Day 9 June 26-- Byron Bay -- One of the high points for our girls, because this area is where Thor and his family live! Yes, the Helmsworth beach front property is right around here--- and word is that they were in town the day we were there... sadly, DW and DDs did not see them, despite their best efforts.
It was an early morning, with departure at 7:15 post breakfast, for a drive to Byron Bay, located and named by Captain James Cook in 1770 when he found safe anchorage here. Our group was divided into two parts of about 17, each to do both activities. We started in Byron Bay first with ocean kayaking. As they say down under, "It's about to get real."
We get to a nice park, hop out of the bus and walk over to a very enthusiastic group of "surfer types…" (Is everyone in this country fit, tanned and athletic? I guarantee that did not describe the bulk of us on the bus!)
The check-in was quick and easy, with full wetsuits, helmets (only for the shallow wave sections) and ocean kayaks with paddles. The folks gave us wetsuits to go over our swimwear - don’t care how warm the water is-- get the wetsuits. They feel a little clammy putting them on, but they feel a lot better that the stings of box jellyfish! People told DW that at the various beaches in this area they have boxes with spray vinegar for emergency jellyfish stings. Mind--- we never SAW a jellyfish--- but ABD wasn’t taking any risks!
We fitted the wetsuits and took off dragging these kayaks down to the ocean. We were two to a kayak. The lessons were short, sweet, and right on. If you paid attention for two minutes (i.e. my DW), you could master this. They had four additional kayak guides with us, and one ABD guide. Several of the younger kids partnered with a kayak guide. (When asked by DD, the kayak guide said the Chris Helmsworth was surfing in the area just slightly before we got there…Nope-- still didn’t see him.) DD said they did not care; they just enjoyed watching all the surfers. It was a struggle to get them focused back on paddling with all the buff guys around.
The kayak guides "launched" each of us, one at a time, to paddle through the rather nice large waves at the surf, and no one capsized. We then paddled quite a ways around the point of Byron Bay, the eastern most point in Australia. We passed numerous paddleboarders, and surfers, and watched some fellows on some very large waves surf to shore, with their starting point less than 25 yards from us. We paddled around to the point to view the lighthouse. The guides made several stops, and filled in a great story about Byron Bay, it's history and how proud they are of what has happened here. You'll have to come to hear the stories - no spoilers here!
It was whale migration season and several in our group saw humpbacks with calves surface nearby but we were too busy being in a pod of dolphins. We were on the water for probably two hours - with perfect 72 degree weather. Several people jumped into the water for a quick dip. We got out further than DW expected. Looking up, we could see the lighthouse we were supposed to visit later in the day. We saw a couple of people surfing to the right of us-- and the women were sure it was Chris Helmsworth. Frankly, DW says most of the Aussie guys on that beach look like Thor, so I suspect he's just out here hiding in plain sight! Again, all these people are physically fit and loving life.
We returned to the beach, with the guides sending us in one at a time to master the impressive waves by shore. We "surfed" a nice five foot wave nearly all the way to shore. We felt like we were 18 again. So much fun! Unfortunately, several of our compatriots did not successfully surf and discovered the joys and hardships of swamping their kayaks. The short lesson was clear - always keep the point of the boat into or directly out of a wave. Sideways you swamp. Some folks just did not listen! This was a challenging and really awesome activity that was well worth the effort put into this. DW at 65 had no issues and she will be the first to say she is not athletic - she drives to the mailbox.
Several people felt it was "hard" and wanted someone else to paddle for them. The afternoon group had more difficulty and many struggled to shore. Again, we believe the instructions were good, simple and point on if you hadn't done this before. We did have a number of people in our tour this time that did not seem to care to listen to instructions and chose to talk and continue their conversations regardless of what else was going on. Most of them were in the afternoon session. I believe today was a great lesson for them to pay attention!
Here's the part DW found amusing--- changing our clothes after the water. No changing rooms… just a small park bathroom off the park. Not luxurious accommodations but it got the job done. This was the part of the adventure where some of the more urban people had a bit of a challenge. Us? Just glad to be out of the soggy suit.
Then we go back on the bus-- and back to Byron Bay center.
This is where being in the ABD group makes it worth the price. We get to a busy local restaurant in the heart of the city. ABD had us make advance menu selections and the food hits the table just as we get there. No waiting. And boy were we tired! Over half of our group consumed a lot of wine and pints with lunch. I had fish and chips that were absolutely amazing. MMMmmmmm. Hot crispy crunchy with steaming white fish inside, and a large bottle of malt vinegar.
The divided half was finishing lunch as we arrived, so we took over their tables. They went to the ocean. Now we had time to explore, as Disney describes it, the "melting pot of surf culture, alternative philosophies and hedonistic indulgence" in the shops of Byron Bay for a short while. Midway through the afternoon, some stayed for further exploration, (or wine consumption) while some of us got back in the coach and drove to the Byron Bay lighthouse. We toured the area, spotted our compatriots in the ocean and as a group hollered loud enough they could hear and respond. We then ran/dropped 800 feet to the ocean by a pathway to play in the rocks, and climb back. We had a great "bus party" with singing and "in seat" dancing, as Australia is strict about seat belts, even on a bus.
Our group (mostly) went to the lighthouse. DW wanted to get a massage on her poor aching muscles, so DD and DW stayed behind and walked around Byron Bay, because we saw lots of places for massage. And while we found massage places, they all were by appointment, so be forewarned! But it was nice day, so we walked around and looked at very expensive clothes and stuff that were very nice to look at, but WAYYY out of my price range. DD said she felt like a free bird in the 1960s…and loved loved loved this afternoon's playtime. She believes (or really hopes) this was Aussie culture. She loved the shops that were so different than what we have back home.
Note the shadow of the lighthouse against the ocean. Spellbinding with the waves crashing.
Upon return on the bus, Suzamber entertained us all and regaled us with stories of Australia and songs. We went to dinner on the Wharf, based upon recommendations from others the previous night - to a restaurant called "The Tavern." It was delicious, fast and not too expensive. That evening the DD hit the beach with the rest of the youth, DW took a hot shower, and I enjoyed just walking the hotel area and relaxing.
(DEFINITELY not the 2nd half!)
