My trip to the Byron Bay Teacher Exchange weekend was very eventful.  There is a couple who live 40 minutes from me who have been on exchange twice.  Steve and Karen and their two sons picked me up on Friday night and we headed to Ballina to stay with their friend.  On Saturday morning I went and had my picture taken under the "Big Prawn".  I will be adding that photo to my "big" picture collection!  We went to the Clarke Beach location to meet other Canadians on exchange and those from Australia who have been to Canada.  I met Mary and Pat from Airdrie who are currently on their third exchange.  They took me under their wing and I spent a lovely time following them to the beach to watch Mary, Pat and their son and daughter practice surfing.  I got a shot of life savers practicing their skills on the beach while there.  We headed to the Byron Bay lighthouse.  The view was spectacular.  It is whale migration season and we did see one whale frolic in the water.  We did however see a school of dolphins having fun in the water.  So cool!  After that we all went to the local RSM club (Retire Service Member's Club) for dinner.  These locations are like our Legions, but way nicer.  They are busy with patrons and are beautifully kept.  

The next morning we ventured to the Channon Market near Lismore.  There were over 250 stalls of hand made items and many yummy items to eat.  On the way to the market, our convoy of cars spotted a koala crossing the road and head up into a tree.  Like any good tourists, we all pulled over and got out to take pictures!  Lots of Aussies say they have never witnessed a koala cross the road, so I feel fortunate to have seen this!  From the Channon market we went to Nimbin.  So, Nimbin is the cannabis capital of Australia ... hence the Hippy Happy Herbs sign.  Mary and Pat have been here previously, so Mary kept the kids on the main street while Pat and I ventured into the alley.  Within seconds we were offered some lovely brownies and green cookies.  Politely refusing any offers, we returned to the street.  There were some cool carved stones that I had to have my picture taken by to mark my time in Nimbin.  

On the Sunday night we went to the Ballina RSM club and they had a tribute room with fantastic memorabilia.  I took two photos in honour of my brother.  

The group also visited the Thursday Plantation.  This place manufactures Tea Tree Oils and many oily products.  I purchased some lemon grass oils to make my house smell yummy.  While there, I ventured to their gardens.  I'm not sure what the two pillars represented, but they were covered in boogie!  Yep, lots of them.  Couldn't resist another photo.  

I've included a mountainous picture that shows the route I need to take to get out of Inverell to get to the coast.  The pass is called the Gibraltar Range and when it says that its only 350 km away, that means about 4.5 hours of driving time.  It's kind of like driving into B.C.  Up, up, up and then down, down, down ... with a whole lot of curves thrown in.  

It was a great weekend and I have plans to meet with the Canadians in Hunter Valley to do some wine tasting!  

Never a dull moment when adventuring through Australia!