#Byron Bay Holiday Rentals | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

travelexploreworldlove · 5 years

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East Coast of Australia 🇦🇺

We landed in a very smoky Sydney and collected our luggage and picked up our rental car from Apex. (Hyuandi Accent)

2 ½ hours later we arrived at the Cumberland Motor Inn in Cessnock. It was a clean standard room, with everything we needed. We headed to bed early, as we had to get up at 3:30am for the hot air balloon.

We met the Balloon Aloft at 4am at Peterson House. We chose our breakfast and made our way to the site were we would take off. The air balloon was set up and we boarded it. Unfortunately due to the fires, it was very smoky which meant we couldn’t see anything. After a 30-minute flight we safety landed and we got our breakfast.

Port MacQuarie

We travelled on to Port MacQuarie, it was a small seaside town. We were staying in Port MacQuarie hotel, with the room was extremely basic with a shared bathroom. There was also no air conditioning so it was very hot (as it was 35 degrees).

We walked around the town in the afternoon and had some dinner in the restaurant.

Coffs Harbour

The next day it was time to travel further up the East Coast to Coffs Harbour where we stayed in an Ibis. It was a clean room with air conditioning and private bathroom. We walked along the pier and visited the famous ‘Big Banana’. It was a very quiet town with not a lot to do!

Byron Bay

We travelled 4 ½ hours to Byron Bay in 35 degrees, it was extremely hot! We stayed in an Airbnb about a 10-minute walk from the town centre. The room was clean and tidy with a private bathroom.

As it was nice weather, we decided to walk up to Cape Byron lighthouse, it was a tough walk in the heat but the views were worth it.

We had dinner in Miss Margarita (a Mexican restaurant) and had a few drinks in the Beach Hotel and Sticky Wicket Bar.

Byron Bay was exactly what I had imagined, a very laid-back hippy town. There were many young travellers and plenty of nightlife.

The next morning it was lashing with rain, so we made our way into town for a late breakfast at Byron Fresh. We walked around the town and picked up some souvenirs. Later on, we waited until the rain had stopped and went out to Bayger, which is a famous burger bar - the food was so tasty. We watched an Australian band called ‘Thunderfox’ at the Beach Motel.

Surfers Paradise

We made our way to Surfers Paradise, only a short hours drive. We were staying in an Airbnb in Paradise Island. After we checked in, we went to the gym. Later on in the evening we walked into the town, where there was lots and lots of bars and restaurants. We ended up eating in Costa D'oro Italian Restaurant. It was so lively, with nightclubs, pub-crawls and lots of young travellers.

Looking back we should have stayed another night in Surfers Paradise!

Brisbane

The next morning, after going to the gym – we made the 1-hour journey to Brisbane. We were staying in the Ibis Styles in the CBD. I was very impressed with the hotel, it was so clean and the room was lovely. The only downside was there was no wifi.

In the evening we walked around the city (mainly the harbor), which I was really liked, it reminded me of Sydney. We had a few drinks and snacks in the Bavarian Beer House.

The next day we went to the gym and got ready to walk around the city. It was 40 degrees, so we could only manage to stay out for 30 minutes before coming back to the hotel. We decided to do the washing and wait until it cooled down in the evening. Later on, we did some shopping and had dinner at WingHaus.

Hervey Bay

After checking out at 11am, we made our way to Hervey Bay – it took 3 ½ hours. We were staying the night in an Airbnb with a private bathroom. The room/bathroom was not very clean – least it was only for one night! We walked the pier and cooked our own dinner in the Airbnb.

Fraser Island

The next morning we were due to get the 3:30pm ferry to Fraser Island, but we decided to get the earlier ferry to have more time on Fraser Island. We had booked a 3 day/2 night Cool Dingos tour so therefore they took our bags at the ferry and they would be delivered to our room on Fraser Island.

When we got to main hotel on the island, The Kingfisher Resort (5 minute walk from the ferry), we were given the keys to our room and a shuttle took us to the ‘Wilderness Lodge’. This accommodation was very basic, it had a shared bathroom/communal area which we would be sharing with others on our tour.

That evening we met the rest of our group at the Dingo Bar and took part in a Bushtucker experience, were we got to eat different food such as Kangaroo and Crocodile.

In total there was 18 people in our tour, most of them girls and some solo travellers. When we got back from dinner, 7 of them were staying in our lodge and they made so much noise it was hard to sleep - even though we had to get up at 630am the next morning!

After our breakfast at the Dingo Bar, we got on the converted 4x4 bus and made our way to Lake Wabby and Lake Mackenzie. As the track was made of sand it was awful, there was potholes everywhere and we constantly were moving side to side!

When we got to Lake Wabby we trekked 3 kilometers over sand to a massive green dirty lake – I wasn’t impressed.

For lunch we stopped at a Rainforest park and went for a short walk along the freshwater stream. Finally, our last stop was Lake Mackenzie. It was beautiful, lovely clear water and white sand. We also saw a dingo walking along the beach!

That night we had sunset drinks at the bar and met the new people joining our group and the new tour guide, Wayne.

The final day, after breakfast we headed to 75 Mile Beach were we paid extra to take a 15minute flight over Fraser Island. It was so good, I am glad we did it!

We visited Champagne Pools, Indian Head and S.S. Maheno shipwreck. The last stop of the day was the Eli Creek, which was a freshwater creek, which was basically a lazy river. Wayne gave us Tyre Tubes to go down the creek – I really enjoyed it!

On our way back, Wayne was taking us to the ferry but as he was driving like a maniac, the bus got stuck in 2nd gear. This meant he didn’t think we would make the 5pm ferry. Fortunately we made it just in time!

Once we got back to Hervey Bay, we drove 4 ½ hours to Rockhampton Motel.

Airlie Beach

We checked out at 10am from the motel and drove 5 ½ hours to Airlie Beach. We were staying in Whitsundays Vista Holiday Apartments for 3 nights. We walked into the town in the evening and there were lots of bars, nightclubs and restaurants on the main street – it was very very busy! We had a few drinks and ate in KC’s Bar and Grill and listened to live music.

The next morning we met at the Port of Airlie at 730am and boarded the 8am boat to Hamilton Island. When we arrived at Hamilton Island we were allowed to use all the amenities on the island such as the resort pools. We walked around the island and had our lunch in the Marina Tavern (this was included on our ticket). We got the 1:10pm ferry to Whitehaven Beach, on the way to the beach and back it was an open bar with afternoon tea. The beach was absolutely stunning, beautiful white sand and clear water. We spent 2 hours on the beach.

The ferry picked us up and took us back to Airlie Beach, where we went to Woolworths and ate in the apartment.

The last day, we got the 8am ferry out to Hardy Reef. The ferry took 3 hours, with morning tea served. Once we got to Hardy Reef we took the 30minute submarine, which showed the reef without getting wet! Next we had our lunch and finally we got ready and snorkeled in the reef. I was very disappointed; I thought the coral would have been more colourful. There were fish but there wasn’t any turtles or mantra rays. After spending 4 hours at the reef we got the 3-hour ferry back to Airlie Beach.

We got Dominoes for dinner as we were exhausted and were planning on getting up at 6am the next morning.

Cairns

We made the 7 ½ hour drive to Cairns, stopping in Townsville for lunch. We left the car back and were only charged $200 for a cracked windscreen! The arrived at the Doubletree Hilton and checked into our room. We then had a few drinks and dinner in the hotel restaurant. The hotel felt very quiet with the bar closing at 9pm.

On Christmas morning we watched a Christmas movie and went down for the lunch at 12pm. The Christmas lunch was not great and was not worth the money. The only thing good about it was the unlimited alcohol! Later on in the evening we watched National Lampoons Christmas Vacation.

On Boxing Day, we paid for breakfast in the hotel and went to the gym in the afternoon. We packed all our bags, to get ready for Bali tomorrow!

#australia #Sydney #coffs harbour #port macquarie #balloonaloft #brisbane #cooldingos #fraser island #herveybay #cairns #rockhampton #christmas #doubletreebyhilton #great barrier reef #hamilton island #hardyreef #Bali #travel #couple

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iksathrob · 4 years

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Many Australians have had a tree or sea change in the back of their minds for a while, and now could be the perfect time to make that dream a reality. Now that most people are spending more time working from home due to COVID-19 restrictions, the time is ripe to up stumps in the city and trial a new home in beautiful regional spot. Looking to escape the confines of the city? These rural retreats will have you packing your bags. Picture: realestate.com.au With Australians increasingly eager to start travelling again – and domestic holidays the big trend for this spring and summer – realestate.com.au are supporting the Go And Get It campaign to encourage safe domestic tourism of whatever sort you can manage, from day outings to long road trips. Here are some dreamy sea or tree change rentals to try before making a permanent move. 1. A historic farmhouse in rural Tasmania For those looking to really get away from it all, this stunning spot in Ross is the perfect escape from the city for just $390 per week. The heritage-listed, four-bedroom home enjoys an open-plan kitchen and dining area for when friends come to visit, once restrictions ease. Connected to NBN and Foxtel, the new resident will be able to work from home comfortably. The abode also comes fully furnished, so there’s no need to worry about lugging furniture across the Bass Strait. This historic farmhouse is perfect for those looking for a Tasmanian escape. Picture: realestate.com.au 2. Coastal life meets country charm in southern NSW For the best of coastal living with a dash of country life thrown in, the stylish village of Berry in the Shoalhaven region is an ideal destination for a tree and sea change. Berry is becoming a mecca for those escaping city living. Picture: realestate.com.au Set on the doorstep of the south coast – with popular Kiama, Gerringong and Culburra beaches close by – a trial sea and tree change awaits in this beautiful duplex minutes from Berry village. This rental has all the amenities required for a country life. Picture: realestate.com.au Set across two levels, the modern home has well-appointed finishes, open-plan living and a sun-drenched, north-facing balcony for relaxing on your morning coffee break. There’s also an office, so working from home would be a cinch in this gorgeous abode. // // 3. The ultimate beach escape in northern NSW There are few places in Australia that inspire the sense of calm and relaxation that Byron Bay does, and this rental has all that on offer and more for $2000 per week. The three-bedroom, architecturally-designed beachside abode is available for a 3-6 month lease and is located in the exclusive Linnaeus Estate. Enjoy ocean views, a renovated kitchen, open-plan living spaces and plenty of outdoor areas to relax and unwind. There’s also access to a swimming pool, tennis court, 1/2 basket ball court and gym. A stunning Byron home perfect for a beach escape. Picture: realestate.com.au 4. A beachside shack with all the trimmings in SA This stunner, right on the water on South Australia’s Hindmarsh Island, will captivate any water lover. The three-bedroom beach shack home is positioned at the top of a hill taking in epic coastal views. For just $380 per week, the new resident will enjoy everything that comes with living on the stunning Fleurieu Peninsula, including incredible food and wine, all just a quick 1hr 20min drive from Adelaide Airport. Enjoy the best of SA in the waterside abode on Hindmarsh Island. Picture: realestate.com.au The post 4 rural rental escapes to consider a tree or sea change in appeared first on realestate.com.au. from news – realestate.com.au https://ift.tt/2SuZEmK

http://realestateiksa.blogspot.com/2020/10/4-rural-rental-escapes-to-consider-tree.html

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marlaluster · 6 years

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emptying clipboard w items numbered

1. https://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/RWZ-Coffs-Harbour-3-300x225.png 2. Mooball - Australian Explorer https://www.australianexplorer.com/mooball Mobile · Mooball, a cute town, is a must see when visiting northern New South Wales. It has black and white cow prints painted on the electricity poles throughout this Pacific Highway village. 3. https://www.australianexplorer.com/mooball.htm 4. https://www.australias.guide/nsw/location/mooball/ 5. Mooball is a small New South Wales Locality within the local government area of Tweed, it is located approximately 641kms from the capital Sydney covering an area of 41.77 square kilometers. Mooball has a recorded population of 377 residents and is within the Australian Eastern Daylight Time zone Australia/Sydney. If you are planning a visit to Mooball we’ve put together some of the things nearby that you can see or do while you are here. These include, places to stay, tours and attractions, some upcoming events and places where you can grab a meal. Go ahead, try one of the buttons above. Every destination has something worth seeing so start exploring… If you know Mooball and think we’ve missed something, let us know and we’ll share it here. Read less Friday Today Burringbar 12 clear sky Nearby AccommodationView All The Croft Bed and Breakfast Urliup, Tweed Mooyabil Farm Holidays Mullumbimby Creek, Byron 6. https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=iN%2bfY9qf&id=1C36C0488F42D3DFC6747B93D826688D9E0F8762&thid=OIP.iN-fY9qfg9RsQButy9qO0gHaD-&q=mooball&simid=607999704636720577&selectedIndex=81 7. https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=iHA2lHIF&id=35390888FD3C4415B35E1B51D5EBE35B450123D0&thid=OIP.iHA2lHIFQpuWi4f9wewGngHaEK&q=mooball&simid=607996028154020733&selectedIndex=125 8. https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=S3%2fTG9Qp&id=0B10E04D1AF21DD5A617131E455F975B6EF9DA88&thid=OIP.S3_TG9QpsVxRBxsaxFBFKAHaE8&q=mooball&simid=608004635250983077&selectedIndex=193 9. https://www.australianexplorer.com/ballina.htm 10. Ballina Ballina Information | Ballina Apartments | Ballina Bed and Breakfasts | Ballina Campsites | Ballina Hotels | Ballina Motels |Ballina Villas | Ballina Photos | Ballina Postcards | Ballina Attractions | Ballina Car Rentals | Ballina Restaurants | Ballina Tours | Ballina Transport | Ballina Map | Ballina Weather Ballina has several beaches, with the most popular in the north of the town. Shelly Beach is a patrolled beach, also popular are Lighthouse Beach and the pretty swimming beach at Shaws Bay Lagoon. You can also travel along the river with various trips available. Ballina also has its own market held at the Circus Ground every 3rd Sunday. There are also a number of other things to do and various types of accommodation around Ballina. To travel further along the coast head to the Big Prawn, where the Ballina Transit Centre is. Here most of the main bus companies stop. There are several bus services to Lennox Head and Byron Bay. Where Ballina's name originated from is not entirely certain. Some believe it was named directly after the Irish town of Ballina, although a more likely source is a Bundjalung word, "bullinah", meaning "place of many oysters". One possibility is that the Aboriginal name reminded the predominantly Irish settlers of "Ballina", so the name's origin could be an accidental or deliberate corruption of the Aboriginal form. Have you visited Ballina? Add your own information to the "Ballina" page using the form below: 11. Where Ballina's name originated from is not entirely certain. Some believe it was named directly after the Irish town of Ballina, although a more likely source is a Bundjalung word, "bullinah", meaning "place of many oysters". One possibility is that the Aboriginal name reminded the predominantly Irish settlers of "Ballina", so the name's origin could be an accidental or deliberate corruption of the Aboriginal form. Have you visite 12. Ball 1. Ball - as in let’s play ball, a ball game, a item used in sports like a baseball, basketball, football etc 2. Ball as in dance or celebration where people dance together let’s a “masquerade ball” 3. Ballistic as in upset 4. Ballerina as in dancer that does a formal dance that consists predominantly of the dancer dancing on his or her tip toes 5. Baller is slang for someone that has a lot of money, it may be someone that’s supposed to be good at scheming or something to get money somehow in devil land like through some kind of seeming entrepreneurial kind of work 6. Ball is a slang term also for cry, it’s “balling” I think is usually the form it’s used as, as i was balling my eyes out 7. Ball as in “we had a ball,” a slang phrase for “we had a good time” — 8. Baltic sea a sea somewhere in the world 9. Baltimore as in Baltimore Maryland 10. Balance 11. There may be a word balentine, I have to look it up 12. Baluca is i think a name of something, like Baby Baluca, it may be Baluga 13. Balk is like I think to shun something, a verb, not a formal name of something 14. Balcony is a like porch type thing from a building that is on a floor higher than the first floor n it typically I think has no stairs from it. There is another word for this occurrence I think. It could be patio. It could be terrace. Or another word. 15. Balfor I think is a name of a character I think in the movie called Neverending Story which i think is based on a book. It’s about like dreams n fantasies n things people wish etc being like challenged by something called the Nothing, it’s really the devil that the Nothing, I’d say. — I guess I’ll keep my eye out for more such words. We’ll see. 13. 1. Balloon as in a rubber type item that can be filled w air n used at parties, etc or as in a hot air balloon, or something can balloon out of control. Loon is also an interesting word as in Looney 2. Ballard - there was a girl in elementary school w me named Samantha Ballard. She was very quiet n subdued n seemingly not really ever saying anything. She was mixed race n a bit chubby. -- "Marla wanted to be like her but that's not really [what I'm ableto tell but i have to go," the devil said.] It's not exactly true that i wanted to be like her. But she was not mean or really snobby or anything really. I thought i should be more quiet but i wasn't really trying to be like Samantha exactly. I decided this in fifth grade n carried on w it for some time before giving it up, that is being more quiet. "... But that is not okay that i am not able to be," the devil said just now, its not clear what its referring to. "I have to go," the devil said. 3. There's a movie called Monster's Ball w Halle Berry n a actor that's a white man, i can't remember his name. I think it's like Billy something, it's possibly a white trash seeming name. 4. There's a ball in the the story of Cinderella where she's to meet the Prince 5. Balls as in testicles which I just realized writing the heading here after I wrote below I'd keep counting. Balls can also be referred to as nuts or nutsack. Someone without balls is supposed to be a coward. Someone w balls or big balls is someone that's not afraid, someone that's doing something bold. The Spanish word cajones is a word that can be used for this slang reference, like in place of balls, in other words it's a word known to be used this way. I couldn't remember the word at first as i wrote this item, the devil was probably taking it from my memory. Someone told me the word in my mind though. The word "backbone" is equivalent to the use of the word "balls" in this kind of reference for someone to be brave or stand up for themselves. 6. There's ball as in "Don't drop the ball" as in don't stop a process from continuing. "Thats us. Wanna come here," the city Ballina in North Wales Australia occurred to say in my mind. ---- Still counting, I s'pose. So many ball words. 14. She was mixed race n a bit chubby. – “Marla wanted to be like her but that’s not really [what I’m ableto tell but i have to go,” the devil said.] It’s not exactly true that i wanted to be like her. But she was not mean or really snobby or anything really. 15. 1. Wenis, I mean penis! 2. Wiener 3. Willey 4. Dong 5. Salami 6. Ding dong 7. Ding-a-ling 8. Junk 9. Package 10. Cock-a-doodle doo, cocky, but really the word is cock 11. Dick 12. Magic stick, according to the wrapper Fitty, i mean Fifty Centuries 13. Manhood 14. 16. https://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/getfacts/settlement/citizenship/cultural-orientation/ 17. There are two forms of cultural orientation provided to refugee and humanitarian entrants to Australia – pre-arrival orientation through the AUSCO program, and post-arrival orientation provided as part of settlement programs. 18. Settlement Grants Program (SGP) The Settlement Grants Program (SGP) funds organisations for programs that help people who have come to Australia recently to become independent and participate equally in Australian society. 19. BYRON BAY, INFORMATION BYRON BAY Byron Bay Byron Bay Information | Byron Bay Apartments | Byron Bay Bed and Breakfasts | Byron Bay Campsites |Byron Bay Health Resorts | Byron Bay Hostels | Byron Bay Hotels | Byron Bay Motels | Byron Bay Villas | Byron Bay Photos | Byron Bay Postcards | Byron Bay Attractions | Byron Bay Car Rentals | Byron Bay Restaurants |Byron Bay Tours | Byron Bay Transport| Byron Bay Map | Byron Bay Weather Byron Bay is a beachside town in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It is located 772 kilometres north of Sydney and 165 kilometres south of Brisbane. Aboriginal people called the area 'Cavvanbah'. European history began in 1770, when Captain James Cook found a safe anchorage and named Cape Byron after his navigator, grandfather of the future poet, Lord Byron. It wasn't until the 1880s, when Europeans made more permanent settlement, that the streets were named for other English writers and philosophers. If you are looking for a great surfing spot along the east coast or just a pleasant beach to sit down and relax then Byron Bay could be the place for you. Byron Bay is a unique and colourful town that attracts many visitors to the area. There can be some congestion especially in the summer months, but it is still definitely worth visiting Byron. Byron Bay has plenty of cafes and bars as well as some great music venues. And of course surf shops which sell surf products as well as hire boards and give surfing lessons. If you want a change of scenery then all you have to do is head inland towards the hinterland and nearby bush. There are a wide range of activities to keep you amused. The main highstreet in Byron Bay is Jonson Street which leads into Bangalow Road. Everything is situated along or just off of this street, from shops, cafe, restaurants and accommodation. It even takes you right to the Main Beach. Beaches stretch about 50km, leading you right upto the Gold Coast. West of main beach is Belongil Beach and the nudist Tyagarah Beach. East of Main Beach you will come to Cape Byron. The selection of beaches inbetween these two places can be great for surfing, especially off of The Pass towards the south end of Clarks Beach. You may even catch a glimpse of some dolphins. The beaches include Clarks Beach, Wategos and Little Wategos Beach. Cape Byron itself reaches out to the most easterly point of Australia's mainland. It is the perfect place to watch the sun rise after those long nights out or the beginning of those early relaxing mornings. Captain Cook named Cape Byron after the poet Byron's grandfather who in the 1760's sailed around the world. Once you get to Cape Byron, you will be greeted with the large Byron Bay Lighthouse. You can wander right out to the Cape, and stand at the most Easterly point of Australia. The views are amazing. From the lighthouse you can also take a 3.km trail around the Cape offering more wonderful views and the opportunity to see a range of wildlife. During the whales migrating seasons you may see them passing Cape Byron, so keep your eyes peeled around June/July and September/November. There are some fantastic views along the coast. South of Cape Byron the beaches continue, again offering fabulous surf. Some places can be a bit rocky so beware. Tallow Beach leads from Cape Byron to Broken Head where you will find a selection of nudist beaches. The next beach along the coast is Seven Mile Beach which will take you to Lennox Head. Inland from Broken Head is the Broken Head Nature Reserve which makes a great day out into its beautiful rainforest. There are a couple of tours that take you into the bush and rainforests surrounding Byron Bay. There are also plenty of other things to do in and around Byron. Other than surfing, the waters also attract divers. A great place where you will see an array of marine life is at the marine park at Julian Rocks. If you prefer to be up in the air then why not try out hang-gliding or if you are daring enough have a go on the flying trapeze. An alternative to the thrill and adventure of Byrons activities you can also learn to relax with the help of floatation tanks, massage and healing crystals. Byron Bay hosts numerous alternative therapies that work wonders after a long day. There is also a market in Byron Bay, held along the Butler Street Reserve on the first Sunday of each month. There are plenty of places to stay in Byron Bay, although it can get very busy so book in advance. Accommodation includes mainly camping grounds and hostels, although also offers a selection of motels, hotels and b&b's. They stretch all along the coast around Byron Bay with plenty within walking distance of the main town, so you are sure to find something that suits you. Byron Bay is also not short on places to eat out. There are plenty of takeaway bars serving a range of typical takeaway as well as healthy and vegetarian alternatives. There are also a number of restaurants across a wide price range. Nightlife is also great in Byron Bay. Whatever your style it is here. The Railway Friendly Bar, Beach Hotel and Great Northern Hotel all offer live music on various nights. The Top Hat Bar offer relaxed cabaret night while the Latin offers everything Latin from food and music to dancing. A couple of nightclubs in the area include Cocomangas and the Carpark Nightclub, again offering a selection of music. You will have no problem getting around Byron Bay. The majority of places are within walking distance as long as you are wearing a comfortable pair of shoes. You can also hire bikes or take a local bus. Getting to and from Byron Bay isn't a problem. A train runs in both directions everyday in the evening. Buses run north and south along the coast passing through Byron. It is best to book tickets in advance as otherwise it is first come first served, so you may be disappointed. Featured Byron Bay Activities Maximise your full potential while receiving one-on one instruction. Stand up and ride long waves with confidence as we push you on. We'll then teach you how to paddle and catch your own. If you're su... More Byron Bay Tours Byron Bay Gallery (Visitor Photographs) Want to See Your Photo Here? Enter the Australian Photo Competition. Destinations within Far North Coast 20. https://www.australianexplorer.com/byron_bay.htm

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loosesealbluths-blog · 8 years

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Check out this incredible Byron Bay Holiday Rental resort. It has some really great reviews and is the best place for Byron Bay tourists to stay whilst there, they even accommodate for last minute travellers.

#last minute accommodation byron bay #byron bay group accommodation #byron bay accommodation cabins #schoolies accommodation byron bay #byron bay cabin

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thecommunicationkey-blog · 6 years

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Top Beaches near Byron Bay Courtesy-coastalliving Australia is home to many beautiful beaches. In the same way, Byron Bay in Australia has many beaches that attract many surfers and tourists looking to have a relaxing time.

#byron bay 5 star luxury #byron bay luxury accommodation #byron bay luxury holiday rentals #byron luxury accommodation

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alexcarter05-blog · 6 years

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#byron bay luxury accommodation #byron bay luxury accommodation for couples #byron luxury accommodation #byron bay luxury accommodation beachfront #byron bay luxury accommodation with private pool #byron bay luxury holiday rentals #byron bay 5 star luxury accommodation #best luxury accommodation byron bay #luxury boutique accommodation byron bay #byron bay luxury holiday accommodation

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ezystayz-blog · 8 years

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The allure of Byron Bay - home of the Blues and Roots Festival

Each Easter, the Northern Beaches town of Byron Bay ignites with the annual Blues and Roots Festival, bringing some of the world’s biggest names to the Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm. It’s five days of incredible music and laid-back vibes, with this year’s line-up featuring Patti Smith, Nas with the Soul Rebels, Jimmy Buffett and Santana.

It’s just one of countless reasons that Byron Bay has become one of Australia’s most alluring tourist destinations. So if you’re thinking about heading up for this unforgettable celebration of music, here are a few other highlights that make the region worth hanging around a few extra days.

Beaches

The stretch of coast around Byron Bay is one of the country’s most enviable, with world-class surf breaks, outstanding snorkelling and idyllic sands to wile away the hours. Head to the surfing reserve at Lennox Head just north of Ballina for some of the best waves, or take your first surfing steps at beautiful Belongil Beach. There’s also good snorkelling here over the historic wreck of the SS Wollongbar or you can venture further out to dive the spectacular waters of Julian Rocks.

Walks

From short treks up to the iconic Byron Lighthouse to adventures in the Hinterland, Byron Bay and its surrounding region is a hiker’s paradise. Trek to the beautiful Minyon Falls within World Heritage-listed Nightcap National Park or take in the unforgettable views from Wollumbin National Park’s Mount Warning. Closer to town, there’s a spectacular coastal walk between The Pass and Wategos, or rise early for a sunrise amble along the beach to watch the first rays illuminate this perfect corner of the world.

Food

For a town the size of Byron Bay, it’s culinary offerings are outstanding. When wandering around it’s streets, you can get a sense that locally-sourced and organic are a central ethos, with the fertile soils in the surrounding region offering a bounty of produce. Not only will you be spoilt for choice in Byron itself, but venture into the surrounding countryside to discover a gastronomic scene that is second-to-none.

Activities

From surf lessons and horseback riding on the beach, to kayaking around its gorgeous bay, Byron has an endless offering of activities to keep all ages busy. You can get a bird’s eye views during a sunrise hot air balloon trip or while plummeting from a plane tandem skydiving, or just enjoy family time building sandcastles on the beach. Byron Bay is also a centre for alternative health, so whether you want to indulge in a massage at a luxurious spa or escape to a yoga retreat, you’ll find your calling here.

Entertainment

So the Blues and Roots Festival might be the biggest event on Byron Bay’s calendar, but that’s not the only entertainment in town. There’s a thriving live music scene here throughout the year and it’s a regular stop on the touring trail of both local and international bands. Not to mention the town’s great watering holes where you can soak up the laid-back Byron vibes.

Planning to head to Byron Bay for the Blues and Roots Festival and not keen on camping? Check out our range of unique properties to rest your weary dancing feet.

#byron bay #ezystayz #holiday accommodation #unique holiday rentals #blues and roots festival #bluesandroots #surfing #festival accommodation

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annoyingcherryblossomnight-blog1 · 7 years

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Flops With Style, Consolation And Bling From Swarovski Havaianas By Shop Flip Flops

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Those much more adventurous or with a thirst to travel can even drive into Spain to make the Costa del Sol part of their holiday, enjoying your car hire and heading to Gibraltar, Marbella, Malaga and past.. This city is the unique residence of Port wine and the birthplace of Henry the Navigator. The coastal areas of Portugal have turn into the locations of a number of the most wanted actual estate in all of Europe. The principal islands of the archipelago include Madeira - the primary island - Porto Santo and Ilhas Desertas. At this time's Perspective: Persistence matters a fantastic deal within the begin-up recreation. To visit Uruguay is somewhat what it was like to go to Spain or Italy 25 years in the past when the pace was unrushed and one might stay, enjoy and linger whether or not it is a lengthy lunch or dinner or a stroll alongside the promenade. It has change into one of many key centres for the Cult of the Virgin Mary in Portugal and has been recognised world-vast by the Catholic Church. This Algarve city is the proper place for occasion lovers however you shouldn't miss a chance to explore its seashores which can be executed by renting a motorcycle, moped or a horse. In 929AD he declares hims self Caliph and from this time till 1031AD this era in historical past may very well be known as the Caliphate dynasty. A cruise that takes within the fantastic coastline of Italy yields such treasures as the dormant volcano of Mt Vesuvius, historic Pompeii and the stunning metropolis of Rome. Consequently you may not see too many individuals lying on the seashores trying to get a tan! In the event you need a quick heat up, you possibly can head to the south of Spain and Portugal where things have a tendency to stay pretty warm. The 2 seashores of es Bots and de's Tancats are divided by a large rock and are at the mouth of an inlet where shallow crystal clear waters meet golden sands. So before participating in an area vacationer information, you should first get your native Morocco Journey Company to search out out some particulars about that agency simply to ensure your security. The months of May via September are a great time to go if you want to benefit from inter-island ferries. With over 237,584 inhabits, Porto is the second largest city in Portugal. Institute of Port Wine, Lisbon: A go to to Portugal is incomplete without tasting some scrumptious port wine. Tourists may inquire about varied tourist locations and prevalent weather circumstances. In right now's terms, Columbus demanded to be CEO and locked in a succession plan for his children to be appointed CEO, he and his household have been to obtain 10% of corporate profits perpetually - fairness was out of the question, but salary and revenue sharing appeared acceptable to the monarchs. Upon his failure, he landed undetected on the southern level of the Rock from current-day Morocco. There are some glorious trails that take you through lush green forest where you can see hordes of wild flowers blooming to full glory. Do not miss the market on Saturday mornings where you should purchase regional specialities and freshly harvested fruit and greens earlier than heading right down to the fish market for the days catch. Individuals from Non-EU(European Union), Non-EEA(European Financial Area) nations who wish to visit Europe as vacationers, and who require a visa to enter the Schengen area, are merely required to get a typical Schengen Visa from the Embassy/Consulate of the Schengen nation they intend to visit first.

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topfygad · 5 years

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The Ultimate Guide to Working Holiday Visas in Australia

Australia was one of my first big international trips and it’ll always hold a special place in my heart. In fact, it was the birthplace of this very site! During my first visit, I was on a typical tourist visa.

This common tourist visa is officially called Subclass 601 and it allows you to visit Australia up to three months at a time in a given year.

It’s a pretty handy visa because you can enter the country as many times as you’d like during the course of a year. So theoretically, you could explore some of Australia, make friends and head to Bali with them, and then go back to Australia…I may know from personal experience.

It’s also pretty darn cheap! You’ll pay 20 AUD (about 14 USD) to apply online and because it’s all processed electronically, most of the time you can get it within 24 hours. If you’re just planning on traveling around Australia for 90 days or less, this is what you’ll need!

However, if Australia steals your heart (like it did mine!), you need to do a bit more planning if you want to stay for a longer period of time. This leads us to Working Holiday visas!

Many people who want to explore Oz in depth, work somewhere else for a change of scenery, or do a gap year opt for a Working Holiday visa down under! Don’t know where to start? No worries, mate!

Here is your guide to Working Holiday visas in Australia!

What is a Working Holiday Visa?

The name pretty much sums it up: it’s a balance between work and play! The idea of a Working Holiday visa is to allow you to split your time between working and exploring.

It’s ideal for those who want to stay in Australia for more than 90 days at a time, take a gap year, and make a little money while traveling. Oh, and for those that are thinking about maybe wanting to make Australia a permanent home one day—it’s a good way to plant roots, find possible employment options, and see if it would be a viable option.

Where should you travel with a Work and Holiday visa?

I’m glad you asked! The options are endless—you might find you absolutely adore Byron Bay or Sydney and settle there, or perhaps you like the vibe of Melbourne. You could even road trip or take the train and visit Uluru and Alice Springs (here’s an epic itinerary for the Outback!). Of course, you’d have to make your way up to the Great Barrier Reef.

Like I said above, the Work and Holiday (or Working Holiday visa) is made so you can holiday!

10 Tips for Your First Trip to Australia

From the otherworldly landscapes to the animals to the scuba diving spots…and don’t even get me started on the food—Australia definitely deserves a spot on your bucket list. Ready for an adventure of a lifetime down under?

Working Holiday 417 Visa

The best visa for you will depend on where you are from.

If you are from Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Taiwan, or the United Kingdom, you can get a Subclass 417 visa (otherwise known as the Working Holiday visa).

If you are from one of these countries and are between the ages of 18 to 30 (or 18 to 35 if you’re Canadian, French or Irish), the 417 visa is a prime choice. It is intended for those who want to extend their stay and fund it by working locally.

This visa costs $440 AUD and you can apply online. While you can work while you are in Australia, you do need to have enough funds to support yourself…just in case. It’s a requirement to have at least $5,000 AUD saved.

Why is this necessary? The Australian government wants to make sure you have enough money to book a ticket back home in case you don’t end up finding a job or spend all your money on…Tim Tam biscuits (totally kidding!) But I am serious about having the proof of funds in your bank account.

Bondi Icebergs, Sydney

Work and Holiday 462 Visa

Similar to the 417 visa, there is a Subclass 462 visa (also known as the Work and Holiday visa), for those 18 to 30 years old who are not from one of the countries listed above. These visas are both, according to the Australian government, meant as “a temporary visa for young people who want to holiday and work in Australia for up to a year.”

To be eligible for a 462 visa, you must be from Argentina, Austria, Bangladesh, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Peru, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, USA, Uruguay, or Vietnam.

USA readers—this is most likely the visa you’ll want!

This 462 visa costs $485 AUD (337 USD). While the 417 visa tends to be instant, the 462 visa can take up to two months to get approved, so make sure to allow for plenty of time before booking your ticket.

You will need to have at least $5,000 AUD ($3,479 USD) in your bank account and meet some additional requirements.

There are set educational requirements, English skills, and (unless you are from Israel, China, Singapore, or the USA) you will need to get a letter of support from your national government. Read more on the requirements here!

The Application Process

Whether you are doing a 462 or 417 Visa,

I’d suggest only going through the Australian government website. There are companies who will sell a visa service, but in my opinion, it’s a waste of time and money.

The application process to get one of these visas is super simple as long as you follow instructions and provide the proper paperwork. Yes, you might need to collect a few documents which can be tedious, but the actual application couldn’t be easier!

Sydney Opera House

The Fine Print

Once you have received your visa (electronically! It’s typically not one you have to print and doesn’t require a sticker in your passport—so don’t fret!), you have 365 days for your Aussie experience. If you received your visa on the first of February, you have until the first of February the following year to come and go.

During this year, you will have the opportunity to work up to six months with one employer. There are a few industry and location restrictions, so read up on the official visa website before you get all of your plans in place.

Beyond the work restrictions, it is pretty straightforward. You can study up to four months and re-enter Oz as many times as you want while your visa is valid!

How To Get a Job

Your best bet for work is in customer service. Hotels/hostels, retail stores, cafes, and restaurants are generally open to six-month terms, especially if you have some experience.

While some places won’t hire backpackers (they want to make sure their staff is there to stay for longer than a week or two), there are many places that will hire travelers. Given a bit of luck and the drive to find work, you’ll be able to find places to fund your trip along the way.

You might even find a new career path…who knows?

Some folks find jobs at wineries or doing “regional work” in the field—picking fruits or helping around the farm. Many people on Working Holiday visas opt for this as it allows for a bit more flexibility and freedom.

While you typically can’t stay employed at a place for more than six months, you can apply to extend your working permission. Generally speaking though, you will want to start by planning for just the first six months and then explore options.

Tips for Finding a Rental

So, this definitely depends on how long you’re planning on staying in any one location. If you’re only at each place for a few weeks, you might want to opt for staying in hostels or booking an Airbnb.

But if you’re staying longer, there are a ton of legit rental companies all over Australia! However, it can often be difficult to score a place if you’re not signing a year-long lease.

Gumtree is Australia’s answer to Craigslist…but it can be a slow and messy way to find a place. You definitely need to research if looking to rent one of these places as a number of scams can pop up. But you can *sometimes* find rentals this way, just take precautions.

That said, agency listings are the prime place to find a home to call your own. Agency listings are typically cheaper than long-term Airbnb options but are more reliable than what you’ll find on Gumtree. Another option—check to see if there are any housing boards or ads at local coffee shops!

As you are searching, keep in mind that prices are always listed by the week rather than the month! So it’s not nearly as cheap as it seems.

Make Sure to Get Travel Insurance

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: travel insurance saves the day! If you had asked me during my first Aussie trip, I would have said it’s a waste of money. But I’ve lived and I’ve learned, and here’s why you need travel insurance.

You never know what’s going to happen, especially while you’re abroad…you might get bitten by a Jack Jumper ant or your flight might get canceled due to crazy weather in Sydney.

Getting a Second Work and Holiday Visa

Want to stay in Australia even longer? I don’t blame you!

For those that are wondering, you can’t *exactly* extend your visa but you can apply for a second Work and Holiday visa if you meet the specified requirements. Which is pretty much the same thing!

For those on a 462 visa and the 417 visa, you have to have completed 3 months of specified work on your first Work and Holiday visa and then you can apply for a second one. And as of July 2019, if you really want to stay longer—you can explore options to stay for the third year!

Helpful Tip:

What happens if your visa is almost up but you’re hoping to get a second one? You can obtain a bridging visa so you don’t have to go home for the interim period, read up more about this here!

Make sure that if you apply in Australia, you’re in Australia when the government decides on your application; if you apply outside Australia, you must be outside Australia when the decision is made.

Overall

Getting a Working Holiday visa is a great way to travel around Australia—with it, you can balance your time between working and exploring and seeing so much of what Oz has to offer!

Are you considering getting a Working Holiday visa or have you done this in the past? I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below!

from Cheapr Travels https://ift.tt/2K34IKk via IFTTT

#IFTTT #Cheapr Travels

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baxtonme · 6 years

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Affordable Budget Friendly Low Cost Car Rental Hire and Cheap Gold Coast Family Holiday Packages to Byron Bay

Budget-Friendly Holidays on the Gold Coast a Reality, Says Car Hire Company

As consumers, we’re used to things getting more expensive – and holidays as being budget-busters of note. But Darryl Essington-Wilson of Gold Coast Family Car Rentals says that the Gold Coast is the most budget-friendly holiday destination in Australia.

“There’s lots to see and do on the Gold Coast,” says Essington-Wilson. “Of course, the beaches are the main attraction, and that part of your holiday is completely free. Add a few thrills like boogie boards for the kids, and everyone’s going to have a great time.”

Cutting Costs Doesn’t Mean Roughing It

Cutting costs on the basics you need doesn’t necessarily mean you have to settle for roughing it – although roughing it can be fun too. “For most people, the big costs are car rental, accommodation, and food. It’s perfectly possible to bring those prices down without settling for a rust-bucket car and poor-quality lodgings,” says Essington-Wilson.

“The car rental cost is my specialty. Our business has been providing affordable Gold Coast car hire for more than seventeen years. It’s not because we do anything below-standard. On the contrary, we match or exceed the quality you’d get anywhere else – except when it comes to price. If you can find a better price on a comparable car rental package, I’ll better it by twice the difference plus $50.”

As for accommodation, services like Airbnb have changed the hospitality industry. Nowadays, you can get luxury self-catering homes, beach houses and apartments at very low prices, especially if you book well in advance and choose newer listings with fewer reviews.

Self-catering means you don’t have to pay restaurant prices for food. You can prepare all or most of your own food with just a few restaurant meals in between if you want them.

More Than Just Beach: Low Cost Activities

Although the Gold Coast has its share of costlier activities such as theme parks, those who want to break the “eat, sleep, beach” holiday routine aren’t short of budget options. “There are wonderful national parks and walking trails in the area. And even if visitors love the beach to bits, I recommend taking a day drive. Stick to the coast for an outing to Byron Bay, or head inland to Lamington National Park. It’s worth exploring the area.”

“There’s more to do for little to no cost on the Gold Coast than visitors believe. From unspoiled rainforests to our gorgeous botanical gardens and visiting markets just for the atmosphere, visitors won’t run out of things to do,” says Essington-Wilson.

A Few Extras from Gold Coast Family Car Rental

It seems Essington-Wilson goes above and beyond what people expect from a car rental company.

“It’s important the kids have a great time. So apart from offering free kiddie seats, renters also get the use of free boogie boards for kids under 15. It’s one less thing for parents to pack or buy when they arrive. Renters can also get beach chairs, beach huts and prams or strollers at very low prices with their car hire. These add-ons help to achieve the perfect holiday on the Gold Coast.”

When planning a Gold Coast Holiday and you would like to know more about car hire, visit the Cheap Car Hire Gold Coast and Gold Coast Airport Car Rental website to get an online quote, book online, or call + 61 7 5508 3333.

Syndicated by Baxton Media.

Affordable Budget Friendly Low Cost Car Rental Hire and Cheap Gold Coast Family Holiday Packages to Byron Bay was originally published on Baxton

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marlaluster · 6 years

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https://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/RWZ-Coffs-Harbour-3-300x225.png Mooball - Australian Explorer https://www.australianexplorer.com/mooball Mobile · Mooball, a cute town, is a must see when visiting northern New South Wales. It has black and white cow prints painted on the electricity poles throughout this Pacific Highway village. https://www.australianexplorer.com/mooball.htm https://www.australias.guide/nsw/location/mooball/Mooball is a small New South Wales Locality within the local government area of Tweed, it is located approximately 641kms from the capital Sydney covering an area of 41.77 square kilometers. Mooball has a recorded population of 377 residents and is within the Australian Eastern Daylight Time zone Australia/Sydney. If you are planning a visit to Mooball we’ve put together some of the things nearby that you can see or do while you are here. These include, places to stay, tours and attractions, some upcoming events and places where you can grab a meal. Go ahead, try one of the buttons above. Every destination has something worth seeing so start exploring… If you know Mooball and think we’ve missed something, let us know and we’ll share it here. Read less Friday Today Burringbar 12 clear sky Nearby AccommodationView All The Croft Bed and Breakfast Urliup, Tweed Mooyabil Farm Holidays Mullumbimby Creek, Byron https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=iN%2bfY9qf&id=1C36C0488F42D3DFC6747B93D826688D9E0F8762&thid=OIP.iN-fY9qfg9RsQButy9qO0gHaD-&q=mooball&simid=607999704636720577&selectedIndex=81 https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=iHA2lHIF&id=35390888FD3C4415B35E1B51D5EBE35B450123D0&thid=OIP.iHA2lHIFQpuWi4f9wewGngHaEK&q=mooball&simid=607996028154020733&selectedIndex=125 https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=S3%2fTG9Qp&id=0B10E04D1AF21DD5A617131E455F975B6EF9DA88&thid=OIP.S3_TG9QpsVxRBxsaxFBFKAHaE8&q=mooball&simid=608004635250983077&selectedIndex=193 https://www.australianexplorer.com/ballina.htm Ballina Ballina Information | Ballina Apartments | Ballina Bed and Breakfasts | Ballina Campsites | Ballina Hotels | Ballina Motels |Ballina Villas | Ballina Photos | Ballina Postcards | Ballina Attractions | Ballina Car Rentals | Ballina Restaurants | Ballina Tours | Ballina Transport | Ballina Map | Ballina Weather Ballina has several beaches, with the most popular in the north of the town. Shelly Beach is a patrolled beach, also popular are Lighthouse Beach and the pretty swimming beach at Shaws Bay Lagoon. You can also travel along the river with various trips available. Ballina also has its own market held at the Circus Ground every 3rd Sunday. There are also a number of other things to do and various types of accommodation around Ballina. To travel further along the coast head to the Big Prawn, where the Ballina Transit Centre is. Here most of the main bus companies stop. There are several bus services to Lennox Head and Byron Bay. Where Ballina's name originated from is not entirely certain. Some believe it was named directly after the Irish town of Ballina, although a more likely source is a Bundjalung word, "bullinah", meaning "place of many oysters". One possibility is that the Aboriginal name reminded the predominantly Irish settlers of "Ballina", so the name's origin could be an accidental or deliberate corruption of the Aboriginal form. Have you visited Ballina? Add your own information to the "Ballina" page using the form below: Where Ballina's name originated from is not entirely certain. Some believe it was named directly after the Irish town of Ballina, although a more likely source is a Bundjalung word, "bullinah", meaning "place of many oysters". One possibility is that the Aboriginal name reminded the predominantly Irish settlers of "Ballina", so the name's origin could be an accidental or deliberate corruption of the Aboriginal form. Have you visite Ball 1. Ball - as in let’s play ball, a ball game, a item used in sports like a baseball, basketball, football etc 2. Ball as in dance or celebration where people dance together let’s a “masquerade ball” 3. Ballistic as in upset 4. Ballerina as in dancer that does a formal dance that consists predominantly of the dancer dancing on his or her tip toes 5. Baller is slang for someone that has a lot of money, it may be someone that’s supposed to be good at scheming or something to get money somehow in devil land like through some kind of seeming entrepreneurial kind of work 6. Ball is a slang term also for cry, it’s “balling” I think is usually the form it’s used as, as i was balling my eyes out 7. Ball as in “we had a ball,” a slang phrase for “we had a good time” — 8. Baltic sea a sea somewhere in the world 9. Baltimore as in Baltimore Maryland 10. Balance 11. There may be a word balentine, I have to look it up 12. Baluca is i think a name of something, like Baby Baluca, it may be Baluga 13. Balk is like I think to shun something, a verb, not a formal name of something 14. Balcony is a like porch type thing from a building that is on a floor higher than the first floor n it typically I think has no stairs from it. There is another word for this occurrence I think. It could be patio. It could be terrace. Or another word. 15. Balfor I think is a name of a character I think in the movie called Neverending Story which i think is based on a book. It’s about like dreams n fantasies n things people wish etc being like challenged by something called the Nothing, it’s really the devil that the Nothing, I’d say. — I guess I’ll keep my eye out for more such words. We’ll see. 1. Balloon as in a rubber type item that can be filled w air n used at parties, etc or as in a hot air balloon, or something can balloon out of control. Loon is also an interesting word as in Looney 2. Ballard - there was a girl in elementary school w me named Samantha Ballard. She was very quiet n subdued n seemingly not really ever saying anything. She was mixed race n a bit chubby. -- "Marla wanted to be like her but that's not really [what I'm ableto tell but i have to go," the devil said.] It's not exactly true that i wanted to be like her. But she was not mean or really snobby or anything really. I thought i should be more quiet but i wasn't really trying to be like Samantha exactly. I decided this in fifth grade n carried on w it for some time before giving it up, that is being more quiet. "... But that is not okay that i am not able to be," the devil said just now, its not clear what its referring to. "I have to go," the devil said. 3. There's a movie called Monster's Ball w Halle Berry n a actor that's a white man, i can't remember his name. I think it's like Billy something, it's possibly a white trash seeming name. 4. There's a ball in the the story of Cinderella where she's to meet the Prince 5. Balls as in testicles which I just realized writing the heading here after I wrote below I'd keep counting. Balls can also be referred to as nuts or nutsack. Someone without balls is supposed to be a coward. Someone w balls or big balls is someone that's not afraid, someone that's doing something bold. The Spanish word cajones is a word that can be used for this slang reference, like in place of balls, in other words it's a word known to be used this way. I couldn't remember the word at first as i wrote this item, the devil was probably taking it from my memory. Someone told me the word in my mind though. The word "backbone" is equivalent to the use of the word "balls" in this kind of reference for someone to be brave or stand up for themselves. 6. There's ball as in "Don't drop the ball" as in don't stop a process from continuing. "Thats us. Wanna come here," the city Ballina in North Wales Australia occurred to say in my mind. ---- Still counting, I s'pose. So many ball words. She was mixed race n a bit chubby. – “Marla wanted to be like her but that’s not really [what I’m ableto tell but i have to go,” the devil said.] It’s not exactly true that i wanted to be like her. But she was not mean or really snobby or anything really. 1. Wenis, I mean penis! 2. Wiener 3. Willey 4. Dong 5. Salami 6. Ding dong 7. Ding-a-ling 8. Junk 9. Package 10. Cock-a-doodle doo, cocky, but really the word is cock 11. Dick 12. Magic stick, according to the wrapper Fitty, i mean Fifty Centuries 13. Manhood 14. https://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/getfacts/settlement/citizenship/cultural-orientation/There are two forms of cultural orientation provided to refugee and humanitarian entrants to Australia – pre-arrival orientation through the AUSCO program, and post-arrival orientation provided as part of settlement programs. Settlement Grants Program (SGP) The Settlement Grants Program (SGP) funds organisations for programs that help people who have come to Australia recently to become independent and participate equally in Australian society. BYRON BAY, INFORMATION BYRON BAY Byron Bay Byron Bay Information | Byron Bay Apartments | Byron Bay Bed and Breakfasts | Byron Bay Campsites |Byron Bay Health Resorts | Byron Bay Hostels | Byron Bay Hotels | Byron Bay Motels | Byron Bay Villas | Byron Bay Photos | Byron Bay Postcards | Byron Bay Attractions | Byron Bay Car Rentals | Byron Bay Restaurants |Byron Bay Tours | Byron Bay Transport| Byron Bay Map | Byron Bay Weather Byron Bay is a beachside town in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It is located 772 kilometres north of Sydney and 165 kilometres south of Brisbane. Aboriginal people called the area 'Cavvanbah'. European history began in 1770, when Captain James Cook found a safe anchorage and named Cape Byron after his navigator, grandfather of the future poet, Lord Byron. It wasn't until the 1880s, when Europeans made more permanent settlement, that the streets were named for other English writers and philosophers. If you are looking for a great surfing spot along the east coast or just a pleasant beach to sit down and relax then Byron Bay could be the place for you. Byron Bay is a unique and colourful town that attracts many visitors to the area. There can be some congestion especially in the summer months, but it is still definitely worth visiting Byron. Byron Bay has plenty of cafes and bars as well as some great music venues. And of course surf shops which sell surf products as well as hire boards and give surfing lessons. If you want a change of scenery then all you have to do is head inland towards the hinterland and nearby bush. There are a wide range of activities to keep you amused. The main highstreet in Byron Bay is Jonson Street which leads into Bangalow Road. Everything is situated along or just off of this street, from shops, cafe, restaurants and accommodation. It even takes you right to the Main Beach. Beaches stretch about 50km, leading you right upto the Gold Coast. West of main beach is Belongil Beach and the nudist Tyagarah Beach. East of Main Beach you will come to Cape Byron. The selection of beaches inbetween these two places can be great for surfing, especially off of The Pass towards the south end of Clarks Beach. You may even catch a glimpse of some dolphins. The beaches include Clarks Beach, Wategos and Little Wategos Beach. Cape Byron itself reaches out to the most easterly point of Australia's mainland. It is the perfect place to watch the sun rise after those long nights out or the beginning of those early relaxing mornings. Captain Cook named Cape Byron after the poet Byron's grandfather who in the 1760's sailed around the world. Once you get to Cape Byron, you will be greeted with the large Byron Bay Lighthouse. You can wander right out to the Cape, and stand at the most Easterly point of Australia. The views are amazing. From the lighthouse you can also take a 3.km trail around the Cape offering more wonderful views and the opportunity to see a range of wildlife. During the whales migrating seasons you may see them passing Cape Byron, so keep your eyes peeled around June/July and September/November. There are some fantastic views along the coast. South of Cape Byron the beaches continue, again offering fabulous surf. Some places can be a bit rocky so beware. Tallow Beach leads from Cape Byron to Broken Head where you will find a selection of nudist beaches. The next beach along the coast is Seven Mile Beach which will take you to Lennox Head. Inland from Broken Head is the Broken Head Nature Reserve which makes a great day out into its beautiful rainforest. There are a couple of tours that take you into the bush and rainforests surrounding Byron Bay. There are also plenty of other things to do in and around Byron. Other than surfing, the waters also attract divers. A great place where you will see an array of marine life is at the marine park at Julian Rocks. If you prefer to be up in the air then why not try out hang-gliding or if you are daring enough have a go on the flying trapeze. An alternative to the thrill and adventure of Byrons activities you can also learn to relax with the help of floatation tanks, massage and healing crystals. Byron Bay hosts numerous alternative therapies that work wonders after a long day. There is also a market in Byron Bay, held along the Butler Street Reserve on the first Sunday of each month. There are plenty of places to stay in Byron Bay, although it can get very busy so book in advance. Accommodation includes mainly camping grounds and hostels, although also offers a selection of motels, hotels and b&b's. They stretch all along the coast around Byron Bay with plenty within walking distance of the main town, so you are sure to find something that suits you. Byron Bay is also not short on places to eat out. There are plenty of takeaway bars serving a range of typical takeaway as well as healthy and vegetarian alternatives. There are also a number of restaurants across a wide price range. Nightlife is also great in Byron Bay. Whatever your style it is here. The Railway Friendly Bar, Beach Hotel and Great Northern Hotel all offer live music on various nights. The Top Hat Bar offer relaxed cabaret night while the Latin offers everything Latin from food and music to dancing. A couple of nightclubs in the area include Cocomangas and the Carpark Nightclub, again offering a selection of music. You will have no problem getting around Byron Bay. The majority of places are within walking distance as long as you are wearing a comfortable pair of shoes. You can also hire bikes or take a local bus. Getting to and from Byron Bay isn't a problem. A train runs in both directions everyday in the evening. Buses run north and south along the coast passing through Byron. It is best to book tickets in advance as otherwise it is first come first served, so you may be disappointed. Featured Byron Bay Activities Maximise your full potential while receiving one-on one instruction. Stand up and ride long waves with confidence as we push you on. We'll then teach you how to paddle and catch your own. If you're su... More Byron Bay Tours Byron Bay Gallery (Visitor Photographs) Want to See Your Photo Here? Enter the Australian Photo Competition. Destinations within Far North Coast https://www.australianexplorer.com/byron_bay.htm

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homepictures · 6 years

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theconservativebrief · 6 years

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“The whole thing was actually kind of an accident, like all things are,” Bob Pranga tells me, about his career decorating rich people’s houses for the holidays. He’s otherwise known as Dr. Christmas.

He was working at the Macy’s in New York City’s Herald Square in 1984, just after he graduated from college, decorating a tree on the sales floor, when Mia Farrow walked past and said, “I wish someone would do that in my home.” Pranga said he would do it, and he did — and then themed, expensive Christmas decor exploded in 1986, as American culture steered itself into an apocalypse of gaudiness.

Pranga was decorating as “a survival job” until he met the Hiltons. Then it became a career — a bi-coastal Christmas empire, thanks to his Los Angeles business partner Debi Staron.

There’s “no ceiling” on Christmas, he says, and his clients spend between $5,000 and $200,000 on decorations for the holiday. “Sometimes it can go higher than that, but there’s a point where I ask them, “Really?” It becomes Christmas-by-the-pound at that point. Your Christmas tree becomes one big jewelry stand. You’re literally hanging jewelry on the tree.”

(Pranga can’t give me any examples of people who pay for this kind of thing, but says it’s not celebrities so much as “what we used to call the captains of industry.” Like Steve Jobs, he says, but not Steve Jobs.)

“My business always depends on the economy,” he says. “It’s a luxury item, not a necessity.” But his business is also part of a broader industry that’s growing.

The question of Christmas each year is, simply, how to get it. We’re all allowed to look at the window displays at American Eagle. We can all go to the diner to say “Hi” to a paper Santa. But that’s really just looking — what about having? What about possessing Christmas decorations that transform your home from that place where you keep your other shoes into the set of a Hallmark movie, where love interests are always sending handwritten notes and a roommate in a slouchy sweater proffers a cup of tea? How do you wake up every morning with rosy cheeks and peppermint breath?

The services industry is the biggest and fastest-growing sector of the American economy, and that means all kinds of things

For a not-insignificant number of Americans — not just celebrities, apparently — the answer is quite obvious: Rent some Christmas decorations from someone who will store them for you in a warehouse you never have to see; install them for you, maybe while you’re not even home; and then remove them when you’re tired of looking at them.

The services industry is the biggest and fastest-growing sector of the American economy, and that means all kinds of things, like the option to have a single bottle of pinot noir delivered to your apartment at 11 pm or to hire someone to take your Instagram photos for the evening — and the option to borrow decorations from someone who will set them up in or on your house.

The Texas-based Christmas Decor network, one of the largest professional Christmas decoration companies, was created in 1986, mostly as an additional service tacked onto a landscaping business, and now has 300 franchisees nationwide. Its website boasts that the average member of its network — made up mostly of landscapers looking for off-season work — brings in more than $200,000 per year.

In New York City, renting decorations looks even more appealing because of our collective, severe lack of storage space. I don’t have exact numbers on how widespread decoration rental is here, but I will say that it was very difficult to get in contact with people who build Christmas for a living, as it’s nearly December and it was incredibly rude of me to try to occupy even a small amount of their time with questions.

I will not say which local decorators hung up on me, or which said, “Are we done?” in a way that was maybe worse than being hung up on, because it’s the holidays. In the end, I was able to spend an entire weekend watching Christmas get borrowed and built in New York. I don’t know how it happened — presumably magic.

“I’m getting glitter all over your baby,” Rent-a-Christmas founder Kristen Parness says, handing a baby covered in glitter back to its mother.

New parents Byron and Karen Hagan hired Parness to set up a 6-foot fake tree in the corner of the living room in their apartment in the Riverwalk Point luxury rental complex on New York City’s Roosevelt Island. They know Parness because she got her MFA in theater with Byron at Pace University, and this is the third year she’s shown up in their home in an elf costume with two elf assistants to set up their Christmas tree for them. When Parness is not doing this, she’s a drama and English teacher at the extremely competitive Bronx High School of Science.

Parness runs Rent-a-Christmas with her husband Judah, who has a day job as a sales professional. “We had this idea one year when we were living in Bay Ridge [a neighborhood in Brooklyn], we had just started dating, we had no decorations, and absolutely zero storage space,” she says. “We went to Home Depot and bought $500 of decorations and the house looked amazing, but we were like, ‘What are we gonna do with this? This is so crazy, it would be great if we could rent this stuff.’”

This year, they’ll serve around 40 customers with the help of around 10 part-time elves before they close up shop on December 23. The business is small but legit — through research and trial-and-error, Parness has picked out two interior decorating suppliers who provide the vast majority of her wares, though she still buys stuff at Target or the bodega.

This year, she contracted a firefighter to do the more complicated lights and an electrician so she wouldn’t burn any restaurants down. She has a warehouse space in the Bronx, which is also where she met her live tree vendor, and which serves as the unofficial headquarters of the operation. The elves preassemble garlands and wreaths and complicated decorations there, in heavy coats because the heat doesn’t really work.

“It’s not only rich people,” she tells me, when I ask who the customers are. “It’s so widespread. We have people with one-bedroom apartments or who are really busy or have a baby. And then, yes, there are obviously rich people who go all out.”

Rent-a-Christmas’s services range in price, from $185 for a single wreath with lights (and installation!) to $12,000 for complicated packages in which an entire apartment is coated in garland. They also decorate restaurants, bars, salons, banks, bagel shops, and law firms, starting around $15,000.

Most residential customers spend between $500 and $5,000, and Parness says the most popular purchase is the “Feels Like Home” tree package ($499), which includes the rental of a 6.5-foot artificial tree, lights, tree skirt, tinsel, ornaments, and a star, as well as a team of elves to set it up.

Rent-a-Christmas elves Cara Weissman and Sarah King, with the Hagan family’s tree. Kristen Parness

That’s what the Hagans have ordered. Parness’s assistants for this particular job are her head elf Jingle Bell — also known as Sarah King, an actress who makes the bulk of her living as a Disney princess-for-hire — and new temp worker Cara Weissman, who typically works as a casting director for reality TV shows on TLC and MTV, but needed some extra cash this year.

They’re both wearing full elf costumes, complete with glitter-covered ballet flats, and, in Sarah’s case, a sparkly silver fanny pack full of stage makeup. Most of Parness’s hair is dyed Christmas red. They sing while they work, and it takes about two and a half minutes for the tree to go from box to standing, five minutes for Sarah and Cara to cover it in gold tinsel, and 10 more for the whole team to put about 50 generic red, green, blue, purple, and gold ornaments on it.

The Hagans are watching the Hallmark Channel and drinking red wine, chatting with Parness about her plans for the holidays and about the Josh Groban concert that Karen is going to that night. The tree barely fits in the corner of a tiny living room that looks out directly onto a basketball court — where teenagers are flopping around in five or six sweatshirts apiece — and then the East River.

There is one moment when the lights go on and “The Christmas Waltz” is playing on Sarah’s portable speaker, and the kids outside are moving real slow and clumsy … it’s really good. There’s also a creeping urge to eye-roll, at the baby’s grandparents saying, “That’s your first Christmas tree!” while someone else sets it up, but that’s my cross to bear.

When she’s done with her work, Sarah comes over to where I’m trying to crouch out of the way of both the TV and the process, and tells me she gets a real high off of dressing as an elf. Kids love it, and adults appreciate it too, especially when they’re having a rough year.

Rent-a-Christmas decorations at the Sleepy Hollow Country Club. Kristen Parness

A first-time customer in Manhattan last year called them because her son had just died and she couldn’t bring herself to bring out the decorations. There are cases where people going through divorces find that their ex-partner took both the kids and the ornaments. “You have no idea the joy you’re gonna bring,” she says, “Or how hard somebody’s holidays were going to be.”

I ask her if she’s going to build a career as an elf, maybe transition it into her own business in some way. “Well, I like Christmas,” she says. “Doing it 365 might be too much.” We are in and out of the Hagans’ home in half an hour.

House of Holiday is the largest Christmas store in New York, owner Larry Gurino emphasizes to me over the phone. It’s in Ozone Park — the neighborhood of Queens best known as the stomping grounds of John Gotti. It’s also somewhat well-known as a real setting from Jack Kerouac’s On the Road — next to the Tastykake Wonder Bakery Outlet, which may or may not be closed but still features a giant mural of a Hostess cupcake. When it’s not Christmas season, House of Holiday sells Halloween decorations. And when it’s not Halloween season, it sells discount pianos.

“We’re the largest square footage. We make gorgeous displays. Our store is gorgeous,” Gurino says. “Get in the train, come down, and take pictures for your article.”

So, I do. The store is gorgeous. I don’t think I’ve ever swooned in the face of a commercial enterprise, but that’s the most accurate wording I can think of to describe the first-blush of my experience at House of Holiday.

Elf buckets at House of Holiday. the largest Christmas store in New York. Kaitlyn Tiffany/Vox

There is a section dedicated to Christmas-themed trains and miniature villages, one of which has a working Ferris wheel. There is a whole hall dedicated to fake trees, all of which are outfitted in different styles of lights, from tiny and bright white specks to heavy, old-school multi-color bulbs the size of overripe grapes.

There are tacky things and beautiful things, Budweiser ornaments and buckets of gold poinsettias. There is an entire room dedicated to different styles of 3-foot-tall, super thin elves, which is a horrifying nightmare. There is also a display of dish towels that say things like “Dear Santa, I want a fat wallet and a thin body” and “The tree isn’t the only thing getting lit.” These items are easy to ignore in favor of an arrangement of enormous angels with fluorescent wing tips and gowns more beautiful than any wedding dress I can imagine owning.

I ask Gurino how long it took to find suppliers to fill his store, and he simply emphasizes again that House of Holiday has been open for 25 years.

House of Holiday’s decorators are completely booked for the season, which starts overnight on Halloween, and the team of 25 will have decorated (or designed decorations for) about 200 homes and 200 businesses throughout all five boroughs by Christmas Eve. Typically, residential customers order a 7.5-foot tree, “decorated where you go, ‘Wow’ when you walk in,” as well as garlands for their railings, a couple of wreaths, and a centerpiece. They spend between $1,000 and $5,000.

House of Holiday, in Ozone Park. Kaitlyn Tiffany/Vox

Gurino points out that there’s a hole in my story: “Do-it-yourself is just exploding. Even bigger buildings and business are starting to push back a little bit [against rentals]. They’re coming in and buying all of their own stuff and then having maintenance put it up.”

That way, they get the same decorations at a fraction of the price. I ask him if this bothers him, and he says no, “We encourage do-it-yourself because we have the … largest … Christmas store.” Okay!

These customers have uncovered, in Gurino’s opinion, a con. “Most guys won’t tell you that because they only do decorating. They don’t have a retail space for people to come to. Most will tell you it’s the fad, it’s the hottest thing, but if they give you a quote for 5 grand, you can come to my store and do it for 2. That’s a big difference. If you need a crane, maybe [hiring a decorator and renting] is the way to do it…”

Most people are not renting Christmas, he says. Most people invest in Christmas, accruing it over time. “We don’t rent. It’s just taking the money from people. We don’t think it’s right. Everyone can afford a storage unit. Once you rent products from someone, they always have you over the barrel. You have to rent new stuff every year. Once you buy it, next year you have the same budget, so then you have twice as much, and before you know it you can make a beautiful scene.”

The data would seem to support most of this. The National Retail Federation reports that people are spending more than ever on Christmas — an average of $1,007.24 each — but they are still spending only about $215 of that total tab on non-gift items like food and decorations. (I don’t totally agree that “everyone” can afford a storage unit, but it doesn’t seem worth fighting over at Christmas.)

More than anything, Gurino hates the line about how everyone is too busy. “There’s always time to enjoy the season,” he says. “Make time because it’s important. At the end of it all, this is what we have. We have the seasons and the holidays.”

At the House of Holiday, which is incredibly reasonably priced, I am paralyzed with indecision. Should I try to decorate my home? I agree, the season is important because what else are we going to do, just cry until it’s spring?

Way less than 1 percent of House of Holiday’s selection of ornaments. Kaitlyn Tiffany/Vox

I also have nowhere to store these beautiful things, and I want a tree taller than my body but I don’t think I can fit it in my living room, which has a non-functioning piano taking up 30 percent of the floorspace.

After an hour of walking in circles, alternating between adding things to my Instagram story and staring solemnly at the nativity area, where you can look at, no big deal, the face of God, I decide on one small owl with straw-and-glitter feathers ($5.99), to put next to a fake crow I bought at Target when I was in a bad mood. And a light-up Santa-and-sleigh ($14.99) to put in my front window. For the children!

I ask Larry if he can tell me about the best Christmas decorations he’s ever created. “I don’t have anything special,” he says. “Everything is special.” And then, “Are we done?”

On Staten Island, the best-known best friends in the Christmas decorating business are Vincent Nicastro and Dexter Calimquim, high school buddies who have been stringing lights up on the stoney mansions and saltbox cottages of the largely-suburban, increasingly expensive “forgotten” borough for more than a decade.

Nicastro started the business when he was 16, a sophomore in high school in Park Slope, and got 10 jobs his first year just from passing out flyers. He did them on the weekend or after school; now he works 12 hours days without a day off for the entire season.

An intimidating house on Staten Island, decorated by The Christmas Decorators earlier this month. Kaitlyn Tiffany/Vox

I meet them after dark, for a job at a home nestled between two cemeteries and a country club on the east side of the island, where house prices hover around $2 million. They’re doing a modest installation — just $1,500 for labor, using lights that the homeowners bought from them some years before.

Nicastro drives me around the corner to a project they just finished, to the tune of around $8,500, including light rentals but not including the 6-foot-tall nutcracker on the stoop or the 8-foot inflatable teddy bear by the private basketball court. Those, the homeowner, Jennifer Bock, picked up herself, as she did with the teenager-sized elves in the side yard and the Santa-sized Santa in the driveway.

He has to ask her about a timer that stopped working on the bear, so he rings the bell and she opens the door immediately. A gush of aroma reminiscent of a vanilla Glade plug-in slaps the freezing air around us and I try not to very obviously stare at the chandelier behind her, which is the size of a Toyota Corolla and hanging from a cathedral ceiling with cherubs painted on it. “We love Vinny,” Bock says, “I found him on Ironmine [Drive], I was driving past and I said you have to come help me.”

She comes out to show him where she’d like some extra wreaths, then stands outside and chats without a jacket on. “He does amazing work,” she tells me. “And I love Dexter. He really knows his stuff.”

This assessment seems, from all the available evidence, accurate. Her house looks like the set of a Tom Ford ad. It looks like where Diane Keaton would live in a movie about how she’d made millions writing a hit book series and simultaneously raised elegant and educated children, and was now learning to enjoy the holidays without her handsome and kind husband who died. (Jennifer Bock’s husband has not died; I met him and his name is Tom.) It looks like, if you lived there, all you would do is stand in the driveway and talk to strangers about Christmas.

The Christmas Decorators’ handiwork, last year on Staten Island. The Christmas Decorators/Facebook

The Christmas Decorators do about 175 houses in five weeks. There are two vans and one truck, crews made up of roofers who are eager to take the off-season work and, as an added bonus, won’t fall off a roof. Calimquim says the only training they need is some easy electrical tips, because customers really only get mad when you blow their fuse box. A house like Bock’s will take all day, nine hours at least.

“I do enjoy it,” Nicastro says. “A lot of landscapers, companies come and go. We always see 20 percent growth every year.” Then he explains that, for the Bocks’ home, they had to glue each bulb onto the roof with a silicone gun, individually, and revises his tepid enthusiasm. “It’s 40 days of torture,” he says. But on the other hand, “I do okay.”

Calimquim and Nicastro also co-own a Halloween store in East Brunswick, New Jersey, which is open from August through February. There was a second store in Princeton for a while, but Amazon ate too many of the sales. The team decided to take part of their business online, selling on the platform as Costume Wholesalers.

Vincent Nicastro and a large wreath. The Christmas Decorators/Facebook

“I’m shipping blood to Alaska, gallons of fake blood,” Calimquim says. “A dragon to Puerto Rico.” The costume business is year-round, not confined to Halloween. They’re selling Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin costumes to schools for plays, Jesus and Moses costumes to churches.

In February — the coldest month of the year, Calimquim reminds me — they’ll work from 7 am to 5 pm taking decorations off of about 10 houses per day. He prefers working in the Halloween store primarily because he gets to be inside.

There are perks to being outside, though. He likes hanging out with the crew; he likes fresh air. He doesn’t like having to take the van to a Dunkin’ Donuts to go to the bathroom. He likes the holiday business because he gets time off to travel, and is going to the Philippines as soon as this is all over. He also hates Christmas, he says, the way McDonald’s employees hate french fries.

“Sometimes I’m like, ‘Is this what we’re doing for the rest of our lives?’” he says. It’s more a sincere hypothetical than anything resembling a complaint.

Bob Pranga, a.k.a. Dr. Christmas, makes a good living. He’s noticed an increase in demand for decorating services because people are “back on the ‘No one has time for anything’ thing.” They’re also increasingly forgetting to plan ahead, which is why he’s been called to give up his own Christmas Eve to decorate somebody else’s house.

“I did it,” he says, “For an additional cost. You have to be willing to sacrifice your holidays for this career if you really want to make it.”

Even in the most glamorous corner of this market, where the customers are Stevie Nicks and Beyoncé, there is a little twinge of a reminder: This is the six-week period during which our feelings about whose time is more important and what dismal dollar amount everyone else’s time can be bought for are spoken a little more loudly and crassly than they are the rest of the year.

“You have to be willing to sacrifice your holidays for this career if you really want to make it”

I know there is a lot of suspicious cultural and emotional goop around Christmas that makes what I’m about to say sound insensitive or delusional: I totally love Christmas, and both need and crave the “magic” of the most wonderful time of the year.

I know that Christmas, as popular culture has come to define it, is a nightmare of commercialism, a creepy propaganda tool of the Evangelical right, and a truly unfortunate time to work in any service industry — hardly a heartwarming combination of things.

At the same time, I think winter is a harrowing experience that humans are still ill-evolved to cope with, and that we deserve an elaborate charade to ease us into that and into the blinding horror of yet another year. We have chosen something with an irresistible aesthetic and wonderful set of smells, and we could have done much worse. The people who build Christmas are at least pretty into it. They do okay.

“My philosophy is always, you know, just remember to sparkle,” Pranga says, laughing. “Glitter gets you everywhere.”

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Original Source -> Why buy Christmas when you can rent it?

via The Conservative Brief

#IFTTT #The Conservative Brief

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