Im now in Byron Bay!

I checked out of the hostel in Surfers Paradise at 07:30 this morning and got the shuttle bus to the bus station to catch the 08:20 bus to Byron bay. I was really excited becasue I had heard so many good things about Byron.

I almost didnt make it to the bus station because the girl who drives the shuttle woke up late which left us less than ten minutes to get to the bus station and in rush hour traffic! You can imagine what a state I was in - I hate being late! I jumped out of the shuttle and it seemed like everything was going slow motion - you know like you see in the movies - I felt as though I was shouting 'Noooooo, dont leave - Im here!" I was greeted with a big hug from the bus driver (same guy as yesterday). I sat behind him on the bus, but didnt talk very much because I slept most of the way here! It was an hour and a half journey, which seemed to fly by.

I arrived at Byron Bay at 10:00 this morning and I was so excited - its is a really cool, chilled out, hippie looking town, located right on the beach. The shuttle driver who picked us up from the bus station, took us on a tour of the town, including the beach and told us where to go and where to avoid - it was really nice of her, considering I hadnt had a tour from any other hostel that Ive stayed with in my three weeks here!

Arriving at The Arts Factory hostel, well, it was gorgeous. Its a hostel set in an acre of land, and basically, you stay in teepee's around the grounds! It has its own cinema, bar / club, restaurant, swimming pool and spa, tour desk and there are hammocks everywhere! It is such a relaxing place - Im here for three nights.

I met a girl on the shuttle bus from the bus station - Caitlin from Michigan, USA. She is a year older than me (I think the only person I have met who is older than me!) and we got talking. She is a marine biologist, here for work, but enjoying four days of tourism before work starts in Noosa. Anyway, we are staying in the same teepee and have spent all day together today. We walked into the town and did some window shopping. We stopped and had fish and chips for lunch - it was lovely. The fish is caught locally here, so its fresh. Probably the best fish and chips so far!

We are going to the cinema tonight and then out into town for a couple of drinks in Cheeky Monkeys. It should be a good night.

We are just about to book a day tour to Nimbin tomorrow. Ive heard alot of things about this place. Its not somewhere I would venture on my own (due to the high volume of marijuana!) but I wanted to go to say that Ive been there and to take some pictures. Caitlin is the same, so we agreed we would do it together. This could be interesting!

There is a sunrise tour for $5 on Thursday morning, at the lighthouse, overlooking the beach here, so we are both going to do that and then spend the day sunbathing.

I really like Byron Bay so far - Im going to like it here.