Take a walk in Amy Murphree’s (Sanuk) shoes as she prepares for her journey from Puerto Rico to the land down under… Australia:
In the Spring of 2014, I packed up my life and decided to fly halfway across the planet to explore an island completely unknown to me. Leaving the place where I’d spent the last 10 years tugged at my heart strings, but I knew Puerto Rico would always be there for me whenever I chose to return.
I stopped in sunny SoCal on my journey across 2 oceans. I was delighted in spending my last 2 weeks on U.S. soil driving from San Diego all the way up to San Francisco with my French partner in crime. After saying goodbye to friends in Southern California and giving a grateful high five to my supportive sponsors at Sanuk, Roxy, and Ocean & Earth, we traveled north. That first day, the wind was up so my frenchy friends jumped in for a late-afternoon kite-surfing session in between Cambria and South Big Sur. California graciously displayed her beauty as we camped alongside mountain streams and explored seaside nooks tucked between the dazzlingly, magnificent Sequoia thickets and precipitous cliffs along the North Pacific.
On our way back from an afternoon picnic, hiking sandy tracks, and watching sea gulls rearrange themselves atop tiny waves reeling through a secluded cove, we stumbled across an intoxicating eucalyptus forest. I’ve never stood among trees feeling so alive. Knee-deep on the forest floor lay the dry, curling, multi-colored remains of ancient eucalyptus, decomposing and renewing this revered flowering tree. What struck me about this particular gathering was the potency in the air, that familiar, stimulating fragrance that opens your sinus passages and inspires clarity of mind. Spending a few minutes among these trees felt like a trip to a cleansing spa.
Our last northern stop was the beautiful and unique San Francisco. We peered at Alcatraz neighboring the Golden Gate Bridge from one of many hilltop vista points, browsed eclectic shops along the legendary Haight and Ashbury streets, and dined on fresh seafood at a flavorful tapas joint. Cities don’t impress me much but I certainly admire the creativity that is exhibited everywhere you turn in the ‘City by the Bay’.
The time came to head back south, catch one last swell in Newport Beach, then pack it up and ready ourselves for our next adventure, Australia.
The soul of Byron Bay is told in shades of turquoise and green, colors of sparkling sea glinting off backs of playing dolphins, traveling whales, and perfect sand points. Lurking in the misty, Ferngully-like, enchanted forest is a myriad of love, light, and color that lifts your spirit and fills your heart with contentment. Hazy golden spray accentuates the curvaceous barrels that the south-southeast swell directions bend so generously into the coastline during winter seasons. Drawn in by the magnetic energy that has brought tribes together for centuries, one trip to the famous Byron Bay and you’re forever connected to the sacred, aboriginal meeting grounds, favored for ceremonies, rituals and rites of passage.
After 21 hours of travel from LAX, one flight delay, and lugging WAY too much sporting equipment through customs at the Melbourne Airport, we came in for descent at Gold Coast International Airport. I was immediately taken with the appearance of cleanliness and order from my Virgin Australia window seat as we flew low over the lighthouse at the Pass and finally came in for landing across the Tweed River.
My smiling mother and childhood best friend, Lauren Hill, welcomed us at baggage claim, handed us custard apples paired with veggie sushi, and then drove us down the sparsely populated highway to the quaint Byron Shire that would be home for the next three months.
We’re gonna keep you on your toes until next week, December 12th, when Amy shares the Gold Coast experience!