Gold Coast Love

I arrive in Surfers Paradise and walk to the hostel with 2, surprise-surprise German girls. I'd bet that 4 out of 10 travellers between the ages of 18-35 are from Germany. My muscles are adapting to my 21kg monster, as it no longer bothers me as much. Although if I stood straight and slightly leaned to the back I'd no doubt have a first hand encounter of what it's like to be a turtle. The hostel blasts reggae all day, and has some of the best showers on the east coast, it's the small things that make my happy. I make my way to the beach but enroute get caught in a storm. I wait for the storm to pass by window shopping. This is a sad time for backpackers, not enough money or room to buy anything. Once the storm passes and I step on that beach my frown is turned upside down. With sky rises behind me and the Gold Coast at my feet I have another "pinch me moment." I take one of my favourite pictures to date, and walk up and down the coast watching novice surfers get tossed around in the ocean. I contemplate joining them but decide I'll go when Mother Nature isn't being so ruthless. I head on to Byron Bay excited to enjoy it's laid back, new age, organic vibe. I hike to the summit of Cape Byron and check out the stunning views, a lighthouse from 1901, as well as Australia's most easterly point. Anxious to try Stand Up Paddleboarding I sign up for a lesson. We head out to a nearby river and after a brief lesson on how to paddle we get on the boards. While I don't fall I come very close, my legs are vibrating like a rabbits foot. A few deep breaths and I find my centre, I can not convey just how much I enjoyed SUPing. While gliding along the river we spot mantas, a pelican, and a snake in the tree. My show off guide demonstrates how easy it is to do a handstand while on the board, I secretly hopes he falls but he does not. He encourages me to try, I educate him on the fact I can't even do one on land let alone on water but I will rock out mountain pose. The way back we don't exactly glide, the current and wind are against us, making it seem like I'll never make it back. I contemplate rocking out corpse pose and let the wind take me where it may, but I suck it up and literally power through the conditions, promising myself Mexican food if I finish. BTW Australia has some of the best Mexican food you can find when not in Mexico. While it's raining I explore the many shops in Byron searching for a souvenir for my brother and browsing the many Happy Herb shops offering natural remedies. I dig this town and if I can I may head back up here.