Monthly Archives: February 2011

I ARRIVED IN TO SINGAPORE AND STARTED THE LONG HOT RIDE UP THROUGH ASIA.

I AM IN GOOD SPIRITS ALTHOUGH I HOPE TO GET USED TO THE HUMIDITY. I HAVE THE SUNCREAM SLAPPED ON DURING THE DAY AND THE AC TURNED UP DURING THE NIGHT.

I AM HEADING UP THE WEST COAST OF MALASIA TOWARDS THILAND. SO FAR THE FOOD IS GREAT, THE BEACHES DISAPPOINTING AND THE LOCALS VERY FRIENDLY.

THERE IS A MASSIVE DIFFERENCE IN THE COST OF LIVING IN ASIA WHICH HAS COME AS A GREAT RELIEF AFTER AUSTRALASIA.

I HAVE SEEN SOME GREAT BEACHES WITH WHITE SAND , BLUE-GREEN SEA WITH OUT THE NORMAL CROWDS.

RIAZ HAS A GREAT PLACE IN BUNKER BAY,I RODE DOWN TO IT FROM ROTTNEST ISLAND. BABS, RIAZS  BROTHER FOUND ME ON THE ROAD AND GAVE ME A LIFT FOR THE LAST HOUR.

IT IS A WONDERFUL HOME AND PLACE TO CHILL, THEY HAVE SPENT A HUGE AMMOUNT OF TIME EFFORT AND MONEY TO ENSURE THAT EVERYTHING IS PERFECT. NEEDLESS TO SAY I FOUND A FEW THINGS THAT COULD BE IMPROVED! ONLY JOKING.

I LEFT AUSTRALIA WITH A VERY POSITIVE VIEW OF THE COUNTRY.

I FINALLY MADE IT TO PERTH AFTER HEARING LOTS ABOUT THE MERITS OF THE PLACE,WELL HERE IS A MARK P SUMMARY. VERY FRIEDLY WELCOME BY RIAZ AND FRIENDS,I WAS GIVEN THE RUN OF THEIR HOUSE TO USE AS A BASE TO EXPLORE THE AREA. I WAS NOT KEEN ON THE DOWNTOWN AREA , IT LACKED CHARACTURE, THE KINGS PARK AND BOTTANICAL GARDENS WHERE GOOD.AUSTRALIA IS ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE PLACES IN THE WORLD AS A BRIT.

THE SUBURBS ARE VERY CLEAN AND NEW , AMERICAN IN STYLE.

I ENJOYED ROTTNEST ISLAND ,SOME OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BEACHES  AND SNORKELING.I LOST MY PASSPORT AT THE CAMP SITE ,WHICH WAS THEN CHEWED ON BY A LARGE RAT . IT TURNED UP A DAY LATER WHEN A PERSON PITCHING THEIR TENT FOUND IT IN THE SAND. THE EXPERIENCE WAS VERY STRESSFUL.

RIDING MY BIKE FROM ROTTNEST TO BUNKER BAY WAS SOME OF THE HOTESS CYCLING SO FAR ON THE TOUR. I BROKE A SPOKE BUT FOUND A GREAT BIKE SHOP TO MAKE ME SOME SPARES.

A FISHING TRIP OF THE ROCKS PROVED UNSUCCESSFUL, BUT THATS OFTEN THE CASE.

ON TO ASIA ON MONDAY WHICH WILL BE A REAL CUTLURE SHOCK.

I stared with Ralphs parents in a suburb of Sydney, I visited all the local sites and had a very good time.

Weather was 40 degrees and humid which made doing any excercise difficult.

We went for a sail on a 73 foot Americas cup boat, we had the boat doing 17 knots oner the harbour, very exciting.

The zoo is Sydney is fantastic and worth a visit.

Ralphs parents are very active for guys who are 91 and 89 years old, a great example of the importance of keeping active , interested and having a stable relationship.

I meet lots of Ralphs old schol and college friends who were welcoming. I lost my glasses in a big wave down at the beach, and Ralphs brothers wife lent me a pair of glasses that were my prescription.

I am now with Riaz in Perth. More to follow.

I HAVE GOT TO SYDNEY TODAY AND I AM STAYING WITH RALPH’S MUM & DAD IN THE NORTHERN PART OF TOWN.

I PLAN TO GET MY BIKE OUT AND EXPLORE THE TOWN.