Laur and I spent the last couple days seeing Liz and Kate off in Surfers Paradise. The two are off to adventure New Zealand in a couple weeks time after spending some chill time with Kate’s cousin in Brisbane.
Having already spent a very fun but chill time with Elliot’s friends a couple months earlier we were up for some ‘big city excitement'. It amazing how different the vibe is between Byron and Surfers Paradise seeing as the two places are only about an hour and a half drive apart. From the low profile hippie style beaches of Byron its possible to see the glow of lights coming from Surfers, its high rise skyline and beaches that have churned out several of the countries pro surfers. Actually Laur and I just went to see a new surf film as the Souled Out Film Festival rolled through town that focused on this very stark contrast.
Shopping was the name of the game on arrival as we got directions to the plaza that holds both the Billabong and Quiksilver outlets. Needless to say we were a little bit feverish at the idea of half price bathers to as we rolled into the parking lot. The shops did us well and we all managed to control ourselves and maintain budgets, picking up a few items each for far less than cost prices.
We headed back to out hotel to model our new suits poolside. Liz gets bonus points for find the Islander hotel for us. For $18 dollars a night we shared a ten-person air conditioned dorm, had full use of the hotel amenities and were a mere block from the beach right in the heart of the city. After playing a heart pounding game of Marco Polo, meeting the tenth place Australian Idol (or ‘number ten‘ as we thought he should be called by his friends) and performing some very impressive dolphin and whale impersonations it was time for a pre-dinner surf.
liz is showing me how to plug my nose without my hands.....
There is definitely something surreal and amazing about walking between sky rises and people out for nice meals while sporting a bikini and carrying a surfboard. Even more surreal and amazing is not getting any weird looks while doing it.
We spent about 40 minutes in the water and caught a few waves before the rip had made us tired and hungry and the glow of the almost full moon wasn’t quite enough to calm the voices in our head warning about deep dark water and despite the shark nets, what might lurk beneath.
After a rinse at the beach or ‘shower’ (amid recent debate as to what actually constitutes a shower) we got ready and headed out for a well-deserved meal. Our wallets shouted pizza. Then back to the hostel for a few store bought beverages.
Another wander around town found us running into some of Kate’s friends who had stayed at the Byron hostel she had been working at. Eventually we ended up at SIN CITY to dance our little faces off.
The DJ was great and kept the beat going so dance we did. Actually we monopolized a small podium which not only highlighted our mad skills for the crowd it also did a fairly good job of separating us from the usual sleazy guys and random girl on girl trashy dancers.
Now I never claim to be a good dancer, and I definitely have my own style, but I do love it from time to time. So when this little runt of a man-child came up and started mimicking me I was truly pissed. I understand he was just trying to get some attention and I should let it get to me, but it did. This is when its good to know who your friends are. As we ran into him leaving the club just after I explained what had happened to the girls, no time was wasted in marching up to him and telling him what for. Actually, telling his friend what for until I ran up and corrected the mistaken identity, poor kid. All was well in the end and we learned that girls from Liverpool would actually appreciate someone making from of their special way of dancing.
After that excitement it was home to bed. We had a big day ahead of us.
After drip coffee, a very rare and elusive treat in Australia, and a light breakfast it was time for Laur and I to say goodbye to Liz and Kate. I should say ‘so long’ as we will be seeing them again in about a months time.
Laur and I started on our way back down the coast to Byron with a very specific game plan in mind. About 40 minutes south of Surfers is Coolangata, (you can call it Coolie if you love it). Coolie is the home to Snapper Rocks, a very famous surf spot that has been the site of the Gold Coast Pro Surf competition many times over the years. The wind was on shore (that’s not ideal) the water was choppy (again not ideal) and the swell was small (again not ideal). Doesn’t sound good right? Well no it wasn’t but this meant that the normal 30-person line up was down to 8 people who bothered to come out, meaning to that the ride able waves that did come through were up for grabs. So I got a few waves at Snapper Rocks, and I’m stoked on it. Will definitely have to go back and get some solid waves on a good day once my wave nabbing agro is up to par and will certainly be back for the Gold Coast Pro which is on in a couple weeks time.
We made it safe and sound back to our new house in Byron. A small place with two housemates, a ten-minute walk to Tallows beach or into town, no bugs, no children and no random naked drug addled strippers running around. Basically heaven.
