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Exploring Australia - Where the hell am I?
Exploring Australia - Where the hell am I?
Hey everybody My Name is Dominik, I am from Germany and right now I am on my first big trip. The country to visit: Australia. I have one year to explore the shit out of OZ :) My plan so far: arrive in Perth and go around Australia anticlockwise. This will be my first ride report ever so please excuse any mistakes especially my grammar as I am not a native speaker. Lets start with the last preparations in Germany. The last few weeks before leaving to Australia turned out to be a bit hectic. On my list were the following things to be done: • A motorcycle maintenance with oil changes, tire and wheel baring replacement, replacement of the chain set • As Australia has very strict quarantine regulations there had to be an extensive cleaning of the machine * http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cDIFiXfgTs...919_155126.jpg Without the front panel • The bike had to be packed for shipment, luckily I had some help from friends and neighbors http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yc_fURIH4w...928_151850.jpg Construction of the transport crate http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ljx8diX6d8...0/IMG_6059.JPG Ready to go http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5b0L92mdyY...930_101549.jpg Help from neighbour • Obtain all necessary travel documents, including among other things a Carnet de Passage, International vehicle papers and drivers license, a health insurance • 80th birthday from Grandpa http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GrqAGMSR_P...0/IMG_6035.JPG • My sister's wedding in Hamburg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_2FfCCuzqC...005_114454.jpg • A visit to the doctor for vaccination and to renew my diving medical examination, after which I also had an ultrasound of my heart but everything is alright Greetings from Down Under! Dominik |
Departing and Arriving
Departing and Arriving
The 9th of October was the official beginning of my journey. My bike had already gone onto the journey without me 10 day upfront. The bike had gone by truck to Hamburg and the by plane via Dubai to Perth. The transport of the motorcycle was*settled by*the company*InTime from Hamburg. On my starting day I went by train to Hamburg. On the ride a little chat with New Zealand couple came up because they needed help with the S-Bahn trains in Hamburg. Resulting from the chat I got handed a business card of their son and i was told to call him as soon as I had arrived on Australia's east coast because he might have a job for me or know somebody - great! Arriving in Hamburg, I was first taken to delicious kebab by my sister Steffi and her husband Markus and later they drove me to the airport. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FBzeGYkOM1...0/IMG_6122.JPG Hamburg airport just before* departure The first flight I mainly spent eating and watching movies. Arrived in Dubai I had 3 hours to explore Terminal 3, which was pretty boring. Luckily there was a free WiFi so I could surf the net a little. The second flight consisted of more food, more movies and a small night's sleep. When I finally arrived in Perth I got all my bags pretty quickly although now due to a small duty free shopping in Dubai my luggage consisted*of three checked baggage. Despite an extra questioning by customs and quarantine inspection of my luggage through a Beagle I had already left the airport 30 minutes after landing. In the arrivals area, John and Gael lovely welcomed me. John(Advriders Inmate JayBo1) had offered me that I could stay at their house for the first days. What a great offer, right? After a light dinner, i could go to bed without any jet lag in normal times and I slept through the whole night. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZYwHQsudnv...0/IMG_6125.JPG Just before boarding On Friday my daily plan was to free my bike out of the Emirates warehouse. I was*feared this could take several days to complete because the bike has to be released by customs first, then you have to book an appointment with the AQIS quarantine authorities and in the end you finally get the motorcycle examined at warehouse by an inspector. So Gael drove me back to the airport with a short stop at the ATM. Since I slept late and the streets were quite full we arrived at 10:40 am at the Emirates warehouse. In there I was handed the documents needed just after a few minutes and I given directions to the customs building. Fortunately, the customs is in sight and only about 300 meters away. My stamped carnet was handed back to me within minutes and I got the*instruction I*should now go to the AQIS.I had*already*spotted the AQIS building on my way to customs because it was just halfway. At the AQIS it took me longer to wait for a free agent than the actual recording of my request. After paying a processing fee I was told to take a seat next to a phone so another agent could call me for an appointment .The phone rang and I was asked if I wanted an appointment immediately - not bad. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KEwHpHsCkV...0/DSCI0059.JPG AQIS office So I went quickly back to warehouse and just waited on the inspection lady. When my box was then moved to us by forklift it was just a big relief my D.I.Y. crate had not*collapse*nor has it been damaged in any way. The quarantine inspection itself was just to easy. I cut the foil at the top of box so that* http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0y3LWTsVh_...011_120618.jpg Looks good :) the inspection lady *could have an unobstructed view on my bike. She checked the VIN with the papers and felt under the fender if there was any dirt, that was it.* The time everything took until I got the crate delivered to the yard of the warehouse was less then two hours.* http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JIvEYWrUtZ...0/DSCI0060.JPG My workplace The forklift driver I still got me the hint when I wanted to dispose my garbage in their container, it would cost money, so I should just do it when no one was watching me :) http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--t_glhzns3...0/DSCI0061.JPG Without foil So I quickly cut the whole foil off to stuff it into the container, but then another warehouse worker came by to help me. To get it done quicker and no one can see you doing it, he said. It then took a really long time to unscrew the frame of crate apart because otherwise it did not fit into the container. The removed front wheel could quite easily be reinstalled with the help of a forklift. It raised the whole motorcycle so I could just put the wheel into the right*position. By the time I finished the front wheel, it started to rain: ( http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IVZBKfzLdR...0/DSCI0062.JPG Work goes on So first I*sought*shelter to wait until the rain stops. Unfortunately, the rain did not like me, so I had to get the bike under the roof as well. When I had everything loaded onto the bike I remembered my friends told me I should always take pictures with my mascot - so here's one. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nGBeDEact9...0/DSCI0063.JPG First motorcycle wash from above Meanwhile, it was almost 4 pm and my first Australian roads led me to a gas station to fill up the tank and buy an Australian SIM card. Actually, I would now want to go directly to a*licensing center*but unfortunately it was already too late. So I rode my bike illegally without insurance or a license back to Gael and John. The*licensing*of the motorcycle had to wait until Monday. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-94vP-bVsfg...0/DSCI0065.JPG Mascot At the weekend I took it easy all the time. Saturday, there was first a few tweaks to the bike, I visited a settlement with model homes with Gael and in the afternoon I tried driving a tractor for the first time - is not that hard :) Sunday continued like that, I went*grocery shopping*with Gael. The rest of the day I spend time with John in his garage or chasing the dog in the garden. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6X7ESvcYo9...0/IMG_1433.jpg My first ride Greetings from Down Under Dominik |
G'day Dominik my name is Noel ,i'm in Emerald Queensland ,sing out if you come through town happy to give you some accommodation if i am here at the time.Regards Noel:D
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First Kilometers
First Kilometers
After a relaxing weekend, my goal for Monday morning was to get my motorcycle officially licensed. First I had to phone the Department of Transportation to get 48 hours insurance to drive my bike to a safety inspection. There it was to pass the Roadworthy Inspection, which was no problem. Unfortunately, the result still had to be confirmed by the central and since pretty much all the staff was sick I had to wait for four hours. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1Uv2JaY1Vg...014_104541.jpg When I finally had the necessary paperwork I was able to drive to the Licensing Center in Rockingham. There I had to wait one more time because apparently I have been the first one who wanted to register a foreign vehicle that is temporarily imported under a carnet at this Licensing Center. But after one and a half hours the last doubts were removed and I was allowed to ride my bike for a year on Australia roads. On Tuesday, I went to a motorcycle tire dealer John suggested to go to since my front tire felt weird. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YbvW0natsg...0/IMG_6135.JPG After the problem was sorted out I went to visit the City of Perth to buy some last camping gear. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lIqoXAXKDd...015_140903.jpg I left Gael and John on Wednesday to go camping for the first night. I am so glad I got all their help and I will miss Gaels super cooking skills! http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Hup1_clbO...0/IMG_6158.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TcGNI9kywK...0/PA150008.jpg Thanks to the app Wikicamps a free campground was quickly found just north of Perth. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8lPuyUpIeU...0/IMG_6169.JPG The following day I went a bit further north and settled down at a campground in Cervantes. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-heuxAHUndz...0/IMG_6171.JPG He got a name: Outback Otto http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EillSzeSTU...0/IMG_6175.JPG Take these signs serious http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0ckeH4NPu6...0/IMG_6178.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bEtDz7dHO7...0/IMG_6206.JPG Since I've somehow taken too much clothing my first trip in Cervantes was to visit the local post office to send a parcel with my things to Adelaide. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9N7KxEDFiA...017_160655.jpg Since I wanted to go to the Horizons Unlimited Travelers Meeting in Yanchep National Park near Perth I had to go back South on Friday. On the way back I visited the Pinnacles in Nambung National Park. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YTokqHBhgV...0/IMG_6181.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q7wOLTInxb...0/IMG_6184.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hNW9dSKlta...0/IMG_6191.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g92vT-9FMY...0/IMG_6201.JPG The weekend at the HU meeting was great, I met so many nice people, got advice for my trip and even got invited to see some them again on my travel route. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R8IpSH9Z99...0/IMG_6265.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0A4skdpL__...0/IMG_6303.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i7BpLGpuRC...0/IMG_6356.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TokP_GEUt0...0/IMG_6364.JPG At the end I got an official send off to start my journey. Thx Ewen Macgregor (not the Charley Boorman one) for the Video It was already quite late at the end of the meeting so I accepted the offer by Nathan to stay the night in their shared flat in Fremantle. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nMQrp3Yi3Z...0/IMG_6368.JPG Me, Nathan and Duncan http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zam3uq37_Z...0/IMG_6373.JPG Since I wanted to buy a lock for my bike, among some other things one night become a second. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H7uAUq7p4P...0/IMG_6378.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9jEgFo6NLn...0/IMG_6387.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ep34tEw1oo...0/IMG_6389.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vfj6j0MaWc...0/IMG_6390.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bZCP6xys-i...0/IMG_6401.JPG I was super catered and we had a few nice beers - thanks Nathan and Duncan. I was back to camping and found a nice spot for a night near Dwellingup. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qgqQvvKzRU...0/IMG_6409.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KEwiZfiihU...0/IMG_6414.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9r0eZHSnoe...0/IMG_6420.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QO8YknJ8P4...0/IMG_6428.JPG |
Back and forth
Back and forth
The next day, it should once again go back to John and Gael, as John had asked me if I wanted to see the movie "Dream Racer", about an Australian Guy taking part in the Dakar Rally. As the movie should only start in the evening I had time to explore the surroundings of my tent spot in Dellingup the whole first half of the day. According to a sign there should be a waterfall and a POW camp. [IMG][/IMG] http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2zL4yFnR3N...0/IMG_6409.JPG First a walk to the waterfalls. It took me longer than I expected but I was back at the campsite after approximately 3 hours. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WJuF3C8mDD...0/IMG_6432.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u9_fmYoyXV...0/IMG_6438.JPG After this I preferred to drive to the POW camp by my motorcycle. I packed up all my stuff and off I went. After 4 minutes, I was already in the camp. Hmm - Somehow I could have done it the other way around. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fQ8sCXxEiS...0/IMG_6443.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zLHN6aBkwe...0/IMG_6444.JPG Out of the forest I choose the longest possible detour along more or less well-developed gravel roads, good they are all located on my GPS maps. In the evening the movie was really well done and entertaining. After the movie John and I went to have something to eat with a few of his friends. If you ever have the chance to use a washing machine while you are travelling, you should do it. So when we came back this was what I did :) The next morning I set off to go camping in the Yalgorup National Park. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r_vufxs5D-...0/IMG_6447.JPG I stayed there for three nights, although mosquitoes almost ate me. On the first afternoon I got a text message from Gael telling me I had forgotten some of my washings - oh no! So my further planning for the next days was a third visit at John and Gaels house :) I although visited the nearby Preston Beach and it was time for me to test the sea if it suitable for swimming. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FmGne1qlIY...0/IMG_6452.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-01Q_YAbjyO...0/IMG_6508.JPG Moreover, there was also a circular bird watch trail and since I was awake at 6 o’clock the second morning I wanted to give it a try before breakfast. Reported way should be 6 km long and you should need 2 hours. Sounded unrealistic to me. After 2 hours I had no finished the trail, so it dawned on me that I probably had a wrong turn somewhere. Of course I neither had a map nor my GPS with my and my cell phone battery was empty. So there was nothing left to go all the way back again. By 10 clock I was back at the campsite. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LjGwPDtdUw...0/IMG_6462.JPG The next morning I decamped to go back and collect my laundry. I did a small detour to the "main attraction" of the national park - the living stones. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HMr8u1atWP...0/IMG_6605.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v_N2_T2Ew4...0/IMG_6612.JPG Arrived at Gael and John, I collected my laundry and asked them for advise on the best mosquito repellent. And then I went shopping. I bought the two most powerful versions of what they had recommended to me. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-onzvDt06tK...5127801947.jpg On my next campground the chemistry was sorely needed since there where Ross River Virus warnings signs everywhere - a disease that is transmitted by mosquitoes. John told me about this virus just the same day. There is no cure and the progress of disease can last over 3 years in extreme cases even over 10 years. Due to the new repellent, I did not get a single stitch. After I crawled into my tent I heard steps around the tent all the time but it was the wallabies I had previously seen. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UwPKnupt5B...027-WA0008.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3rLyMPYdW9...0/IMG_6616.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yzSnvug3ZF...0/IMG_6620.JPG The next day led me to Bunbury the largest city in Western Australia outside the metropolitan region of Perth. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--MH-hmcdln...0/IMG_6625.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rolX-okDfh...0/IMG_6635.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UvZBHxrUwg...0/IMG_6638.JPG For the next day I had an invitation from the HUBB by Helgo to go to Busselton about 50km away from Bunbury. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZdE8kr774C...0/IMG_6646.JPG |
He lives there with his wife Helga and they enjoy their retirement. On a little motorcycle ride Helgo showed me some nice routes and places that I would otherwise have certainly not seen.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_OGUKXfjd-...0/IMG_6651.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CsyhtUdv6t...norama-001.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1X0zqzKiU5...0/IMG_6662.JPG The next morning I tried to clean the coarsest dirt off the motorcycle. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E9rMjTgzho...0/IMG_6666.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PFz_WmZdsx...0/IMG_6668.JPG After that it I still had enough time for exploring the area of Busselton. Among other things, I was at Cape Naturalist, at Bunker Bay Beach and again at Meelup Beach wich Helgo had shown me the day before. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3vjxNyRxX1...0/DSCI0074.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sgri3snUxI...0/DSCI0082.JPG On Meelup Beach I was wondering why so many people were sitting there with binoculars until I noticed that you could see whales with the naked eye from the beach - great experience, I've never seen them before. I the evening we had, like the day before, a great BBQ and I could listen to some exciting stories from Helga & Helgos travel past - among other things, they drove a VW bus in 70s from Germany to Australia. I said goodbye to Helga the next morning and went off with Helgo to another motorcycle tour. We went to Augusta the most southwestern city of Australia. For our way back north we chose the Caves Road, one of the most beautifully roads of Australia I have seen so far. When we got to the Jewel Cave it was time for me to say goodbye to Helgo as well, because he had to go back home and I wanted visit the cave. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NMKc9OPqJH...0/IMG_6708.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nmdIkwYcIi...0/IMG_6712.JPG Along the Caves Road there are so many limestone caves, but I was told the Jewel Cave should be the most beautiful one. What’s for sure it is the biggest Cave in Western Australia. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y-umrfWX7q...0/IMG_6732.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wWarBJxCN5...0/IMG_6741.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9wrP6fg6qU...0/IMG_6744.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mur4ETDugs...0/IMG_6746.JPG For my night rest I found a really nice arrange campground in the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3O5ZE4cPbM...0/IMG_6754.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JXltXMuGO0...0/IMG_6755.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dhoeqWBZVW...0/IMG_6757.JPG The next day took me back further north one the Caves Road to the town of Dunsborough, I went there because next days attraction would be wrack diving. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QtuutNe6Nn...0/DSCI0086.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xIdJDxLgko...0/DSCI0088.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TMSS6dLpAF...0/DSCI0090.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QFTv-1m0Kt...0/DSCI0093.JPG [IMG][http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6QqrhQQcU...I0108.JPG/IMG] The target was the HMAS Swan a 110-meter former ship of the Australian navy. After its exemption from military services the ship was sunken near Dunsborough as a diving spot. The dive was sensational. We went through the wrack on its full length. There were so many fishes and corals it was amazing. As a little add-on there even was whales that came as close as 5 meters to our diving boat. Even when we were in the water the whales came closely to us. The next day brought the next attraction: Australians giant trees the Karris http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uXxdp-Xz2c...0/IMG_6759.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mw-46oCgzB...103_132354.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ognqDb9aGw...0/IMG_6762.JPG Some of these trees have been modified to be used as lookouts to spot forest fires in the past. Now they can be climbed and I had to get up the highest one :) You have to climb up on steal bars that are pushed into the wood around the tree. The gape between two bars is round about 30 cm and there is no safety so even I could fall through :) http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ScCCPKaLY6...orama1-001.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EkV5llYud7...0/IMG_6774.JPG I planed to spend some time at the nice beach of really quietly village of Peaceful Bay, but the weather had different plans it got rainy and cold. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NQD_4kp03g...105_092227.jpg Greetings Dominik |
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04/11/2013 – 13/11/2013
What can you do in a little and quiet village like Peaceful Bay if the weather is not that good? Not much except: writing a new Blog post, read a book, have a chat with other campers or inspect the bike for lose bolts. But than I had an idea I could try to give myself a new haircut. I have never done it before by myself, but I think the Australian barbers will be too expensive for a whole year. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TiUWBXUO6x...104_160415.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BaPAI_i2B-...105_113637.jpg 11mm Not too bad and now the hair won’t get that sticky by the mosquito repellant because there is a lot less hair :) At some stage I got bored of Peaceful Bay and so I decided to have my first day of ride in the rain in Australia so far. As a destination I had chosen the town of Albany. I had rain the whole ride and for the rest of the day. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IaRxeX5dm6...106_163234.jpg Because of the rain I had time to look for a new rain jacket and a new wallet. But I did not like the offered rain jackets they were all way too long and to expensive so I decided my old one would be good enough because it was only leaking a little bit. I was more successful with the wallet because loosening coins all the times really sucks. The weather was getting better so I went out to have a look at the surroundings of my campground at Emu Point. <iframe src="http://iancooper.name/ps/#https://plus.google.com/photos/116625272430497058040/albums/5864903890275438049/5946300279416451842?pid=5946300279416451842&oid=11 6625272430497058040" width="640" height="480" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0"></iframe> Later I visited the biggest museum in town. Luckily there was no art at all :) It is the old Princess Royal Fortress a military base located on the summit of Mount Adelaide. The fortress was established to protect the harbour of Albany and you get good view from up there. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-79_ZxckC6m...0/IMG_6783.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K3HlLyuxsT...0/IMG_6787.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_V5pImyb24...0/IMG_6795.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2mtwgpOvT9...0/IMG_6798.jpg Two days in Albany have been enough for me so was to go to a nice beach and camp there. I had the choice between Norman’s Beach and Betty’s Beach so I obviously choose Betty’s Bay :) http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iUkYJfuqOS...0/IMG_6801.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RzTU_fzOCX...0/IMG_6803.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wKY8ZPwKLK...0/IMG_6816.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2Wb5-Ko24w...0/IMG_6825.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aksZ5DVVzc...0/IMG_6830.jpg Beautiful spot but really windy so it gets a little bit cold. That’s why I left the next day to go into the hinterlands. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XQUvMTYrhY...0/IMG_6832.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-utV2tf3bb8...0/IMG_6835.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hNc6d0BfSk...0/IMG_6840.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2ZCnI8MHT...0/IMG_6844.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AAv4Nes-bk...0/IMG_6846.jpg I nearly spend to whole day crossing the Wheatbelt, Western Australia’s breadbasket. Except of gigantic wheat fields you can see sheep breeding in this region as well. With a short night stop in Lake Grace the destination of my ride was the town Hyden. Most tourists only go there to see the famous Wave Rock. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q89Q5-ub6m...0/IMG_6858.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HTvCvnCpzJ...0/IMG_6860.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LXv-ZFeyui...0/IMG_6867.jpg I did it as well as I already was in town but the main reason I went to Hyden is the Granite and Woodlands Discovery Trail, a 300 km long mainly gravel road from Hyden to Norseman. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e-FIMJCTF6...0/IMG_6869.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AnrPbfFCQw...0/IMG_6871.jpg I wanted to have driving enjoyment and I definitely got it. <iframe allowfullscreen="" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ni4KS7Qab5E?rel=0" frameborder="0" height="360" width="640"></iframe> |
Along the dirt road there a several free campgrounds so I used the chance to stay at one of them in complete loneliness. You hear nothing but the wind and some animals.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m7VZV737aZ...0/IMG_6873.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MoDI1P7nZe...0/IMG_6874.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-43Y81KLVxM...0/IMG_6875.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KZwcR9PPhy...0/IMG_6920.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pAYGLZyQNq...0/IMG_6937.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cHyHjkI10W...0/IMG_6938.jpg After a short sightseeing in Norseman at the next morning I decided to go back to the cost. But why should I use a big road when there is a small dashed line, the Lake King Norseman Road, in my map? So again 200 km of 4wd track to get to Lake King. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uu7jg89l8E...0/IMG_6939.jpg This time the dirt track was not in a good condition and I had to gear down. That’s why it took me 4 hours to finish the 200 km. But I came through the Frank Hann National Park and saw a lot of wild flowers. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nbTe0rk0qI...0/IMG_6943.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ehqbTaT_B3...0/IMG_6941.jpg The town Lake King turned out to be a little bit cheerless so I went on further south to Ravenshorpe. Because of my slow riding on the dirt road the bike just used 11.5 liters of gasoline for the ~340 km from Norseman to Ravenshhorpe – not bad. The next day first took me to the little coastal town Hopetoun and from there to a nice beach camp spot. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xsrwY7GSa7...0/IMG_6947.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q_bW1J6r2J...0/IMG_6954.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hprxVWPQe-...0/IMG_6956.jpg |
Esperance 13/11/2013 - 23/11/2013
After a refreshing cool night I was woken up by the sound of the ocean in the morning. I left the beach camp to go to Esperance. John, who I have meet at the Horizons Meeting in Perth, had offered me to visit him and his wife Stephanie. John had written me just two days before as soon as there would be no wild fire he would only be on standby. What did I see on my way to Esperance? A wild fire! http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nLgvSwSVwE...0/IMG_6961.JPG As I arrived in Esperance I went into Johns office and he gave me the key to his house. With the key I got a description how to find his house and the “order” to make myself comfy, the fried would be filed with cold drinks. But first I went on to a shopping tour to buy a new Camelbak. I lost my last one on the Hyden – Norseman track, but realised it only 500 KMs later. So I went into the first sports store I could find in town but they had only 2 L ones. But this time I wanted a 3L Camelbak because most of the time 2L haven’t been enough for me. No problem is what the salesman told me, there is a motorcycle store in town that might be selling them, but he wanted to give them a call first and ask them if the 3L were in stock. They had them in stock. So a bought a new Camelbak and as there was the chance a CO2 tyre pump, because the plug of my 12V tyre pump had failed the day before. I also went to McDonalds to get one of their 30-cent ice cream cones – that a real good price. At Johns house I arranged myself in one of the guestrooms, grabbed a cold drink and went into the garden. I have to admit I was a little bit surprised as John’s wife Stephanie arrived and she had a small kangaroo with her. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hpoQdO-C0C...0/IMG_6963.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gscq1J7hna...0/IMG_6968.JPG She told me it had lost its mother in a car accident and now she was nursing it until it was big enough to be released in one of the national parks. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sJInWSqq1Z...0/IMG_6971.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OYRlQ3jRD5...0/IMG_6987.JPG Because of the fire John came back home late in the evening, but he took his time to mark interesting points to go to in map, gave me a lot of literature and told me some facts about Esperance. The next morning I went into town to get a new plug for my tyre pump and fixed it. Around midday I herded of to one of Johns points of interest – the 22 KM beach from Wylie Beach to Cape Le Grand. My first kilometres ever on a beach have been a little bit unstable but later it went really good. I only had to dig out the bike two times :) http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-21MyqhZymJ...114_131629.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hmxL_Ja3_d...0/IMG_6988.JPG At the car park of Cape Le Grand I saw a young couple arriving on a R 1200 GS and they hat the same intension than me: go hiking. So we went together and had some interesting talks for the next hours. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AtSpMquGPD...0/IMG_7001.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2RYqzXLLdQ...0/IMG_6996.JPG The next day I went to Mount Ridley. You can see Aboriginal rock paintings and another wave rock at Mount Ridley. But it is a big difference to the wave rock in Hyden. The road to get to Mount Ridley could be called a little bit tougher and you have to climb the mountain to see the interesting parts, ergo no busses with tourists :) http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kYPb-DD9if...0/IMG_7022.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9RdbhkV1DJ...0/IMG_7026.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VYpSkinely...0/IMG_7030.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jqtrjfbp33...0/IMG_7039.JPG As I went up early on Saturday morning to get two phone call to Germany done, I used the day to get to Cape Le Grand for a second time. Surely I used the beach ride again :) In the park I hiked to the summit of Frenchman’s Peak. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MQZDt6VWXm...0/IMG_7049.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D15iq4qwi7...0/IMG_7060.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oQIKAB7c5Z...0/IMG_7063.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jelrdM-8it...0/IMG_7084.JPG And I visited all the nice beaches. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VKoI0U-huy...0/IMG_7093.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ox_yPL8XfR...0/IMG_7105.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9_DoEb9Wk-...0/IMG_7109.JPG Sunday started relaxing for me in kayak on the ocean, but two times in the ocean next to the kayak ;) http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NZ89Wl1j2w...117_082547.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--FM3bZ3Lla...0/DSCI0114.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U1Y0JPc9VG...0/DSCI0118.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BnYOna9Eyu...0/DSCI0121.JPG |
In the afternoon it got really hot (for me as a German) and the temperatures got up to 37°C so I decided to visit the museum of Esperance.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2SYXxwayaC...117_141824.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W7Sz8GbiXs...117_145056.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MOZcf6Phwa...117_145925.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pUYi38yawc...0/IMG_7111.JPG How to cook a roo John had not had enough fire fighting them the hole weekend so we had a nice BBQ in the evening. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-adHqYWXrr0...0/IMG_7118.JPG Mondays there was an massively temperature drop to only 16°C so I had a day of loafing around with John in his shed, doing a little bit of bike maintenance and planning to build something like a tool tube for my tripod. Because the weather hadn’t gotten any better the next morning I started building my tube. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KqDtGbvrUA...119_085916.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xqudxqDIet...119_091445.JPG But I thought you have to give it a test first before you use it. So I put in a water bottle and went onto a 300 KM test ride to Cape Arid National Park. There was another beach that John had marked on my map so it had to be tested as well. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vE05n1FTCN...0/IMG_7129.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ce7p-0O9c_...0/IMG_7135.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4qgE3R6TuI...0/IMG_7143.JPG My water pipe did the ride really well. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T0snWcoqyl...0/IMG_7144.JPG The next day I got up early to accompany John at his work. We did bird counting on several spots of a lake. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5PTuz-vLuU...0/DSCI0126.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nfb6g0s-tU...0/DSCI0128.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LfRfFqJQV7...0/DSCI0129.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-boFrLbDN4q...0/DSCI0133.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vVvTxEZBKC...0/DSCI0145.JPG And took water samples form all the different lakes in town. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ub9RLY363o...0/DSCI0137.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tDbQtkjqG5...0/DSCI0138.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BXT-H2kwHv...120_112700.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qb1Z7Th58H...120_112003.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eFie7P9W_D...0/DSCI0149.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J1jO6Hxt0W...0/DSCI0153.JPG Thursday morning I said goodbye to Stephanie and the little Joey and appointed a meeting place with John for the next day because he wanted to show me some of the really good places. I went back to the Cape Le Grand National Park to camp a night at Lucky Bay. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hZv1T1G5L8...0/IMG_7180.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vWcR8LrWdt...0/IMG_7204.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PcvRltFfzl...0/IMG_7151.JPG Because I did not want to go back to Norseman to start crossing the Nullarbor Plains I choose a gravel road that would work as a little short cut. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SFoxiaAJIv...0/IMG_7213.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xr-MPP_1wG...0/IMG_7214.JPG |
On the half of the road I wanted to meet John at the old Deralinya homestead.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GVlxTdrrIt...0/IMG_7216.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5W9ejzHbmk...0/IMG_7218.JPG Its owners restore the homestead and you can use it as a free campground. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NNrugbQuRG...0/IMG_7220.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UWeUAm7JI9...0/IMG_7221.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XxU7XVTyRD...0/IMG_7222.JPG I was surprised to find Roger one of the owners behind the building working on a roof. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sEOrWG0QRE...0/IMG_7230.JPG He told me they had a 20-year reunion the next day at the homestead but we were cordially invited to join them. Because it was only early afternoon Roger took me on to a 4WD ride to show me the surrounding area of Deralinya. When John arrived Roger was just ready to serve the food he had prepared for all of us. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dMWdUbMiTi...0/IMG_7238.JPG Roger gave us a room for the night what was quite good because it was raining the whole evening. The next morning John and I went off and start to explore Mount Coobaninya near Deralinya. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s3bLDJ8uTe...0/IMG_7247.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-scwxH4dA1y...0/IMG_7251.JPG Then we went north to the direction of Belladonia Roadhouse to hit the Eyre highway. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qlelpuyJ0G...0/IMG_7663.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1LRwD8nvAl...Large%2529.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_VI4I6fCKb...Large%2529.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tYHKxT_4L4...Large%2529.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aoIMLmT_Ke...0/IMG_7668.JPG Only 12 KMs away from the destination John knew a little detour on the Old Telegraph Track. It went into the wrong direction but John said I might see wild camels along the track at one of the salt lakes. Unfortunately there were none :( http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n8DG_c7MZG...Large%2529.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZCgZnsRMsR...Large%2529.JPG But I had to get off my bike involuntary one time :) http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hndJOAamPp...0/IMG_7678.JPG Our way to the Eyre Highway we choose by one criterion – the track has to go north. Short after we got onto the Eyre Highway we got off again because John wanted to take me to lookout over the Fraser Ranges. On the track going there I nearly hit an eagle that was scared of the ground by Johns bike. Arriving at the lookout I had to fuel up my bike because otherwise I wouldn’t have made it to the Belladonia Roadhouse. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qEqsGt6GDh...Large%2529.JPG Filling up the tanks at Belladonia isn’t cheap, we had to pay 2.10$ per litre. But John and I could leave the Roadhouse after we had fuel up the bikes and had an ice cream, not so two backpacker 4WDs they were stranded. It is a must do to take a photo at the “90 Miles Straight” sign even if you leave them after a few kilometres to go on in the shrubs. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c4kpQfzF_R...0/IMG_7682.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OtXYKt90yo...0/IMG_7684.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h9kBesay6t...0/IMG_7679.JPG John took me to of his discoveries an old car wrack in the middle of nowhere. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_SpYFtk4q9...0/IMG_7686.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zWNX3QM7Iq...0/IMG_7694.JPG Just a few kilometres further on the same plain we setup our tents or in Johns case his swag for the night. A great spot to camp. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CLlMtzsWSI...0/IMG_7702.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WIk1oL5sng...Large%2529.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nJ5qRB-jGw...0/IMG_7712.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3MVb5dMzub...0/IMG_7713.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vf-XeTnwCW...0/IMG_7716.JPG Greetings Dominik |
Rest of the Nullarbor
After a night of camping under the amazing star-spattered sky of the Nullarbor Plains, we had a little bit of raindrops in the morning. John told me before the Nullarbor Plains should be an area lacking in rain :) We packed our belongings and rode together a little further to the camels tanks, a rain water catchment facility build nearly a 100 years ago to supply the camel coaches they used in the Nullarbor for the transportation of goods. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qe1GuuIuIK...0/IMG_7722.JPG We said goodbye to each other and promised to see us again at the Flinders Ranges Classic in April. John gave me his little cooling bag as leaving present, because I mentioned I should get one as well when I saw his the day before. Johns ride report about the trip ADVrider - View Single Post - Any Esperance WA rides this weekend? Since John had provided me a lot of GPS tracks for the whole Nullarbor I took a little detour to visit the coastline. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CJnm_CX78_...0/IMG_7735.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eY5gd6IsBc...0/IMG_7737.JPG I needed nearly 7 hours to finish the 160 km of the detour and get to the Caiguna Roadhouse. I filled the tank, again for cheap 2.10$ per litre, had an ice cream and went on to the bitumen to get kilometres done. But I did a little detour to visit the Cocklebiddy Cave. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mdjh0WZNZq...0/IMG_7738.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XISQ1ANaUN...0/IMG_7743.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-he3f7G7B6S...0/IMG_7744.JPG At the Cocklebiddy Roadhouse I had a shower and the motorcycle 4 L of premium gas for only 2.14$ the litre. Near the roadhouse I tried to visit three other caves but I couldn't find the entrance of two and the third looked to steep. For the night I camped at one of the many free rest areas along the Eyre Highway. The next day I stayed on the bitumen for a little bit longer. From Madura Roadhouse (2.12$) I went to Mundrabilla Roadhouse (only 91 octan fuel available) for another ice cream stop. At Mundrabilla I used on of Johns tracks to get to the next roadhouse. I thought I could go all the way to the coast but I ended up in an (I think) Aboriginal community. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QXjVZLqC7x...0/IMG_7748.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RxSuCqC0qM...0/IMG_7752.JPG So turned around and used the 4WD track to get through the Roe Plain to the ruins of an old telegraph station. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jqpwgsCmTC...0/GOPR7774.JPG Round about one kilometre before I arrived the track was going through sand dunes. I hat crossing sand dunes because I still feel uncomfortable doing it. But I didn't wont to go back and take a 3-kilometre detour ;) So I had to go. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5xTEE9O0HR...0/GOPR8472.JPG After 2/3 of the way through the sand dunes I started to smell burning plastic. I turned around and couldn't see may plastic fuel can anymore. One of the belts had loosened itself and now the jerrycan hanging on the side of my bike toughing the hot exhaust pipe. Luckily there was only a very small amount of fuel left in the can. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mR5rHToHSj...0/GOPR8544.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M8AmZlXp1Q...0/IMG_7754.JPG Anyway, I managed to get to the ruins ;) http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pr1kqJc5tY...0/IMG_7756.JPG After a short break in the air-conditioned Eucla Roadhouse I went on to cross the border between Western Australia and South Australia. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nL07N9pcvb...0/IMG_7763.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z6cGKIocl7...0/IMG_7765.JPG Arriving in SA a left the Eyre Highway again to use the Old Eyre Highway. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IHZweK9XcE...0/IMG_7766.JPG |
I stayed on the Old Eyre Highway until the abandoned Koonalda Roadhouse.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sd1zzzqA3a...0/IMG_7771.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KCyNzqFnmH...0/IMG_7775.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V0GlRdL07P...0/IMG_7779.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f5cOaN18B_...0/IMG_7783.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WpwCTV3VTY...0/IMG_7785.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ou-gycJXPF...0/IMG_7788.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CVlGbzQTAK...0/IMG_7791.JPG But then I wanted to see the coast one more time. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GUffHU3taN...0/IMG_7801.JPG For the night I stayed again at one of the free rest areas. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hZhLMz1GzA...0/IMG_7806.JPG The next morning I didn't leave the bitumen anymore to get some distance done and so I arrived in Ceduna the first real city in SA. The first thing I did was going into a tourist information centre to get new free maps of the area, than buying some groceries and I was gone. I ended up at the local campground in Smoky Bay a little fishing village. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JgnR6_JtM6...0/IMG_7816.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CjwxFuV0JR...0/IMG_7820.JPG They have nothing special in Smoky Bay but ousters. I bought 25 ousters for 14$ the best price I have seen so far. After opening the first one I realised I was too lazy to do it the same way with the other 24. I put them on the BBQ and ate them with bacon and BBQ-sauce. Really good! http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z1IMCd7w9W...126_190943.JPG The next day took me to Streaky Bay where I went onto a tourist drive following the coastline and back into the town. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OwXu3qChrN...0/IMG_7830.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-knwj9kyajR...127_135850.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z4LGtiN_lp...127_143951.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4CL6YgjooX...127_144022.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7NxLyBkyIC...0/IMG_7835.JPG I bought some more foodstuffs and went on to get to Walters Rock. I camped there for two nights because of bad weather and bad stomach :( |
Port Lincoln
Right at the first evening at Walters Rock I received a message from Matty and Naz ( Sailing Adventures on Circe | Circe is a 40ft yacht based in Port Lincoln, SA ) inviting me to visit them in Port Lincoln. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1mKDu3R3Gt...0/IMG_7836.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UoqN9ZlGYm...0/IMG_7840.JPG My meeting point with Matty was the lookout on top of the highest hill around the city. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T2h8feAu9B...0/IMG_7844.JPG Arriving at Matty's house I first meet his dog Ani and than Naz. I only managed to take one photo the first evening. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DJyERjNmc_...129_145453.JPG But I showed Matty and Naz a video that John had reminded me of when I was in Esperance. The video was the running gag the whole time I have been in Port Lincoln :) On Saturday morning I went on to a little scouting expedition into nearby Lincoln National Park. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YsgFiMsB1O...130_133747.JPG We had planed to start a little sailing trip on Saturday afternoon but the weather forecast expected a bad storm for the night. And there actually was a big thunderstorm at night. On late Sunday forenoon we left the towns marina and set sail to the town jetty. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_rVACUkKUZ...201_124558.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gd1K6aEe1F...0/DSCI0158.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2b9nr5Eqi8...0/DSCI0159.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Vm8tw3sWy...0/DSCI0162.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IwXTvbmYS2...0/IMG_4951.JPG Matty had some appointments at Monday morning and this was the best spot to reach them by foot. In the afternoon we got company by George, a friend of Matty, and his dog Jimmy. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2cdcSUKwHs...201_195636.JPG The evening developed itself into a nice event with some or even more beer and a BBQ on the boat. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pvPaB5hJGC...0/IMG_4953.JPG Around midnight Naz offered to show me how to fish because I had never done it before. After a few minutes Matty and George joined us as well. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YJ5HKurG76...0/IMG_4954.JPG I was lucky and caught my first fish that night. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D4lNk3PTYV...202_002853.JPG But it did not get the chance to experience the taste of the fish because we used it as bait. |
Because we had no more success with fishing in the evening I went collecting mussels off the jetty poles the next morning. With Matty's help I nearly got two 10-litre buckets of mussels.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--VMXvl6Pih...0/DSCI0170.JPG When Matty finished his appointments we loosened ropes and took of to sail through the Bosten Bay. With Ani on dolphin watch it was really hard to miss a dolphin because she start barking as soon as they came near the boat. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pIzPMJChAk...0/DSCI0164.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F-01z6GZ7Z...0/DSCI0184.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KWZpaE35Vq...0/DSCI0186.JPG When we arrived at our anchor point for the night we started fishing again but only Matty was lucky and caught a squid. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s4kvjB_8fM...202_155941.JPG So it was pasta with mussels and squid for dinner – yummy! Because I said the evening before I wanted to climb the mast I had to do it. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EjQzVJ6qB_...0/DSCI0191.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dLSsQp_Dzl...0/DSCI0194.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TbnfLptqBq...0/IMG_4961.JPG The next morning we set sail again and casted the anchor around lunch time in a nice small bay. Matty was lucky again and caught another squid within a minute. Because we had squid left from the day before we had a big feed of squid for lunch. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fEjPhV-nVL...202_152249.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5gBaaAOhK3...0/IMG_4970.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JXGlSaG-sy...0/IMG_4972.JPG Naz Blogpost about our trip Another Sail in the Bay | Sailing Adventures on Circe I had planed to leave Port Lincoln the next day but the weather forecast was bad and so I decided to stay a day longer. Matty took my for another bike ride to Lincoln National Park and showed me some spots I hadn't been to before. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZY66aZCDY...204_144347.JPG For dinner we had a really great paella, I would call it the best I had have for a long time. Matty got bag of mixed seafood and we had a lot of mussels leaved so we had perfect ingredients. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s4laVVU4ij...0/IMG_7847.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vP3VV_-g8Q...0/IMG_7852.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xQjnrB32hN...0/IMG_7854.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6uCAvP5GOy...0/IMG_7857.JPG And it got even better Matty lit fire so we could eat the paella outside but at some stage it started raining and we had to get inside. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ssb-8QAeUr...204_200306.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qq6W_W7O5Q...0/IMG_7862.JPG Because the weather was still bad the next morning I stayed until lunch, was feed with pizza and then actually left Port Lincoln. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-phVwGnIQJU...205_140454.JPG |
As I got two presents from Naz when I left Port Lincoln I had to test them both.
Present number 1 was a fishing rode that Naz used previously on her motorcycle travels ( Adventure Riding | Naz.. crazy chick with a motorbike called Charlie ) and that was given to her as a present as well. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-19uUCDyKUZ...0/IMG_7885.jpg That is why my campsite for the next to days on my way north at the Eyre Peninsular needed to fulfil two criteria: being free and next to the ocean. So I stayed at the free campground in Port Gibbon, an advice from Matty. Unfortunately I had no success with fishing, maybe because I had no clue how to do it of the beach :) But it went better with present number 2, a small set of herbs and spices. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4-Z8wZy3yv...0/IMG_7891.jpg When I leaved Naz and Matty we still hadn't eaten all the mussels so I took some with me as they where still fresh. So I had a nice feed for dinner. The next day I had no luck with fish, again. But the grey nomads fed me with beer :) After two nights I leaved Port Gibbons and rode to Whyalla. Corinna a second cousin of my mother invited me to visit them. When I arrived and rang the doorbell nothing happed so I walked around the house. I found Corinna and Wayne building a new shed. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PBJoDm6NlQ...207_150038.jpg So I got out off my motorcycle gear and started helping them. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wirf-rorH3...207_150228.jpg Corinna told me if I am operating a forklift in Australia it has to be Aussie style: drunken and with a beer in the hand :) http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nH1sfwVFeL...0/P1020747.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jqp46zQZ9Q...207_183245.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uEUbN1QnS5...207_183456.jpg The next day we went out for a little tourist and fishing trip around the area. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KB0nRE3Kw6...0/IMG_7865.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M3AHxZU1He...0/IMG_7870.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M8bEJmGr6l...0/IMG_7873.jpg The goal was to catch blue swimmer crabs and I have been successful. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZihfWrCdZs...208_133655.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ImMesbxPRN...0/P1020751.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eGTBT5iciT...0/P1020754.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zflaA3Z1WQ...0/P1020756.jpg After the catch I went for hike at this nice and natural but fenced meadows. There where this strange signs everywhere but I still have no clue what they mean, because of my bad English skills ;) ;) ;) http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wX6AUZW67c...0/P1020757.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ac7SCjePtJ...0/IMG_7875.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CWA8B0vFIH...0/IMG_7877.jpg Although Matty had warned me not to eat anything out of the ocean near Whyalla the crabs were a nice meal. But I think it can't be that bad because there was even aqua farming in the area. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XFYpRfvrvd...0/P1020759.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rb9td4Htij...0/IMG_7884.jpg |
Hi Dominik, bier
Enjoyed reading of your adventures here in Oz. Looks like your having an amazing time. If you need somewhere to stay for a few days in Brisbane let me know. Happy to show you around some of the great riding roads we have here in south east Queensland. Barry 0438 641 543 |
Hi Barry I will contact you when I closer to going to Brisbane :thumbup1:
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On Monday morning I went on a 350 km ride in pissing down rain to get to Gawler near Adelaide.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2NuSh-1HBe...209_105051.jpg Trev (Aussie Trev) invited me to visit Gawler and his mate Bernie had a room in his house for me to stay in. As soon as I arrived Trevor noticed the big dent in my front rim. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PfcplGq-jR...0/IMG_7888.jpg I got it while crossing the Nullarbor when I hit a stone in one of the gravel roads with lowered tire pressure and a 100 km/h. He told me I couldn't go on like that and started talking to people on the phone. We removed the front wheel from the bike to care about it the next day. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zG9VUMbf7x...0/IMG_7886.jpg In the evening Trev and Bernie invited me to a local pub and I had my first Barramundi (fish) ever. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ulDUIjihfk...210_230811.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4C_PTrvVdC...210_230827.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vQP-QaF6IJ...0/IMG_7896.jpg The next Trevor drove me to Adelaide. First we went to the best tyre store in Adelaide to hear what the experts think about my front wheel. Their opinion: not to bad I could go on. So they did nothing with the wheel but I bought a oil filter for my bike and a new rain pants for me :D http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BCxjm0FtSe...0/IMG_7899.jpg Next we tried to get a new RokStrap because one of mien got damaged crossing the Nullarbor as well. But we had no success. But I have been successful buying a new Dromedary water bag and collecting a parcel from Germany. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mZQLft7Ben...0/IMG_7900.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i6C-93kwOo...0/IMG_7902.jpg From Adelaide we went to Trevs mate Pete (PBee). He and his big nylon coated hammer wanted to try a special treatment on my front rim. Not only was Pete able to get a perfect job done with the dent he also did an absolutely precise balancing job. It took in fact long to balance the wheel than removing the dent :) http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-axGONO_r1l...210_153613.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Uc5L_m9q0S...210_153837.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0vWzowiSv...210_155359.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--06kgIkubC...210_160038.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TuI0VMZyyY...0/IMG_7905.jpg |
Of course I had to leave one of my stickers in Petes shed.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B7o3dL8qRa...210_161123.jpg After Pete had finished the wheel we had a beer around the "barrel of knowledge“. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aBmmDmQLXI...MG_2945s-L.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W0_4CQxUkC...MG_2946s-L.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rSHP3YfMrN...MG_2947s-L.jpg On Wednesday morning Trev came to Bernies place with his Tiger so we could have a test ride for my front wheel. Trev took me into the near by Barossa Valley one of the finest wine-growing regions of South Australia. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CxMCNespMT...0/IMG_7907.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TxbeCa36Xw...0/IMG_7909.jpg Because the Barossa has been a settlement area of German immigrants I could read German names everywhere :) http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Kwvaf_KUI...0/IMG_7910.jpg I couldn't feel any negative disturbance caused by the front wheel. But my bike had its first fail on this tour – a light bulb. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bvBZPdGGgi...3968218041.jpg Because I needed a photo for my Christmas card I went to Middleton with Trev on Thursday. In a small town on our way Trev asked me if I might need something from one of the best 12-volt stores, located in this small town. In deed I wonted to buy a special cable and they had it in stock :) http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WQMOT7o6Py...0/IMG_7911.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-exXJ2ZtF2L...0/IMG_7913.jpg The photos at the beach in Middleton came out just perfect. And yes I only carried the surf board to the beach to take a photo :D http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lLq2anmDFJ...0/IMG_7914.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vWxwIJD7kx...0/IMG_7915.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e9kMaoIyvJ...0/IMG_7922.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kHhUd-0D-_...0/IMG_7923.jpg For lunch we were invited by Mr & Mrs "Steelpony" ( Steel Pony Luggage Home ). After a lovely lunch Mrs Steelpony fixed the broken buckle on my RokStrap. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r7R8HD3kF9...0/IMG_7924.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JNsF4QWG7t...0/IMG_7927.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K_3NSNxacH...0/IMG_7930.jpg Perfect work and a lot better than buying a new one! I was amazed one more time about a the helpful people Trev knows. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8BeXyvpMtC...0/IMG_7932.jpg |
Great pics Dom. Yep give me a call mate when your getting closer to Brisbane.
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On Monday morning I first went on a little ride to the beach in Glenelg to see if it look different since I have been there in 2010. It did not :)
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CVXFIqBCAq...216_120846.JPG From there I went in to the Adelaide Hills to get a little bit more winding roads than in the city. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S5mtujAqdL...216_140646.JPG In the afternoon I started with the 40.000 km service on my bike. First task change the spark plugs. You have to disassemble nearly the half bike to reach the spark plugs so it took me only 3 hours to get it done. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7_K4sQVX89...0/IMG_8012.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NBAUBz9VaW...0/IMG_8015.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NMJh3w6tMz...0/IMG_8017.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ROeh8b0YAr...0/IMG_8018.JPG Because I had it all disassembled I although installed spare clutch and throttle cables. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kuPafXqjay...0/IMG_8020.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A4smg0vyZ-...0/IMG_8021.JPG I had to do an oil change as well but I did not want to spill oil all over Giselas driveway so Paul (Inmate Dirt_Boy) let me use his shed the next day. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9ciyXSFhUs...0/IMG_8023.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RI4yH3eqy8...0/IMG_8025.JPG After I finished the oil change Paul showed me around in the hinterlands. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HzsqjafS3X...0/IMG_8029.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5sGPF-CUCm...0/IMG_8026.JPG Because Paul only had time until midday the passed me on to his mate Brian. He took me to some roads in the Hills that could easily be located in the Alps as well. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RjasyTG3Qr...0/IMG_8030.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A1TJdM1_2B...0/IMG_8031.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zr_dRUtBow...0/IMG_8033.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cmGS0gUukN...0/IMG_8034.JPG |
Wednesday it got really hot in Adelaide. So I went to the beach in Glenelg for a swim in the ocean.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pRgHjB_-bL...218_121508.JPG After the refreshment I drove into the city central to buy some things. Because the bikes thermometer went up to 42°C my first stop was at the museum of Adelaide – they have air-condition :) and besides you get to know some stuff about the history. I then spent most of the afternoon in Giselas pool. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CcxH90XR7I...0/IMG_8037.JPG On Thursday it got even hotter, more the 43°C. At mid-morning I met Paul and his riding mates for a coffee but it was so hot I had to spend the rest of the day near the pool. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0XzeNSzqHP...0/IMG_8044.JPG Friday I went on a ride along the coast from Adelaide and the farthest point I ended up was Victor Harbor. When I started it was around 40°C in Adelaide so I did what I do most of the time when it's that hot I wetted my shirt (with tab water) to get some cooling. Unfortunately the temperatures dropped down on my trip to only 18°C when I got south. On the way back to Adelaide though winding roads in the hills it luckily got warmer again. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Oa17tVQQV...220_124335.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c7DJfHvvUG...G_8048_pno.JPG Because I spend Saturday lazing around I had a drive on Sunday to do something. So I went hiking from the Waterfall Gully to Mount Lofty – returning 8 km with a lot steeply parts. While hiking I expected to have sore muscles the next day and I have not been wrong. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nnRYmw0VlJ...0/IMG_8053.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hQP7iSmz2s...0/IMG_8054.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-INr_3_0fiK...0/IMG_8057.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IoUkBONVSb...0/IMG_8059.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R7kBtQ8jKG...0/IMG_8061.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-czCcw5ay4t...0/IMG_8063.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FGWXOcWDER...0/IMG_8067.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-prwbI1RlQ3...0/IMG_8080.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y_9tMWg-c0...0/IMG_8085.JPG |
Christmas
On the 23th Gisela and me went to Whyalla to spend Christmas there. On the drive I saw my fist Pink Lake that was actually pink. HTTP://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W0GrArjNeq...0/IMG_8092.jpg Sadly I forgot to charge my camera so there are not that many pictures in this post :( On Christmas Eve we went on a fishing trip but we didn't catch a single fish. HTTP://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t4axLCx3Ov...224_114857.jpg HTTP://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OEUgQGyP4t...224_121444.jpg HTTP://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tCrVZuXVeQ...224_121931.jpg HTTP://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WIuRA020lh...224_132344.jpg HTTPs://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W...224_125425.jpg However we caught 33 Blue Swimmer Crabs and saw a lot wild dolphins. HTTP://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yLxFkWEn4k...224_175308.jpg HTTP://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7RWqsLD_5-...224_154411.jpg Christmas Day we had a massive BBQ for 18 people. But obviously we had a lot of leftovers for the next days. HTTP://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V0cUMfonCk...225_093413.jpg HTTP://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lh53g1XlTP...225_093557.jpg HTTP://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K36V9HzaH2...225_095143.jpg HTTP://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qpsZnu8to3...225_102140.jpg HTTP://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tG4jVqIhu3...225_133313.jpg HTTP://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AhDMNgXgrq...225_134121.jpg HTTP://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JFad00mxaD...225_123222.jpg We all spend the 26th hang around, among others we had cocktails, beer and wine in the pool :) HTTP://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fK6Pl21m4r...225_152856.jpg On the 27th Gisela and me drove the 400km back to Adelaide. I said goodbye to Gis because my plan was to go on to Mount Barker to visit Rod and his wife Jenny. HTTP://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1xaXWJV7rK...0/IMG_8095.jpg |
At Mount Barker I helped Jenny with some of her German exercises in the morning.
In the afternoon Rod and I went on a small ride (over 200km) with our two F800GS. On mainly minor roads we went from Mount Baker all the way down to Cape Jarvis. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R4xsZdDHWN...0/IMG_8097.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HosgNwVrcF...0/IMG_8098.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bXYeRA2zfX...0/IMG_8102.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cyayfRgirl...0/IMG_8103.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dqBq91PRYM...0/IMG_8106.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mEyhND0c23...0/IMG_8110.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UJ4uOs2hXw...0/IMG_8111.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o1rCdDbC-g...0/IMG_8115.jpg From there we used some nice winding roads to get to Goolwa via Victor Harbor. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KSxhpK0_Ib...0/IMG_8116.jpg In Goolwa we decided to get on to the beach and ride all the way to the Murray Mouth. Ron had never been on this beach with his motorbike before and I had not found the beach access the last time I have been there :) So now was the perfect moment to do it. And it was quite helpful to be not to alone because we had to free both bikes from the sand, of course mine was the worst. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YXr4TBiq0J...0/IMG_8119.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jhlXczJTs8...0/IMG_8124.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cAvAay2EsC...0/IMG_8125.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yZguHCJX8-...0/IMG_8129.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tvI5UHN34Z...0/IMG_8131.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4d2BYASDtH...0/IMG_8133.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gnj4D6PrFZ...0/IMG_8137.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pQ-B6MNvZ9...0/IMG_8138.jpg And here an invitation from Jenny: All friendly German travellers are warmly welcome to stay at their place for some German lessons in exchange. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OZFCcPOWdN...0/IMG_8142.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVZ2_eRF-K...0/IMG_8143.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MqvyC2pd3F...0/IMG_8144.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nMmbuO7ODg...0/IMG_8152.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gxkIG9yRfO...0/IMG_8157.jpg |
On the 29th I rode to Mount Gambier. I started the 400kms from Mount Barker and crossed the Murray with a Ferry in Wellington. I followed the coastline most of the way down to Mount Gambier.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q7ihEjgSGy...0/IMG_8160.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VgtRAWTlcZ...0/IMG_8169.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QUmmnwovDI...0/IMG_8170.jpg Somewhere on this road I saw a guy walking next to the street in a Stormtropper costume. I had to turn around and stop to ask the guy: why??? http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9mU1V2hjgy...0/IMG_8171.jpg He is walking around Australia to fundraise money for a children's hospital. The Stormtrooper costume wouldn't make it any easier but the kids would love it :) So I gave him some dollars and took another picture. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ijOOMC3aXY...0/IMG_8176.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aWn9yf6fcm...0/IMG_8184.jpg Tony (a mate of Trev) had invited me to stay overnight at his place in Mt Gambier and when I arrived Tony welcomed me with a campfire in the garden. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FS9ftylByG...0/IMG_8189.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-92nxVo9d2j...0/IMG_8196.jpg Perfect chance to warm up a little bit from the outside, because it was a quite cold that day and to cool down from the inside with a cold beer. In the evening when Tony's wife Virginia came back from work we had a lovely BBQ with really good wines out of the region. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gNjHBiIN_r...229_192021.jpg The next day my destination was Portland in Victoria only a 100 km away. So I had to take some detours. First I visited the Blue Lake an old volcanic crater in Mount Gambier, http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TENUNXE5zT...0/bluelake.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nGpyycv6ub...0/IMG_8211.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ThIrIFQ5ac...0/IMG_8219.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7cEGyS8dwV...0/IMG_8223.jpg then to Mount Schank another volcano http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hRNeeoRux7...s800/mount.jpg and from there to Port MacDonnell the most southern point in South Australia. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ofe2gWY34i...0/IMG_8237.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5tizZcdBdq...0/IMG_8238.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B68jP-iB94...0/IMG_8244.jpg From Port MacDonnell I first followed the coastline but then went inland into a national park and used some forestay roads to Portland. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5VY-o0v-2v...0/IMG_8247.jpg |
Kym had invited me to Portland, but he had no more space left in his house because all his daughters with their families were visiting so he asked his mate David if he had a spare bad – he had.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dk7Tkw2yAK...0/IMG_8249.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rr5eQm9mo4...0/IMG_8256.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HsRm4d_he8...0/IMG_8261.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tyM0GZiXvS...0/IMG_8262.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jKqbjgnjhv...0/IMG_8264.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7B_-MkSgEJ...0/IMG_8272.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ULwLd8r7Ym...0/IMG_8275.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PLG31GUdJa...0/IMG_8274.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BK3wXznYN2...0/IMG_8279.jpg In the evening he had a big BBQ with everybody – like every time – yummy! Have I mentioned I love Australian BBQs :) Late over at David's place I got some route suggestions for the next days and for Tasmania. On New Years Eve my destination wasn't far away again. I booked a bed in a hostel in Port Ferry. So I had to find some detours, but Australia is big country so it was no problem :) Because Mount Eccles National Park was close there were some rough tracks available. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IYH8TcspaO...0/IMG_8285.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZCZKGeb6O7...0/IMG_8287.jpg I didn't use an official exit to get out off the park so I ended up in a forestay area. On one of the tracks it was really muddy and my bike slipped. I landed in the mud with my complete right side :) http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jyXt4493ix...0/IMG_8289.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKjO4bXM7k...0/IMG_8291.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bExWqk9D_2...0/IMG_8293.jpg |
Port Ferry was an absolutely different New Years Eve for me.
First thing it was warm. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VZwu_-qJJE...0/IMG_8295.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fa-9dZ-454...0/IMG_8302.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IKrfzp3gvh...0/IMG_8304.jpg Second there was a big parade in the town. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-70Y2yoKwuD...231_171711.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iBoiljnxt4...231_150940.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bvgKFlAVjp...231_201036.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yyRQ-ZVinz...231_201154.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4FXctXEk-f...231_201624.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-biV5Nf5VmF...231_202849.jpg But drinking beer in the evening with all kinds of guests from the hostel was the same as everywhere else. AND I managed to miss the fireworks. The New Year started with really bad weather and that's why the first half of the Great Ocean Road was really miserable. I only stop at some of the sights and decided quickly not to camp as planed. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m6Iaucszwn...101_141438.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iAnV6DVQuJ...101_150343.jpg So I stayed in a hostel for the second time on this journey. But shortly after I arrived at the backpacker hostel in Apollo Bay it stoped raining. But anyway I had an entertaining evening with the other guests. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_bXx9yfK7-...101_225921.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LBq6-XJA2p...101_225945.jpg The next morning the weather had bettered so I could go on riding the Great Oceans Road. First I went a little bit back to where a came from the day before to do some of the forest roads David had recommended. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-syapwNMWOM...0/IMG_8307.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1S0FVvMzy...0/IMG_8312.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bu75i1xE_S...0/IMG_8313.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tNtOIg4lZI...0/IMG_8314.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i6G-fYxULL...0/IMG_8315.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AD3roawwpS...0/IMG_8323.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DBFV3QBEH6...0/IMG_8328.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4r8U7r-S8K...0/IMG_8332.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_PcGKt7Cf...0/IMG_8340.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8bQ8SBEaAt...0/IMG_8349.jpg Unfortunately the GOR was packed with other tourists because of the holiday high season. But I still made it to Geelong in time where I stayed with Pete and Helen, friends of Rod and Jenny. Guess what we had dinner - lamb chops BBQ – lovely! Later Pete and Helen showed me around Geelong on a walk with the dog. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Anyb_NQYDo...102_194655.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hX-Hh3kQAm...102_194536.jpg |
My plan for the afternoon was to use the ferry from Queenscliff to Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula. So I spend the whole forenoon with Pete and Helen. And Helen cared really well for me additional to a rich breakfast and lunch she even gave me a box of cookies for my travels :)
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IMoOE_u3EA...0/IMG_8356.jpg The short ferry trip wasn't spectacular at all because there was no possibility to secure the bike I had to stay under deck. But there was another bike ride so I had a nice chat. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WjddmMfdvL...0/IMG_8360.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W1tgI1zZ9j...0/IMG_8365.jpg On the Mornington Peninsula David from Frankston had offered to be my guide. When I arrived at around 4 pm I was quickly introduced to his family and then we went on a tour around the peninsula. Although the peninsula isn't that big it took use until after 8 pm. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TqXB61JvPb...0/IMG_8368.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jXnqnmLoHW...0/IMG_8369.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4HWR6Z7mI4...0/IMG_8372.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IDw9kR07V2...0/IMG_8373.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JqOUdHpTYp...0/IMG_8374.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JqOUdHpTYp...0/IMG_8374.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3-peT6TYm3...0/IMG_8377.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sErONKHvjN...0/IMG_8378.jpg For Saturday David had planed a round trip including the Grand Ridge Road. We went through farmland, forestry areas and rainforest – awesome landscape. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pjhkgOf7o5...0/IMG_8381.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-94seuADG1V...0/IMG_8382.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EZ_uZicwPw...0/IMG_8383.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cAIYWKPzZr...0/IMG_8385.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iJPJRRiejR...0/IMG_8387.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-85Aasa7WHH...0/IMG_8389.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w8u9ioH-eW...0/IMG_8390.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PRtE1EM_LC...0/IMG_8392.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2LdDsnislU...0/IMG_8393.jpg For lunch we had self-made pizza by David's wife Linda and their kids Katherine, Adelaide and Harrison. |
On Sunday I went into the actual City of Melbourne, first to see where I had to go on Monday morning and second to by some equipment. I bought some new motorcycle gloves and I went to the Queen Victoria Market to buy a proper Australian hat.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r-QSyKlSTB...0/IMG_8809.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WXqlBRpb1f...0/IMG_8811.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SmvxGE_ldh...0/IMG_8395.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uvHtSvezYC...0/IMG_8396.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jufsLtY8wS...0/IMG_8398.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9C0fpsLYIO...0/IMG_8399.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hvQYjC7Zb7...0/IMG_8400.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sdsPSVmzbA...0/IMG_8402.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z86bmJCVsB...0/IMG_8403.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1BYbPW1ssN...0/IMG_8405.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XQWLEkKqnM...0/IMG_8407.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VPijQ5cGs6...0/IMG_8411.jpg The way back to Frankston got a little bit difficult with a heavy storm coming up and resulting of it strong cross winds. After lunch I play UNO with Linda and the kids, hadn't played that for a long time was fun again. But even after three days the dog Rose was still a little bit afraid of me. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8P-vCNiOmh...0/IMG_8413.jpg |
On Monday morning I had to stand up early for the fist time since long ago.
The ferry over to Tassie was leaving at 9 am but you had to be there an hour earlier. So my plan was to be at the terminal at 7:30 but I had to ride 60 km in Melbourne rush-hour traffic from Frankston to the ferry terminal so I leaved at 6:30. Just as I wanted to leave the house I found a letter on my door wishing me all the best. I had to mention this because I really liked this lovely gesture! On my way to the ferry it already looked like the crossing could get rough because it didn't look like nice weather. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d7qKTw7IqP...0/IMG_8416.jpg And that's what happened. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s2vRkuXt9i...0/IMG_8420.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pFZa6vyrxu...0/IMG_8421.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O2tQ6xdZA8...0/IMG_8426.jpg Even the crew said it was an unusual rough passage. It was quite often I saw people lying around seasick on the ground or with complete withe faces. But I was fine. When the ferry arrived in Devonport the sea was nearly nice. Although I got late on to the ferry in the morning I was one of the first to get off – the benefits of a motorcycle :) For the first night in Tasmania I decided to camp just a few kilometres away from Devonport in the small town Forth. There was a really well equipped free campground right in the middle of town. The next day I went on to a round trip because one of me campground neighbours offered me to look after my tent. So I went from Forth to the Cradle Mountain National Park to do one of the hiking trails around the lake. From there I went back to the coast and followed it from Burnie back to Forth. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HQCtUVzZI1...0/IMG_8440.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D6xCDAZ60J...0/IMG_8442.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1Wn4ogTblr...0/IMG_8445.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oJIPSIJJB5...0/IMG_8449.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wcy5MgNwKW...0/IMG_8455.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bYOLObrex3...0/IMG_8460.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P7pViLSWZM...0/IMG_8463.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_XVeAgV_vL...0/IMG_8466.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yykOYhm4B_...0/IMG_8469.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--BplDp33-F...0/IMG_8474.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VD64VmudFL...0/IMG_8480.jpg |
After the second in Forth I enjoyed the Tasmanian scenery und drove zigzagging around to the west coast.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EaMRxWKiIb...0/IMG_8484.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8ldHZh4Yxa...0/IMG_8490.jpg Doing that I found that Tassie has ugly places as well. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IciUaxCQKu...0/IMG_8494.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tHbNUfuUjj...0/IMG_8495.jpg But you just have to turn around and you see a nice table mountain. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-laSrLlS4gs...0/IMG_8498.jpg I setup my camp I the little village Marrawah. There I tested a kit I got from Tony in Mt. Gambier to easier fill up my stove with fuel – it work perfectly. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tIvS-gsPMj...G_8511pano.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_mSaFVWf_x...0/IMG_8504.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dCWW_Lzg1L...0/IMG_8508.jpg The next day I only did a little round tour to have a look around Marrawah. I even went up to the Western Explorer to see if the road is really closed like I was told. It was. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-acibG0dMNy...0/IMG_8521.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E8HyBJc8LW...0/IMG_8522.jpg I spend the rest of the day with my German camp neighbours Sorja and Jan-Peter, both from Hamburg. In the early evening their friends Sonja and Stefan, a German surfer living in Tassie came as well. They where invited to play table tennis with a mate of Stefan and told us to come with them – great idea we had some good fun. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HtsPkgPqwW...0/IMG_8525.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6wxBWZnDik...0/IMG_8527.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bTnGjrgA5Z...0/IMG_8540.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RtWjNriAuD...0/IMG_8542.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sE2eLhnlCt...0/IMG_8567.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u6yephNeov...0/IMG_8571.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJSBlYm6bH...0/IMG_8573.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4QClOya27T...0/IMG_8575.jpg The next morning took my to the north east of Tasmania. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c70IPbcsTc...0/IMG_8576.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BInxIOSPRy...0/IMG_8579.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ezQtnkNTz2...0/IMG_8583.jpg On my way I saw poppy flowers everywhere but Tassie is not Afghanistan, it is for the production of morphine. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y46ovU-bqZ...0/IMG_8584.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7kNApsPziH...0/IMG_8585.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8M6BULcVQ2...0/IMG_8591.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJJg38ucad...0/IMG_8588.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YTFJinT87c...0/IMG_8594.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q8-h-o3rMU...0/IMG_8596.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nkPDsnI3Yw...0/IMG_8599.jpg |
Before I met Chris, who had invited me, and his family I had a look at he Lilydale waterfalls.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4mHxnM57NY...0/IMG_8604.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wzWMHGunAM...0/IMG_8605.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ezYupdhMFn...0/IMG_8606.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rT7JqzAS5O...0/IMG_8610.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Yg7Nx6497...0/IMG_8615.jpg On Saturday Chris took me on a trip to the close mountains. We did Mount Arthur, Mount Barrow http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--fc6nFZZTp...0/IMG_8618.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CI-ZrI2d61...0/IMG_8624.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8tRbAy8DPY...0/IMG_8632.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YrxazD1iNR...0/IMG_8633.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XMks1_q6fm...G_8620pano.jpg and from there to Ben Lomond using the Jacobs Ladder http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q2RplPa2dI...0/IMG_8638.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-govkDlJC23...0/IMG_8639.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lGldlKKNGK...0/IMG_8641.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y5-XuS1hza...0/IMG_8642.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0M5SnmjB2q...0/IMG_8647.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-saS-yeyv1g...0/IMG_8652.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-66JhEkazwQ...0/IMG_8656.jpg – interesting to see a Skiing area in summertimes. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L0Wlkmdjll...0/IMG_8658.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lvFMiPQmrf...0/IMG_8659.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-THraJTyGBD...0/IMG_8660.jpg From there we went a little bit inland and through Launceston. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hr8ihKBPvt...G_8661pano.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WrgqbwdT6m...0/IMG_8665.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CMLmOu7l-r...0/IMG_8666.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K9KSIXoG51...0/IMG_8668.jpg After this trip it was time for a new back tire, but it lasted for nearly 13500 km not too bad. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-knenyFXglM...0/IMG_8669.jpg |
Because the tire shops weren't open on Sunday, Chris his son Isaac and I went to the Cattaract Gorge in Launceston.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K0qCtrFvY2...0/IMG_8672.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H585blXYzD...0/IMG_8675.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SZYo4BwMQU...0/IMG_8676.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6-EAg-rk8S...0/IMG_8677.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5AL6Prcuyb...0/IMG_8680.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VeL1jXDlSS...0/IMG_8681.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AcKVNwv-Nq...0/IMG_8686.jpg Stunning scenery right next to the city. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d0OrweAgvJ...0/IMG_8689.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c2ZRKk2W_k...0/IMG_8691.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eQpg1XDCTW...0/IMG_8692.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S79gAMwSxK...0/IMG_8694.jpg On Monday morning Chris in I went into town to get a new back tire for me. They didn't have too many tires in stock so I decided to go with a Heidenau K60 Scout again. The only downside was the price of 300A$, but Chris bought a helmet as well and so I got a 30A$ discount. I quickly reassembled the rear wheel at Chris's and than we took off to another tour. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wCSP91peqU...0/IMG_8695.jpg This time one of Chris daughters came with us. The first half of the trip we mainly spend on the bitumen. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dAli8qQz__...0/IMG_8700.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xHOpBfTzan...0/IMG_8701.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nJydAS8d9E...0/IMG_8707.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wy6m5q4p_X...0/IMG_8710.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SMv1f7o4mn...0/IMG_8714.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8hxxbbQLx9...0/IMG_8716.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m_8JRA6hE1...h26m05s233.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0BvqCjuLPe...h26m50s137.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OEyrpm33VQ...2h27m11s68.jpg The second half was more off-road orientated. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A3KPCVA2BT...2h28m02s59.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cXFeFIVHpb...h29m06s199.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g5oybfrL2e...h30m25s229.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QLY6f_1Ndu...h30m50s198.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PhTGAcf2-y...h31m32s130.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WRsvGChjuR...0/IMG_8717.jpg |
My absolute highlight was driving through an old railway tunnel.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kynRzyEQV2...h37m39s223.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GquABGdylV...h38m05s190.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wkocq99HLm...9h43m28s82.jpg On Tuesday Chris, Isaac and I had some good fun on the kid's motorbikes. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YwM8HEnRXN...0/IMG_8719.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uHd5Ta7YBB...0/IMG_8722.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fcNTEvQfbE...0/IMG_8725.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-knVekw_9qS...0/IMG_8741.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-98ZQNscDln...0/IMG_8743.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bSr2s2SK38...0/IMG_8734.jpg Then I said goodbye to them for the next days and went north to camp at Waterhouse Point. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0EXoaJM4q0...0/IMG_8752.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o0NVuledbc...0/IMG_8756.jpg I still had some wine left that had to be drunken otherwise it would have gone off so it was good I had French neighbours :) http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J4bJEsLvqf...0/IMG_8757.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xrJNRlTK6f...0/IMG_8758.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tZGaQqRJF6...0/IMG_8759.jpg One night at this camp was enough and so I left the next day to go inland a little bit. The fares I went was the little town Derby. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ocOkXlgZl3...0/IMG_8762.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KIdAlILlQz...0/IMG_8764.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zVWFhdnTvR...0/IMG_8765.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UmZG3BxBbh...0/IMG_8766.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NufJ5fnq3p...0/IMG_8771.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8gc78eIijg...0/IMG_8773.jpg From there I used some detours to get back to the coast. I decided to camp at Policeman's Point at the beginning of the Bay Of Fire, and I hade the same French neighbours as the night before. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jrjzi7Ysqj...0/IMG_8779.jpg This place was a good one to see the difference between high and low tide. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MinKO1WrnZ...0/IMG_8786.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8cEf2n5n2A...0/IMG_8790.jpg |
The next day I only road down to Dora Point near St Helens, to spend the night there.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EQwkUMwbNR...0/IMG_8806.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_mJw3k-Rsn...0/IMG_8812.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z3jbUuCxKr...0/IMG_8818.jpg From St Helens I went inland again to the St Columba Falls. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mvPSAivRSr...0/IMG_8821.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e9nAwCy-qq...0/IMG_8830.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1ph1rQ9LGF...0/IMG_8833.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2lsvc4AL-k...0/IMG_8836.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Njxf-wUp9l...0/IMG_8839.jpg I used some interesting tracks to get back to the coast and stoped close to the Freycinet National Park. I camped there for two nights. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-13IoFGgb5R...0/IMG_8840.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iHZ4Ihp1x2...0/IMG_8844.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rz4wjF-UN0...0/IMG_8846.jpg After the first night I went in to the National Park for some hiking. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SqvQmF7UvP...0/IMG_8854.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kMnKQ7yNwH...0/IMG_8856.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lyv3YRKU0w...0/IMG_8857.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gFE0mCOs4V...0/IMG_8859.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9Dv-4ljJ-q...0/IMG_8864.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MAJnS-ush9...0/IMG_8867.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UkENiWzdLs...0/IMG_8882.jpg In the evening I had company by some German backpackers. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qIidroIdXA...0/IMG_8883.jpg The next day took me to the Tasman National Park on the Tasman Peninsula. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XCH-jUrToc...0/IMG_8893.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tPaU309Cf_...0/IMG_8895.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rhl_03FOxR...0/IMG_8896.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fHDP38glbI...0/IMG_8899.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jz1hiDXB96...0/IMG_8900.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zK8h8VKMRT...0/IMG_8901.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9cFtb15KyS...0/IMG_8909.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R83U-3HfuP...0/IMG_8913.jpg I camped at the Fortescue Bay at recommendation by Nazza. I tried fishing again but just after a few minutes I lost my tackle and the old lady next to me caught a little shark. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wJTJesIPjk...0/IMG_8914.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2caG0zFEuQ...0/IMG_8915.jpg |
That's when I decided to stop and go hiking instead. The hiking track went to Cape Hauy and was already 5 pm so I nearly had the howl track for myself.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aV8xaI4k19...0/IMG_8916.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z-QsLtPv6t...0/IMG_8917.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-triufmyBoQ...0/IMG_8918.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rVVFLFcgMH...0/IMG_8920.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j8cUzDrw_E...0/IMG_8922.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9ChpHFv_vg...0/IMG_8926.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OuoVtPVRVC...0/IMG_8927.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Td8S8q8OYa...0/IMG_8929.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mj9_JR8Qsq...0/IMG_8930.jpg When a came back at 8pm my tent was surrounded by Wallabies. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-izlj3D2hEj...0/IMG_8932.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CMEz0SD0_x...0/IMG_8939.jpg The next morning I went to the historic sites in Port Arthur, a former convict colony. A stunning place but a little bit depressing as well. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Tq45LuPFM...0/IMG_8962.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zx8XhXJ3Gu...0/IMG_8970.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s_6pCJsIXt...0/IMG_8971.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rietiEpryj...0/IMG_8972.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PybNP2vJnw...0/IMG_8973.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--hVrvz38cs...0/IMG_8974.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dn40C_az06...0/IMG_8975.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gR99oRFfMN...0/IMG_8980.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OibTPB4npK...0/IMG_8982.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BPGHdmBdhI...0/IMG_8985.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UqYzwAmwLK...0/IMG_8986.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a_yx5YGs6M...0/IMG_8987.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LHqS9iW8qn...0/IMG_8988.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b_Eww3kGOY...0/IMG_8991.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tZaukNRn-c...IMG_8955_1.jpg In the afternoon I went back north nearly until St Helens. Chris and his family spend their holiday there in a holiday village and they had a free bed for a couple of nights so they invited me to come over. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PsjurKkX0N...0/IMG_8992.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2YbxFpuwcC...0/IMG_8993.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sW2P7j6sVd...0/IMG_8995.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--zBqKQEc8-...0/IMG_8996.jpg |
Great blog and photos, I have enjoyed reading about your time here in Australia. I live in the hills outside of Adelaide and when you get near send me a PM and perhaps we can catch up and share some of the local drink.
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Great pics Dom. It was lovely to meet you in Bright.
I'm off to Adelaide soon but if you are in Sydney in June, drop me a line. |
Ha... I've just come back from Tassie..... great place to ride.
Seems you did a bit more dirt roads than I did. :) |
On Tuesday morning Chris and I went out on to the ocean with the Zodiac to go fishing. We only caught one useable fish but it was my first Flathead ever.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kiAa-AQoAV...121_123651.jpg Later that day they convinced me to go swimming in the ocean. I only said yes because I could wear a wetsuit. But I still started to freeze pretty quick :) http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-38QO3s62nS...1_151112_1.jpg The next day we went sea biscuit riding. I had never done it before so I led Chris's kids go first. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-miH1_3oucg...0/DSCI0201.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LF7z2F6mBD...0/DSCI0202.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QDyiYp21hW...0/DSCI0216.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BjljE-1Y5K...0/DSCI0208.jpg But then it was my turn ... and I fell off really quick :) It is good fun. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RtsGVXqFY_...0/DSCI0210.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5a9iVJB_GK...0/DSCI0240.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1VH1JoVtMM...0/DSCI0255.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RpMVsj7Q0I...0/DSCI0258.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fPcIgDDpJo...0/DSCI0275.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zt-bqzsgR1...0/DSCI0288.jpg On Thursday I left Ironhouse Point in to the direction of Hobart. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bdvZJGCjK-...0/IMG_9011.jpg But I used some detours. And at some stage I had to stop at a washed away bridge on a forestry road. I did not want to go back so I decided I had to go through the water. I found an easy way through shallow water but I still took the entire luggage with electronics inside off the bike – just in case. My detour work fine and I was quickly going again. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wf6F6YBKsu...0/IMG_9013.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w997COMtWA...0/IMG_9014.jpg However, just a few kilometres further on there was another bridge washed away. This time there was already a 4WD track going through the water and it look shallow. So I just went through – work fine but I still got wet feet. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LgDu9FLCYE...0/IMG_9019.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UR9ornpA4d...0/IMG_9021.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fdPsZ7rB_5...0/IMG_9022.jpg For the night I stopped at the historic town of Oatlands (although historic does not mean old compared to Europe). http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8DqgfPJ-w9...0/IMG_9024.jpg At the next morning I had a look around to see the historic buildings in Oatlands. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Fdqs-FK_Z...0/IMG_9025.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G6hUZ-KmHU...0/IMG_9028.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-piA0h7fGEl...0/IMG_9029.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Ffh6AIjIt...0/IMG_9030.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ufiYePkeU-...0/IMG_9033.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-53sF8q31fy...0/IMG_9034.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hV7wkRd7G9...0/IMG_9035.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O3omiGyj2a...0/IMG_9036.jpg |
From there I went on to Hobart but still using detours (Tassie is small :))
In Hobart I stayed at Bob's places ,Bob is Chris's dad who I met before in who invited my to stay. Perfect place to explore the city and even fast Internet was available – awesome. In the evening Bob took me on a sightseeing tour through the city and to his favorite Indian restaurant. Saturday morning I went to the Salamanca Market. Chris and Toni had highly recommended going there and Bob said the same. I was not disappointed. Although the market is a tourist attraction they are not selling junk. You can get local fruits and veggies, beer made by microbreweries, all kind of food and handcraft, even handcrafted rowing boats. An entertaining place even if you don't buy anything. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XSPBYceHh1...0/IMG_9037.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n1UmfU7ElM...0/IMG_9040.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ce5WeRbvap...0/IMG_9042.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_0F-D_SfmG...0/IMG_9046.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rH8T32LTY9...0/IMG_9049.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U6hsnWwkaH...0/IMG_9050.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mYekIskUyH...0/IMG_9052.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z4K3hfYvgn...0/IMG_9053.jpg Around lunchtime I met Nathan a British motorcycle traveller I got in contact with over ADVrider and the HUBB. We had a quick lunch and I decided to ride with him to the campground in Huonville where he and his mate Hannes were staying. I had been in contact with Hannes, another German motorcycle traveller, for some time before. Now I met them both in one day. In the afternoon Nathan started to change tires on his bike. Hannes and I supported him with helpful (or were it stupid) commands. When Nathan had finished the job we went on a short ride to test his tires :) http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SwkmGU3uKa...0/IMG_9056.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eq-YMMwBYq...0/IMG_9058.jpg Later we had had a big BBQ and I stayed longer then I had planed. By the time I left it was completely dark and I had to ride all the way back to Bob's house in Hobart. Because I did not want to hit any wildlife I did the howl way in 60 km per hour top speed. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XsjR5HQDcB...0/IMG_9061.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Abrwrl-6Pt...2262808238.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bqCdefPP9K...1913126054.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5w0fPO5X5n...0/IMG_9064.jpg Sunday I first went up to Mount Wellington, the mountain above Hobart. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sAz6T6BfGv...0/IMG_9065.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--fIK2T4gV3..._9066_pano.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KQDUK3Ndnc...0/IMG_9090.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-46pO2Mfz06...0/IMG_9104.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0fAfRMUMEE...0/IMG_9098.jpg |
From there I start a cultural program with two museums: first the MONA - Museum of Old and New Art.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uQreLmwtHa...0/IMG_9142.jpg Normally I do not like museums exhibiting art but this one was different. A gambler that makes shitloads of money build this museum to exhibit his own arts collection. Even the building itself is stunning. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q808ySX6sQ...0/IMG_9141.jpg Most of the exhibits are really freaky, for example there is a artificial digestive system that gets real food and produces something not to good smelling ... :) http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-901DvJVjhP...0/IMG_9112.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QaXK2wsqs9...0/IMG_9111.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OTAKvRzXam...0/IMG_9117.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6iH6s20odw...0/IMG_9118.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IQ3T6QwseX...0/IMG_9119.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U1yAjMbVn2...0/IMG_9121.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9jOl-0-kmT...0/IMG_9130.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_VVi-zMEDR...0/IMG_9132.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7srH2tG7RA...0/IMG_9134.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Md_hWjeSVJ...0/IMG_9137.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IgdoWH8DKm...0/IMG_9138.jpg In the late afternoon I went into the Tasmanian Museum in Hobart, less art more history, biology and technic – interesting for me. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-juhqdjizf9...126_165126.jpg When they close the museum I went to a little get together with Claudia and Ingo Reisemotten. They are motorcycle travelers as well and Claudia had spotted my bike at the Salamanca Market the day before. Good I had parked my bike right in front of the main entrance :) Thanks to my website and Facebook they were able to contact me and we had a lovely dinner – thanks for the invitation! http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ptzmxMJIIh...126_191943.jpg On Monday I left Hobart for a while. I went to the campground in Huonville for a night. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rjX053SHVh...0/IMG_9145.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--_W29j1w_Y...0/IMG_9146.jpg In the afternoon I went with Hannes and Nathan to explore the Jeffery's Track close to the campground. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L0jU5Ru2Ce...0/P1271510.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZsF2FJMGb...0/IMG_9150.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kPRlGsKZKG...0/P1271513.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MhGnIKanso...0/P1271515.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yIpDcZwPt2...0/IMG_9153.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_0tcDHerAT...0/P1271516.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cRpTmfyVei...0/P1271525.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gl-YjuUO5M...0/P1271531.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bSMSgRwjQa...0/IMG_9169.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kUx-UG2YDE...0/IMG_9174.jpg |
How should have been any different I was the first to drop my bike :)
As soon as we had finished the track the question popped up how to we go back to the campground? We could have done a big detour through Hobart or we could just go back. One more time in the other direction! This time I crashed while driving slow but luckily Nathan took photos :) http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2FMpFCMgEA...0/P1271537.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QI2-j8Mw9r...0/P1271549.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rIEpgkGuU4...0/P1271539.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KT9v_qGuMd...0/P1271561.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kZCjHOiseW...0/P1271585.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N2oObUq2wF...0/P1271587.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1rNXeWBdfn...0/P1271588.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iaOSyGf_CW...0/P1271589.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nDk_HGdNbp...0/P1271590.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JVRAHCDkei...0/P1271591.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5BkC4rxrh...0/P1271598.jpg We tried to use a sidetrack but we had to go back and had some problems getting the heavy bikes of Hannes and me back up. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YCUFFXp7Qt...0/IMG_9184.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CdWIxlQq4B...0/IMG_9185.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zoLPge5iKJ...0/IMG_9183.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g55G9TI7Xr...0/P1271603.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iwdTsBn_4e...0/P1271677.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OnWirmQsUK...0/P1271684.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XCjLZ3X3Ft...0/P1271716.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BuPWp48QC-...0/P1271725.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-byCOJZL-RS...0/P1271754.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xNNkekqTz2...0/P1271784.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BHYSdqbxAO...0/P1271847.jpg |
But we did the track in the other direction as well. Thanks to Nathan and Hannes for the patience with me.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ti-XvnFfhX...0/IMG_9202.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TY2baGw08Z...0/P1271616.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-70-mxt76Y2...0/P1271615.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8HF8HZKezq...0/P1271631.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8XSGNSjd7T...0/P1271651.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3aTUZ_zpUu...0/P1271661.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xsJIuc66t0...0/P1271669.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lq8qShBmcV...0/IMG_9221.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QZRXHQD4fQ...0/IMG_9228.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zLBJPxZ0Hu...0/IMG_9241.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qNf1fiXLbv...0/IMG_9245.jpg We spend the evening with a bunch of backpackers Hannes and Nathan knew from work. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7XeRbdCiGj...0/IMG_9247.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KZ1b2WBub1...0/IMG_9248.jpg The next day I went to Bruny Island. The ferry was only 5$ a fair price you can't complain about. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Uwq4DTo_Pt...0/IMG_9252.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9wbY9OUtJZ...0/IMG_9254.jpg On Bruny Island drove past a bay with lots of withe things sticking out of the water at low tied. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l1-HWoIDh-...0/IMG_9255.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ROigEAynM2...0/IMG_9256.jpg I stopped, had a look, picked fresh oysters. Perfect a free ingredient for my dinner was save. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UI1_jcevq7...0/IMG_9257.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yOWpoPAANI...0/IMG_9258.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_ZNApV80s-...0/IMG_9259.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W_lX0T4GtL...0/IMG_9270.jpg At the next morning I took the ferry back and my plan was to go straight to Cockle Creek to camp there. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UvqoNrY2PO...0/IMG_9276.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k6L8XxZgsM...0/IMG_9277.jpg But on the way I saw a sign next to the road "Thermal Spring" and I thought why not? They wanted 5$ entrance fee but I could not find a single picture showing the pool, but I thought I risk it. Biggest disappointment ever, just a normal swimming pool ... But Cockle Creek was beautiful. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NhtgXqIEB-...0/IMG_9278.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Pz276jlAK..._9281_pano.jpg Here is where Australia's most southern road ends and so it is the most southern point I have ever been. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4NDdoDU92I...0/IMG_9293.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SITvatHMqx...0/IMG_9298.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wYfjucHQtz...0/IMG_9299.jpg |
I haven't had a campfire for a really long time because there were fire bans everywhere but not here, perfect chance to have one again.
The next two days I spend back at the campground in Huonville but I haven't done much in this days. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GQSihcIeO_...0/IMG_9301.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IUkbRVYHNQ...0/IMG_9300.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m9r-8wIQ3b...0/IMG_9302.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_g8vH21t44...0/IMG_9305.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4ybOxITjmu...0/IMG_9311.jpg Saturday I went back to Hobart and stayed two more nights at Bob's place. Sunday morning I went on a tour to Lake Pedder with Roland, a friend of Bob, and some other bikers. Awesome roads but for Tasmania it was unbelievable hot that day – up to 38°C. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j4rGU_WEFx...0/IMG_9316.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v95u1nh0LQ...0/IMG_9321.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7QajaCpWZi...0/IMG_9322.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PMikaV3Aya...0/IMG_9320.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MuelemqHEm...0/IMG_9329.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qiNMT1dloX...0/IMG_9327.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m8ClowACoj...0/IMG_9325.jpg Monday morning I left Hobart to go to the west coast. It was not real a long distance to Queenstown but it took its time because the road is really winding. Halfway through it started to rain and it got uncomfortable cold – down to 10°C. At that stage I thought I smell smoke, not a 100m further on I could see why, a fire on both sides of the road – at this kind of weather... http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_-nufz4IAX...0/IMG_9336.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_UpJoedXuO...0/IMG_9337.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dADG79w0KP...0/IMG_9339.jpg In one of the last bends going into Queenstown there was oil or something like that on the road and my back wheel slipped away. Luckily I was going really slow so nothing happened to me but I got a little bend into my rear sub frame and into the pillions foot peg. Should not be too bad. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bo2zKLP6VV...0/IMG_9341.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H5n7O_gfhD...0/IMG_9342.jpg |
The next day I wanted to ride to tracks but the first one was closed because of the fire and I tried to do the second one but it was to muddy for me.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ybid2werOy...0/IMG_9345.jpg So I only did a short ride into Strahan and found a nice spot to camp. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bQ9XXBNIWU...0/IMG_9349.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XB5CyZTgbi...0/IMG_9361.jpg I could even light a fire again :) http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P13rytP3bg...0/IMG_9357.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OQ3VRLaF6U...0/IMG_9358.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K4pZVn_ZLF...0/IMG_9360.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-88v2Q_uyOG...0/IMG_9362.jpg The next morning I used the beach close to my campground for another beach ride, was good fun again. But this time I found something that is really interesting on the beach: a whale's jawbone, 1 meter longer than my bike! http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ayc5xlHEWo...0/IMG_9377.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pbyDduF1Fn...0/IMG_9379.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wueDJulYCR...0/IMG_9380.jpg Back in Strahan I met a few other bikers and started to chat with them about riding around in Tassie. Turned out they tried to ride the closed Western Explorer, a road I still wanted to do, but they had to go all the way back because there was no way of getting a bike through. I decided to go to the direction of the Western Explorer anyway but then use an alternative road from Corinna. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8fFYlWy94B...0/IMG_9382.jpg To get into Corinna you have to cross a river with a barge, but I couldn't get a clue how much I had to pay out of the sign. So I asked the barge operator how the sign meant to be understood. He answer: "I am new at the job and I haven't understand it jet." :D http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hWr1iCdJCf...0/IMG_9390.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y94Wff529R...0/IMG_9391.jpg For the night I found a lovely rest area at the Hellyer Gorge right in the rainforest. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MhbFcUBg3z...0/IMG_9397.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vhrqmwPp-p...0/IMG_9398.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X79O0FZFPv...0/IMG_9402.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3wXrmvOa7R...0/IMG_9400.jpg |
From Hellyer Gorge I went to the not so far away Hall Point. My plan was to see penguins and this was one of the spots where they nest.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oqJE9crrTm...0/IMG_9406.JPG But first I tried myself as Andy Warhol - wasn't that successful :) http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bFNOG2ZFzm...206_135626.JPG I put my tent up and started waiting for the penguins.* http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ddYBvZurWw...206_181406.JPG But no penguins showed up. Even two hours after dawn no sign of them. That's when I lost interest in waiting any longer and went to bed.* http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RVnSEaKsnx...0/IMG_9408.JPG At 2 in the morning I was woken up by loud penguin chattering but it was cold and I was to lazy to stand up again :) At the next morning when I was taking down my tent the local ranger came by an asked me if I had not seen the big sign behind my tent that camping was not permitted? – "No!" - "Ahh ... that's all right" ;) http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-16Qy9CIhkR...206_181420.JPG Because I had not seen the big lakes of Tassie yet I decided to go inland again. On my way I stoped at the Liffey Falls one of the World Heritage areas in Tassie – beautiful spot. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tS1ZY3Atwh...0/IMG_9446.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-34UwHUMDMb...0/IMG_9454.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LpVAb6Iu1Q...0/IMG_9455.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y46CMsrtxo...0/IMG_9463.JPG From there I went up into the highlands, around the biggest lake and back down into the lower eastern north.* http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EGFofZYVzL...0/IMG_9470.JPG I had chosen a nice camping spot right next to the Liffey River in Brachnell. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aYufvjbft7...0/IMG_9471.JPG I had just finished putting my tent up when I got a message from Chris like that: Mate we are having a birthday BBQ come around you are close! I had a look on the map – he was right. After 5 min of thinking I decided to take my tent back down and have a short ride :) The morning after the party Chris asked me if I would be interested in serious trail bike riding – for sure I was. I got Chris's Yamaha WR450 and he went on his Husqvarna TE610. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V_H46bMr5o...0/IMG_9473.JPG I had never been on such a bike before but Chris did a good job on showing me how to use it.* http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oKj7VVY3ev...66371684_n.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uVQIfxfup7...28246585_n.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HmKXHOMNtS...68399219_n.JPG It was great fun and I was amazed of what these bikes are capable but it was also absolutely exhausting. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H37Ut8b3Bh...208_143423.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hHKFW7NUcZ...208_143442.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-esM6NoSUyb...208_155254.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_UMp1fvyMf...208_160117.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FkV2COLxuR...208_160122.JPG |
Sunday we went Festivale in Launceston, a mixture of street art und gourmet food – I left it full and entertained.*
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SZrBccwsie...209_120417.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MQjH4eExhw...209_124410.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8OZewGF76m...209_141407.JPG On the way back Chris showed me how offroad capable his car is by using some of the tracks we had done to the trail bikes the day before.* http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P-z7Pwsjmd...209_151726.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MricMv9tRB...220_092318.mp4 Monday I went into Launceston to get a new front tyre for my bike. Wasn't as easy as I expected it to be because neither a motorcycle dealer nor the wholesaler had the Conti TKC80 I wanted in stock or could order it in time. So went back without a new tyre and only bought breaking fluid. In the evening Chris showed me how easy it is to change the break fluid.* http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MDg7Qv9ZGy...0/IMG_9476.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fev9dD2yCE...0/IMG_9477.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BendN5fp0S...0/IMG_9478.JPG When we were done with the breaks Chris mentioned he had a used Metzler tyre he would not need anymore. We put it on, front tyre problem solved - thanks Chris!!! http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_NMGaJr08O...0/IMG_9480.JPG On Tuesday I went on short test ride. The new front tyre work perfectly, way better than the old K60 Front. And because I was already on the road I decided to visit the National Automobile Museum of Tasmania.* http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0G2Rv_rV4y...0/IMG_9486.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mtZkVNVa55...0/IMG_9485.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nLkNUZqOkC...0/IMG_9489.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HLiDJDsdVG...0/IMG_9490.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fsf-rW7E5J...0/IMG_9493.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sZJTdHAHQc...0/IMG_9494.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5HL5_ovlPx...0/IMG_9496.JPG On Wednesday it was time for a final goodbye to the Pedersen family because I was going back to the mainland. This time the ferry trip was at night and I had company by Nathan. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fjr655AWod...0/IMG_9506.JPG |
Thursday we went off the ferry, still slightly hangover, and went straight up to Bright to the Adventure Travel Film Festival. We used a route I got from David, lots of small winding roads and remote gravel tracks.*
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JxId7IxPjm...0/IMG_9509.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDoXyC9qab...0/IMG_9510.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B6qc039SZk...0/IMG_9512.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6qJQl1lxdt...0/IMG_9516.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V96_sbvkX5...0/P2130002.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--0Th7YVvYE...0/P2130007.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k_Gsgv8Z9u...0/P2130009.JPG Short before we reached Bright we had to turn around because the road was completely blocked by a tree and there was no way to get around or above it. Our alternative road was a longer detour and so it got late until we arrived in Bright and Naz was already waiting for us. I shared a nice campsite right at the river with both of them to save some money. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t1a7sXZZ4p...0/P2130011.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BbbuM3Mn1H...0/IMG_9550.JPG Friday morning was the official start of the festival. Nathan and Naz both signed up as volunteers to get a free ticket. I had already bought a ticket but I decided to volunteer as well just to get not bored. But I was mainly fooling around. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CMHTPzfNYu...0/IMG_9522.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-STL_xcPZvC...0/IMG_9523.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P8NKj-3n4D...0/IMG_9529.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UVidVKcHDR...214_103553.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9RXCuuk7gt...0/IMG_9534.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XW0ystkCx3...0/IMG_9542.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hEz8huNlF4...0/IMG_9546.JPG Great weekend, I have seen lots of inspiring movies and spoken to so many interesting people. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YNupum4Rn8...0/IMG_9537.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UAkVRp5K0j...0/IMG_9540.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oA3dxvgElW...0/IMG_9541.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T6t_A-OFN5...215_131159.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t4KcH5gz_3...216_181525.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5rgBauwDYA...0/P2160017.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GFQJNtMJ8N...0/P2160025.JPG |
Monday we went further on into the high country.*
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R57Cxu9uOX...0/IMG_9551.JPG Nathan and I used good and bad gravel roads to get into New South Wales.* http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H1XRArKERB...0/IMG_9555.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2IWQ1_vc7p...0/IMG_9559.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EWOtaMOiQz...0/IMG_9560.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AViUGGDRsh...0/IMG_9566.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CkPoDyhSzm...0/IMG_9562.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QHAvLmDSU6...0/P2170035.JPG In the evening just before dusk we arrived at the concerted campgroung Tom Groggins to meet Naz and Alaine(from the festival as well). http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2h2sM0FE0I...0/P2170038.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4IXDydfs_N...0/P2170039.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vuyYfWuQt6...0/P2170043.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M3mzGqAlIJ...0/P2170044.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nx_1jWCof1...0/IMG_9569.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1YBdy33PyG...0/IMG_9568.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lnmdcknfl_...0/IMG_9570.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NhScsRvQ4Y...0/IMG_9574.JPG The next morning we all rode together until Jindabyne where we had a lunch break at the lake.* http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5FBXIu0V3Y...0/IMG_9575.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3egyRFxX5B...0/IMG_9576.JPG Nathan and I went down the Barry Way to get back to the coast.* http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GNYC6FZmkB...0/IMG_9588.JPG On this road there are some "places" with real strange names like Suggan Buggan or Seldom Seen.* http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PAloSFkyW9...0/IMG_9593.JPG We went to a camp at McKillops Bridge for a overnight stay. The place was a little bit scary because it was completely covered in smoke from a fire close by.* http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0gAAVscTCH...0/P2180050.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EfUQ1-MufC...0/P2180051.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eErwvbNdRG...0/IMG_9594.JPG As soon as it started getting dark possums surrounded us. We had some drinks siting at a bench when one of the possums got really close to us without us noticing. It squeaked loud right next to us and we were both so frightened that we screamed like little girls :) Wednesday morning we went back the way we came in and followed from Buchan more and more boring roads to Lakes Entrance for a lunch brake.* http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tTLEdXV78P...0/P2190053.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rsn9sLmdQp...0/P2190056.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T2-cPGzWhG...0/P2190057.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SprYGEt804...0/P2190060.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qIOztUzNnV...0/P2190061.JPG |
Nathans Plan was to stay in a hostel in Maffra to find work. Because the weather forecast was showing a thunderstorm for the evening I decided to stay at the hostel for one night as well.
The next day I went down to Phillips Island to watch the Superbikes. Matt had offered me a free ticked on ADV (great isn't it?) and I had never been to a motorcycle race before - perfect chance. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_oLEeAhic-...0/IMG_9600.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l-3hvOS4ak...0/IMG_9610.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I7gREnKhpZ...0/IMG_9624.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-33M4kL6MR5...0/IMG_9632.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p95H0FOBb9...0/IMG_9636.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AL1ZsGGZxV...0/IMG_9637.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V8TkiD37Lw...0/IMG_9638.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-prrvS6b40v...0/IMG_9640.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dU2PPJWxbY...0/IMG_9641.JPG On Friday I met Billy again a bloke I had met in Bright the weekend before. He is travelling with a surfboard attached to his bike so he is attracting attention pretty quick :) The weekend was awesome! It started a little bit chilly at first but the weather improved massively on Sunday for the final race day. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--vBXsE27s7...0/IMG_9649.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tpJv-jkXxW...0/IMG_9662.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_q9Rpu3MJb...0/IMG_9668.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NRUqJe77jx...0/IMG_9673.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4J6GTUBmXg...0/IMG_9675.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mCwEMTLXmx...0/IMG_9689.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rPVFu6iF6s...0/IMG_9694.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v-VSIIj7MY...0/IMG_9711.JPG Monday morning I left the race track an first went to the Nobbies on Phillips Island and then from there back to Melbourne.* http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rx5DatWu4E...0/IMG_9713.JPG Paul from ADV had offered me accommodation in Elsternwick a Suburb of Melbourne |
After I got all parts for a bike service on Monday I started working on it on Tuesday. I had to do an oil change and I got a new air filter as well.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wkjMoJP_3i...0/IMG_9716.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HLRCwF1TLm...0/IMG_9715.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4-mB80JgPi...0/IMG_9719.jpg Paul got me a new bolt for the shock, because this is a known weak point of the F 800 GS. My bolt wasn't bend yet but replaced it anyway with the stronger one. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CngEGlAnBe...0/IMG_9720.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J0xVa5wiEZ...0/IMG_9721.jpg In the afternoon I went into the CBD of Melbourne. This time I did not use my bike to get there I used the public transport instead – easy and fast :) Arriving at Flinders Station I used some small alleys parallel and next to Elizabeth St. After I bought some gear I needed I continued walking around looking at buildings and stuff. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j84XEQLMMh...225_165154.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kf3YJTMYRo...225_165218.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qu2ehpgUY9...225_165411.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uo4YtbALvq...225_165816.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-chFn0pfeZF...225_165823.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1f8g2OYrIV...225_170014.jpg On Wednesday I went one more time into the city this time by bike. First I drove to Williamstown from where you have a perfect view to the CBD – if the weather would have been good :( Then I went to a bike store to get a new spar front tube because I pinched the old one replacing the front tire ... While driving through the city I saw a Döner Kebab store – I had to stop and test Germanys most favoured fast food in Australia. Result: not bad, but way too much and because of that too expensive. I went on to the Yarra Bend Park a green oasis right in the middle of town, although you cannot say the rest of Melbourne is not green. The Yarra Bend is full of flying foxes, thousands of them a hanging in the trees and they make a hell of a row. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zQf1L2LrDx...0/IMG_9726.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q96KLYaJ1y...0/IMG_9725.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H_p7b-TGAn...0/IMG_9722.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BpO6CBbHpZ...0/IMG_9723.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dMSskvizZ4...0/IMG_9730.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tT-zGh6ZYt...0/IMG_9737.jpg Thursday was an office day and I did not do anything else. Paul took a day off on Friday to go on a ride with me. It is always great for me to have a local "tour guide" who shows me places I would have never found by my own. From Melbourne we went on paved roads to Marysville where we stoped for lunch. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qTz8kwgdrt...0/IMG_9739.jpg From there on we had dirt roads for the rest of the day. First we rode to Woods Point and stoped for a beer. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GaIY3FeCDe...0/IMG_9740.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EDac0Koi1N...0/IMG_9743.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-09nikJEGCs...0/IMG_9750.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XT4JIK1xss...0/IMG_9752.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s_51D-T9w5...0/IMG_9753.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-koO3440oo8...0/IMG_9754.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hJt1LHZzij...0/IMG_9749.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nxwOUA9F7K...0/IMG_9751.jpg |
Then we went on to Walhalla a historical mining town where we camped for the night.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ENkpfKzqRA...0/IMG_9757.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GMlkC8455z...0/IMG_9755.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mgIuyAvN1U...0/IMG_9759.jpg Because we camped right next to the historical cemetery we had to have a look at the next morning. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MVaRe317s1...0/IMG_9760.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TfLXjSWsjU...0/IMG_9766.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t7YYw1F4la...0/IMG_9769.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RrICmeWgGg...0/IMG_9772.jpg Before we left I pumped up my front tier a little bit but I did not actually check the pressure. When we went on it felt really strange so I stopped to check the pressure but Paul mentioned it wasn't the front it was the back wheel – completely flat. I went on the flat tire for a few hundred metres to get to a clearance, what work surprisingly good :) The cause of the flat was quickly found – a nail. Now I knew why I was carrying those bulky spar tubes in my luggage all the time. And luckily I had an experienced tier changer by my side. So Paul and I had changed the tube quickly and the bike was on the road again. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1NlhceNr-C...0/IMG_9776.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RV9Rx0f5WL...0/IMG_9778.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PRSbCZmejV...0/IMG_9779.jpg We went on to Dargo and from there to Talbotville campsite where we stayed for the night. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vfRnhYeGLn...0/IMG_9781.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kds-q7I4PR...0/IMG_9784.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iIgDKcGuWT...0/IMG_9810.jpg The next morning started with a little bit of sweat. Paul F 800 GS had a flat battery so we had to push it up a hill to try a roll start – worked first time. Good to know! Together we went on until we reached the Great Alpine Road. That's when I said goodbye to Paul. He had to go back to Melbourne and I went on the little town Orbost at the Snowy River. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JSjEUcxeMU...0/IMG_9813.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9rGBcAxM7f...0/IMG_9815.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V6_QfHyB9I...302_204316.jpg For Monday my destination was to be at Steves house in Numeralla a little bit after lunchtime. My plan was to use a back road to get to there but the road was closed because of a bushfire. So I had to use the main highway but it was still a nice scenic ride. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-79SXP1ni9J...0/IMG_9822.jpg When I arrived at Steves I told him about some strange behaviour from one of my forks. The last time I took the wheel out one of the forks went down a little bit. We disassembled the fork to have a look what's wrong. The inner part of the cap unscrewed from the rest so the spring wasn't attached to the cap anymore. It seems I did not tighten the locking nut enough when I changed the springs ... We checked the other fork as well, tightened up the nut a little bit and filled some more oil in it. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--QHfjDvVdQ...0/IMG_9823.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-imTxMru4qM...0/IMG_9824.jpg At fixing my forks we went trail bike riding on Steve's property to mark an enduro track. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yfQpJDlq2r...0/IMG_9825.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uDjLX007RU...303_171145.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q8AWZAMlt7...303_171149.jpg On Tuesday Steve showed another visitor and me the surrounding area with his 4WD. We went to some summits and used rough forestry tracks to get there. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bHyhIac3tu...0/IMG_9826.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kjNEJAlPc7...0/IMG_9827.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i98VoaPrQy...0/IMG_9845.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LlUaFyLqJl...0/IMG_9851.jpg |
Wednesday Steve guided me around on his bike.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4RQkYtGmAQ...0/IMG_9853.jpg First we went from Numeralla to an abandoned gold mining village and from there to Braidwood for lunch using forest tracks. Short before we arrived in Braidwood Steve had a flat back tire on his DR650. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l8uaFOk4b7...0/IMG_9858.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aANHLgPLIA...0/IMG_9859.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KSqUd0t440...0/IMG_9860.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FYAsTzKFDb...0/IMG_9877.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NjYwHPTqmU...0/IMG_9885.jpg Because the tire started to disintegrate on the inside we had to stop two more times to the end of the trip to fix it. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M83axNK-AL...0/IMG_9897.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HXEqHAmUW9...0/IMG_9899.jpg Thursday I went to the ACT (Australian Capital Territory) to visit the capital Canberra. I spend most of the time at the War Memorial because I used the offer of a guided tour and it was really interesting. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wOsLGFaun4...0/IMG_9902.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z4E97wi-1J...0/IMG_9910.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bss8rv6wQy...0/IMG_9913.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xtXyYrRJoQ...0/IMG_9919.jpg I drove around Parliament House, through the embassies district and up to a lookout on one of the mountains. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j8r4ozOWXx...0/IMG_9920.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9nIBkKeRbz...0/IMG_9921.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vf5DoAf-FA...0/IMG_9928.jpg On Friday a motorcycle suspension workshop started at Steve's. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mp5LrLgxQV...0/IMG_9932.jpg The suspension specialist Frank and the first customer Rowan already arrived the evening before so I spend some time watching Franks work until the weather improved. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--NMmtgDf7q...0/IMG_9934.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CKnpKgBr-I...0/IMG_9931.jpg I wanted to reach the Wombeyan Caves for that day on a track a got from Steve the day before. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uzAan_4qm9...0/IMG_9938.jpg When I arrived I saw the highest number of roos I had seen so far. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nY1Kq6YYEY...0/IMG_9942.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1NXxlDdS_Q...0/IMG_9943.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-65aZCyc-6h...0/IMG_9946.jpg |
Saturday I drove into Sydney.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BJdf22Crd4...0/IMG_9952.jpg My host Matt wasn't in town for the weekend but his other guest Carlo and Matts dogs were there to let me in. On Sunday morning I used my bike to get into the CBD and parked it in the Botanic Garden / The Domain to have a walk around. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hr60tNBASb...0/IMG_9954.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j6qxiQfTSM...0/IMG_9956.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ACEJKNn29L...0/IMG_9958.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bMuJKQxA-h...0/IMG_9965.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lDR8ckyTZN...0/IMG_9970.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1bT2Jzj9eT...0/IMG_9992.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-47lOtR6_7N...0/IMG_9995.jpg On Monday I went into the city again but this time by train. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V9lk119ZP3...0/IMG_9997.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-euGr4jbFSE...0/IMG_0001.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e-YDk9Rahc...0/IMG_0005.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-79rmQCQxcn...0/IMG_0006.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PPqi0LweLz...0/IMG_0007.jpg First I just walked around but then I discovered a free-guided city walking tour. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LHdZKPx1mu...0/IMG_0011.jpg I saw places and head stories I wound never seen or heard of on my own. I can highly recommend those tours and make sure to give the guide a tip. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rsZr0_U9VJ...0/IMG_0014.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jl_hc6CDm8...0/IMG_0017.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zUwvz_T1ZU...0/IMG_0019.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l6_1CpnMnH...0/IMG_0022.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X5U64ezRWu...0/IMG_0026.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i1rgGRF_L2...0/IMG_0036.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ht2JqhMl8H...0/IMG_0037.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cyQfGsQOle...0/IMG_0043.jpg |
uesday I made use of the warm weather and took the ferry boat to get to Manly Beach (by the way best low budget harbour cruse you can get).
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6rPcgW4AW...0/IMG_0045.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-88anv4yn8V...0/IMG_0054.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3yxX9EtPlx...0/IMG_0058.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BgFP1n8a8M...0/IMG_0047.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DPnMkDKw01...0/IMG_0066.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MQqAKU-HnI...0/IMG_0072.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n_pOepsE-5...0/IMG_0078.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7_jdRjM4_V...0/IMG_0081.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0QZ7hqUz5g...0/IMG_0083.jpg The beach a Manly isn't that popular as the famous Bondi Beach but there are less people. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lzr2vGiF_D...0/IMG_0084.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2nstnmoRV8...0/IMG_0085.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UjDaAE8VGH...0/IMG_0093.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P03AmoZCRq...0/IMG_0097.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-km1OCUggUC...0/IMG_0098.jpg On Wednesday it was time for some equipment maintenance. Who gets the link between those two? http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PlZ2DjzHFK...312_104947.jpg Thursday morning I went into the city again to spend some more time wandering around in the botanic garden. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v3oNZGDd3e...0/IMG_0112.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bgQWpu78Ld...0/IMG_0116.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rsepCUP4lQ...0/IMG_0122.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d1QaAigMie...0/IMG_0123.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4vYq8tcQb0...0/IMG_0126.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WoSIa5gTMe...0/IMG_0129.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aPwED0E3g-...0/IMG_0132.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q4-rWn5BBE...0/IMG_0134.jpg From there I went on to Chinatown and had a real delicious Japanese lunch. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-toXjPOmcoM...0/IMG_0135.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kijugdbPJ0...313_130625.jpg In the afternoon it was bike service time again. The F 800 GS needed new rear brake pads and the chain kit needed a change as well. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oJqyhogDlZ...0/IMG_0137.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-51HPbWXqFi...0/IMG_0139.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D7bLFvnNRT...0/IMG_0140.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QZg2IFqurD...0/IMG_0145.jpg |
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