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Date: August 24, 2003
I arrived in Darwin, Australia, safely. What a relief! Only 7300 kilometers
left until I have bicycled the circumference of the planet (40,077 KM). If I get
some tailwinds this will be easy. Australia is nice and flat and it is the middle
of winter so it is nice and chilly for bicycling. I am very strong now and have
rebuilt my bike with some speedy tires. Though my bow and arrow is weighing me
down. I'm going a huntin' rabbit. I've rigged my bike with some more waterbottle
holders. I can carry about 10 liters. Finding water will be my biggest challenge.
I don't think 10 liters will carry me through some of the barren 175 kilometer
stretches of desert. Plus, crocodiles love to snap up tourists trying to fill
their waterbottles in the river.
Australia is a well-marketed country and packed with tourists. I heard a funny
comment. "I accidentally signed up for the extreme adventure (packaged tour
to Kakadu National Park). I just wanted the regular adventure."
And my flight attendant on Quantas was telling another attendant during take
off. "The door popped open and everything was being sucked outside: pillows,
blankets, papers, a doll. I don't know how I shut the door. It was pure survival
instinct. I grabbed the orange handle and pulled. My leg and arm were getting
sucked out and I thought, 'Whoa, boy, you get a nice view from here.'"
I should have mentioned a long time ago the people I rode with in Tibet. Here
are their websites.
Edwin Tucker:
Around the world by bicycle without the use of fossil-fuelled transport, 31 year
old New Zealander Edwin Tucker hopes to complete the journey in 2 and a half years
of cycling and sailing by mid 2004. Starting from London, UK travelling east via
Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Oceania and North America ending back at 0 degrees
longitude on the Greenwhich Meridian Line.
Edwin's website:
http://www.howsmycycling.com
Mark, Donna and Matt's are riding from Scotland to Australia.
Their website:
http://www.pedalperth2perth.com
Chris and Jenny are ridding from Scotland to Tasmania:
http://www.ozbybike.co.uk
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