Goodbyes, Grill Nights & One Last Byron Kiss (Aus part 19)

On By saar.decosterIn Sunday with Saar

Introduction

This week felt like Byron slowly starting to let me go.

Everything was still happening, work shifts, beach days, nights out, but underneath it all was this constant feeling of endings. People leaving, me leaving soon, and that weird mix of excitement and sadness that comes with it.

It was my “last full week” energy… without fully admitting it yet.

Main Adventure

Monday – Work, Old Rooms & Unexpected Henry Moments

Started the week at Claire, just a normal cleaning shift with Mara’s car. Nothing special, just routine.

After that, Treehouse, stayed a bit longer than usual, not rushing anything.

In the evening, Laura (German) wanted to go to Arts, so I went with her. She had a bottle of wine, and I ended up drinking a bit, but stayed pretty sober overall.

Jack came along too, and we literally just walked in like we belonged there so we didn’t have to pay, confidence is half the ticket in Byron.

Once inside, I saw Josh and started talking to him… until Laura suddenly pulled me away like “come on, Jill is waiting.” So yeah, goodbye Josh moment.

Later I wandered around with JC and even went back to my old room for a bit because Ingrid had forgotten her jumper. That felt weirdly nostalgic.

Also ran into coworkers, and Laura was fully simping over a surf guy the whole night.

Then… Henry appeared again.

Cue immediate overthinking and simping from my side.

I was talking about him to Jack and Nick (Jill’s ex), and they were like: “just go talk to him.”

Meanwhile Laura ended up actually going to the surf guy anyway.

And just like that, the night slowly dissolved into everyone walking home separately.

Tuesday – Goodbye BBQ Night (aka emotional chaos disguised as food)

Work day, but with something bigger hanging over it: our goodbye BBQ.

I still can’t believe it, my last Byron dinner.

I was sad and excited at the same time, which made everything feel a bit unreal.

Met the girl from AIFS who will take over my job soon, and she came for a trial shift. I invited her to the BBQ.

Preparing a goodbye BBQ with friends in Byron Bay during my Australia backpacking trip

At the hostel, everything turned into a perfect chaotic BBQ night. So much food, so much wine, actually really wholesome.

Until a random girl joined who we didn’t really vibe with, but couldn’t exactly exclude her because… well, public BBQ rules.

Later it escalated into a night out.

First Rails (dead), then Northern Bar.

On the way we ran into Nacho and one of the waitresses from work (cute coincidence moment).

Overall: actually such a good night, until one guy wouldn’t leave us alone and made everything slightly annoying.

Around 1:30am we went home.

Full Byron mix: love, chaos, and at least one weird guy per night.

Night out with friends at Northern bar in Byron Bay nightlife scene

Wednesday – Waterfalls, Mental Breakdown & Jill’s Last Night

Day off.

Went to Whian Whian waterfalls with Mara and Jill.

Whian Whian Waterfalls near Byron Bay, a nature highlight in this Byron Bay travel guide

And I forgot my bikini.

Full mental breakdown moment in nature.

Mara basically had to calm me down, and after that we just chilled there anyway.

Later went to a lake, which honestly wasn’t that special, so we went back.

In the evening: homemade pizza (10/10).

I was tired and didn’t want to go out, but it was Jill’s last night… so we ended up going for drinks anyway at Rails with Laura (Danish), Jill and Mara.

Soft goodbye energy all around.

Thursday – Double Shift, Kitchen Stress & Unexpected Kindness

Double shift day.

Dish trial again, making avocado stuff with Claudia. Surprisingly actually fun at first.

In between shifts I went back to the hostel, then returned because it was insanely busy.

Claudia had me making basil and random prep constantly.

At one point I was making dessert and used a plate I thought was fine, but apparently it was the wrong kind. She immediately came with more comments again, and I genuinely felt like I was about to cry.

But then Danique and Lucas stepped in and calmed me down. Lucas even gave me a hug, which I really needed.

After that, I finished at 23:45 completely exhausted.

Went home, ate pizza, got ready, and went to Casa Luna.

Mara was already in the queue with a double free entry, so I joined her.

Inside: actually such a good night.

Good music, hostel people everywhere, Ingrid fully in photographer mode again.

People wanted to go to Woody’s after, but I was too tired and too done.

Went home instead.

Also had a mild financial crisis realization: I booked a flight to Cairns that I probably didn’t need… Mama said she might just pay it though, so that’s emotional support unlocked.

Friday – Chill Day & Soft Chaos

Nothing major during the day.

Mara apparently kissed the hostel guy the night before (not surprised honestly).

I worked, Claudia left early, and Juan asked me to stay until 4. I said yes, obviously.

Got pizza after shift (standard recovery protocol).

Hung out outside the hostel with Antoine and Mara, then went back inside because it was cold.

Mara did my hair, we watched Outer Banks, and just had a really calm night.

Saturday – Last Night Out in Byron

Told myself I wouldn’t drink.

I did anyway.

Started at Lovers, dead.

Then Northern Bar with Mara, Annika, Laura (Danish), and Canady.

There were some really cute guys from Noosa but way too young, so nothing happened there.

Mara ended up kissing one of them.

Later Annika and Canady wanted Woody’s, but it was not my vibe, so I went to Lovers Lane.

And of course.

Josh was there.

I went up to him, started flirting, and within 5 minutes we were kissing again.

It was weirdly smooth and easy this time.

I told him it was my last night and asked if he’d miss me.

He said yes.

And somehow that made everything feel softer than expected.

Went home after, got fries with Laura, and that was it.

Sunday – Goodbye Day

Worked with Claudia again, got asked to stay longer because Ingrid was sick, so I did.

Bruna made me apple crumble, which honestly saved my mood.

Later went home around 23:30, packed my backpack, and said goodbye to Mara.

She had to work early the next morning.

And just like that… Byron started feeling like a chapter closing.

Romance

This week was confusing in the best and worst way.

Henry: random spark that came back out of nowhere.
Josh: soft chaos, unexpected ending, very Byron-coded.
Other guys: mixed energy, some cute moments, some instant regret.

Nothing clear. Everything a bit messy.

Tips & Tricks

  • Don’t underestimate goodbye weeks, they hit harder than expected
  • Waterfalls + emotional breakdowns = valid combo
  • Confidence gets you into places in Byron (literally)
  • Not every night needs to be a “big night out”
  • Sometimes staying in is the best decision you make

Reflection

This week felt like a slow goodbye I didn’t fully realize I was living.

Work, people, places I started calling normal… all slowly turning into memories.

There was chaos, obviously. There were nights out, kisses, stress, laughter, tears in kitchens, and quiet beach moments.

But underneath all of it was something softer.

A beginning of ending.

And I think I’m starting to understand that it’s okay to feel both excited and sad at the same time.

Because that just means it mattered.

Wherever I am next, I’m learning that even chaos can feel like a beginning.

Next story

Liked this story? Read chapter 20. Because trust me… it didn’t end there.

OR start from the beginning: Australia Travel Diary part 1.

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Thank you for reading <3

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