Nimbin

Trip to hippie town Nimbin (about one hour from Byron Bay) was on today's schedule.

In 1973 the Aquarius Festival was held in Nimbin. Some hippies were arrested and the entire festival community protested. Police backed down, released the hippies and so marijuana became legal.

So when you exit the bus in Nimbin there are at least 3 weird looking guys asking you "need some weed, man"

Jessica Watson

Feeling a bit hung over from yesterday night (I didnt really drank that much alc but then again I didnt drink much water either) I didnt do much today apart from some laundry and watching Jessica Watson's homecoming.

She became the youngest person (16) to sail solo, non stop and unassisted around the world in just 7 months. The event was broadcasted by at least 5 TV stations simultaneously and there were hundreds of ships and even Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and the NSW's Premier Kristina Keneally out on Sydney Harbour to welcome her.

After she had crossed the finish line customs boarded her ship "Pink Lady" to stamp her passport before the TV crew and a skipper stepped onto the boat.

Apperantly she ran out of some food and the crew brought a bag of goodies along. So you could see her sitting on deck giving an interview while enjoying some whipped cream out of the spray can.

PADI Open Water Diver (11May - 14 May)

Day 1

So finally my scuba (self contained underwater breathing aperatus) diving course started. It was a nice little group with Maria (Norway), Chantalle (Switzerland), Dave (Kiwi), Stacy (Oz), Nubia (Brazil) and Ross our great instructor also an Aussie.

I asked for the manual some days in advance so I could familiarize with the vocabulary but as it turned out Ross explained everything to us in a very understandable way. Unlike Phil (Skipper at my sailing trip) Ross doesnt have such a thick accent.

We had to watch some movies which illustrated the theoretical background of scuba diving (like buoyancy, the buddy system) and afterwards we were explained how to set up all the gear. Although I passed a CMAS certificate in 1999, I could hardly remember anything and so it was good I didnt take a refresher course but had everything taught again.

I can remember Andi telling me the most important rule of scuba diving (never dive alone) but Padi makes that "never hold your breath".

We put on our gear and went into the pool. I had some troubles equalizing during that CMAS course but after having my nose lasered last year it is now much easier. So now I can book my Fiji diving.

It felt strange again breathing under water but it is all just a matter of practice. At least I still knew how to clear my mask ;-)

Cape Byron Lighthouse

Today there was a little bit of hiking on my schedule as I wanted to see the Cape Byron Lighthouse. I started off from main beach where there is a lot of surfing going on. From a lookout platform you have a great view over Byron Bay.

Byron Bay main beach

It was quite a long walk uphill thru the great NSW subtropical rainforest. Unlike our forrests at home you really want to stay on the track since there are some strange noises coming from those woods and it was quite a steep path to climb/decend.

Subtropical rainforest in NSW

One of these noises was a clucking sound. I looked uphill and saw some weird looking bird walking up to me in the middle of this forrest. I wasnt afraid at all and checked if I had left something behind that was worth picking up. The sheer size of that bird amazed me and I was really excited seeing such an animal.

havent figured out its name yet

As it turned out the bird was used to humans and once I finished the trail there were five of them searching the trash cans for food. It was probably not the highlight of this day but at the time I spotted it the first time I really was happy having seen a rare beast. It was just like seeing an Ibis for the first time. I saw the first one in Brisbane's Botanical Garden and almost chased it to get a good pic. It is probably the size that attracts the most since we just dont have that at home.

At the start of that path there was a sign from some aboriginal elders. Dont know why they tried to write it in the native language since Aboriginal is probably not a language and more of a dialect so another Aboriginal wouldnt be able to read it. Also dont know why they didnt translate it properly

Having made my way thru that beautiful forrest I arrived at the most easterly point of the Australian Mainland.  At another lookout point I was even able to spot some Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins chasing fish into the shallow waters.

Finally I was at the lighthouse after about 3 hours. You can definately do the tour in one but I always take my time to take pics or just enjoy the view.

You can see the lighthouse from 27nm (50km) and it emits a beam of light every 15 sec.

Cape Byron Lighthouse

The museum within charges $8 for a 40 min guided tour but I skipped that and went back home.

2moro my PADI Open Water Cours starts and I cant wait to dive at Julian Rocks

Cliffnotes:

Byron Bay

Subtropical Rainforrest

most easterly point

Cape Byron Lighthouse

off to Byron Bay

Cant remember what happened on Saturday but it must have been something irrelevant. Probably watched some TV and updated this site.

As Matty comanded me to I bought a $32 ticket to travel to Byron Bay on Sunday. It was quite a nice ride to enjoy the landscape of northern NSW. Having arrived there at 15:00h I checked out the dive shop and after making sure I was on board (Open Water Diver course) for Tuesday I checked in at the YHA just next door.

The YHA is much smaller than in Bris with only 2 stoves instead of 8 in the kitchen and everything did not make such a good impression. Especially the bathrooms were not as clean and tidy and also there were no towels so you always had to bring your own. On the other hand the matresses and pillows are much better. Nowhere else I've slept this well so far. There are a lot of  little green birds like the ones in Brisbane's Botanical Garden making an incredible noise in the evening hours together with the cicadas. You gotta love it, feels just like vacation ;-)

I met a lovely couple from Tokyo in my room. He was an artist (sculptures made from titanuim) trying to set up his own business. Unfortunately I forgot her job. We stayed up long and highlighted the differences between our cultures. I really enjoyed that conversation cuz we dicussed topics beyond the usual backpacker conversation and so it gets you more fluent on other issues and you pick up a lot of new vocabulary.

Eventually I found a cheap water source. SPAR (yes, the same as we have at home) offer different variations of non-alcoholic beverages (Tonic, cola, lemonade, water) for the price of 49 cents (1,25l) which is about 1/3 off the usual price.

Worst case occurred: I didnt see Formula 1. Can you actually believe that?

I asked at several bars but they either had to close at 23:00h (one hour after the start) or they wanted to show some stupid cricket. As a matter of course the hostel's TV room closes at 23:00h, too. Bottom line: I missed it and so I hope someone recorded it for me back home.

2moro I will explore the area before my diving course commences on Tuesday.