It has turned out that Australia is not as cheap as it was 10 years ago when greg was down here before (now there’s a shocker!!) I am sure there are many complicated reasons for this fact, but much of it has to do with the weakness of the dollar in the world today. When greg was here previously the exchange rate was $.60 to the dollar, and now the exchange rate is $.89 to the dollar. The exchange rate combined with the fact yamba is much more up and coming than it was 10 years ago makes everything more expensive than we expected.

Apparently Yamba is the next Byron Bay, as it is being made that much more accessible to Brisbane with the improvement of the motorway which has made a drive that used to take four hours will soon take two. If we could invest in property yamba would be a good place to sink some cash. The lot across from us (that now has a huge house on it) was bought by a bloke for $500,000 and nine months later he sold it for $1.5 million.

Greg rented this same apartment for $280 AUD when he was here; today we are paying $395 AUD for it. That said where else could you rent a two-bedroom apartment overlooking the beach for that amount? What I think the solution is we need to find another person(s) to share expenses with us. We have not met as many people as I expected on this trip. And as I said in an earlier post, I am getting tired of Greg’s company all the time and i am sure he is getting tired of mine!! ☺

We were waiting for our fish and chips today and noticing how expensive cigarettes are. For a pack of 20 they were priced from $8.50 (only one type) to $13.00 (most were in this range). Beer is expensive as well. Heineken is $18.00 for a six-pack and Toohey’s New (aussie brand) is $14. Remember these are Aussie $ so it is not quite as expensive as it sounds, but it ain’t cheap either. Nuts are something that is very expensive if you can find them (you really can’t find any good ones).

Another thing I am really surprised at is the cost of books. We bought two used cheap paperbacks the other day for $20! I bought a new book that probably would have cost $16.00 in the states and paid $27.00 for it. I talked to the owner of the bookstore I was in and asked her why books were so expensive and she really had no explanation. The library here in town really isn’t that good either, it is very small (this is a very small, poor town).

But…..surfing is free!!