Tag: travel

byron bay

Insider’s Guide to Australia’s Byron Bay: Local Secrets & Tips

As a Byron Shire local of seven years, I’ve seen this magical place transform and evolve over time. While drawing in the most beautiful, authentic and creative individuals, it has also become quite the tourist hotspot—which has its pros and cons. At certain times of the year, Byron is swarming with holiday-goers looking to soak up some of its chilled out vibes.

But Byron’s soul is not lost. There’s still an abundance of peaceful and high-vibe activities on offer. Take some tips from a local to discover the region’s best-kept secrets and avoid the chaos, ensuring you enjoy the true spirit of beautiful Byron Bay on the northern coast of NSW in Australia.

But Byron’s soul is not lost. There’s still an abundance of peaceful and high-vibe activities on offer. Take some tips from a local to discover the region’s best-kept secrets and avoid the chaos, ensuring you enjoy the true spirit of beautiful Byron Bay on the northern coats of NSW in Australia.

FOOD

When I first moved to Byron Bay there were a couple of options for health lovers. Now, the town boasts green smoothie joints and vegan treats galore. If you’re a fan of plant-based eats, head to Combi to enjoy a smoothie bowl in a vibrant environment. Elixaba is another popular vegan eatery, with everything from hemp burgers to cosmic cocktails. Enjoy the trendy ambiance on a sunny day at The Roadhouse or The Farm on opposite ends of town but both serving delicious, local feasts and treats.

Top Shop in the thick of it is perched atop a little hill, attracting local hipsters and coffee lovers, and there’s plenty of room to bask in the sunshine on the grass. Folk is another cute café boasting funky vibes and outdoor dining.

For dinner, wander down the hidden Bay Lane near the beach to find some local favourites, or head to the outskirts of town and enjoy drinks and dinner with live music at Tree House on Belongil (where the pizza is amazing). Embrace your inner hippie and go barefoot to the farmers market on a Thursday morning to source the best local produce, stock up on edible souvenirs (I highly recommend the macadamia nut butter) and listen to local musicians.

MARKETS AND SHOPPING

You’ll be spoilt for choice wandering around the main streets of Byron—where there’s an abundance of beautiful boutiques. For something a little more unique (and cheap), head to the craft markets on a Sunday. These rotating markets are held once a month in the Bay, and in other nearby towns on other Sundays, selling local goodies like clothing, jewellery, candles and more, and offering vibrant vibes.

MASSAGES, READINGS AND HEALINGS

When in Byron Bay, right? The best way to find a healer is by asking the locals. Look for business cards in local businesses, or, if you’re after a simple massage or treatment, there are plenty of options around town. The famous Byron palm-reader can usually be spotted on Jonson Street and has been known to offer insightful, albeit a little strange, readings. Kiva Spa in Mullumbimby is one of my favourite places in the world, offering beautiful treatments and a ‘bath house’ in Balinese-style surrounds. Crystal Castle (also in Mullumbimby) is well worth the visit if you’re into all things spiritual, or just enjoy surrounding yourself with sparkly, serene things. Here you can also find treatments, readings and workshops.

YOGA

The yoga scene has boomed in Byron over the past few years, and locals laugh about the high teacher-to-student ratio in town. You’ll find a style and environment for every taste, and a quick search (online or off) will point you in the right direction. As someone who loves yoga, my favourite place is Creature Yoga – the most popular studio, with two separate locations in very slick surrounds. Or if you fancy a little stretch immersed in nature, Bamboo Yoga Byron offer indoor-outdoor classes in an inviting yurt surrounded by greenery. But really, a whole story could easily be dedicated to the smorgasbord of spiritual offerings in the area.

BEACHES AND NATURE

If you’re into surfing or want to give it a whirl, The Pass and Wategos are great for all levels, and Tallows is for the more experienced. Take a walk around the lighthouse to enjoy expansive, breathtaking views and, if you’re lucky, spot a whale or pod of dolphins. If you’re an early riser, you can’t beat the sunrise views from the lighthouse, and Main Beach won’t disappoint for picturesque sunsets and some drum-circle beats in the background.

If you’re looking for something a little more secluded, ask a local to point you in the direction of the Suffolk Park tea tree lake, or venture to Broken Head to explore the many more secret beaches—including one nude one. Take a rainforest adventure and hike to Minyon Falls, where you can enjoy a swim under the waterfall (after a 90-minute hike), or explore one of the many walking trails in the area. For those who love to walk, Byron Trails is a great investment and outlines 50 walking tracks in the Shire.

WHEN TO VISIT

If you’re after a peaceful holiday, avoid Byron during music festivals and over the Christmas/New Year period. While it is busy most weekends, things tend to slow down in winter, but the weather remains beautiful, making it the ultimate time to visit. If you are planning to be in the Bay over one of these busy times, make sure you plan and book well in advance.

Chill out, Slow down, Cheer up and Enjoy!

Words by Jessica Humphries for The Wise Traveller.

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healthy travel

The Art of Travelling Well: 5 Essential Tips for Staying Safe and Healthy

When we travel, we’re bound to come across scenarios that challenge us—it’s all part of the experience. Things won’t always go according to plan, and we’ll find ourselves surrendering to situations we never anticipated. If you’re a health and wellness lover, you’ve probably had to skip your daily green smoothie in favour of something grossly guilt-inducing. But the beauty of travel is that, although it may not always be the healthiest thing for your stomach, it’s almost always a good thing for your soul. Finding a balance between staying healthy and being flexible enough to let go will serve you well on your journeys. But while mishaps are inevitable, there are some simple ways to stay healthy, safe and (relatively) serene on your travels.

1. First Aid Kit/Other Helpful Items

Plan ahead and prepare your remedy pack. Include emergency pharmaceuticals for belly ailments if you’re travelling somewhere exotic, probiotics and vitamins, a good cream for rashes and bites repellent, if you’re prone to insect bites, and natural antiseptics like lavender and tea tree oil will come in handy (as well as any other favourite home remedies). Sunscreen and women’s sanitary items (especially tampons) can be expensive or even unavailable in some countries so stock up before you leave if you can. Even if you’re heading somewhere familiar, remember that common ailments may prevail—so take your chosen remedies for things like cold and flu, headaches, allergies, dehydration etc. Wet wipes, earplugs and plasters are always useful, and remember your power adaptor, a day carry bag and sunglasses.

2. Healthy Habits

What are some of the healthy habits you enjoy at home that you instantly abandon when you’re travelling? Although travel can be a great excuse to skip the gym or morning meditation, these are often the things that make us feel really good, and so we can be left feeling lacklustre without them. Before you leave, consider what nourishing habits you want to continue on your travels and what areas you’re comfortable being more flexible in. Perhaps you can enjoy an extra glass of wine and sleep-in, but stay committed to your evening jog. Think about the things that keep you vital and happy at home, and make sure you include them everywhere you go (without beating yourself up if you occasionally fall off the wagon).

3. What To (And Not To) Eat

Being mindful about what you eat is one of the most important considerations when you’re jet setting to an unfamiliar place, and this is one of the areas where you can’t afford to be too flexible. Give your stomach time to adjust to a new diet, being extra careful at first. When it comes to street food, there are some places in the world where you may need to avoid it completely (like in India, for example). In more touristy places you might be able to get away with the occasional street treat—but follow the crowds, check that oil and surfaces are clean, stay away from meat, make sure things have been cooked properly and be aware of clean-looking items that may have been washed in dubious water. In some places, you can’t be too careful when it comes to avoiding water—that includes opening your mouth in the shower, brushing your teeth with bottled water and only eating fruit with a skin (and peeling it).

4. Solo Travel

If you’re travelling solo, you’ll need to adopt an even more mindful attitude than when you have a companion. Keep your wits about you. Awful things can happen anywhere in the world. If you’re somewhere unfamiliar, avoid venturing out alone at night (especially for women). Be organised—know where you’re going and how you’re getting there. Read up on what is culturally acceptable in terms of dress and behaviour, and always trust your instincts.

5. Jetlag Solutions

Although there are many pharmaceutical options for improving jetlag, the simplest solution is often sunshine and stretching. Get outside and get your body moving. You can try these simple stretches anywhere you go:

Hip Flexor Stretch

Sitting on a chair or the floor, bring your right anklebone to your left thigh and gently press your right knee away from you—feeling a stretch into your right hip. Take a few deep breaths and switch sides.

Shoulder Stretch

From all fours, walk your hands as far forward as you can whilst keeping your hips stacked above your knees. Rest your forehead or your chin to the floor and enjoy the stretch in your shoulders and front of your chest.

Neck Stretch

Bring your right ear to your right shoulder and use your right hand to press down on your left ear—encouraging a stretch along the left side of your neck. Stay for a few breaths, then switch sides.

Despite all of your best intentions, sometimes you’ll simply need to surrender—and although it might be the last thing you feel like doing when you’ve just been ripped off or lost your luggage, the value of a long, deep belly breath cannot be underestimated. You can take it anywhere you go, and it will serve you well.

Words by Jessica Humphries for The Wise Traveller. 

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travel

The art of Yogic Travel: Tips to travel well

With the silly season upon us and potential travel on the horizon, there’s no better time to consider how we can live our yoga fully. Not only will you be learning how to integrate the philosophies of the practice into your daily life, but also doing the world a favour by travelling mindfully – not to mention keeping yourself reasonably serene during an often chaotic time.

Travelling like a yogi involves a couple of main considerations: Staying committed to your health and practice, and being conscious and mindful of the decisions you make and their impact on the world.

Consider these tips when planning and enjoying your next trip, to truly live your yoga – both on and off the mat.

Maintain your practice

If you’re a regular yoga practitioner, don’t let go of your practice just because your schedule has changed. Think of ways to integrate your yoga into your new routine. Can you wake up five minutes early and enjoy a short meditation, or go to bed ten minutes before you had planned and do some gentle stretches? It’s easy and so helpful in keeping you sane and grounded during times of turmoil and busy-ness.

Healthy habits on the road

What are some of the healthy habits you enjoy at home that are thrown out the window when you’re ‘on holiday’? How can you integrate them into your life on the road? Of course you can treat yourself, but what habits are worth holding onto? Instead of focusing on depriving yourself, can you focus on how to nourish yourself? It’s okay if you went for that second piece of cake, but can you pile a few extra greens on your plate too? Perhaps you can skip the fruit juice for water, or go for that ten-minute jog instead of sleeping in? Most importantly, maintain a healthy mind. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and have fallen off the wagon, don’t beat yourself up about it. Simply jump back on when you can.

Plan ahead and pack a goodie back of healthy treats that will facilitate your trip. If you’re heading somewhere unfamiliar, take a few of your favourite, healthy chocolate bars. Stock up on essential oils, vitamins, pro-biotics and essentials like bandaids and sunscreen – some of which may not be available (or will be very expensive) if you’re travelling overseas.

Be a conscious consumer

In some parts of the world it feels impossible to be mindful of your environmental footprint – and you’ll quickly find yourself drowning in a sea of plastic water bottles and packaging. But there are ways that we can be more mindful when we travel, particularly when we’re in our home country. Ask wait staff to skip the straw, ask yourself if you really need to gift your Aunty the plastic figurine from somewhere she’s never been, and consider what you’re putting on your plate and in your mouth, and all the efforts made towards your consumption. The yogis call it Bramacharya, and it’s all about moderation. By practicing moderation, we teach ourselves to be satisfied with what we have already, and learn that we cannot fulfil ourselves with external things. We can even practice this when we pack. Travelling light allows you to see just how much of that ‘stuff’ you don’t really need.

Connect to the culture

Whether you’re travelling close to home or across the globe, embrace and connect with the local culture. It’s one of the many beautiful things about travel and life – can you step out of your comfort zone enough to try something new? To consider life from a different perspective. When you’re curious in your yoga practice you can explore the limits of your body and mind, taking your practice to a new level and finding parts of you that you didn’t know existed– and it works in life as well. When we develop curiosity, what often follows is deep, rewarding knowledge. Put down your phone, take a breath, enjoy the scenery and have a conversation with a local.

Surrender

Sometimes, despite all of our attempts to soften, we can turn our yoga practice into another item on the to-do list. Something to strive towards and achieve. But at the conclusion of your practice, and your life, you come into Savasana. It’s easy to surrender when you’ve spent the last hour moving and breathing, but can you do the same when you’re about to board a plane, or you’re waiting for a tuk tuk at a busy airport? Can you let go of your need for that daily green smoothie and go with the flow of all that is in the moment? That’s where the challenge lies, and when you know you’re really practicing yoga in action.

Words by Jessica Humphries for YogaPaws.

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