It was time for Will and I to leave Sydney.  We said an emotional goodbye to Carolyn who found work.  Full of surf spot tips from ‘Peats Ridge Kate’ we made our way North.

First stopping at Macmasters Beach, Kate’s hometown.  We arrived late and so we setup our van-entertainment system to watch a movie.  We watched ‘Bustin’ Down the Door‘ – an awesome surf doco about the progression of the sport.

Watching ‘Bustin’ Down the Door’ the night before we were pumped for a morning surf – it wasn’t to be, flat as a pancake.

We were desperate for some swell so made tracks, next stop Seal Rocks, Great Lakes.

After a long drive to what seemed like the middle of nowhere we arrived at Seal Rocks.  It was AMAZING.  The beach was empty, and had a nice clean right hand break.  The surroundings where out of this world, national park 360°.  One of the best afternoons we’ve had in Australia, after our surf Will and I were beaming.  We were due to meet up with our Aussie mate Fern (Aussie HODR volunteer) – so, another hour+ drive we met Fern and company just north of Forster.

It was great to see Fern, and her mates were great and very hospitable.  We all stayed at Fern’s friends holiday home on the river – the setting was incredible.  After a catchup and some beers we hit the sack.  Fern was due in Melbourne the following day so we had to say our goodbyes and crack on.

Up early we drove to a spot recommended by Fern and her mates; Coffs Harbour.  We spent the day at the office (Maccas) working until just before sunset.  We drove to the beach for a sunset surf – again we weren’t dissapointed, some nice easy clean waves.  We surfed until it was complete darkness – we didn’t want to stop!  After having an awesome couple of days we were buzzing, we decided to move on and drive to Byron Bay that evening.

We had planned for Byron Bay to be our final destination of Australia.  It seemed a great spot to enjoy the last month, catch up with work, sell the van, surf and most importantly, watch all of the Vancouver Winter Olympics.

We arrived back to where we had started our Australia trip just before xmas, Byron Bay.  We were more Australia-wise  now and realised how over inflated Byron was instantly.  We didn’t find any FREE internet in Byron – cheapest rate of $4/hour.  We couldn’t find any communal place to watch the olympics.  And generally we just weren’t feelin’ the place anymore.  So with the advantage of being gypos we left that evening after the final straw of not being able to find free overnight van parking – and we tried hard!

We drove North with no plans – seeing a sign on the Highway for ‘Surfers Paradise’ we decided to head there in search of the Olympics, free internet and free van parking!

Since Australia day Carolyn, Will and I have been living in Baden St. Coogee Beach, Sydney.  We found a great parking spot which overlooks Coogee beach – surprisingly we’ve stayed there a good few nights without being moved on, a great free camping spot for Vanos!  Will and I have been catching up with work (free internet in Coogee Beach Palace Hotel) whilst Carolyn has been looking for work.  When not working Will and I have been surfing the beaches in the area; Bronte (where a great white was pulled out of the beach nets at xmas), Bondi and Maroubra.

In Bali back in 2008, Will and I watched a surf documentry called Bra Boys.  An interesting doc about a violent Sydney surf gang (The Bra Boys) which we thought was pretty cool.  We never imagined a year later we would visit Maroubra, the hometown of the Bra Boys.

The Bra Boys trailor;

On the drive to Maroubra we were both pretty anxious after hearing some of the horror stories.  On arrival the place looked like a sh*t hole, like parts of Hull, England.  But we weren’t there to look around the town, we were there for one reason, the surf!

Maroubra (Aboriginal for ‘Place of Thunder’) is well know for it’s big surf.  It lived up to the reputation, the surf was huge.  It was a rough day so tricky for novice surfers like Will and myself but we had no hesitation.  After no more than 5 minutes of trying to paddle out and getting pounded by waves we heard a stern announcement on the tannoy from the lifeguards.  ”Can the two guys next to the swim area please come back to shore immediately.”  Defeated and embarrassed we paddled back to shore to be greeted by a nice female lifeguard.  She told us the surf was really rough and that we should head to the South end where it would be easier for us – nice lady!  We saw some suspected Bra Boys surfing near us ripping it up – we tried to keep our distance and Will avoided cutting anyone up, which is very unlike him.

We didn’t stay long, the swell proved too difficult that day and we didn’t want any run-ins with the Bra Boys.

A running theme in Australia has been Will and I doing some stupid sh*t.  It’s important to be stupid sometimes and take risks, otherwise life would be just boring.  Recently a friend sent me this video, no idea why.

bondi beach

Will, Carolyn and I headed back North to Sydney after leaving the rest of the gang in Melbourne.  Toby was to try find work in Melbourne, Harriet, Katya, Laura and Anna also headed back up to Sydney but on the bus.  Sad to see the Tobster and Interceptor go!

We arrived in time for Australia Day; 26th January.  Yet another country who have an official national day and celebrate it, unlike England.  The day commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove in 1788, the hoisting of the British flag there, and the proclamation of British sovereignty over the eastern seaboard of Australia.

In the morning we went to Bondi Beach to surf.  The beach was absolutely packed and the atmosphere was immense.  Thousands and thousands of Aussies as far as the eye could see.

Later we made our way into the city.  We went to ‘The Rocks’ where there was a open air free concert with some pretty good music.  Really well organised and the Aussies were in good spirits.  Even the police turned a blind eye to the city’s outdoor drinking ban.

We ended up at Scruffy Murphy’s, a bar we had heard much about but for all the wrong reasons.  It was apparently Sydney’s cheapest, skankiest bar.  And of course, Will was dying to go.  After 5 mintutes of being in the disgusting establishment some bogun guy was sick right next to me, I got some backsplash.. Happy Australia Day mate!

After saying farewell to Luke and Lisa, we embarked upon our next roadtrip.  Will, Carolyn, Toby, Harriet, Katya, Anna, Laura, and I were to conquer the great ocean road.  The Great Ocean Road is a 243 km stretch of road along the south-eastern coast of Australia between the Victorian cities of Torquay and Warrnambool.  The road was constructed to provide work for returning soldiers and dedicated as a Memorial to those killed in the First World War. It is one of Australia’s great scenic coastline drives.

Starting from Melbourne we made tracks for the Princes Highway instead of the Great Ocean Road.  The plan was to save time and drive quickly to our last stop on the Great Ocean Road and work backwards.

First stop; Port Campbell.  The drive to Port Campbell from Melbourne on the Princes Highway was no different to any other drives we’ve done in Australia, lot’s of bush and open space, it saved us heaps of time.  We stayed at Port Campbell Holiday Park – again, we lied about how many campers we had and smuggled a few extras in.  The new recruits to the roadtrip weren’t experienced bums, so setting up camp was a struggle but we got there.. in the end!

Port Campbell was a very small town with a gorgeous small beach, very family orientated.  We were hassled a number of times by the campsite warden as to how many people we actually had on site.  There was no going back after the first time we lied, making an elaborate story up that two of the campers were visiting us from the nearby hostel, the girls weren’t too fond of the situation, apart from Carolyn who surprisingly made the story up!  At one point when the police came on site the girls were almost in tears thinking they’d come to collect us.  The campsite was starting to feel like a nazi concentration camp when I saw a sign on the toilets – “Please spend no more than 3 minutes in the shower or you will be asked to leave” – what the hell?!

We began our drive back east on the great ocean road, stopping at the designated view points.  It was very touristy and well setup, nice boardwalks and viewing decks.  We did exactly what every other tourist does there day in day out and we took exactly the same pictures as every other tourist, it was cool to see first hand but I’m always put off how natural beauty spots are turned in tourist traps.  The drive was immense, breathtaking coastline all along the way.

the twelve apostles

We decided to stop in Lorne – within 10 minutes Will and I had seen a wild Koala Bear in a tree and were on the beach doing our routine activities.  Everyone else did a great job of finding a free campsite.

The fist leg of the roadtrip had been very grown up and normal, surprising for Will and I.  It wasn’t long before we were back into our stupid antics.  Will, Toby, Chris (who we met up with on the trip), and I were relaxing by the beach  late evening with a footy.  A few of the local teenagers approached us, obviously intoxicated, and inquired to whether we would be interested in going trampolining with them.  Sure thing boys.. we will join you in breaking into the kids seaside trampoline park.  We scaled the fence acting like the 17 year old lads we were hangin with and proceeded in jumping around on the trampolines, it was actually great fun despite how childish it was.

The highlight came when the lookout shouted.. RANGER!!  Everyone shot back over the fence and disappeared into the darkness – all except one girl who couldn’t make it back over due to her intoxicated state.. we never found out what happened to her.  We re-grouped at the skatepark and played footy until the early hours with the teens.  It was great to re-live our teenage years.

Lorne was a relaxed holiday town, because of this it suited the Van life.  We stayed another night and upgraded from the free campsite and moved camp to the beach carpark where we had better amenities, showers and communal BBQs.  It was a great atmosphere on the evening with about 5 other vans in the carpark.  Obviously some of the other Vano’s had been living the lifestlye longer, some a bit too long.  We were entertained with traveling stories, magic tricks, bongo’s and poi.  That final evening in Lorne was pretty cramped in the van with four of us, poor Toby sleeping on the front seats over the handbreak and gear stick.

The final stop on the roadtrip was Cape Otway Light Station, which is the lighthouse featured in a TV program from when I was a kid; Round the twist.  It was also featured in Mad Max.  Australia’s most significant lighthouse, and the oldest surviving lighthouse in mainland Australia.  We were more fascinated with the fact it had been in Round the twist though.

We finished in Melbourne parking in our usual spot in St. Kilda, Addison Street.  Will and I heard that the Aussie Millions Poker Tournament was in town at the Crowne Casino.  Both fairly keen poker players we went to Crowne to see some of the action.  We were too late to register for the tournament but we did see some hands played and saw the odd celeb like Beppe Di Marco from Eastenders (Will’s spot).  Instead we played some cash games, the players there were very serious.  As we looked like travel bums people didn’t take us too seriously.. big mistake!  Over a few nights we cleaned up, enough to last us a good few weeks.

After the exhausting roadtrip we arrived in Melbourne.  Everyone checked into Urban Central guesthouse except Will, Carolyn, Toby and I who were to slum it in The Van and The Interceptor!

Luke, Katya, Lisa and I went to do some sightseeing.  The Eureka Tower, the tallest building in Melbourne and the tallest residential building in the world.  Skydeck 88 features ‘The Edge’ – a glass cube which projects 3m out from the building with visitors inside, suspended almost 300m above the ground. When you enter, the glass is opaque as the cube moves out over the edge of the building. Once fully extended over the edge, the glass becomes clear.. of course it had to be done!  Very cool views of the city and the edge was the best part by far!

After getting back I was greeted with a great story from Will.  Toby was concerned about the health of The Interceptor so went in search of a garage.  Whilst looking and whilst bang in the middle of Downtown Melbourne, The Interceptor died.  It broke down in one of the busiest streets in the city, right outside the melbourne aquarium.  He was alone so had to get some onlookers to help push it onto the sidewalk, god knows what these people were thinking.  Hilarious!  It was Melbourne’s hottest new tourist attraction.  Toby sat reading on the bonnet of the broken Interceptor for over an hour whilst waiting for Will to find him a battery so he could start it.

It was time to go on the hunt for a good sleeping spot.  We ended up parking in, Addison Street, St. Kilda.  It was a perfect quiet shaded wide street.  Vano’s check it out; here

Addison Street, St. Kilda; Note how happy Will is to be a van bum and how distraught Carolyn (pretty blonde Canadian) is!

When in the city and when we need to get about, The Van isn’t ideal, and sometimes nor is my skateboard.  There is a good transport network in Melbourne with trams running frequently.  They have an honesty system where you pay at a computer on the tram.  Carolyn didn’t know anything about this and after having used the trams for a good fews days announces to everyone in the que for the tram how brilliant it was that they were free – which made my day!

Some people may of heard of Bells Beach from the amazing movie, Point Break.  Luke, Will and I decided we had to see where Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze ripped it up!  A 1hr30 drive south of Melbourne we made a quick visit to the famous Bells beach.  A quick visit, some snaps, but no surf – flat day.  On the way home we spotted some Kangaroos so wont off road and into a farmers field to get some wildlife shots.

I’m lucky enough to be able to fund my travel habit by working on the internet whilst on the move.  This means I spend a lot of time in internet cafes and restaurants.  If I find a place enjoyable to work in I’ll extend my stay in place to catch up.  I’ve found Australia’s internet to be amongst the worst of any country I’ve been to, it was easier to get online in Laos!  I found an awesome workplace in St. Kilda, Melbourne.  A contemporary cafe/restaurant called;  Phamish.  The food was good, the prices reasonable, staff friendly and internet reasonably fast.  Made a nice change from working in one of Australia’s many many Macdonalds.

Whilst working in Melbourne I heard the terrible news of the Haiti earthquake – it struck a nerve after being involved in volunteering at the last big quake in Indo.  I heard news HODR.org were sending out a team there, and I was very tempted to head there and join them.  Thoughts to everyone affected.

Melbourne is a really cool city.  Very boho and upbeat, the beaches nice despite there being no surf.  Plenty of independent shops and hip cafes, bars and restaurants.  Lots of great attractions, the Eureka tower, the laneways.  Melbourne is known as Australia’s cultural capital – if in ever in Australia it is a must to visit!

hornsea on tour

The 8 of us, The Van and The Interceptor rendez-voued in Coogee beach carpark for the start of our epic road trip from Sydney to Melbourne.  We had no plan other than a couple of recommended beaches.  I had taken one reccommendation from a fellow skateboarder that morning who had stopped me to comment on how nice my board was.  We got chatting and he began to tell me of a mystical beach, Steamers Beach.  He told me know one knew of it and proceeded to draw a map and directions on a paper napkin.  We parted company with him saying “Tell know one of Steamers, and don’t show anyone the map” Although it seemed like something out of the movie The Beach, the guy seemed deadly serious.  An hour later I shared the news with the Roadtrip crew Will, Toby, Carolyn, Katya, Harriet, Luke and Lisa.

First stop, Jervis Bay and Booderee National Park – also where the infamous Steamers beach was located.  We arrived too late to book a camping spot in the National Park but still we paid to go in.  After some exploring we decided the best spot to camp was at Brighton point beach, hopefully the ranger wouldn’t catch us.  We carted our camp gear through the bush down towards the beach, on route it was a scene similar to Jurassic Park, but without the dinosaurs.  Kangaroos and Wallabees jumped out and I’m pretty sure I saw a puma run past.  Luke informed everyone that a Kangaroos natural reaction when close to a human was to disembowel them, this filled us with confidence!

camp tramp

In the morning we woke up thankful the tide hadn’t washed camp tramp away.  We made tracks for Steamers – I’m keeping the exact location a secret  The road ended and we had to park the vehicles up, we had a 3km walk through bush until we had a glimpse of the beach.

Once Steamers came into view it looked awesome!  Normally one of the best unknown surf spots on the east coast, but unfortunately we picked a flat day.  After a great day at steamers we made our way further south.  Darkness started to set in so we decided to stop, we stopped in Moruya; a small redneck town.  There was no sign of any campsites so we decided to stay in the local park despite the sign clearly saying, ‘NO CAMPING’.  I imagine this was the equivalent to us camping in Hall Garth Park in my hometown, Hornsea.  The bums had arrived!  For any other bums wanting some free camping here’s where it is; Moruya Riverside Park.

For the evenings entertainment we played blind chocolate roulette with some boxes of christmas present chocolate one of the girls had been sent.

Bright and early we ate breakfast, took a public toilet tap shower and got back on the Pacific Highway, next stop, Mallacoota.

Mallacoota would be our first stop in the territory of Victoria, where porn and fireworks are legal!

We arrived in glorious sunshine.  Mallacoota seemed like a cool little town, surrounded by beaches and the locals had a very laid back attitude.  We spent the rest of the day at the beach, surfing, skim-boarding and talking crap.  When it was time to leave the girls had the Interceptor to get back to camp whilst the boys had to walk.  I had my skateboard so decided I’d skate back on my own – for the first leg I thought it would be a great idea to hold onto The Interceptor’s wooden spoiler, this worked a treat until 2km later I hit a stone.  The Interceptor is a powerful machine and at the time we were probably going about 40mph.  I hit the deck, rolled about 20 times and eventually landed on my feet.  I stood up after eating road, I’d done some damage, grazes all over my back and ankles, blood everywhere.  Luckily the girls were on hand and took me back and fixed me up with some dettol.  I wont be car-skateboarding again, or for at least a while.

We liked Mal;acoota so much we decided to stay an extra night.  Another day of beach, banter and activities.

Next – after a long drive we arrived in Wonthaggi.  Another redneck town with nothing to do, but it was ideal as it’s a close distance to Philip Island, one place we had planned to visit.  We stayed at Coalfields caravan park, and lied about how many of us were staying to save around $5, we smuggled the extra people in hiding them in the back of the van.  That evening we had an awesome BBQ, homemade kebabs and salad – a real team effort, delicious!

In the morning we packed up and drove 15 minutes to Phillip Island.  The girls had read about Phillip Island in the Lonely Planet pre-roadtrip and thought it would be a great spot to stop.  Phillip Island, home to the smallest species of penguin in the world, ‘Little Penguins’ (Eudyptula minor).  We booked into Kaloha Campsite, again fibbing about the number of campers we had.  The campsite was a ten minute drive from the famous ‘Penguin Parade‘ – a protected site where people can view the penguins coming onto shore at sunset.  We all booked in for the Penguin Parade ($40) and just before senset arrived at the site.  We were all pretty disappointed with the setup, it was too much like a tourist trap for our liking.  Above the beach where the penguins came to shore each evening were two huge football stands which must hold about 1,000 people.  Still, it was pretty cool to see the little fellas come to shore just after sunset.  Tiny little things, about 43cm tall.

We head back to camp.  It was an EXTREMELY hot night, and we all struggled to get a good nights kip.  The next morning we learnt that is had been the hottest night on record in Victoria – a whopping 37C!  No wonder I felt like I’d pissed myself in the morning.

Just before we left Phillip Island we decided we needed to cool down so went jetty jumping.

We later learnt that Phillip Island has a high record of shark attacks.  There is a high population of seals which draw sharks to the area.  We had been jumping into the water about 10ft from where a seal was bathing;

We made it out the water alive though, and better still we all survived the roadtrip.  We arrived in Melbourne later that day exhausted.  Lots of great memories and laughs, an awesome east coast roadtrip!

After an intense week at the Peats Ridge festival we stopped at Shelley Beach for rehab on route to Sydney.  Shelley Beach is gorgeous – it felt pretty good waking up parked at the beach and having not been drinking the night before.  We tried to make up for the festival unhealthy living by going for a beach run and workout – bench pressing logs, curling rocks.

We met yet another extremely friendly Aussie, Kate, at the festival and she kindly invited us to stay at her apartment in Bondi Beach for our 5 day visit to Sydney.  She must have been drunk at the time, I don’t know who in the right mind would invite three smelly bums to stay in their apartment after a festival.

We arrived at Kate’s apartment and it was in a perfect location – free street parking for the van and a 5 minute walk to the Beach.

The following day we took a stroll round Bondi armed with Kate’s cute dog Harvey, a complete babe magnet!  Toby attempted to utilise this by holding the lead but had no success.

On the evening Kate took us to her local.  The Bondi RSL (returning servicemen’s league), pretty similar to an ex-serviceman’s club in the UK but only without out the old folks and doms.  Australia seems to have RSL clubs in every town and city.  It was more like a student union for the mid twenties, the one in Bondi anyway.

The following day Toby, Kate, Harvey and myself decided to do the east coast walk from Bondi to Coogee Beach.  One reason to see some of the coast the other to meet up with a travel buddy from my 2008 SE Asia trip – Canadian Carolyn!  We started at Bondi passing through Tamarama, Bronte, Clovelly, Gordon’s Bay finishing at Coogee Beach.  It took us just over an hour, the section of coastline is REALLY nice.  Packed with runners with awesome bods the walk is really geared up for people exercising with outside mini beach gyms scattered along the route.  We met up with Carolyn in Coogee and discussed how Will and I would kidnap her for the next part of our trip.

In an attempt to re-live my teenage years I decided to buy a skateboard, it was also a plan to try make myself look cooler in Bondi.  I purchased a new cruiser board in Bondi from;  Skateboard (Skate or Bon-Die 14, Hall St. Bondi Beach, 0291304336, Captain Billy’s Crab Shack).  5 minutes later I was on my arse round the corner, not coooool.

We began to get the feeling we had outstayed our welcome in Kate’s street when a resident shouted from their window at Will – “Oi ya bum! Stop living in my street!”.  It was time to move on.

Later – We met with travel buds and friends from home Katya and Harriet and school mates Lisa and Luke.  We arranged the mother of all Roadtrips, Sydney to Melbourne.  There were 8 of us, Will, Toby, Carolyn, Katya, Harriet, Luke, Lisa and myself.  We were to travel in ‘The Van’ and ‘The Interceptor’.

After what should have been a 10 hour drive taking 15 we arrived at Peats Ridge in the Glenworth Valley just north of Sydney.  Our map reading skills and Aussie sign postings obviously weren’t too hot.  The festival setting was amazing – Right in the middle of the Glenworth Valley with a sweeping river through the whole site, surrounded by ‘bush’ (forest), mountains and wildlife.

We were to spend the next week at the Peats Ridge festival which was recommended to us by Aussie HODR volunteer Fern.  We opted to volunteer and had to work 4 shifts in order to get a free ticket.

On arrival I was convinced I had gone through a time warp and ended up at 69’s Woodstock.  Tie-dye clothes, dreadlocks, people on acid, girls with hair where it shouldn’t be – Welcome to Hippy-Ville!

We camped in the volunteer site and obviously didn’t fit in, looking like surf bums.  But we went with it and got into the hippy vibe soon enough – staying clear of the many drugs on offer; mum.  The hippies turned out to be really friendly and we met some really cool and interesting characters.

Obviously Will and I got far to drunk to make any of our work shifts (no bad Karma as we lost our ticket deposits and Peats Ridge is not a non-profit).

On day one we attended the opening ceremony, pretty cultural – a showcase of Aboriginal dance and tradition from the area, Glenworth Valley was once inhabited by Aboriginal people.  Later that day we stumbled on a car which was being raffled.  Toby, needing a car entered into the raffle investing $12.

One evenings events consisted of Will and I visiting the Bohemian Love Theatre, people were required to get naked before entering the tent – more drinks were needed so instead we went for Absinthe hour and then returned.  Most of the nakedness had finished, the show was a very bizarre experience ending with everyone dancing and throwing cushions.  I got a bit carried away (probably due to the absinthe) and decided to launch one at the lead singer on the stage, at 110mph it was heading straight for him when at the last second it swung and hit a backing singer square in the face – they were not amused.  We swiftly departed.

It was a cool place to see in the new year; an all day drinking session with lots of bands.  New Years day the car raffle was drawn, and yes.. the Tobster had the winning ticket!  He was over the moon, he had bagged himself an old shit Toyota Camry.  Not only was it old and shit but it was heavily moded; Go Faster stripe down the middle, Rear spoiler (A wooden fence post nailed to the boot) – the car was a corker!  We believed it was modeled on the car from Mad Max so it was named – The Interceptor!

People quickly left the festival site and we hung around till the late afternoon when just about everyone had gone.  It was time to scavinge.  We routed through bins and piles of rubbish.  Will and I added to The Van’s itinerary; tent, 2 tarps, rope, a chair, and a hammock.  Toby the pikey on the other hand got a full kitchen set, orange juice, wine, snacks, chairs, a sarong and much more!

Peats Ridge Festival was very different to any festival I’ve been – we ended up loving every minute of it and were sad to leave.  We also discovered some new artists we like; Passenger and The Jezabells.

byron to peats ridge

Our plan was to be in Peats Ridge (1hr30 north of Sydney) for the Peats Ridge Festival on the 27th December.  We needed transport to get there and a place to sleep at the festival so we had to get it before Christmas to be sure we would have a chance of making the festival.

As soon as we arrived in Byron we were scoped out some vans, within 24hours we found what looked like our ideal Van on Gumtree.

It was based in Brisbane.  Toby, Will and I quickly hired a budget car (Toyota Yaris) to drive up to Brisbane from Byron.  The plan was to buy the van the same day and drive back the evening before Christmas Eve.

The French owners met us in the centre of Brisbane.  We were instantly taken by the van – it looked sweet and drove really well.  Most importantly on the test drive it turned a few hot girls heads.  We agreed on a figure.  I tried to make the payment by wire over the telephone but found I couldn’t do it internationally despite being told the previous day I could; thanks Alliance & Leicester.  We couldn’t seal the deal that day so we stayed the night in hope we could come up with the money the following day.

Being French the couple didn’t offer us the van to sleep in for the night in their drive.  Instead we had to find a residential street where we could park overnight – we were to sleep in the Yaris, all three of us!  It was a horrible night, we barely slept and when we did a drunk man woke me trying to steel my tshirt which I had hung on the window for sunshade.

The next morning I eventually managed to get the money by doing a cash advance from a Westpac.  We dropped the cash and picked up the Van!  We arrived back in Byron late on Xmas eve with our new wheels, the new van felt like the best Christmas present ever!

‘The Van‘ will now be our new home.  We will sleep in it, eat in it and party in it – with the odd drive between places.  It’s official… we are now Gypos.

Byron Bay – the town where everyone seems to have awesome golden beach tanned bodies, they couldn’t be fitter.  Surfer babes everywhere – paradise!

We arrived in Byron and checked into where the rest of the gang were at; Nomads Hostel.

(Nomads – One of the most blingin’ hostels I’ve ever stayed in!  Immaculate, modern, spacious, brand new. But of course expensive; $36 - Website)

We slotted straight into a group at the hostel, 13 of us in total.  This was to be our family for christmas.  Will and I were late comers and so had our Australian initiation.  This involved drinking a well known backpackers drink in Australia; ‘Goon‘.  Goon is the cheapest nastiest wine known to mankind, served in a silver bag contained in a box – it tastes like a mixture of vinegar, battery acid and piss.  My first night on the goon was a blur.  I woke up the following morning still dressed, drunk, with severe memory loss and was informed I was turned down from every bar I tried to go to.  Whilst everyone was partying in the famous Byron club ‘Cheeky Monkey’s’ I was home in bed.

After spending 24hours in Byron I was already in love with the place.  The beach was immense, white sand, clear water, decent surf.  The people were chilled out.  The shops and restaurants funky.  It reminded a lot of Croyde Bay in England.

It was my 2nd xmas away from home.  This one was the complete opposite of the last one I missed.  Finnish Lapland in temps as low as -40C – compared to +30C in Byron.  Christmas morning was strange, putting my board shorts on and heading to the beach seemed a crazy concept for xmas day.  Of course I missed being home but we had a great day at the beach.  Heaps of people were down there, santa hats everywhere, the atmosphere was great.  We spent the afternoon slobbing around the beach sipping Goon.

xmas sandman

For Christmas dinner Will and I were in charge of the BBQ, it was a difficult task but we pulled it off.  The dinner was a great team effort – one of the best banquets I’ve had!

We spent the remainder of the day playing various terrible christmas games like charades and drank more Goon.  It was a very different xmas in Byron but all of us had a great day.