Byron Bay - The Wedding

So here we are again, 14.000km away from cold and rainy Europe. This is the perfect spot for all of you out there who want to escape from this meteorological drama being presented to us at the moment. As you might have guessed I am back in Germany and recovered from my Jetlag. Back to normality again. But not quite yet. I still have a lot to show you, so let's dive back into dream world, shall we.

Jacaranda Tree

I never would have thought that the vegetation would be so versatile and tropical even. Most people always have this image of the red, hot and dry Outback when they think of Australia.

Hibiscus Flower

Go and see the coasts and hinterlands in springtime when the Jacaranda tree is in full bloom and the Jasmine bushes seduce you with their sweet intoxicating fragrance. All kinds of Hibiscus flowers, ferns in all sizes and shapes possible. Eucalyptus, palm and gum trees surrounded by swarms of flying foxes in the evening hours. Have a closer look in the botanic gardens in Sydney or Melbourne and you will be amazed about the diversity and countless numbers of all the different native species.

Kookaburra

Adding to these olfactory sensations are of course the sounds of the jungle. The unforgettable laughter of the Kookaburra orchestrating together with parrots, cockatoos, ibises (not really sure if they make any sounds) and who knows what birds are out there in the forests. I was actually totally surprised of how tropical nature unravelled all along from Brisbane down to Sydney. Always imagined it to be more like European forests and countrysides.
I felt just like James Cook must have felt when he first set foot on this continent in 1770 before the arrival of the First Fleet and the colonization. Lush forests, clear waters and a deep blue sky like I've seen nowhere else - not even in Bavaria ;)

Byron Bay - Belongil Creek

So I've spent 5 days on a nice camper site in the midst of this tropical garden of eden. It was so relaxing and yet I felt adventurous. This was the big time and life was good. My little self containing bunk house had everything I needed to serve as base for my long trips through the surroundings. Right next to the camp was a nice little creek and a couple of minutes footwalk down south from there the first houses of Byron Bay began to pop out of the wild. It's not a big tourist place at all. You will not find big hotels runining the beachlines, it's deliberatly kept small and village-like and it almost felt like a last resort for hippies, surfers, treehuggers, adventurers and reality escapers.

Byron Bay - afternoon surf

Anyhow, the first two days in Byron Bay were a total blast. On the day before the wedding we went out for a surf. Imagine two german guys having a 10 minute theory crash course in surfing on the beach by another german, who claims to be half an ozzie now, and then bluntly heading out to the waves. Surely a hilarious sight. So here is how it works: paddle out into the sea a couple of meters, head towards the beach and try to catch a wave then lift yourself up onto your feet (you guessed it right, that's the tricky part) just to fall off again after a couple of seconds loosing your balance because of unpredictable turbulence's in the waves. Repeat these steps indefinitely... or until you loose all your stamina and be completely exhausted after about 15 minutes. It looks so easy but professional surfers must have an athletes fitness to pull this off.

At the evening we had the chance to recuperate at the pre-wedding dinner at the Belongil Treehouse restaurant, where we spent a lovely couple of hours with all the wedding guests at easy listening live music and the moon rising over the soothing background noise of breaking waves on the beach behind the tree lines.

Byron Bay - sunset

The wedding itself was quite an experience. The weather was overcast and it was unclear until the very last moment wether it's gonna be happening at the beach or not. The couple decided to risk it and it totally paid off. And as if it wasn't romantic enough to give each others vows on a perfect beach with the great pacific ocean in the background, the sun came out just at the right moment as if to give it's own blessing to this bond of two lovers. And yet, as if to say as well: "but be aware of the other times, when the sun does not shine on your lives", it started to rain. And i mean - really, really rain.

The Wedding

But don't worry folks. The shower lasted not for long - although we all got pretty wet. But heck, it sure wasn't boring. After a short bus drive to the hills where the Fig Tree Restaurant was located we were rewarded with a spectacular view down on the lowlands and the ocean.

Byron Bay - View from the hillside

Byron Bay - The Fig Tree

And just to top it all even the rainbow came out to say Hi! It sure was a day to remember, not only for the families and the couple, but for me as well. It almost felt magical.

Byron Bay - Rainbow over ocean & lowlands

Having had a splendid day and evening with a fantastic dinner, we were driven back to town to enjoy ourselves on a little bit of nightlife checking out the clubs of Byron Bay and all that good jazz. At about three in the morning i happily fell into my bed to the soothing sounds of crickets and cockatoos and croaking frogs, dreaming of the things yet to come.