I'll never forget when we first met "Ruby Red" it was in a parking lot in Sydney this small, clean, red color Suzuki something that was a 5 speed manual. She was waiting for us and we were waiting for her. Surprisingly enough we were able to fit the 3 of us and all our luggage into Ruby. Kat sat shotgun as my navigator, and Mel kept us honest from the back seat. Oh God! The wrong side of the road I'm going to die! Actually it wasn't that bad after about 1 hour driving I got the hang of it. Kat and Mel were fine driving Ruby as well because being from England, they drive on the wrong side of the road there too. So it was old hat for them.
Hey the steering wheel is not on this side!
The trip itself would be about 1000Km and would take us North from Sydney all the way to Brisbane along the eastern coast of Australia. On this 4 day journey we would be staying the night in Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour and Byron Bay. The first day of our trip had us trekking most of the day in the rain that still had not stopped from Sydney to Port Macquarie. We covered almost 400km because the weather was terrible so we figured why not cover some more distance. Along the way we stopped off at a few beaches and look out points but most of this day was dedicated to driving. I wasn't feeling well the whole day and that night I went from bad to worse. My sore throat was getting worse and I was drugged up on pain killers. Apparently being so drugged up made me snore the first night away and Kat being kind and generous did not bother to wake me up but instead left the room to go sleep in the car. I was so embarrased! When I woke up the next morning I looked over and saw Mel but no Kat at which point she walks into the room and admits she slept in the car. OMG! I was that loud that I sent this poor little english girl packing to sleep out in the car during the cold rain. What's wrong with me? I felt terrible and I got flashbacks of my Father and Pop's snoring symphony during the family Thanksgiving trips to Lake Tahoe. I tell Kat the next night to throw something at me if I still snore. Poor thing she got about 2 hours of sleep that night.
The next day we head for Coffs Harbour and Mel and I do most of the driving as Kat is decommissioned having gotten zero sleep the night before. We try and cheer her up a little by stopping off at a Koala hospital where they rehabilitate Koalas that have been injured in the wild. This works for a little while, but it is clear Kat is in no mood to be cheery. Hell I can't blame her either. Our journey continues and along the way we stop off at a Smokey Point lighthouse and then take a detour into the mountains to check out a few waterfalls and look out points. When we get to Coffs Harbour Kat takes a long nap and Mel and I head into town to get food for dinner. My throat is still real bad so we head to a clinic and for $60 I get diagnosed with Tonsillitis and get written a prescription for some form of Penicillin. The doc tells me I should be fine the next morning. Yes I'm ready to kick this throat issue.
Day 3 we make our way for Byron Bay and the weather is way better now. Byron Bay is amazing and is the most easterly point in Australia. We walk to the lighthouse then trek along the water. Views are incredible the sun is out and we are happy. After spending a few hours at the beach we head to the Arts Factory to check into our 12 person Tipi (also pronounced tepee), yes I said Tipi. Our last night of our road trip and we would be staying in a Tipi. We thought it would be a goof and a lot of fun but man were we wrong. First of all the Arts Factory hostel is Granola at it's finest. Lot's of hippie backpackers, lot's of dreads, lots of beards. It's feels like a bonafide campsite but the vibe is friendly. Now why did the Tipi not work? Number 1, there is no fan, no AC and it was hotter then hell in there. Felt like sitting in a sauna. Number 2, there is no door only a curtain meaning every mosquito in the neighborhood could fly his little ass into our Tipi and feast on us why we sleep. Number 3, 12 people equals constant noise all night long. People getting up, people snoring, people talking. Yes my first Tipi experience will be my last. We did however managed to have a fun night on the town drinking and dancing at places such a the "Cheeky Monkey". Byron Bay was a happening place and so far my favorite place on the Australia segment of the trip.
The next morning we checkout and make our way for Brisbane along the gold coast. We manage to stop in Surfers paradise for lunch. Surfers paradise is this mecca of long white sand beaches that run for miles with a backdrop of high rise hotels. Reminds me a bit of Cancun only the sand is way better! We finally reach Brisbane and say goodbye to Ruby Red who kicked ass our whole trip.
And sadly I had to say goodbye to Kat and Mel who were headed out to the countryside to work in a small town tending bar and a restaurant. Again everyone works in Australia. Mel was our fearless troop leader, Kat our lovable and feisty cheerleader, and me and old snoring, grandpa, with pink shorts. It was a road trip I will never forget. Thanks girls for the good times and thanks for the company.
With one night in Brisbane I head for Airlie Beach and the Whitsunday Islands the following morning.
THANKS for a Great Account of what seems like a fun few days on the Aussie Coast.
ReplyDeleteHope everything is well for you.
lol
Mels Dad - Alan