Hi! Just to update you on what's been going on in Byron Bay... left melbourne tullamarine at about 5.30a.m on friday and arrived here at about 8 in the morning and got a taxi to Byron Bay from the Gold Coast airport. Just hit the beach pretty much straight away and went swimming in the slightly cold water...got used to it eventually... lots of surfers and big waves to dive under! Been a few shark sightings in the area and apparently it is very close to the breeding ground for bull sharks! still, it didn't deter us from going swimming pretty much everyday after that! went out into the bay at night time... the people on schoolies were always drunk from about 5 in the afternoon and very loud and lary! so by 9 there are people passed out the streets! the locals must get so annoyed! glad to say none of our lot passed out anywhere or were carried off in an ambulance like many others! got a few nice shops around and great food! such a change from the fast food places in england! i think i am the only one who so far hasn't been into mcdonalds, burger king (hungry jack's over here) or subway! have had lots of sushi though and juice drinks etc! apparently the bay is 81km long.. so i haven't walked the length of it... although finn and justin went for a long walk along the beach and were slightly confused and embarassed when they found themselves on a nude beach! Our accommodation last night (monday) was great... best night's sleep sinse i've been here.. before we were in backpackers inn which was great for socialising and meeting other people our age but the beds weren't as comfortable and being crammed in a room with 5 other smelly boys had its downsides! slightly taken aback by the size of thje bats.. also saw some poisonous toads late last night! anyway, about to leave byron now so i need to get going! much love, speak to you all soon x x