I love surfing and i have been to many surfing sports in Europe but last January, the coldest month in Sweden where I booked a trip to the sun for some surfing. Little did I know that I was about to go and find my new favorite place in the world, Byron bay.

Australia really has surfing in its core, especially the Gold Coast. At the Gold Coast you have many options for surfing, there are many camps offering you different things. You have one, Mojo surf camp that takes you from Sydney to Byron bay and you surf at different locations as you travel the country. There are camps in almost every city in the Gold Coast but if I could give advise I say take on off the camps that are stated in Byron Bay.

Byron Bay is the coolest, loveliest and most awesome town that gives you all you need when it comes to surfing. Not only perfect conditions for surfing but you are in a town that breaths and lives surfing. You walk into town and you are surrounded by surfing in everyway possible and you get a chance to really try the surfing lifestyle. You have several options when it comes to surf camps, i myself was at Surf Camp Byron Bay, but there are others like Byron Bay soul surf, backpackers in, Byron bay surf school, black dog surfing among many others. What you get with them is you pick the amount off days you want to surf for and in the price accommodation is included. You can pick anything from 1 day to a month long stays.

Check here for the list of Surf camps available in Byron Bay

I booked 10 days at the surf camp, because I really wanted to get a feel for the lifestyle. We had surfing lessons everyday for three hours after that it was time to chill. The hostel I was staying at had a backyard with everything you needed for a afternoon off fun, games, volleyball, pool, food truck and a lot off sunbeds and hammocks. In the evening you would stroll down to town and one off the many restaurants for dinner. That was one thing that really surprised me, that such a small town had so many food options. They have everything you can imagine several amazing pizza places, hamburger bars, healthy food places. By the time was up i had really gotten a chance to try the surfer life and was more then ready to leave for the next destination off my adventure in Australia.

About the author: Sara has a life long passion for traveling and adventures. Her moto in life is make money and spend it on traveling the world. She also love to help you out with tips on how to make your trips the best you ever had. Make sure to follow her site tripsbysara.wordpress.com.

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According to the Hawaii Tourism Authority, nearly 12 million people visit the islands of Hawaii each year — and the numbers keep growing. Whether they come to relax on some of the world’s best beaches, tackle the 30-foot waves on the North Shore or explore the diverse rainforests, deserts and mountains, one thing is for certain: Hawaii has something for everyone.

If you haven’t been to Hawaii yet, but just scored some cheap flights and are planning your itinerary, don’t miss these quintessentially Hawaiian experiences that will give you a taste of the best these beautiful islands have to offer.

Explore History at Pearl Harbor

In the early morning hours of Dec. 7, 1941, the world was forever changed when the U.S. military base at Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Japanese. By the attack’s end, thousands were dead, the USS Arizona was on the ocean floor and America was involved in World War II.

For visitors to Oahu, a visit to the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor is must. Start at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, where you can explore exhibits and galleries that tell the story of the events of that fateful day. On most days, you can meet and learn from Pearl Harbor survivors who are on hand to share their experiences. From here, take a Navy shuttle to the actual memorial, where you can see the shadowy remains of the Arizona through the structure’s glass floor. The experience is moving and provides a firsthand glimpse of one of the darkest days in American history.

Attend a Luau

When you think of Hawaii, you probably think of luaus — an exotic celebration of Polynesian culture. The word “luau” is synonymous with party or feast, and when you attend one of these events, you’ll see why.

Traditionally, luaus included a meal of kalua pig cooked in an earthen oven served with coconut pudding (haupia) and taro starch (poi), but the menus at modern luaus have expanded and include more flavors familiar to American palates. During and after the meal, you’ll be entertained by hula dancers (and often have the chance to learn a few moves yourself), fire dancers, music and in some cases, performances from other Polynesian cultures. Many large hotels offer luaus, as well as independent luau producers, making it easy to attend one during your visit.

Sample Shave Ice

While Hawaii has many culinary treats, perhaps none is as beloved as shave ice, a cool and creamy treat that is NOT your average snow cone. Based on the Japanese treat kakigori, shave ice is made by shaving a block of ice into a fine and fluffy powder resembling snow. The shaved ice is served in a cone over a scoop of vanilla ice cream or azuki bean paste and flavored with brightly colored syrups in various flavors.

While it’s possible to order typical American flavors like raspberry and strawberry, for a true Hawaiian treat, try a shave ice flavored with pineapple, coconut, guava, mango or lychee. The most legendary shave ices can be found at Matsumoto’s Shave Ice Store in Haleiwa on Oahu’s North Shore. On a typical day Matsumoto’s serves more than 1,000 of the treats — and some visitors return multiple times per day.

Take a Surf Lesson

Nothing says “Hawaii” more than a surfboard — and if you’ve ever thought about what it would be like to ride a wave, now’s the time to sign up for a surf lesson. Even if you think you have zero athletic ability, the skilled instructors at most Hawaiian surf schools can get the most uncoordinated wannabe-surfer standing on a board by the time their lesson is over, even if it’s just a few seconds. Although you can find amazing waves on any of the islands, Maui has the best waves for beginners.

Visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Located on the Big Island of Hawaii, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is the top tourist attraction in all of Hawaii, attracting millions of visitors each year — and for good reason.

Here is where you’ll have the chance to see an actively erupting volcano (Kilauea) that has spewed lava for almost 30 years and Mauna Loa, the largest volcano in the world. The park itself features hiking trails, stunning landscapes formed by millions of years of volcanic activities and some of the best views in all of Hawaii.

While Hawaii has enough to do and see to fill any itinerary, if you want to get a true taste of what this Polynesian paradise has to offer, try these five activities — if you can pull yourself away from the shave ice stand long enough to do anything else!

About the Author: Ada Roy first visited Hawaii on a family vacation as a child. Now a travel writer and photographer, Ada returns to the islands every year. Thanks to the flights she finds on Spirit Airlines, she’s usually able to make that happen — and has enough money left over for an extra surf lesson or two.

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But now I knew I can do it and it just a question of time when I will be able to ride something bigger

You must try it too if you are visiting Australia and I encourage to hire trainer. Of course spending time in surfing camp it is the best option to learn it, but take at least couple hours lesson if you can’t go to camp. You can rent surf board and try it yourself, but it is good to have somebody on side who can show your mistakes.
Be prepared for lot of paddling at the beginning

then relax and stretch a little bit

watch whales passing by

and paddle paddle again

The most famous surfing beach in Australia is Bells Beach near Melbourne, but I wasn’t much excited about it as water is quite cold there and my preference were beaches around Sydney as I lived there or in Byron Bay during holidays (last three photos are from the trip to Byron Bay). I love that shallow beach in Byron Bay and you can just walk if you are tired of paddling.

You will also find some outstanding surfing in the city of Gold Coast and the surrounding area. Surfers Paradise is probably the best known beach in the region, but South Stradbroke Island, Broadbeach, Main Beach, and The Spit are extremely popular in their own right. Duranbah Beach is another world famous surfing beach that is close to Gold Coast, but it is actually just across the state line and is located in New South Wales.

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Sometimes you can just sit on the beach and watch whales. Bondi beach is one of most favorite beach in Sydney between tourist. It looks like not only humans like that beach but humpback whales like it too. Couple years ago while I was in Sydney I did have a pleasure to see whale at Bondi beach too. It was so close to the shore and it is probably beyond expression the feeling of surfers who were so close to that whale. Thought most of surfers were so busy with wave catching they even didn’t notice what is swimming behind them. But this surfer in the picture did see it and may be was waiting that humpback whale to come even closer? That didn’t happen, but I was following that whale for an hour or more by walking on the shore till I reached South Head and whale was spotted by one of whale watching tour boat. You can see the picture here (the last one).

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First time I saw this 10 years ago. At the time I have no idea about surfing at all. After I lived in Australia for couple years I wanted to see this place again.

You don’t to paddle out to the sea, you don’t need to wait for a wave, you don’t need to paddle again to catch that wave. Surfers know what I am talking about. May it is part of all surfing fun, but here you just put your board on the surface and jump on it. That’s it.  It looks so easy here.

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