I even need to say it?
A storm in a port
I headed onto Port Macaquarie, a quaint beach town about half way between Byron and Sydney. I found a nice little beach which was about halfway along the local coastal path and I spent a good chunk of time sitting at it and reading my book.
Don’t get me wrong it was a nice little town but there was nowt much to do and I think that was exasperated the wobble I was on the brink of having. The bus between Byron and here had let me stew which wasn’t ideal either and then I just tipped over the edge.
It was a mixture of a little bit of homesickness at near the two month mark, not really having a plan in place for the next few steps on the trip and not really having anyone to speak to for the first time in a while.
Fortunately I have some kickass people in my corner who I called into action, Mum and Dad fire fought and did a great job of getting me back on the saddle, to Rossco you knew, as always, the chat we needed to have and then there was words of encouragement from Holly which helped cement the work of everyone else. Luckily I had some more chats lined up with people at home and that helped me as well and Sparlingo and Ali both chatted away while I waited for the bus which again I’m very glad of.
I have one more thanks and that’s to Thomas who was waiting for the bus north who accepted my offer at a game of chess, it gave me some breathing room and is one of highlights from Port Mac. I hope to see you and Lynn in Melbourne.
Emma, I promise to visit Arnhem and look forward to seeing you there. Body good luck with the placement!
Big city lights
I’m going to spare everyone the chat about the coach journey but it was not great.
I’m in a really central spot in a capsule hostel which I have found to be a really good fit for me. I have already been out and about and I’m excited to explore chinatown which is super near by.
Sydneys architecture is immense and very varied which is really getting my photography itch going and tonights sunset was immense, giving me a really great chance to take some photos.
I’m here for a good length of time and I’m looking forward to spending time exploring the city.
Toddy
Current Locale - 🇦🇺
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