"When children come into contact with nature, they reveal their strength." - Maria Montessori, The Discovery of the Child.

There is something to be said about salt water therapy and spending time in nature. Last weekend we drove to Byron Bay. I didn't mention it to the boys before we left but at this time of year, it is a well-known spot for whale watching!!  

The boys were so surprised to see the whales. There were at least three humpback whales frolicking off the coast giving us a wonderful display. We loved every minute of it! It's nice to learn about something in videos and books but you can't beat the real thing! The boys watched the whales breaching, tail and lots of fin slapping, and spy-hopping. We were thrilled! It was a truly amazing experience, I've never seen anything like it before.

The whales were huge but so graceful and playful! The boys asked so many questions, some of which we are still to answer. Lots of "why are they doing that", "what are they doing" and "where are they going", "where have they come from".   

Byron Bay has a lot of offer, it's a magical place. We fell in love (with Byron Bay and the whales!). The boys spent so much time exploring, beachcombing.  

"There is no description, no image in any book that is capable of replacing the sight of real trees, and all the life to be found around them, in a real forest. Something emanates from those trees which speaks to the soul, something no book, no museum is capable of giving." 

"When the child goes out, it is the world itself that offers itself to him. Let us take the child out to show him real things instead of making objects which represent ideas and closing them in cupboards." Maria Montessori - From Childhood to Adolescence. 

We left feeling very inspired!

You can see a few more of our pictures from our trip to Byron Bay here. This is my favorite day trip so far, next time we will head to Noosa! We still haven't been to Australia Zoo, which is also on my wish list!