Tuesday the 2nd of November 2010
Once again we planned on leaving early but as per usual we got up and got going about 9:30am. But before we hit the road proper, so to speak we had to run a few errands. We headed back to Orm & Snell because Alan borrowed some magazines to read (the magazines are now a bio hazard) and I forgot to get my service manual signed. 32,000klm’s since November 21st 2008 is a lot.
The ride into Cairns is a decent ride but I think that I’m still pinning for those mountain roads in New South Wales and Queensland they were so much fun and scenery that inspires. Having said that its great scenery just different, typically you will see lots of sugar cane and mountains to your left as you head north and more sugar cane to your right. The roads are in good condition and are relatively straight with gentle bends.
The amount of road works going on in QLD is incredible, they do half the road and then manage the traffic from both directions. It seems to work reasonably well. Alan rode on ahead of me and unfortunately I missed him running out into the street trying to grab my attention as we had previously discussed a ride up through the mountains.
Banana trees have made an appearance as well as mango farms, good times, I’m planning on stopping and stocking up on all 3, for the next part of the journey.
Not far out of Townsville we were overtaken by a plonker riding a Gold Wing he was wearing a t-shirt, shorts & thongs. The pillion dressed a little more appropriately for the occasion but I couldn’t help but wonder if the air bag will save him…seriously they have airbags and I’m yet to figure out why.
Funny thing about Queenslanders they seem to love tailgating whilst driving and they love stopping traffic, under the pretence of road works.
Alan doing his best Arthur Daley impersonation found the dodgiest hotel in town to stay at, we were even warned it would be a blood bath if we chose to stay there. Which is true, but it’s cheap, really cheap, how cheap I hear you say $20 per night…Alan got the deluxe spa suite with working TV, (2 channels) fridge and king size bed. I however got the room with the guy who coughs up his lungs every couple of minutes. I guess I will be sleeping Nam style (with one eye open) I would be curled up in the bath tub, but only Alan’s room has that.
We went out for dinner at the local night markets, (recommended to us by the local bar stool population) whilst on the way down to the markets Alan decided to sledge me for listening to guy’s who had been smashed since 2pm (it was after all Melbourne Cup). So I had to justify my taking their advice on directions by one;
Disagreeing that they were smashed since 2pm. I think they have been smashed since 1972.
Secondly they are locals and seem to know the good oil. And yep it was a reasonable place to eat. Whilst we there I got a $15 massage, the guy made me pass out the pain was excruciating. If you want a masseur that is going to inflict the maximum amount of pain, then go for the guy or girl who has forearms like Arnold Schwarzenegger (Arnnie to his mates) quads. Alan asked me what it was like and all I could say was that I passed out 3 times once on each calf and when he did my neck.
Cheers
a
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