Greetings!
Well here I am sitting at LAX, waiting for my flight. Where am I going on holiday? Well.. It's 14 hours from here to visit the land down under. I can't believe I'm actually going to visit Kalvdy.
Last month I purchased a SPOT Tracker (www.findmespot.com (http://www.findmespot.com)). One nifty thing about it is that I can have it update a Google Map with my location. So that means you fine folk can follow along if you like.
Here's the link to the SPOT tracking web site and it'll bring up the map. Nothing there at the moment as I don't have good access to the sky to get a location fix.
http://tinyurl.com/beaninoz (http://tinyurl.com/beaninoz)
Plus I will post pictures when I can at the link below.
http://picasaweb.google.com/zulu01/Australia2009# (http://picasaweb.google.com/zulu01/Australia2009#)
So stay tuned.. who knows what kind of crazy crap will go on. Klavdy is bad enough when he's in the states.. what is he going to be like in his home country???
Gah.. if I have any more of these Gin and Tonics they will have to carry me to the gate.. :P
This same message will be posted on the other group.
Is this your first visit Downunda??? ??? If so did Klavdy warn you about Drop Bears & Aussie Beer??? ???
That GPS thing is going to be awesome Garthster! I can't wait to see it work! I think you are still on the plane now...but should be just about to land. Give Klavo a big sloppy kiss for me! ;)
Have fun over there...sorry I couldn't make it. At least you have gone to some great lengths to allow us to live vicariously through you!
Garth,
have a great time, live it up.
west coast represent.
stay away from klavdys favorite sheep, that's a no no.
Go Garth!!!! Keep the rubber side down and have a kick ass good time down unda man :D
OGmudbone
This will be fun! Thanks Garth! Hmmmm Klavdy on his home turf...... makes me shutter..... be careful out there :)
Well I am here! I can't believe I am actually in Australia..
Need to relax a little and I'll get some pictures up.
And yes.. I already tried to get in the wrong side of the car. hahahahahaha
So, we finally met Mr Bean at Brisbane Airport,
Where is the skinny prick?
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Mr%20Beans%20first%20day/IMG_0022.jpg)
Aha! Found Him!
He looked like he enjoyed the cavity search, best anonymous phone call ever,
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Mr%20Beans%20first%20day/IMGP2976.jpg)
Got him into the Ute and introduced him to driving on the correct side of the road,
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Mr%20Beans%20first%20day/IMG_0026.jpg)
Mrs Klavdy gave our honoured Seppo guest a warm Aussie welcome,
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Mr%20Beans%20first%20day/IMG_0028.jpg)
Hayabusas were representin,
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Mr%20Beans%20first%20day/IMGP2980.jpg)
Must be pretty exciting bike, the Hayabusa coz while the Men fettled the FJ's in the garage,
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Mr%20Beans%20first%20day/IMG_0039.jpg)
the Suzuki riders were overcome with the dizzying excitement of being allowed to tag along and had to have a little lie down,
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Mr%20Beans%20first%20day/IMG_0036.jpg)
They need their beauty sleep, Hayabusa riders, because they obviously have not had enough,
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Mr%20Beans%20first%20day/IMG_0037.jpg)
Klavdy, great write-up...keep them coming! A few casual observations:
- I think Harvy's Beard (yes, it is so prominent that I think it should be capitalized) is obstructing food to his mouth.
- I think Dave should lose the moustache.
- What, no sidewalks in OZ?
:) no kidding.. that's quite a beard.
Harvey looks like Oz's answer to Lee Carkencord.
Quote from: Marsh White on February 27, 2009, 10:37:17 AM
- I think Harvy's Beard (yes, it is so prominent that I think it should be capitalized) is obstructing food to his mouth.
Garth,
It was very smart of you to lojack yourself, it will make the search easier when your body gets dumped in the outback by the convict scum. ;D
watch out for harvey, he looks wiry and shifty. guys with beards are hiding sumthin.
HEY I have a beard and I aint hiding nuthin!!!...hahahahaha
Garth good deal making it there in one chunk...keep the rubber side down and don't forget to launch the seppo sneak attack on the great down unda!!!
OGmudbone
P.S. Klav hate to inform you but even the French know us seppos drive on the "right" side of the road...LOL
;D :D ;) :P
Quote from: ddlewis on February 27, 2009, 11:25:16 AM
:) no kidding.. that's quite a beard.
Harvey looks like Oz's answer to Lee Carkencord.
you know i was thinking the exact same thing....
all Harvy and his beard are missing is a "If you dont limp you aint shit" T-shirt ;D
KOokaloo!
Frank
I have to admit my beard is nothing like that...but I'm not that old yet. Harvey looks to be about 40 and I'm only 35. hahahahaha
Maybe in another 5 years I can grow my beard out like that.
OGmudbone
:D ;D :D ;) :D :P :P
So we got Bean up on his hind legs for his first ride in Aus,
Hold me, I'm scared
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Bean%20day%2002/IMGP8319.jpg)
Just Bean, the Suzuki Tragic and yours truly, off on a gentle canter through the Gold Coast Hinterland,Bean taking well to the new conditions,
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Bean%20day%2002/IMGP8320.jpg)
Scenery was sought, sights seen,
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Bean%20day%2002/IMG_0105.jpg)
C'Mon Bean, let's go behind these bushes,got something to show you
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Bean%20day%2002/IMG_0063.jpg)
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Bean%20day%2002/STB_0089.jpg)
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Bean%20day%2002/STC_0090.jpg)
Dropbears? I don't see no Dropbears,,,
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Bean%20day%2002/IMG_0087.jpg)
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Bean%20day%2002/IMG_0061.jpg)
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Bean%20day%2002/IMGP2993.jpg)
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Bean%20day%2002/IMGP2995.jpg)
Just a bit closer to the Croc pool fellers, it'll make a great shot,
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Bean%20day%2002/IMGP3001.jpg)
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Bean%20day%2002/IMG_0054.jpg)
And Bean introduced to some Australian culinary delights in the form of a Dog's Eye with Dead Horse at The Outpost Cafe,
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Bean%20day%2002/IMG_0096.jpg)
W.T.F is THAT?? Looks like it came outta cows ass.
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Bean%20day%2002/IMGP2997.jpg)
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Bean%20day%2002/IMGP3000-1.jpg)
OI! Bean! Don't freakin barf on me mate!
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Bean%20day%2002/IMG_0093.jpg)
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Bean%20day%2002/IMG_0094.jpg)
We fed him on Kangaroo the night before,
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Bean%20day%2002/IMG_0043-1.jpg)
He loved it,
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Bean%20day%2002/IMG_0042.jpg)
He said he felt like jumping off this waterfall after eating the 'Roo,
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Bean%20day%2002/STA_0081.jpg)
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Bean%20day%2002/STB_0089.jpg)
All in all a top day out, soon we are off to dinner at The Currumbin Vikings Surf club.
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Bean%20day%2002/IMGP3003.jpg)
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Bean%20day%2002/IMG_0107.jpg)
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Bean%20day%2002/IMG_0105.jpg)
Take a pic fellers, of the view fellers,
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Bean%20day%2002/IMGP3015.jpg)
Oh, duh, O.K,
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Bean%20day%2002/IMGP3009.jpg)
Like this uh huh uh huh,
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Bean%20day%2002/IMGP3012.jpg)
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Bean%20day%2002/IMGP3008.jpg)
Uh yup,
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Bean%20day%2002/IMGP3007.jpg)
awesome pics...beautiful place. i have always wanted to go down unda me self but never had the funds...this vicarious vacation its the shiznit :D ;)
OGmudbone
Garth,
Ain't adventuring just good fun? I see your near Byron Bay, which used to be a really nice quiet surf town, but I heard it got 'discovered' and thus buggered up. Anyway, I'm sure Klavdy knows some less touristed spots where you can plug into the real Oz.
Safe travels
Andy French
K-man, Dave and I are in Armindale, NSW for the night. Excellent day of riding. SPOT tracking is working great!
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=04mQyBrhrt4eByvlahZLsbzxLNtxc10Xq (http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=04mQyBrhrt4eByvlahZLsbzxLNtxc10Xq)
Pictures to come, along with some great video (sometime).
-Bean
Garth, what's your skype chat username please mate?
Harvy
Harvy,
What happened to you? I thought you were going to be part of this conga line.
I'm planning to meet up with the pair S of Canberra and help guide them around the (non) fire-ravaged bits of Vic.
Cheers,
Arnie
Quote from: Harvy on March 03, 2009, 02:58:43 PM
Garth, what's your skype chat username please mate?
Harvy
Hey Harvy,
It's "pdxfj87"
We're in Port Macquarie now. Your national speed limit is horrible. Although given how rough Hwy 1 is in spots it's just about right for that.
All in all you've got a beautiful country here. Plus the light amount of clothes the women wear in summer is a nice bonus. ;D
Hey Harvy,
Seems you knew the softcocks (K-girl and beeny-weeny) wouldn't be able to handle the distance. Called to find out where they'd got to today and when they'd be around Canberra so we could meet up, and was told they weren't riding any further south than Port Mac. They were going back to BrisVegas and would fly to SinCity.
Gotta say I'm bummed. All dressed up and nowhere to go. I'd been planning to be riding for the next week or so.
Cheers,
Arnie
Arnie, yeah, that is pretty lame of them! I tried to figure out which city is "Sin City" thinking it was Sydney. Then I came across this article: http://www.tntdownunder.com/article/2444463562.html (http://www.tntdownunder.com/article/2444463562.html)
So, now I'd venture a guess that "Sin City" is actually Canberra. Correct? Are you going to take the boys out for a night on the seedy side of town? If so, the pictures are bound to get more interesting...
Marsh,
Actually, I was referring to Sydney, but understand the Canberra ref. (one of two places you can legally buy porn and fireworks in Australia) :-)
They're still a couple of hundred kms North of Sydney, and are going to not venture any further south.
No, I won't be meeting up with them now. I have other commitments and have to be back home on the 10th. Getting info about this non-Tour-of-Tassie "group ride" from K-girly has been like pulling teeth from a chicken. I'm just very irritated that I cleared this time to ride, got a new front tire, am packed, fueled, ready to go - and they've just flaked.
Arnie
QUICK!
Sombody call B000 H000
Arnie needs the
(http://www.darconet.com/images/waahmbulance.PNG)
Now that was Cold Blooded!!!! ::)
K & Been,
I've had my whinge. I won't count on you again.
Get over it.
Enjoy the rest of your ride, and holiday.
And post those reports and pics so more tourists come here to spend.
Arnie
dang! looks like the first real dust up of the new group. i hope this doesn't get too ugly. i don't know what plans were made but i can understand that things can change on very short notice. vacations, especially to other parts of the globe don't exactly afford you a huge amount of leeway to do extra things time wise. perhaps there just wasn't enough time to get to everything?
anyway i can understand Arnie gettin bent that he took time off work and all that, but i hope this doesn't ruin friendships.
OGmudbone
aka
John
Quote from: ogmudbone on March 06, 2009, 01:30:40 PM
dang! looks like the first real dust up of the new group. i hope this doesn't get too ugly. i don't know what plans were made but i can understand that things can change on very short notice. vacations, especially to other parts of the globe don't exactly afford you a huge amount of leeway to do extra things time wise. perhaps there just wasn't enough time to get to everything?
anyway i can understand Arnie gettin bent that he took time off work and all that, but i hope this doesn't ruin friendships.
OGmudbone
aka
John
Ah, the tyranny of distance conspired to thwart the half arsed plans of the Seppo/Aussie FJ Toasted Ham Cheese & Tomato tour.
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Bean%20day%2002/IMG_0186.jpg)
There's nothing to get over, no firm plans were made, hey, this is the FJ group, when have anything other than half arsed plans been made?
The combination of a freshly blown fork seal, a dodgy feed at the Chew&Spew combined with jet lag and heat stress for Mr Bean,rigidly enforced 100KMH (60 mph) speed limits on the major roads or long distances on really rough roads and ruinous expense added up to us doing 1800 + KM's in four days around Northern New South Wales.
Bean was introduced to the Meat Pie,
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Bean%20day%2002/IMG_0364.jpg)
he was also told that water is safe to drink,
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Bean%20day%2002/IMGP3044.jpg)
Dave was the only one who turned up to ride,here is the shin of shame,
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Bean%20day%2002/IMGP3081.jpg)
Harvey had other things to do and nobody else really bothered.
Arnie can always come to Queensland, it would have been great to ride down to the Snowy Mnts and back,even better to go to Tasmania via the $600 return ticket ferry but it wasn't to be.
So, Bean got to meet many locals,
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Bean%20day%2002/IMGP3030.jpg)
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Bean%20day%2002/IMGP3038.jpg)
Coz making friends is easy when you are on a bike,
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Bean%20day%2002/IMGP3033.jpg)
We saw many a scene and spotted wildlife,
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Bean%20day%2002/IMG_0217-1.jpg)
Go on Bean, pat the Goanna,
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Bean%20day%2002/IMG_0260.jpg)
Portland, thataway,
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Bean%20day%2002/IMGP3142.jpg)
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Bean%20day%2002/IMGP3132.jpg)
Perhaps a Merlot?
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Bean%20day%2002/IMGP3091.jpg)
Hmmm, may I suggest a cheeky little breakfast Claret instead?
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Bean%20day%2002/IMGP3092.jpg)
We rode some great roads and some really crappy ones,
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Bean%20day%2002/IMGP3064.jpg)
took Mr Bean to some small Aussie towns,
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Bean%20day%2002/IMGP3112.jpg)
Beaches too,
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Bean%20day%2002/IMG_0282.jpg)
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Bean%20day%2002/IMGP3162.jpg)
And the Bush,
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Bean%20day%2002/IMG_0195.jpg)
Not only does the Seppo visitor need to adapt to riding on the correct side of the road, Australian road sgns are different too,
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Bean%20day%2002/IMG_0272.jpg)
Roundabouts confuse the less skilled road user as well,but once on the open road it all comes together
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Bean%20day%2002/IMG_0338.jpg)
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Bean%20day%2002/IMG_0287.jpg)
Thanks for posting the pics. Awesome beautiful island down there :D ;D :P
I have always wanted to go to Australia, now i want to go even more. The wife says she has always wanted to go too, maybe one of these days we will have the funds to go check it out proper.
OGmudbone
aka
John
Great pic's, looks like a good time riding and meeting new friends.
way to go Garth.
kudos to Klavdy for being a gracious host.
Quote from: Klavdy on March 06, 2009, 07:54:57 PM
Not only does the Seppo visitor need to adapt to riding on the correct side of the road, Australian road sgns are different too,
Hmmm I'm wondering what sort of road hazard a koala might present... Irresistible cuteness? Keep it on the road guys.
Great photos, keep them coming!
Why Fluffy Fagged out of coming to Australia.
(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m316/GuttermouthSIN/health_bar_spider.jpg)
http://blip.tv/play/AfHtXITdJA (http://blip.tv/play/AfHtXITdJA)
(http://members.iinet.net.au/~pterren/Spider_Dads_hand.JPG)
(http://sedulia.blogs.com/sedulias_quotations/images/2008/04/18/bea_eggli_spider_2.jpg)
That's only a half-arsed scrawny little spider - probably an Avondale Spider from Auckland - like the ones they used in Arachnophobia. Totally harmless - just big long legs!
Ned
I'm with Marsh ....FUCK GIANT SPIDERS!!!!!!! :o
OGmudbone
Quote from: ogmudbone on March 10, 2009, 01:06:18 AM
I'm with Marsh ....FUCK GIANT SPIDERS!!!!!!! :o
OGmudbone
Giant Spider my ass, it's only a little Huntsman..... Bunch of skirts!!!!!!! ::)
put a saddle on that spider and let the kiddies ride it around the yard. ;)
I don't mind reptiles. but the crawly spider things give me the willys and I don't mind being called a skirt or razzed about it one bit..LOL
OGmudbone
Quote from: ogmudbone on March 11, 2009, 11:27:37 PM
I don't mind reptiles. but the crawly spider things give me the willys and I don't mind being called a skirt or razzed about it one bit..LOL
OGmudbone
So you don't mind reptiles, how about this little fella then ???
(http://i378.photobucket.com/albums/oo223/ArmourerB/Sanke_Mouth_normal.jpg)
(http://i378.photobucket.com/albums/oo223/ArmourerB/Snake_Mouth_2_normal.jpg)
Hey that looks like a seppo tourist half way down that's got him stuck in the fence!
Ned
i have a big knife and a bbq....tell that snake to bring it!...LOL
OGmudbone
Quote from: Ned on March 12, 2009, 03:15:15 PM
Hey that looks like a seppo tourist half way down that's got him stuck in the fence!
Ned
I didn't want to tell you this unless you were sitting down NED, but it had been eating SHEEP!!!!! ;D ;) ::)
Quote from: gradice on March 13, 2009, 01:20:24 AM
Quote from: Ned on March 12, 2009, 03:15:15 PM
Hey that looks like a seppo tourist half way down that's got him stuck in the fence!
Ned
I didn't want to tell you this unless you were sitting down NED, but it had been eating SHEEP!!!!! ;D ;) ::)
I guess it had to eat the sheep, because a snake has nowhere to keep gumboots and velcro gloves :)
Quote from: gradice on March 13, 2009, 01:20:24 AM
it had been eating SHEEP!!!!! ;D ;) ::)
..yep, if he hadn't swallowed de sheep he would've been able to fit under de fence.
Quote from: gradice on March 11, 2009, 11:34:33 PM
So you don't mind reptiles, how about this little fella then ???
(http://i378.photobucket.com/albums/oo223/ArmourerB/Sanke_Mouth_normal.jpg)
(http://i378.photobucket.com/albums/oo223/ArmourerB/Snake_Mouth_2_normal.jpg)
holy crap! What kind of snake is that!? Look at all the teeth!.. like the bastard stepchild of a rattlesnake and a crocodile..
If the fence killed it, the electric fence people should put this picture on their sales brochure.. That would sell me on the spot.
This in addition to spiders the size of house cats. Yet another good reason to stay the eff out of Oz..
;D
Came up to the roof of the hotel here in Sydney to watch the sun rise, when a local showed up and said "G-Day!"
(http://home.comcast.net/~g.reuther/sydney1.jpg)
Beautiful Garth! :yes: That must be an expensive hotel being so close to the Opera house and all...
i gotta get over there myself someday :good: :good2: :yahoo:
Frank
Actually the hotel wasn't all that bad per night. The ones that are right on the harbor are what cost $$$. The room was a bit small for what we paid, but the view from the roof made up for it in my opinion.
It's a kick to see how fascinated K-man is with American T.V. We have to stay in places that have cable or satellite service. Plus seeing American commercials dubbed in Aussie voices and the products altered with CGI to match their labels is funny.
A lot of things are the same as in the states, although there subtle differences.
If you come down to ride, bring a kidney belt. The roads leave something to be desired.
Glad your enjoying your trip Brother Bean :good: As for the roads, the last time my daughter & her family when to Sydney my Grandson complained about the potholes & they flew down :rofl2:
Quote from: pdxj on March 13, 2009, 08:31:04 PM
It's a kick to see how fascinated K-man is with American T.V.
It is difficult to avoid but it is possible :nam1: oh except for NCIS :dance: we like that :big grin: and Boston Legal.
but that's probably because I have worked at Boston ( Westborough and Burlington - gotta love that mall :wacko1: and I really miss those trips up to Kittery to the shopping outlets ) I have also worked at Marina Del Ray in LA pity you have to be a mega drug lord to own one of those boats parked there :crazy:
You are so right about the advertisements, the one I hate the most ATM is one for the Ab King Pro they haven't even bothered to dub the voices.
I have spent quite a bit of time working in Spain, Holland, Italy and France and its soooo :dash2: funny watching US shows dubbed in the local language.
Quote from: pdxfj on March 13, 2009, 03:38:50 PM
a local showed up and said "G-Day!"
Did he say anything about some clown fish - blowing up sharks, wrestling with jellies & riding the EAC with a bunch of turtles?
Just wondering.
P. Sherman
Sydney
Garth, was excellent spending the arvo with you and Klavdy. Hopefully next time you get down this way I will have my shit slightly more together and will be able to spend more time in the saddle with you.
I hope the flight home works out as good as your flight over, time adjustment wise.
Later mate. :bye: :bye:
Harvy
Video was deleted since they had an issue with the music I used.. Will find another place to host it..