IT'S a sunny winter morning and the dolphins are jumping waves amid the surfers and swimmers.
The slow parade of walkers - some casually kitted in sandals and shorts, some in joggers and tracksuits - never stops. The frangipanis and palms provide a privacy screen for us: we are invisible, watching the world go by from the confines of classic wooden outdoor chairs with huge, comfy pillows.
It doesn't get much better than Wategos Beach at Byron Bay. In case we missed the point, the guestbook in Suite 1 at Beach Suites, Watermark at Wategos, where we are staying offers comments from people from all over the world, most of whom wish they could stay a little longer.
Our one-bedroom suite is the perfect getaway. It oozes luxury and comfort. If you are looking for the consummate Australian holiday experience for even a short stay, this merits your serious consideration.
You can dip your toe in the ocean on the sandy shores of Wategos Beach 50 paces away. It's 700 metres by walking track from the Byron Bay lighthouse. And it's a million miles from the stress of everyday life, even if you never leave the suite.
The coffee table books include Buddhist Offerings 365 Days, Byron Bay: The History, Beauty and Spirit and Byron Bay Eating and Cooking by Steven Snow. Among the handful of CDs: Keep It Simple by Van Morrison and the soundtrack of Once (Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova). You can feel your heart rate slowing down.
The goodies include Brookfarm muesli, TWG teas and Byron Bay coffee. There's an Essenza Nespresso coffee machine as well as coffee plunger.
The design values privacy as well as comfort. There are smart louvres to bring in the breeze and keep out any passing noise. There are overhead fans as well as airconditioning, outdoor showers, wraparound wool blankets, an oil candle burning with a block of massage oil. Even a woven straw basket with beach towels and chairs tucked away in the cupboard, ready to go.
The concertina glass doors allow you to bring the ocean in when you want. The internal wood shutters allow you block out the world when you want. More shutter doors for the bedroom.
Step into the good life. Enjoy the moment.
The writer was a guest of Legendary Byron.
Watermark at Wategos, 29 Marine Parade, Wategoes Beach, Byron Bay ph 02 6685 8749.
