Stories from the road with Bianca Buitendag

As the fourth stop on the Championship Tour gets underway in Brazil, Bianca Buitendag gave us a little insight to her exciting 3 month Australian adventure before she jetted to Brazil for the highly anticipated Rio Pro.

While chasing the first three events on the championship tour, Bianca and boyfriend Lucas traced the Australian coastline (both east and south) in search of some empty breaks and the chance to stop and explore rather than race to the next town/next event….

Stories from the road with Bianca Buitendag

Here’s Bianca’s highlights from the road:

SYDNEY//GOLD COAST

If one had to walk down a road, eyes fixed straight ahead, no glimpse right or even left, could you expect to see all that surrounds? Could you see the distance you have covered, how far you have come? Could you expect to notice the beauty as your eyes skim over others, not noticing the stories that lie under the halfhearted smile? I am guilty of it so often, passing from one timezone to another, one event to the next, remaining totally oblivious to the beauty I am rushing so quickly to get past.

After the first event of the year in Sydney, we decided to drive instead of fly, to stop instead of hurry- to the Gold Coast. Although having come to Australia for over 5 years continuously, it was the first time that I saw it.

Taking longer than expected, we stopped at Newcastle, Pacific Palms, Forster, Crescent Head, Scotts, Lennox Head and Byron Bay. With an open window and open heart, I was completely blown away by the countless kilometers of untouched greenery and the clean, crisp atmosphere.

Getting lost, as well as annihilated by mosquitoes, eating boiled eggs and corn for numerous dinners, rising before the sun, as well as watching it glimmer through trees as the wheels turn, not knowing where we’re going, and consequently some sketchy motel moments, one thing you CAN expect is to feel a grim grow, cheeks rise and eyes close as a something bubbles from deep within your very soul.

Yes, dear friends, that joy, one can only find in the journey.

GOLD COAST//TORQUAY//MARGARET RIVER

A drop of sweat falls from my brow, as I look down and realize the time I perceive is not from the time zone I’m actually in. After having had to rush through peak hour traffic in this concrete jungle, generate a double dose of patience when at check-in, you are charged more for your board bag than the actual airfare, swiftly sneak through security and all the extras, knowing that the time needed to make your flight is not very achievable by any means, your last resort is to run – with too many pieces of carry-on rhythmically bouncing off all my body parts with each stride.

Enough. Is enough? This is not the ‘traveling’ ideal. Where did I miss the mark? With the decision to DRIVE instead of fly, my boyfriend and I set off for the East Coast of Australia. With my jaw dropping an inch with every kilometer covered, my feet hang out the window and channel fresh air to blow through my salty hair. Even through the smudges on the window ahead of me, caused from my footprints, I have a chance to stop and breathe at every town, see the true colors of this beautiful culture and country.

Schedule has taken so much beauty away, hurry causes color to turn to grey, but it has not been a change in scenery but a change in the eyes of the beholder.