Did I tell you how magical Australia is? If you go anywhere in the world, make sure you go to Australia. Actually, The Big Island would be my first choice simply because it has all the climates in the world except for one---the Antarctic climate. This small island literally contains nearly the whole world.
I've found one of the things I enjoy most on my rides are the construction workers. They get to wear shorts!!! Yes, those fine legs, those sweaty men with their sweet smiles in those CUTE shorts! LOL!! I don't think U.S. road workers get to wear shorts. I can't remember now.
I spent the Easter weekend in the rainforest. I climbed the mountain's narrow winding road in the rainforest while the sun was sifting through the trees. There was a slight but steady rain, and it was one of the most magnificent moments ever. I looked up through the trees at the sun and could see each little droplet of water showering down upon my face. All I could do was smile. I was so happy.
I wanted to ride all day every day because it is how I like to see the world; however, there was much to see in the short time I was in the area. I visited a wildlife park and saw koala bears (very slow in the trees but can get their asses moving on the ground). Of course I saw kangaroos and wallabies. I also watched a platypus feed on some little critters similar to crawfish in Louisiana. I think they're called mugpies or something like that. Whatever----they look the same as crawdads! Everyone says they are tasty like them as well.
I visited a few pubs and drank WAY too much. I punished myself the next day by climbing the steepest climb I could find and road it 4 times. I'm sadistic, aren't I? I thought I was going to hurl. The beer tasted great going in, but I'm not sure how good it would have been coming out! :shock: Glad I never found out.
Went to the beach and waded in ankle deep water. Too many shark stories to go any further than that. Okay, everyone say it at once, "W-u-s-s-i-e!"
Oh, that reminds me: another sweet thing here in Australia are the lifeguards. They wear these cute little red and yellow swim caps with a strap on either side that ties beneath their chins. It's just precious. These little caps on top of the heads of these fit and fine beauties. I'm talking about men. I didn't see any female lifeguards.
Nothing really humerous going on. Just really enjoying my surroundings, you know? I'm getting all spiritual and shit.

The Aussies are a funny people. One of the women I'm staying with is absolutely halarious. She is as feisty as they come, and we are always "arguing" about who (American vs. Australia) owns what companies. I told her Kraft is an American company even though they have factories here, and I was wondering why they named their cereals different here. For instance, Rice Krispies is Rice Bubbles here. Instead of Raisin Bran, it's Sultana Bran. I guess Sultanas ARE raisins but not really because they are from a different grape. So, they do have raisins as well. Cocoa Pops instead of Cocoa Puffs. They DON'T have Lucky Charms which amazed me. That is a badass cereal. Frosties instead of Frosted Flakes.
Cookies are referred to as biscuits. Leftover vegetables are mashed together and made into cakes, fried, and are called bubble and squeak. That's a breakfast thing. I guess that's a thing for older generations as the newer ones don't practice this.
On store signs I've noticed that it says "Trading Hours" instead of "Open Hours."
Whose shout is it? That means "who's treat" as in buying rounds of booze or buying someone lunch.
Bugger means damn. "Oh bugger!" :o
Aussies are very friendly people except when they get behind the wheel of a car. Then they become dangerous maniacs who have absolutely no disregard for anyone else on the road. Unfortunately, Brisbane is THE perfect place to live, and so it has experienced a population explosion. Its roads weren't designed for this heavy traffic, and although they have wonderful public transportation, most people still like to drive their own cars. :x
Hopefully, they'll catch on before they start seeing brown like in L.A. It would be a shame to destroy such a beautiful area, and they need to be extra conscious about it because most of Australia is desert. There is a small band of "green" where most everyone lives. Other than that, this vast country is desert----like around 80% of it this one guy told me.

I'm not sure why, but I looked at my bike differently today. I stroked the seat and ran my fingers along the top tube----so soft, so perfect. The hard metal between my legs converting chaotic enery into a powerful harmonius rhythm; it's truly a beautiful piece of machinery. Of course, like any romance, I have a love/hate relationship with it! :lol:
I still miss running. I miss stretching my legs out in long strides bounding with seemingless endless energy across the earth. It's a freedom that I yearn for. I think any runner will tell you the same thing just as any cyclist will; the love they feel for their run or ride is overpowering at times. They just HAVE to do it. It's not an obsession as much as it is a passion. It is an experience that releases your spirit.
Yup, that's the way I look at it. It's what I see when I see people jogging or riding their bikes. I can feel them because we are all connected.

I found this poem related to a woman who broke my heart. It's the same woman a previous poem I posted referred to. We haven't spoken in 3 years or so, but she did call me after my head injury, which was great because I was wondering how I'd feel if I ever spoke to or saw her again, and I was fine with it. She still haunts me, but I never stopped loving her. There are just some people who have that sort of impact on your life.

Shoot out
Bang! You're dead.
Feel that bullet
tear through your skin
exiting your soul.
There she is
standing close enough
to touch you
to heal your wounds
but she's lost her way
manipulated by your deceit.
Spiraling out of control
you twist and turn
reaching out for her
but you cannot touch.
She is too far away
to grab
to hold on to
to save your soul.
Look at her lips
shiney with spit.
Touch them
with your fingertips.
Feel her now
as she surrenders
to you.
Smell her softness.
Take in her last breath.
She is your wound
and the cause of
your death.

Yeah, hey, I'm in Australia now. Wow, this country is amazing.
I didn't realize I needed a visa to enter the country, so I had to purchase one in L.A. for $25. Yeah, you can't get into Australia with just your passport. Another way for the government to make money and keep track of you, I guess. Brazil requires one right now too, but they didn't in 1995. You'd think a damn passport would be good enough, hey?
The plane ride wasn't that bad since I was able to get a row of 5 seats to myself. I smiled and flirted with the flight attendant to get that. :wink: I slept for a good 8 hours and then gave my row up to an elderly woman who seemed to be searching for a comfortable position in her 2 seats. So, she got a good 5 hours in plus whatever she got before I offered up my seats.
I don't think giving up my seats was anything short of normality. It's what people should do. There's no reason for me to hog up 5 seats when I'm awake, and others need sleep. The people in front of and in back of me didn't see it that way, and I thought that was sad. We, as people, are suppose to help each other. We're suppose to genuinely care about one another and share with each other. We all need to start doing more of that.
I arrived in Sydney and realized that this country was a nickel-and-dime-ya-to-dea th type of place. It cost $4 to ride a 2 minute train from the international terminal to the domestic terminal so that I could catch my plane to Brisbane (where I'm staying). In the states, this service is FREE!
Also, I found out that the government here has their hands in about everything. For instance, the phone company was owned by the government, but now it's only 50% owned or something, but it costs money for every LOCAL call you make. This is the best part, though----you have to pay a rental fee for a phone even if you have your own phone!!!
So, people in the states need to quite bitchin' because we got it pretty good. Gas is like 85 cents/liter here. You know, that's about $3.20/gallon.
Even though the U.S. dollar is strong here (.75 of our cents to the AUS dollar), things are more expensive, so it evens out.
The terrain and scenery are simply spectacular. It sounds like I'm in a jungle with all of the different bird and gecko noises in the morning. There are hills, rivers, and plush grass and fauna. It is beautiful to say the least.
It's going to take a bit of getting used to riding on the left side of the road. I always look the wrong way. I hope I don't get smashed. Just have to be extra vigilant.

p.s. DON'T take any raw nuts into the country; it carries a $225 fine. I know this because I had some unfinished bags of walnuts and almonds in my bag. If they had been roasted and salted it would have been okay, but they weren't. The customs agent believed my error was an innocent one, so he didn't fine me. In addition, he stated that he was Macedonian, and since I am Croatian (father's side) then we are like family.

cheers!