Showing posts with label bike. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bike. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Ted Talks


Well, it's about time Adeena finally let me say something! Jeepers!! - I get lugged around the freaking planet for four and a half years and dragged through all sorts of shit being tied to bicycles and motorbikes and yachts and then she goes and shares her side of the near death experience (because lets be honest, every adventure has a near death experience) seeing some positive light and being all optimistic about our failed suicide attempts that I tried to talk her out of... what the flip?

Central Coast, Australia

Siem Reap, Cambodia

Cameron Highlands, Malaysia

Somewhere, Vietnam

Martinique

Colon, Panama

No, I think the only reason she keeps me around is because nobody else is stupid enough to venture out with her. Don't get me wrong, she really is a lovely girl; but she's clearly flipping unlucky, or got terrible karma, or something!
I mean, how many people do you know who have been shipwrecked and marooned on a desert island, been attacked by both dogs and pirates, fallen into a volcano, had far too close for comfort unplanned encounters with sharks and lions and komodo dragons and molestorisers and a leopard and cassowaries, been involved in 8 motorbike and 9 bicycle crashes, lost their rigging and got stuck at sea for months...!? The answer I'm sure you'll agree is one: Adeena.
Actually, I'll be honest - the only reason I stick around is because I can't run away - my legs are stuffed!

You don't have to look hard to see how I've deteriorated over the years
No, I really don't get it! She's on this big mission to flightlessly travel from Australia to Spain and after 5 years and a month, she's 3944 km further away than she was when she started.
Yes, okay I'll give her credit - she's gotten close - she's dragged me through some 27 countries and we've been around the world once, but how do you just miss Spain? It's right in the middle!

And don't even get me started on accommodation!
Adeena's happy to sleep in a cave or on a beach, or in a weed plantation, or a cinema, or restaurant, or on a strangers floor - but that's only because I'm her freaking pillow. Give me a night at the Hilton for once?? Although they probably won't let her in - she doesn't have shoes.

A bar in Malaysia

On a stranger's floor in Lankawi when she lost me for 3 days.
This is not okay!

Yes this looks like an ideal setting, but after the sun disappeared, this transformed into a bed for the night.

Adeena's definition of luxury accommodation: camping

Yes she got me my own passport - but I know they're thinking it every time I walk through border control- "Wonder what he's laced with?" - Right? No normal grown up carries a teddy my size with them unless they're up to no good. Do you know what it's like to be scanned and dogged and constantly probed by weird men and hairy ladies in uniforms?
And on that note too - it's thanks to her that I've had so many run ins with the law and it's upholders.


Orange isn't even my colour!

Okay, it's not all bad.
I've seen and experienced some amazing things that most people can only dream of.
And being the cute furry co-gypsy has some perks









I'm not normally into men, but I'll tolerate this kind of thing
No, it's a hard life being the side-kick; but Adeena promises that this year will be different!
It's only January and she has already locked in 2 flights (which is a lot for someone who doesn't fly), a bicycle tour, a family reunion, and a shower.
She's even talking about finishing both her circumnavigation and this crazy mission to Spain.
It might actually be a good year.
No, stuff that, it's going to be freaking fantastic! 

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Half Way!! Sunshine and Happinessness!


Miracles do happen!!! - The sun finally decided to make an appearance!!!
It had been so long without it that I struggled at first to recognise what it was...


The sunshine carried me through to Hervey Bay



And on to the middle of absolutely nowhere, camping on the side of the Bruce highway.


The road to Bundaburg was paved with cane plantations and roadkill.


But the town itself greeted me well!!! (Even if I couldn't find a Sunday roast)






I even lucked out and was adopted by this exceptional family for the night.
They fed me, showered me, and gave me a bed for a night. It's people like these that make the world a much happier place!!!


The sun continued to shine and at last I even began using the sunscreen I have carried for far too long!!


The terrain changed quite substantially as I pedaled the 130 km from Bundi to Agnes Waters (1770)



And even though Seventeen Seventy greeted me with a flat tyre, I can't think of a happier place to get stuck!


One tiny thorn can make a whole lot of difference!!!
With 1756+ Km behind me I am officially calling this the half way mark and have taken a few days off to soak up the beauty that is Australia!










Today marks one month on the road.
I have met some flipping awesome people, seen some incredible things, and found a lustre for life as a bicycle gypsy.

Apart from crocodiles, hills and very long stretches between things; I have no idea what lies ahead - but I really do look forward to the second half and hopefully it's even better than the first!

And hopefully the word is getting out there and people are realising the power of the bicycle...
Bikes can transform, improve, and even save lives so get involved - support, donate and be a part of something epic: www.bikes4life.com.au




Monday, July 1, 2013

Dear mom; I'm an addict


Dear mom

I know you’ve always told me to steer away from drugs but I got really really high the other day and had one of those epiphanies that only really happens under the influence of somewhat very illegal substances. Life suddenly made sense and as I soared through the air and the world swirled around me and I floated about in a dream, I saw clearly for the first time in almost forever…

Now mom, before you go and hop on a plane back to South Africa (which you will probably do regardless) and come sentence me to a nunnery, the indoors, and a diet of barley green and carrot juice or worse; I’ll try explain…

I’ve been living in one town for almost 4 months, working the first set hours (08h30 to 17h30) job of my life with the fewest housemates (1.25 and a giant dirty teddy bear) I’ve ever had in my life and well I’m sure you can understand how, under these dire circumstances, escapism might be necessary?

I think is the only housemate picture we have...

I tried living real life on the wild side – brushing my teeth extra vigorously before milk; breaking into the neighbour’s house [over the third storey balcony] to use their washing machine; doing my grocery shopping in my pjs… but it’s not quite enough.

And I’m sure for what I am about to say, you need to remember that you are partly to blame as I inherited your genes…
… Mom, there’s no easy way to say this but [make sure you are sitting down for this one] I’m an adventure addict! And proud of it.

As I ran and jumped off Signal Hill on Wednesday it suddenly hit me that adrenalin and adventure are the drugs that make it worthwhile getting up in the morning.







  
The first half of the 2013 has vanished in a blink of mediocrity, but part two will be epic! I have decided to get high for a living!

I love you so much and hope you’re up for more adventure yourself!
You’re fully living [and planning on staying that way] daughter
X0X0 Adeena


Ps: I bought a scooter. Sorry.