Back in Wollongong...

Yesterday morning, I got back from a beautiful weekend in Byron Bay. We enjoyed the sunshine and I think I even got some of my tan back that I've been missing so m
uch! The Mardi Grass festival in Nimbin can hardly be put into words. It was the most hippie/crazy/amazing day ever. I loved people watching and checking out all the crazy shops, live bands, and street performers. We sat in a little park area and watched a band we really liked called April Maze.then, we headed back to our hostel in Byron Bay, where we had a cookout, drank wine, and played cards before heading out to the bars. I was only out for a short time, before going back to lay on the beach and look at the stars. It was a really beautiful night! Sunday, we were all tired, but we had to check out of our hostel by ten am. So, we headed down to sleep on the beach all morning! After lunch, we went on a sea kayaking. Adam and I shared a kayak and we were the last to leave shore. After watching everyone crash, I was nervous but excited! We got in our boat and started out! I took a few big waves to the face, but thankfully I shielded Adam so he stayed nice and dry ;) We made it all the way out to the group without crashing! My arms were tired, but we kept paddling looking for dolphins in the water. Unfortunately, we didn't see any dolphins, but we saw lots of fish, a sting ray, and some ridiculous surfers! After waiting awhile for dolphins, we were unsuccessful so we headed back to shore. The leaders told us that we needed to wait for a wave, then paddle as hard as we could, and ride the wave into shore. Now, when I say "ride the wave into shore" it actually turned more into eating shit/drowning/nearly dying. When the wave came our boat just went straight down and I crashed into the water. Sand in my hair, bathing suit bottoms off, and water up my nose, I swam up gasping for air. Adam described the look on my face as priceless, but once he realized I was alive he went to retrieve the boat. I made it to shore finally and took off my helmet and unzipped my life jacket. All I wanted was to go back to the hostel and shower and change. After a shower and some food I felt much better! Then, we went to the beach bar and had a glass of wine and listened to a live band while we waited for the bus to leave. After a ten hour bus trip back, I made it to Sydney and took a train back to Wollongong. I had a really awesome weekend and loved Byron Bay and Nimbin!