Ulladulla

Three hours south of Sydney rests Ulladulla, a small surfing town with one pub, a few shops, a video rental store and beautiful beaches that attract a heavy flow of tourists during the summer months. It’s not unlike most small town where a trip to the grocery store is interrupted by five familiar faces and casual conversation, but life on the coast is breezy and everyone is coming from or heading to the ocean with surf board and sun block in tow.

At 5:30 p.m. on Friday, I made the journey to Ulladulla with Kim, my Sydney couchsurfing host. Ironically Kim’s friends were having a gathering at their holiday home 20 minutes south of Ulladulla the same weekend that I wanted to visit the town.

My trip to Ulladulla was inspired by Laura, a girl I’d met in New Zealand. (Laura dated Ben, one of the boys who I befriended in Whangarei, NZ. He lived in the flat with George, Sam and Frankie – the crew I spent my final two weeks in the country with, so I spent a great deal of time with Laura too.)

Laura arranged for me to stay with her mom, Donna, who was already hosting, Hannah, one of Laura’s friends, who is temporarily staying in the same household until she can move into her new flat. Fortunately Donna has two spare bedrooms and although she had a full household I was given my own space and queen sized bed.

During the 48 hours that I spent under the care of Donna were relaxed and enjoyable. Hannah took me surfing for first time – I stood up on the third try and absolutely loved it even though I swallowed a great deal of salt water (the water was still running out of my nose two hours later) and I suffered a sand “rug” burn on my bum when I was pummeled into the beach by a wave. We, including Emily, another of Laura’s friends, had breakfasts and lunches together at beautiful cafes, shopped around antique stores looking at art, cloths and accessories, went swimming at the beach and lounged around during the lazy afternoon between the girls’ work shifts.

I also acquired half a dozen new clothing items from Laura’s old wardrobe (free of charge) that were destined for a garage sale – much appreciated because I realized my shorts had a huge whole in the crotch.

The weather turned stormy Saturday night and Donna and I rented movies and noodles and camped out in the house, waiting for Hannah to come home from work.

The weekend was full of casual fun, lots of coffees, clothes, chocolate and overall “girlie” indulgences that I haven’t entertained for some time.

At 3 p.m. Sunday afternoon Kim picked me up and the two of us drove back up to Sydney.

So long Ulladulla, thank you Donna, Laura, Hannah and Emily for inviting me into your lives for one fabulous weekend.