Arrived in Byron yesterday and went straight online to book all my buses as there is a lot of panic about the east coast being full! Met Sarah for a wander round and see whats going on. Went into a backpackers travel centre and booked some trips for furthur up the coast then went back for dinner, and hiring cutlery! spent most of the night planning the next 5 weeks, and i now have a plan! feeling very organised. This morning i met Sarah and Hannah and we rented surf boards and struggled to look cool and get them down to the beach! Got into the sea and after a while adjusting to a smaller proper board after the massive foam topped ones we learnt on, i managed to stand up nearly every time! thew other girls found the boards much harder. covered in bruises and very sore knees but im a surf chick now and thats what happens! The waves started dying down around 12, so we left just as the rain started. went back to get lunch then met sarah for a nice afternoon shopping. Byron bay has lots of great shops, and bought a few things ( a couple of funky tops, a big bag as my hand luggage is growing at a worrying rate and some necklaces for $5 each which all goes to charity!. . . )So many places offering free internet here for 30 mins! going out tonight to Cheeky Monkeys 'party restauraunt' with sarah and the others off the bus!