The pass. A right of way, passing of seasons, a loved one, pass of hardship, of time, the end of something, yet the beginning of...of something, something new? Maybe something meaningful, or maybe another day passes and continues as the next. No change, no difference in greater reality. Yet this single petite word which can seem so meaningless, is tumultuous, earth shattering and magnificent to a single mind, a single individual, another small soul. THE Pass. The tide broke gently into frothing, vibrant waves. It seemed so innocent, so serene, so entrancing. Yet the moment the wave furiously caressed the broken head of land, a rupturing sound echoed along the empty morning beach. Salty droplets cooled the sun-kissed skin, while a crisp breeze awakened the mind. It was early, way too early for most to travel here. So isolated in plain sight. Arriving at The Pass was a great achievement in the humid heat, but the real beauty lied behind. Beneath the thick green foliage of the forest, downwardly inclined stone stairs would lead the wondering soul deep, uphill. The journey takes a breath away, a deep incline, a deep vision of art. Above in the canopy of the Forrest the sea and waves seemed almost docile, almost insignificant, yet the heavy colours of the sea, azure and deep blues dancing together like a Romani gypsy, hypnotised any watcher. Tall trees holding life within them. An eagle perched upon a desolate tree ripping into the supple flesh of a misfortunate fish. A silver glittering web in the morning sun, condensed with water droplets framing a patient yellow spider. A prehistoric reptile watching you watching him. Its claws sharp, its gaze piercing. And the sea. Yet again, doing what it does best, making way for itself. Crashing waves against cold stone to break patterns, to make marks, to make a damn change. Change. Curiosity strikes. That’s what lead the wondering soul here. She didn’t know that towards her journey to the lighthouse a simple sign would entice her attention away from her goal. “The lookout point”. It could have been like all the others she’s seen, but she made her own decision to stray outside the lines, to make her own mind up, to determine her own capabilities. She slowly climbed over the wooden frame and onto the crumbling rocks. Exhilarating. Stiff cliffs peppered with living swirling shells. Narrow pools filled with shoaling little fish, passing from depth to depth as the tide lead them where it wished, protected in a rocky precipice. New Life. Her eyes drank in every detail. Her foot grazed a shaky rock as pebbles tumbled, their noise unnoticed by the fish in their natural sanctuary. A lonely gull ate its fill. The corpse of a crab layered upon the seaweed, added character to the ethereal somewhat otherworldly views. To think she could have missed this. A haven, not just for the small fish, afraid of the large sea and it’s unpredictable moves. A haven of natural abundance and resources for native and migrating seabirds. A haven of safety for the luckier crabs. A wonderful marvel unfolding right in front of her eyes. Attacked by the crashing waves, they all seemed at home. Beaten, yet beloved. So fascinating and liberating to feel those same waves crashing and splashing her. Unforgettable. The sun climbed to its rightful place, soaring in the sky and slowly burning its morning rays. She sat there for a while. Hair salty, skin damp, mind alight with treasured experiences. Nature ripped her from another reality and brought her down to earth. Her hair messed didn’t matter. Her wet clothes made no difference, her roughened skin wasn’t even in her mind. Her dirty hands didn’t make her any less of a woman. She was an adventurer and for the first time she felt free. No pressure to be someone or something. The sea looked at her the same way it did anything and everything. Time passed. Distant cheering calls broke her trance. She noticed, others also enjoying their own adventures. Children chillin’, surfers surfin’. All living their own adventure in this wonderful wonderland. Freedom in Byron Bay at The Pass and Lookout Point.