Hippy Heaven to Highrise Hell!! Byron Bay was great, just really chilled out, staying at a fun, pretty rural hostel with nice people! The beaches are stunning but the whole vibe there is great too! Then on to Surfers Paradise - we knew it would be chalk and cheese but had not quite anticipated just how cheesy!! The beach there is great for surf, and white sand. Good place for a regular "holiday" but bad place for a traveller on a budget trying to get back to nature a bit! Seemed strange to see all the highrises behind the beach, even tho we knew thats what it would be! Bought out the anti-consumerism side in me - I didnt even want to look twice as we passed Tiffany's, Dior etc - something is different!! So, having seen the main bit, watched the surfers/ windsurfers/ kiteboarders and checked out where the surf competitions happen we decided to move on after a night. Now in Brisbane! Today was all about wondering round the markets, listening to live music, and jumping on a little ferry down the river. We covered quite some distance in the trusty flip-flops! Im off to visit the second largest sand island in the world (Moreton Island) tomorrow, so will let you know what I think. Am also on the lookout for dolphins there! :) Also, the hostel here (Bunk) has air-con, and its freezing - wouldnt cope very well back in that snow!! Ooooh, ooh, exciting bit - had my palm/ tarot cards read today at the river market!! All good news, thankfully! Wont tempt any fate by broadcasting my future on the net though! Big love TT xx