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Originally Posted by Machka
(Post 15158367)
So ... in about 36 hours, we'll be on the next leg of our journey. We're travelling to the western side of Australia. Rowan lived there for a while many years ago, but I've never been ... so we're planning to do a little exploring.
And we'll be going from winter to summer! |
Originally Posted by tourer78
(Post 15158451)
Temperature here in Perth today has been about 34 degrees celcius (94 farenheit) but with really high humidity (58%) very tropical, not the dry summer heat we are used to in the southern half of the state. However looking at the forecast for the coming days it will cool off a little bit and maybe some rain. Hope you have a great time here in Western Australia, we are off to Adelaide on Friday for the tour down under and a week or so of day rides. Will be interested to read about your travels here in the West. Where are you planning on visiting?
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It's been 3 months since we packed up for a flight. We've got a few small extra things now, but it seems like there is a whole lot more than there was when we arrived here. I'm not quite sure why. Except that ... given a chance, stuff does tend to multiply!!!
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We're in Australia! We arrived early this morning after a long, long, long flight. The first leg of the journey to Hong Kong (~13 hours) was pretty good. We had 3 seats in the middle of the plane to ourselves and I was able to spend quite a bit of time standing or all stretched out. The second leg of the journey from Hong Kong to Perth (~8 hours) wasn't as nice. It was a smaller plane, jammed full, and we weren't able to sit together. With 3 hours to go I was more than ready to get off!!
After we arrived here in Perth, Australia, we took a taxi to our hotel, then went for a long, long walk to find a USB stick to give us internet access. One thing we forgot ... it's summer here. :) Yep, there's warmth and SUN!! Yep, we're just a bit on the red side!! And then, because we got all of about 4 hours of sleep over the past about 30 hours ... we napped. Me for about 1 hour, and Rowan for about 4 hours. I'm feeling rather fuzzy. |
So, in the last few days we have arrived in Perth, done a lot of walking (11 km on the first day!!), saw some of Perth and Fremantle, and debated what would be the least expensive and most efficient way of getting us and all our stuff to Albany (if we were in Europe, we would have just hopped a train, but trains aren't that plentiful in Australia). After adding up how much it would cost to take the bus vs. how much it would cost to rent a car ... we rented a car.
Yesterday, we drove to Albany and found a campground on the beach. There are lots of different sorts of accommodations here, but they are fairly expensive ... it is holiday season here!! I think we chose a decent place, and this is the first time we have used our tent since France. It is cooler here than in Perth (which is why we wanted to come here), a little bit overcast, and quite windy. But that's all right. It feels comfortable. We had a really nice day today ... Rowan built the bicycles and we went for a ride ... 18.81 km in total ... up to the next beach where we had lunch, threw the frisbee, and waded in the ocean. Then we decided that the ocean was too warm to pass up, so we cycled back to the campground, changed into bathing suits, and cycled back to that beach. And there we swam in the ocean. That may have been the first time I've actually swam in the ocean. I've waded and bobbed around in the water a bit, but I don't think I have really swam before. And then we cycled back, past the campground and around the point to have a look at what's there. The water is just beautiful ... clear and turquoise, and warm. And the sand is soft and white. :) http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8502/8...82893aaf_z.jpg http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8228/8...1479e136_z.jpg http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8047/8...f30b2055_z.jpg |
Thanks so much for sharing. It's 25f and going to snow today here. :)
Seriously, I'm waiting for some snow and ice to try my new bigger, wider, studded tires. I actually miss riding in the snow in the spring. Do you ever miss some of your cold weather riding from Canada? |
Originally Posted by 2manybikes
(Post 15180904)
Thanks so much for sharing. It's 25f and going to snow today here. :)
Seriously, I'm waiting for some snow and ice to try my new bigger, wider, studded tires. I actually miss riding in the snow in the spring. Do you ever miss some of your cold weather riding from Canada? When we were in Canada just recently, we got out for several rides. It was BC, so the temperature wasn't anywhere near as cold as it gets on the prairies, but the rides we did were generally around 0C, and we didn't have entirely appropriate clothing ... and I froze. By the 5th or 6th ride, I was looking forward to summer in Australia!! |
Happy Australia Day!!
We kind of miscalculated a little bit with regard to our return to Australia ... it's not only still school holidays but it is also Australia Day this weekend!! So ... things are a bit busy here right now. Fortunately we have been able to get into campgrounds, so far. The unpowered sites aren't very popular ... there is usually at least one free. And it really is beautiful here in Western Australia. |
A stingray in the water where we've been swimming ...
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8468/8...0c4a2d2e_z.jpg Watching the waves ... http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8217/8...9a48ef7d_z.jpg |
I have loaded the North American story, without photos. The photos will come later, but right now, I don't have enough power or internet connection to load more than the odd photo or two.
http://www.machka.net/RTW_2012/RTW_N...erica_2012.htm The Australian story is on its way ... |
And I've managed to load the Australia story to date ...
http://www.machka.net/RTW_2012/RTW_Australia_2012.htm |
Originally Posted by Machka
(Post 15158367)
I've started on the Colorado National Monument photos. I took 400-ish of them, and won't be posting all ... but there are lots. It was just that incredible!
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8491/8...522cd53e_c.jpg http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8237/8...e20f15a4_c.jpg [HR][/HR] So ... in about 36 hours, we'll be on the next leg of our journey. We're travelling to the western side of Australia. Rowan lived there for a while many years ago, but I've never been ... so we're planning to do a little exploring. And we'll be going from winter to summer! I have finished the Colorado Monument photos ... http://www.flickr.com/photos/machka-...7630063425035/ If you're ever in Grand Junction, don't miss a drive or ride or walk through the Colorado Monument. It's an amazing place!! |
And we're back in the area where we started this whole adventure. Feels very weird ... strange ... disconcerting.
Yesterday, we had quite a trip getting from Melbourne to where our stuff is stored, and then some trouble starting our van. But fortunately, we were able to get it started this morning. Then we loaded up a few things from the storage unit, and drove out to the town where we'll be staying for the month of February. We'll likely get the bicycles built in the next day or two, so we can do some riding. We used to drive to this area to ride, now we can start from the driveway. :) |
What was the best place for riding?
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Originally Posted by 2manybikes
(Post 15226862)
What was the best place for riding?
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I spent last evening working on my Round-the-World story, and uploaded it today ...
http://www.machka.net/RTW_2012/RTW_Australia_2012.htm Some trips, holidays, etc. come to a definite end, and then "normal" life begins. Our trip, however, is not doing that ... it's sort of gradually coming to a close .... Rowan has full-time, "permanent" work now, but mine is still part-time, temporary ... and we don't have a place to live. We're still in temporary accommodation. So there are a lot of things still up in the air. Who knows what this week will bring. :) Meanwhile, we're discussing a couple weekend tours in the near future. :D I am still working on photos, gradually loading them ... http://www.flickr.com/photos/machka-...7626703106432/ |
Tour Summary
Our Round-the-World Tour
Very, very briefly ... Hong Kong Duration: 4 days Weather: Hot and humid Highlight: Ocean Park Impression: enjoyed it, would go again for a few days Comment: busy, some interesting shopping Taiwan – East Coast Duration: 6 days Weather: Hot and humid Highlight: Gorgeous roads and scenery for cycling Impression: enjoyed it, would go again for a couple weeks Comment: busy and beautiful, exciting and challenging traffic in the cities Japan - Hokkaido Duration: 10 days Weather: Warm and lovely Highlight: good cycling paths, lovely scenery Impression: really enjoyed it, would go again for a month or more Comment: quiet, beautiful and interesting Scotland Duration: 3 weeks Weather: Cool and rainy Highlights: Edinburgh, beautiful countryside scenery Impression: really enjoyed it, would go again for a month or more Comment: quiet, remote, empty Rhine Route (The Netherlands & Germany) Duration: 3 weeks Weather: Hot Highlight: St Goar and Bacharach - old cities, with nearby castles Impression: would not do the part of the route we cycled again, might consider the southern part of the route or the Mosel River Comment: busy and industrial Luxembourg Duration: 6 days Weather: Warm and lovely Highlight: Quiet campground, except for hair-raising thunderstorm Impression: nice place for a break, might be interested in visiting the northern area Comment: more modern and commercial than expected France - Metz area Duration: 3 days Weather: Hot Highlight: Cathedral Impression: a place we would visit again especially if we cycled the Mosel River Comment: Metz was a very pleasant surprise for its pivotal position in European history on more than one occasion Switzerland Duration: 10 days Weather: Started very cold and rainy, but the weather improved nicely Highlight: Mont Blanc and Chamonix (just over the border in France), Matterhorn and Zermatt Impression: definitely a place we'd visit again Comment: very expensive, and challenging at first, then absolutely beautiful France Duration: a month or so Weather: quite warm, except for the Atlantic storm Highlight: Bordeaux and the west coast of France, Paris Impression: we'd like to stay on the west coast of France for several months Comment: Perpignan, near the Spanish border on the Mediterranean didn't quite live up to expectation, but further north was wonderful. The beaches on the west coast of France were fantastic! Plymouth, UK Duration: 1 week Weather: rainy and cool Highlight: Mayflower exhibit Impression: nice area, might visit again Comment: we liked the history of the area Canada - BC and Alberta Duration: 2 weeks Weather: cool, with a hint of winter Highlight: visiting family Impression: of course we'd visit this area again! Comment: I grew up all through this area, living or travelling USA Duration: 6 weeks Weather: cool times, but mostly quite warm Highlights: visiting family and friends, red rock area of Utah and Colorado, pacific coastline Impression: we'd love to go back to the Utah and Colorado areas to have a better look at all the gorgeous scenery Comment: we really enjoyed visiting family and friends, meeting people and putting faces to names. And it was great to cycle in so many states Canada Duration: 1 month Weather: cool, with a hint of winter ... snow for Christmas Highlight: visiting family, especially spending Christmas with family Impression: of course we'd visit this area again! Comment: got a gym membership for a month and spent a lot of time there getting into shape and losing weight Western Australia Duration: 2 weeks Weather: wonderfully warm Highlight: gorgeous beaches Impression: would definitely like to visit this area again Comment: we especially liked the Albany area And now we're in Victoria. The Whole Story: http://www.machka.net/RTW_2012/RTW_2012.htm The Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/machka-...7632796492886/ (not finished loading them yet) |
I've finished the photos for the first half of the US/North American portion of our tour ... from BC to Texas ...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/machka-...7630063425035/ And since we've been back in the State of Victoria, we've continued to do quite a bit of travelling ... weekends away up in the Australian Alps, at one of the more local lakes (the biggest by far in the area), down to the coast (Port Fairy) ... :) |
Some Photos of our Loaded Touring Bicycles
In Taiwan ... Hualien ...
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7118/7...e877729f_z.jpg In Japan ... Hokkaido ... http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8014/7...de8e8144_z.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7121/7...cea421c3_z.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7271/7...5a010a5a_z.jpg http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8283/7...8a482814_z.jpg |
Awesome.
Were the padded top tubes for leaning against things? Or the bars hitting them? |
Any security problems with a loaded bike in the city?
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Originally Posted by 2manybikes
(Post 15640805)
Awesome.
Were the padded top tubes for leaning against things? Or the bars hitting them? |
Originally Posted by 2manybikes
(Post 15640812)
Any security problems with a loaded bike in the city?
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Originally Posted by Machka
(Post 15640830)
We had stopped for a quick snack on the way to catch the train back to Taipei. For train travel there, we opted to pad the top tubes because they do pack a lot of bicycles and other things into their luggage cars.
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Originally Posted by 2manybikes
(Post 15640845)
A big problem here with the ferries to tourist islands/locations. How did the paint, or anything else hold up on the trip?
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