After a great time in Rainbow Beach and Fraser Island it was time to hop back on the Oz bus and head south, next stop Byron Bay. An early start and long day travelling saw us skip through Noosa Brisbane, Gold Coast and Surfers Paradise, and head straight for Byron dropping off and picking up along the way. Reason why we’re skipping these places is because we had a rendezvous with Stevo and Miss Cook and a plane at 14000 ft in 2 days time, and we were going to double back on ourselves to do these with the guys. Assuming we survived the skydive!!

So after a long day travelling we arrived in the awesome little town of Bryon Bay and checked into our Hostel. Our Oz experience bus driver organised a big BBQ for everyone on the bus that evening, so we all met up for a few cheeky drinks and a BBQ and said our goodbyes to some friends who were continuing straight down to Sydney the following morning.

Our second day in Bryon we had a day trip organised over to the infamous hippy town of Nimbin which was pretty damn funny, day consisted of a quick stop in the town, then headed out to a national park near Nimbin for a BBQ up in the hills, followed by a stop of at a waterfall for some swimming and jumping off rocks into the FREEZING water. Then back to the Byron to continue the party at Cheeky Monkeys. Quality day out – Nimbin is VERY laid back!

Next day we toured around Bryon again whilst waiting for Stevo and Katy to fly in from Melbourne and Sydney. Once they arrived we headed out for a few drinks and bite to eat but decided to be extremely well behaved by our standards as the following morning was the big jump!

Why do a skydive?? Well Stevo and Miss Gayner bought me the jump in Byron Bay for 30th Birthday back in December, which I just had to book in to as we travelled down the coast. (AWESOME GIFT – THANKS AGAIN GUYS). We decided it would be a great idea for Stevo and Katy to fly in and join in the madness of throwing yourself out of a perfectly good plan at 14000ft! Why wouldn’t ya!!! And we could also have a last long weekend all together for Stevo's Birthday before Ben and I flew out of Oz for New Zealand.

So the following morning it was an early start… up and picked up from the hostel at 7:15, the previous few days had been pretty miserable weather wise, but this morning… the sun shone, and the clouds dispersed – good times. It all happened so quickly from then on as they were concerned the weather may start closing in again. First port of call at the dive centre - signing the death waiver, which if I wasn’t scared before seeing and signing a big document stating it was dangerous it might go wrong and if it does your pretty much screwed, then a few nerves definitely started to appear about then. Not that I was ever in any doubt about doing it… couldn’t wait.

After a quick briefing and demo and meeting my jump instructor we all changed and packed up and off we went in the small little single prop engine plane. Was amazing climbing up to 14000 although it does give you plenty of opportunity to think “sh1t what the hell am I doing!” I was still really excited and raring to go though when all of a sudden the red light comes on signalling 1 mile from DZ, then in no time at all, amber light half a mile from DZ, and in a flash green light – Go go go go! Stevo was hanging out of the door, and then he wasn’t! Now that’s the time I shat myself!! Seeing my brother disappear out door and just vanish! “Wow wow wow can we just take 5 minutes here and have a little think about what we’re doing!“ But before I had a chance to do or say anything the bloke strapped to my back (First and only time I want a guy strapped on to my back I have to say!) pushed us to the open door, I held on for dear life and we were out! O MY GOD! The feeling was indescribable, 60 second free fall reaching speeds of 200kph, mind blowing then when they shoot opened – a feeling of THANK #### for the that – it opened!!, but the silence that comes with it and the opportunity to actually take in the scenery of the amazing coast line and of Byron Bay. Just amazing! I could see Stevo land below me and could see Katy above. Loved every second of it and have to say a massive THANK YOU to Stevo and Gayner for the awesome birthday present. I had a camera man with me filming it all the way, which Stevo has put on YouTube – it’s at the following URL http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VW24CiMjZC8&feature=autofb - Enjoy!

So before 9am, we ‘d been up fed watered and jumped out of a plane and survived… what to do for the rest of the day! All day session ya say!

We moved to a place on the beach which use to be owned by Paul Hogan – Crocadile Dundee himself!! Quality! We also had the added bonus of Ozzy Si and the family coming down to spend the day with us. Si is a friend of Stevo and mine and he use to live with me in Manchester a few years ago, he moved back to Oz and settled on the east coast about an hour north of Byron Bay. It was quality to catch up with him and meet his family. Shame he had to head back home.

The evening we spent at a bar with a local band on who were awesome, basically 2 guys who play a whole host of instruments kind of country esk – and really entertaining. When they finished we decided to take Ste and Katy to a few backpacker bars – and end up in Cheeky monkeys – Hilarious!

Next morning - Stevo’s Birthday – we hired a car and drove north from Byron Bay first stop Gold Coast, to stop of at the Gold Lounge at Reading Cinemas to watch Inception in lazy boy comfort! Quality film. Straight after the film it was back in the car to head North again to Brisbane. Unfortunately just as we were pulling away from the cinema some muppet drove in the back of us as we were waiting at a red light. Not a lot of damage and everyone was fine, which is the most important factor, without a doubt. After exchanging details we continued the hour north to Brisbane. Stevo and I dropped Katy and Ben off at Troy’s then headed straight to the airport to pick Tam up who was flying in for the rest of the weekend, and where we change the car with one that didn’t have a massive dent in the back! We then had to get back to Troy’s, get ready and head out for Stevo’s Birthday meal – we got lost, which didn’t help! :o) We got there though and went out for an amazing Himalayan meal and then out into Brisbane for a night out, and back to Troy’s for an after party – quality night! HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEVO!

The next day it was back in car for, Stevo, Tam, Katy, Ben and I and heading further north to Noosa, which is really nice little town on the sunshine coast. Here we spent the day relaxing on the beach and were Ben decided to run into the water with his mobile phone in his pocket. Ben mobile phone count on the trip so far = 4 :o)

That evening we had a BBQ in the apartment and a few drinks which was a great way to end a quality long weekend with Steve, Tam and Katy. We had a great long weekend with the guys and it was a great way to finish the Australian part of the trip. The next morning Ste and Tam took Ben, Katy and me to Sunshine Coast Airport where we said our goodbyes – officially hate goodbyes!

We caught a flight to Sydney where we spent our last night in at Katy’s – we went out for a bite to eat and caught up with Private Benjamin a friend of ours from Manchester who is travelling a similar route to Ben and I just a few months behind us, he’s settled in Sydney at the minute and it was quality to catch up with him on the other side of the world. Always cool seeing friends from home when we’re away.

Next morning it was up early to get packed just in time for our taxi to pick us up and take us to the airport.

Phase 2 of the trip complete… we’d spent over 7 months in Australia… most of that living and working in Melbourne, and the rest doing the east coast. Still only a small percentage of Australia, but what I saw I loved. I think the people who we were with made it that extra bit special, big thank you to the Steve, Tam, Katy, Kelly, Macca, Nirmala, Tom, Vance, Sam and Welsh Steve for making Oz an amazing part of the trip. Will miss you all loads and will be back to see you soon.

Phase 1 of trip - South East Asia - DONE!
Phase 2 of trip – Australia – DONE!
Phase 3 of trip – New Zealand… to be continued!

Much Love
Ravey
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