Welcome to my blog

I must admit that this is my very first blog post.. I even googled "how to write a blog" but was too overwhelmed to search through all the results. I am however feeling very Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw mixed with a bit of Mark Zuckerburg from the Social Network - Needless to say, unlike Mark I won't be rating the delegates on a 'hot or not website'.

My blog will recount all the wonderful experiences that occurred within the Northern Rivers region over the past several days. 

Peace  .x.

Day One:

3:45 am - I wake like it is Christmas morning. My parents were also just as excited as they escorted me down our driveway (the whole twenty meters) in preparation for my taxi's arrival.

After collecting the delegates from their hotels we headed to Sydney Domestic Airport for our 8:00 am flight to Coolangatta. The bus ride to the airport was very quiet - I assumed it was due to the early hour of collection but later realised that my group had a BIG night beforehand and were all battling headaches and sleep deprivation. Sydney's Domestic Terminal was insane as flights to Perth had been cancelled courtesy of Jetstar which resulted in the terminal being engulfed with screaming children followed by screaming parents. 

Once we landed in Collangatta we were greeted by Renae from Northern Rivers Tourism and Ray from Byron Easy Bus who would be our driver for the duration of the famil. After a quick head count we were off to the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. 

Check it out: http://www.currumbin-sanctuary.org.au/

Lunch was served by Charlie at Mavis' Kitchen located in the Mount Warning region. I am lost for words when describing this wonderful restaurant! Charlie's main objective is to serve simple, fresh and organic food focusing greatly on local produce. The majority of ingredients were found in the vegetable gardens which Charlie encourages guests to walk around. Charlie went on to explain that there is no set menu as what is served depends on what is produced in the garden and the seasonality of certain items. I rate this little piece of heaven 10/10 - I strongly recommend to anyone who loves great food, great wine and a great atmosphere!

Check it out: http://www.maviseskitchen.com.au/

~ Lamb Roast mmmmmmmmm

With very full bellies we boarded the bus then headed to Wollumbin Mount Warning National Park. Karen from Tweed Tourism escorted the group on the Lyrebird Base Walk which took approximately thirty minutes (depending how many times you stop to take photos) 

The sun was setting when we arrived to check in at The Byron at Byron. We were all exhausted after an early morning start and a day full of activities but all became instantly relaxed once we walked into the resort. We were greeted with welcome drinks and met Scott who would be our host for the evening. 

The Byron at Byron is honestly a "WOW" and "OMG" resort. The facilities are superb! Although the resort runs at a high occupancy rate, I do recommend trying to get at least two nights in a deluxe spa suite - this room will not disappoint!!

Check it out: http://www.thebyronatbyron.com.au/

~ The room was amazing but the bath was my highest priority and exceeded expectations! 

Day Two:

After a well needed sleep we all met for a light breakfast before we left for our group activities. Bernd, Ricarda and myself felt inspired to learn to surf with Mojo Surf school whilst the remainder of the group went out to sea with Cape Byron Kayaks.

Check it out: http://www.mojosurf.com/
Check it out: http://www.capebyronkayaks.com/

Byron and Lennox Head beaches were packed with a combination of Sunday nippers and Sunday surfers as there was a good swell coming through. Like true surfers, we travelled south 'checking the surf' and chose the breaks at Flat Rock.

Our instructor taught the group how to 'pop up' on a board and understand the surf conditions.
After a quick warm up and tutorial we were off into the water!

The kayakers became celebrities when they made the local NBN Nightly News!!

Check the story out: http://www.nbntv.com.au/index.php/2011/04/10/international-travel-agents-explore-northern-rivers/


After our activities we re-grouped back at The Byron at Byron Resort to meet with Scott for a final resort inspection. The rooms were amazing and the facilities were just as good!

We finished the inspection with a walk to the beach to say our final goodbyes and thank-you's to Scott.

The enchanting Crystal Castle was our destination for lunch. Overlooking the Byron hinterland this wonderful location provided the group with an opportunity to get in touch with their spirituality with an element of escapism. It was very relaxing to walk through the gardens and take in the surrounds.

Check it out: http://www.crystalcastle.com.au/

Once we were all feeling relaxed we met Ray and boarded the bus to The Cape Byron Lighthouse.
This is known as the most easterly point in Australia. The walk was easy grade and showcased beautiful views of the pacific ocean. We were fortunate to do the walk just before sunset and the views were absolutely stunning.

Dinner was hosted by Ralph and Mark at Fishheads Byron. This was an amazing dining experience as the food was fresh and cooked perfectly. By this point in the trip most of the group were finding themselves being constantly full but managed to un-buckle their belts to make room for dessert. This restaurant is a MUST if you are ever in Byron Bay. I highly recommend the oyster's, chicken roast followed by the delicious chocolate mousse!! 

Check it out: http://www.fishheadsbyron.com.au/index.htm

Day Three:

A later start to the morning allowed the group to go into Byron and experience breakfast like true locals :)
Some chose a coffee followed with a walk on the beach whilst others opted for a waterfront cafe with the mornings paper.

I had very high expectations about today's activities because it was going to be involving a lot of food tasting. Needless to say, my expectations were tremendously exceeded.

We met with Karen from Foodscape Tours and headed into the Byron Hinterland for our first destination: Zentfelds Coffee Roastery. We were greeted by the bubbly Rebecca who took the group for a walk around the property explaining the coffee roasting process. It was really great to meet Rebecca who was so proud and enthusiastic about her products. After finishing out lattes and purchasing gifts for friends and family we were back on the bus and off to Duck Creek Macadamias.

Check it out: http://www.foodscapetours.com.au/
Check it out: http://www.zentvelds.com.au/index.html

~ The very HOT coffee roasting machine

I have never really thought about how macadamia nuts are grown or the process they go through before I stuff them in my mouth.. Duck Creek Macadamia's had all the answers. With Macadamia nuts growing on their own plantations we were able to walk through the property and get up close and personal with a macadamia tree. We were hosted by Trevor who shared a  passion for local quality produce and took the group around the property. We then were fortunate enough to be allowed into the tasting room to try different flavours of macadamia nuts. (My mouth is salivating just thinking about this).

Check it out: http://duck-creek.com.au/

Lunch was served at Harvest Cafe in Newrybar. Located within the Byron hinterland, this cafe is a best kept secret. We were there for a mid week lunch and the cafe was nearly full! My guess it could have something to do with the delicious selections of wines or perhaps the mouth watering menus. Tristan the owner hosted our lunch - we were treated like royals! I will be 100% returning to this cafe and I strongly urge anyone who is in the Northern Rivers region to head up for lunch. The cafe and township is full of history and culture and we were all very sad to leave :(

Check it out: http://harvestcafe.com.au/

Out last destination for the day was to the Australian Bush Spices. We arrived just before the storm hit but that in no way dampened our spirits!! I was a little apprehensive about spices but put my hand up to try everything. Scott the creator has created a wonderful product range that provides the consumer with spices that they can add on seafood, white meat, red meat and even on fruit! The American delegates in particular loved the products and bought several for friends and family. I too purchased a few and the pink spice for fruit was lovely in my banana smoothie this morning!

Check it out: http://www.australianbushspices.com.au/

~ Scott and Kash smelling spices

Our final night was spent at the Mantra on Salt Beach in Kingscliff. Let me start by saying that upon arrival the only words I could say were "wow" and "omg'. This resort complex is huge and the facilities are amazing. Set next to Peppers and Bale, this resort is affordable and I highly recommend for families, couples. Kingscliff is only a fifteen minute drive from Coolangatta airport and transfers are easily accessible. This resort offers beautiful pool facilities but is also walking distance to the gorgeous Salt Beach. We were hosted for dinner at Season's restaurant which is within the resort complex and all retreated back to our rooms for our last nights sleep before our flights the next morning. 

Check it out: http://www.mantraonsaltbeach.com.au/

Day Four:

Our final morning was leisurely spent having breakfast overlooking the pool before we boarded the bus for Coolangatta Airport. The bus was running a few minutes late and I was having a 'love/hate' relationship with Jetstars Online Check-in System so the second we arrived at the airport I was off and running through the terminal to quickly check everybody in whilst the group lined up for baggage drop. Renae and Ricarda helped with the check-in process and with great team work we were able to make the flight!

I was sad to say goodbye to everyone once we arrived in Sydney. I have honestly made some true friends and will certainly be contacting them in the near future. This experience has changed my life. I feel I have grown up and tackled challenges that I wouldn't have dreamed of a few months ago. I would just like to thank Tourism NSW and ICMS for putting their trust in me to escort such a wonderful famil and a special thanks to Renae - Your hard work does not go unnoticed :)

Peace .x.