Byron Bay Feb 22,23 2010

(Colin going for a swim at the beach)

(Beer break after a day on the beach at Bryon Bay)

(Supper in Byron Bay)

(Debra this ones for you - the clog barn on the way to HUnter Valley)

Well guys we had a BLAST in Byron bay. The first day we spent blogging, walking around and shopping in all the millions of little shops (what fun) there may also have been a beer break or two to watch the Canada vr USA hockey game as well. We then spent the afternoon at the beach watching the surfers and body borders and apparently getting eaten alive by sand flies. They are invisible and you can't feel them when they bit but HOLY SHIT look out after a few hours, we both have a lot of VERY VERY itchy bites that are now large welts. The locals were looking at us like we were retarded and saying "why are you not wearing repellent?" ummmmm we don't know was our answer, were do we get some? "at the chemist (pharmacist) and good luck tonight with the itching" Great!!!!! Anyway that aside we still had a blast.

The next day we got up early and were off on a kayak trip with the dolphins, this company guarantees dolphin sightings so I thought this would help to cure my life long quest to actually see dolphins and whales in the ocean. 3.5 hours later and an episode of motion sickness no dolphins - damn it! It was still REALLY fun and interesting Kayaking through the giant waves that the people were surfing on. The water was so so extremely clear you could see right to the bottom and it was very different. So we did see parrot fish and small turtles etc. After the the kayaking we had to rush to our next venue which was a 3.5hr surfing lesson. HOLY MOLY surfing is HARD. The hardest part is getting the right part of the wave, we both got up several times though. Colin was far better than myself. I only walked away with a small bad rash and a little blood on one of knees. I wish I had some bad ass surfing storey for it, but I simply was walking with my surf board down the shallow water to go back out again and I got my feet tangled in my leash, then with one quick step tied the tangle right tight as though someone had tied my legs together with twine, then of course I fell and then the next wave did me in. So I am laying in the water, with my legs tied to together, my surf board over my head drowning and watching the two year old doing playing in the waves beside me with no concern. Colin my night in shinning armour who could have came to help me chose to stand laughing and pointing from the beach. I considered how the headlines would read - "ex lifeguard tourist ties her legs together with surf board leash, and drowns in shin deep water, or was saved by a two year old local"!!! Anyway I did manage to get myself out of the predicament and it ended with a LOT LOT of hysterical laughter - which was good! I promise the rest of my surfing time I was a totally cool surfer dude!! We had a blast in Byron bay. Yesterday we drove to the Hunter Valley wine region and we are currently waiting for our wine tour bus at which should pick us up in about in 50min at 10am. Thanks for all the comments.