As University studies continue along with exploring the nearby Australian landscape, I’m finding these precious weeks flying by. Already on week 9 of Uni, I only have 4 more weeks of classes left before study break and exam weeks. And with adventures, I leave next Sunday (the 29th) to Cairns to enjoy a week long holiday with my Grandparents! Then the week I get back I’ll be spending 3 days on Fraser Island. After the exam week in November, I’ll also have one of my best friends visiting for an adventure of a lifetime, then I’ll be off to New Zealand for a couple of weeks (hopefully) before flying home for Christmas! Wow, that was a lot. And yes, all of this is stretched over a couple of months, but it is all going by so quickly I feel eager to explore even more soaking in every second. Saying this, last weekend was free, so a couple of friends and I jumped in a car and headed down to the Byron Bay area. Here we go.

Being a short four and a half hour dive, I was amazed how far we made it down the coast. Instead of staying in a hostel within the city, my friend had connections in the surrounding hill areas. Through a friend, we booked a cute shack on a macadamia farm for two nights. This shack was the perfect place to spend a relaxing weekend, with a stunning view over the rolling hills of tree farms, and nice renovated interior. After settling in, we headed into Byron to grab some dinner and see the live night life. On the way we were surrounded by a large setting sun shinning through thick layers of smoke. After enjoying some Mexican food, we wondered toward the beach were we found some live music. We chilled and listened to the music until they were finished, and chatted with the musicians and other listeners for a bit before heading back to the farm.

Tired after what seemed to be a long day, we laid in the grass by the shack, overlooking the moonlit landscape before us. The full moon revealed elegant details along the vegetation, casting shadows on the trees around us. A simple night made the best night. In the morning we took our time getting ready, then headed to a small bakery that was recommended by the owner. This bakery opened with fresh baked pastries only on Sunday mornings, and we weren’t going to miss this opportunity. Arriving in the small town shop I was suddenly surrounded by irresistible smells and sights. Could I buy everything?? These baked goods look so amazing, and after my long indecisive thinking I decided to get a donut. Now this donut is not your classic american donut. No, this one was a beautiful, thick, fluffy piece of heaven unlike any I’ve tasted before. After we savored every second of our breakfasts, we then headed to another town deeper in the hills.

Unsure what to expect upon arrival, the town seemed very familiar to me. Ah yes, hippy Colorado vibe perhaps. Maybe an old rundown version of Boulder would best describe it. The town was up on a hill with a home mountain feeling, was full of small markets with drug rugs, jewelry, art, and practically everyone was high. We wondered around, specifically looking for a cream to relieve my friends pain from her torn ACL. While wandering, I passed through the small markets looking at the beautiful jewelry. Starting up some conversations with the locals we talked about living in New South Wales, how they made their art, and of course the most common subject, Trump. After buying some souvenirs and cream for the ACL we headed back to the shack.

We relaxed for a bit, then decided to drive around to find a good view for the sunset. Through the winding country roads we came across an open farm next to the road, and watched the sunset with some friendly cows. Up the street we also checked out a small school, that had the best climbing trees which served as seats for our final view of the sunset. Going back into town for dinner that night, we enjoyed a nice hamburger, listened to more amazing street musicians, then headed back home to the shack.

The next day we did a quick trip to the famous Byron Bay light house, ate amazing falafels, visited a couple of beaches, then headed back to the sunny coast. Overall it was a great, relaxing way to spend the weekend! Now it’s time to get back into Study mode(: