Post # 145 Sandgate

Day 1217 512 days to go. Distance: today: 0 km total 8862 km. It’s 12.20pm Friday 6/7/2012 Mum and Dad’s, Sandgate.

It’s been the most amazing weeks since touching down in Brisbane 22/5/2012. Some people spend their whole life looking for that place where meaning and purpose come together. It taken me 6 months cycling 8862km across Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, China and Mongolia to have more of a clue about stuff so I think that’s a good start 🙂 A friend of mine said to me recently over a Doug’s Coffee, ‘Maree do you always have to do things the hard way? ….. Call me a slow learner but when it sticks it sticks and I get it. And I get the importance of family and friends and the strength of love. I have fallen in love with this appreciation and have enjoyed the joy of sharing this (Thankyou x).

I have had a chance to check out the photos and read the blogs and it’s been cool to digest this stuff. I still feel right there in the moments. That’s been one of the treasures of travelling as we have. It has given me a big fix of experience, humiliation, and resilience and reshaped my appreciation 101.     

Attached to this post is a bunch of photos that jumped out at as significant to share. I love the photo with me in front of the same graffiti when I arrived and left Ulaanbaatar. The woman who left felt very different from the woman who arrived.  I remember being on top of the volcano in Tariat and understanding the significant of silence to listen to the heart and make decisions based on her wisdom. I know it’s then the head’s job to make my choice happen. It was on the same day I knew to turn right and head home.

It’s been very cool for me to look back now and appreciate how time has taken me and Rubes on an awesome ride not to mention seeing very cool things along the way. Since being  home I have spent some time with my partner, burried Monty’s ashes, cuddled my pooch Honi, got to know my Cousins’ baby Lila, shared Dad’s 80th birthday celebrations, pampered my home and garden, hung out with my family and friends, welcomed my nephew Ryan to Australia for his gap year, and decided on the next road ahead. I love knowing each day’s a gift to share with those who count!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What an incredible place and space for Rube and I to begin our next challenge.  We will attempt to peddle 14500 km around Australia in 170 days from the 7/7/12 to 24/12/12, and with your help raise the DISTANCE IN DOLLARS and the DAYS IN OATHS for the White Ribbon Foundation. Actually it’s about 15875 km but this is including a red centre circuit from Alice Springs and Mother Nature will play a big part in how much she lets us peddle.

Each day I will feature a fella we meet in our travels – someone out there doing his unique thing and prepared to take the white ribbon oath.  I’m so looking forward to this part of the trip and sharing their stories with you.  Rube and I also want to thank you for any donations or fundraising you may be able to put together within your own networks leading up the 25/11/12. Every dollar is one step closer to the $14500 target!!!!! I promise Rube and I will do our part and peddle the k’s as part of Theaussiechallenge.

The last weeks have given us the chance to do the logistics and I need to thank a whole bunch of fine folk that have helped make this happen.

Firstly Kate Alexander, the marketing officer from White Ribbon has been awesome and sent us some great merchandise to support the cause.

John Middleton from Middleton printing http://www.middletonsprinting.com.au/ has done up a very cool billboard for Rube’s trailer, all free of charge…very generous and much appreciated.

Ian Webster from Inform printing www.informtheprinters.com.au Ian rebound my Camp6 guide book into the individual states so I only have to carry the state Im travelling through as opposed to the whole (very heavy) bible yay 🙂 

Dave alley the Ambassador supporting Theaussiechallenge as the current world record holder and Qld police officer. Dave rode into Redcliffe on the 22/10/2011 after cycling around Australia in 37 days taking over 3 days off the previous record and raising $20,000 for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Dave’s strength and character is recognized by the Courier Mail through nomination for the Community Spirit Medal in News Limited’s 2012 Pride of Australia Awards http://www.racearoundaus.com.au   

Tania Burstin the rep from ‘mycause’ who assisted in setting up the donation link on our blog http://www.mycause.com.au/

Kristy Muir the journalist from www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au who is writing periodical articles to support Rube and I as part of www.shecycolesolo.com since 1/12/2011.

And lastly but in no ways leastly (is that a word :-), my ‘cous Ruth Moody. Ruth has generously agreed to be our marketing contact which is sooo appreciated and lets Rube and I concentrate on the our first priority as always, ‘to get each other through the day safe and sound with everything else a huge bonus!!!!!’

SOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DEEEEP BREATH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This time tomorrow we’ll be somewhere between Brisbane and the Pomona showgrounds. I so hope you enjoy sharing the next 170 days with us and our crazy shenanigans as the 15875kms unfold. I have my wedding band, St Christopher medal from Mum, Ruby’s Budha from Leslie, and a wrist pendant from Kris, to remind me how much I’m loved, loving and living the gift of life.

Rube’s so cheeky and I’m really looking forward to hanging out with her again. The timing’s perfect!! We both have a revived sense of adventure with a hint of healthy naughtiness. I have no idea what’s around the corner BUT how incredibly cool and exciting is that. It kinda gives me that ‘I’m not too sure but I love it’ rush in the pit of the belly and straight from the heart 🙂 Life’s so there to be loved and lived and shared to the max yay!!!!!!  

Talk soon x

http://www.whiteribbon.org.au/myoath

Post # 144 Home

Day 192 537 days to go. Distance: today: 0 km total 8862 km. It’s 9.30am Monday 11/6/2012 Home.

Helllloooooo!!!!!! It has been waayyy tooo looong between posts and for that I apologise but back on line now with stories 🙂 I’m sitting on the couch with my pooch and dotted with leech holes and Benadine eeeeeeek. It’s been so lovely the last five days playing on our property. Ive been clearing our treeline of exotics that grow alongside the natives like wild ginger, bracken and elephant ears. I know Australia is multicultural but not when it comes to our rainforest. It’s very drizzly and the birds have been going off keeping me company. My favorite are a family of tiny fantails that go nuts in the areas I’ve cleared. You may know the species. The males have a red waist coat and the females are mostly grey. They are no bigger than a cotton wool ball with legs and wings and a fantail and sooooooo cute. I must be disturbing lots of bugs and other tasty delights. They are bold and busy and very cool. The folks and family are currently away so its gives me a chance to do some pampering around the home. We’ve been enjoying lots of family time just hanging out doing the little big things and stretching out decadent birthday celebrations for poppy 🙂

I got to spend a few days with my partner which was a beautiful bonus. We discovered the joys of reading a book together namely the ‘Alchemist.’ Have you read it? Oh my goodness it’s amazing and is my new bible ranked up there with the prized Harry P collection. It’s an old Spanish fable written by Paulo Coelho. If you haven’t read it do so. I love it so much and am playing with ideas on how to bring it into my travel writing. This time has also given me a chance now to plan my next cycle travels.

I had been considering options when my parents told me about a local police officer, Dave Alley who cycled around Australia in a new world record time of 37 days. Dave rode into Redcliffe on the 22/10/2011 taking over 3 days off the previous record and raising $20,000 for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. He averaged a mind blowing 377kms per day to complete the 14 251km distance.

I am so inspired by what Dave has achieved and his circumstances and motivations, captured beautifully in the courier mail article as reported by Danielle Sunde-Brown.

“The father-of-three said reaching the finishing line was the best day of his life.’The feeling of satisfaction was immeasurable really,’ he said. ‘It wasn’t just about me and the bike, it was about raising money for charity. ‘We wanted to raise money for a charity we felt affiliated with, but also one that reached all Australians.’ Sen-Constable Alley said his biggest motivation was the premature birth of his now five-year-old twins.’They were in intensive care for three months,’ he said. ‘Seeing them pull through was a real life-changing experience. Every time I went through tough periods, which was every day on the bike, I’d think back to them and their fight for life.’ ” (http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/features/proud-dad-refused-to-quit-pedalling/story-e6freowo-1226385388281

I congratulate Dave and his team on a remarkable achievement and benchmark to motivate other folk to set goals, give it your best and above all, be a part of a bigger picture to help others. Dave’s strength and character is recognized by the Courier Mail through nomination for the Community Spirit Medal in News Limited’s 2012 Pride of Australia Awards. Check out their blog. For the nerds into numbers, the race statistics are amazing http://www.racearoundaus.com.au

I have decided to retrace the 14 251 kms Dave cycled in recognition of his contribution to the broader community spirit and raise the distance in dollars for the ‘White Ribbon Foundation.’

It’ll take me somewhat longer 🙂 but I plan to be back in Brisbane when my big sister and her family visit for a month in December yayayyayaya. Her 16 year old gets here on the 2/7 to experience an Aussie gap year, so I’ll head after that. It’ll be cool to welcome Ryan and share the excitement of his arrival and start of his adventure. Not long now mate!!!!! How many sleeps?

Now about White Ribbon……

White Ribbon is an organization working to change the attitudes and behaviours that lead to men’s violence against women.

The most common form of male violence is that towards women. In 1999, the United Nations General Assembly declared 25 November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, with a white ribbon as its symbol. The White Ribbon Campaign is the largest global male-led movement to stop violence against women.

White Ribbon began in Australia in 2003 and formally became a Foundation in 2007. It relies on the support and generosity of individuals, corporate and community partners, government and the community at large to fund its campaign.

White Ribbon, as part of the White Ribbon Campaign, invites men to make a difference by swearing an oath never to commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women. The White Ribbon oath is an active commitment which promotes positive attitudes and behaviours towards women and drives signatories to, in the words of Mahatma Gandhi, ‘be the change you want to see in the world’.

White Ribbon in Australia is led by thousands of male Ambassadors who, through living the White Ribbon oath, act as positive role models in their communities.

The campaign culminates on the 25 November when we are encouraged to wear a white ribbon as a symbol of this oath.

Ambassadors include fathers, sons, mates, colleagues, neighbors, educators, sporting heroes, celebreties, coaches, managers, community leaders, military, police and every day working class men, who live the Oath.

What unites all White Ribbon Ambassadors is their commitment to preventing violence against women and ensuring a safer world for future generations. Know more about the White Ribbon Foundation at http://www.whiteribbon.org.au

Dave Alley is an Ambassador and has agreed to support my fundraising challenge for White Ribbon. I was able to make contact with Dave through his manager and am honored he has accepted. Dave is an inspiration not only through his human spirit but as a man and father to his family. He is a true White Ribbon Ambassador. It is my hope to represent the cause as well as he represents all men committed to preventing violence against women.

Donation details will be linked to http://www.shecyclesolo.com in the next weeks. Get those minds ticking how to pull together your social/work/family circles and muster some cash up for an awesome cause.

It’s pretty cool to be part of a network trying to help others and ensure a safer world for us chicks yay!!!!

Rube wants me to get her a spiffy white ribbon to wear. Of course she has a crush on Dave and is very excited 🙂 We both are 🙂 🙂 It’s nice to be back. Talk soon x

Post # 143 Brisbane

Day 179 552 days to go. Distance: today: 0 km total 8862 km. It’s 6.30pm Sunday 27/5/2012 Brisbane. I’ve just got off the phone after a 1 1/2 hour session with my big sister. Bliss!!!!! Being home is very very very very exceptionally good and then some (and lots lots more) indeedy. I think you get the general gist 🙂 There is no place like home!!!! No really……. I am soo happy. I have spent the last days laughing, crying, talking, laughing crying, talking, laughing, crying, talking… (deep breath)…. laughing, crying, talking and so on so beautiful. I’m loving every moment such a gift of bliss yummy num awesome cool big stuff big ever yayayayaya. Time to take a deep breath as I was looking a bit blue so great opportunity to send you a post and say hi. I am saturating myself in family time and enjoying my home with my partner and pooch. We’ve been doing lots of nothing much just being together and catching up on all the little and big things. I’ve met Lila my cousins’ baby who’s now three months. We went out last night for dad’s 80th birthday which isn’t until the 29th but we’ve been celebrating since Beijing with no signs of slowing up and why the hell not? I think being 80 gives you entitlement to celebrate how you like for as long as you please so you go for it poppy. It’s just great to be caught up in the celebrations. Last night we went to a tempinyaki bar. How cool and big fun. Dad loved it so perfect!!!! Good pick cousins xxx Today I finally unpacked Rube and put her bits back together. I’m obviously in a good space because it was easy enough to ignore the obscenities I got for leaving it soo long. Totally fair enough!!! The week seems now to have flown with not much thought given past enjoying every moment of each day. We’ve mooched about Maleny and Sandgate at our favourite coffee and fudge shops. I’m so in the right place and will be posting again soon with more detail. This is just a touch base. Talk soon x

Post # 142 Seoul

Day 173 558 days to go. Distance: today: 0 km total 8862 km. It’s 3.30pm Monday 21/5/2012 Seoul. In transit in a blissful la la land isn’t it. How often do you get to just ‘be’ in between places no thinking mostly because i have brain to think with 🙂 Its such a bazar space. This ones a particularly long one at 16hrs. But the airport is huge and I’m wondering across heaps to keep the butterflying in mischief. Right now I’m sitting opposite a string quartet playing classical music at one of the hall junctions. I’m floating on a few hours sleep so this music is entrancing. When we arrived at 4a, I wondered for a couple of hours and came across a quite lounge area near the staff lounge and prayer room so very tucked away yay. Perfectly passed out drooling all over the grape which makes the best pillow. I got myself up at midday and scored a flask of hot water from a staff member. I still have a handful of coffee sachets on board so it was one of the better tasting coffees happy happy. A gentleman’s singing ‘oh sol la meo’ which my poppy has sung or whistled about the house since I can remember. The ol’ fella turns 80 on the 29th only 8 sleeps mate!!! To be smack bang in the middle sharing this time and celebrations with you is sooooooooo yayayayayaya.

Since then I’ve been walking my trolly round the halls, squirting perfume, finding free wifi zones and generally mooching as you do in transit. I got off fine to the airport yesterday. WordPress was offline yesterday so I couldn’t upload the photos but I’ll sort that soon enough. PS SOONER THAN I THOUGHT I CAN DO IT ON ONE OF THE COMPUTERS IN THE FREE WIFI SECTION. BONUS!!!!

Rube got checked in all fine last night. She and the trailer were 23kg but they let us through without any charge. We posted 20kg from UB and I have 12kg hand luggage. With me ‘shecycleolo’ is 100kg worth of very happy girls heading home for a holiday. That’s a big yay big and the biggest even. And im not even joking my love!!!!! The flight was only a few hours. I started watching ‘War Horse’ but didn’t get to see the end so you’re not allowed to tell me what happens ok? lalalalalala. Not listening 🙂 I just remembered there was this fella travelling with his black Persian in a bag sitting next to him. It was soooooo cute. Right up until he have it tinned cat food. Again there’s something’s that are universal and the smell of cat food is another one!!!!

4.45pm and I’ve ended back at the wifi zone after scoring another flask of hot water from the staff lounge. One more caffeine hit will see out the next hours, through gate 26 and passed out in seat 31A. Next stop Brisbane 🙂 Talk soon x

Post # 141 UB bonus post

Day 172 559 days to go. Distance: today: 0 km total 8862 km. It’s 12.30pm Sunday 20/5/2012 UB Bonus Post. I started our last day in UB with a great Skype with the folks over a Sunday morning coffee. Nice!! With the last of the hand luggage sorted, I headed out for the afternoon and thought I’d share it with you. Nothing big just mooching in between the Gandan Khid Buddhist monastery and The State Department Store, finishing up at the Internet cafe to download the last of the photos. I’m taking the lonely planet walking route and have come out at a mall and cinema. What’s Rihanna doing in the flick ‘Battleship’ looking very Angelina’ what else is
On at the UB movies?Avengers, nup nothing interesting and western prices at $15. What is coming out soon is the next batman movie cool!!!! Holding my partners hand at the movies……. Numy!!!! It’s a beautiful day with folk out enjoying a Sunday much like elsewhere in the world I suspect, and it’s nice to be amongst it.

It’s 2.30pm and I’m sitting in one of the monastery open areas. The Gandan Khid Buddhist monastery is a walled centre of temples and shrines across 4 open squares. Each area has a series of prayer wheels and lots and lots of mating pigeons. People are enjoying the relaxed free space. I’ve walked the areas and spin the wheels. I had one little girl come up and say hello and want a photo with me and her friends. I have lit the incense
I bought back on the 10/5 and found myself humming a local tune watching it burn. Then I realized the tune was the Garbage Truck Man melody!!! He was doing the neighborhood when I left and I’ve been humming it since 🙂 Ill finish up on that very serene note. Thanks for sharing the afternoon with me. Talk soon x

Post # 140 UB

Day 171 560 days to go. Distance: today: 0 km total 8862 km. It’s 9pm Saturday 19/ 5/2012 UB. Another awesome day in down town UB but before I get into that I want to say something first to you fine folk. I’m sorry for putting an abrupt holt in the travels of ‘shecyclesolo.’ It’s not about something I have done wrong but I do feel like I owe you an apology. You have been supporting me and Rube every peddle of the way and sharing in our travel stories. However this trip is not about joining the dots to destinations. It is about experiencing the human spirit in different places and its people. It’s also about discovering the elements to my own human spirit through these experiences. This trip was sooo planned on paper. But the experiences have been a whole bunch of unplanned events that have opened my eyes to bigger picture stuff as you know. I shared the planning details with my partner and family but the decision making I pretty much did myself and very much non-comprisable. Despite this, my partner and family gave me all their love and support and patted me on the butt out the door. This is unconditional love. I understand nowadays that my heart is strong with the rich love in my life. My head makes happen what the heart wants to do and resilience comes from a strong heart. I am soooo excited about enjoying this time now with my partner and family and playing with travel options that works in with what counts. We are all very independent people with our own dreams and goals but sharing is what keeps us connected. It’s in the sharing that my heart is happy. This includes sharing with you. It is not about compromise. It is about balancing my commitments to keep the heart balanced, strong and happy 🙂 Enough of the heavy and onto the day.

This morning I cleaned Rube and her trailer to get them through Brissie customs. I tucked the girl back into her box all ready for a comfy ride. The afternoon was spent doing a walking tour of UB. I read up on what sounded interesting. First up I went to the Natonal Museum of Mongolian History. It read up as one of UB’s highlights. The museum is a walk through Mongolian history from prehistoric to present times. I’m not a museum fan but it was pretty cool. There were theme halls from ancient history artifacts to traditional clothing and culture to socialist mongolia and its political reform of 1990 to the present. Of particular interest was the events of 1990 when the Mongolian Democratic Party came into power. Sükhbaatar Square has been the site of some pretty significant political events in the 20th century. The Lonely Planet explains “In July 1921 in the centre of Ulaanbaatar, the ‘hero of the revolution’, Damdin Sükhbaatar, declared Mongolia’s final independence from the Chinese. The Square now bears his name and features a statue of him astride his horse. The words he apparently pro-claimed at the time are engraved on the bottom of the statue: ‘If we, the whole people, unite in our common effort and common will, there will be nothing in the world that we cannot achieve, that we will not have learnt or failed to do.” However from 1921 to 1990, in the Mongolians People’s Republic, all sectors including economy culture and politics were directly dependent on the USSR lead by the Mongolian People’s Revolutionary Party. But in December 1989 a Mongolian Democratic Union was formed and in their first congress in April 1990 they established the Mongolian Democratic Party. They called a mass demonstration in the square later that month and forced the MPRP to resign and Mongolia became a democracy. Very different times to the Mongolian empire of the 13 and 14 centuries when it occupied Siberia to South Asia,and Korea to Bulgaria. During this era they conquered more than 50 contries and united more than half of the populated world. Chingiis khan was the first ‘great king’ who united the Mongolian state of regional khans in 1206. There were some of his famous quotes including, ‘wish to bring people under one reign to make them happy. What makes me happy is if this world again becomes one family peaceful and quiet.’ Also ‘Our goal will be realised when the whole world from sunrise to sunset shall become united under the power of the blue sky.’ This is a very strong Shamanist belief. GK surrounded himself with Shamans who are regarded as the ‘links’ on earth to the spirit world. Another bit of GK trivia is that his remains or tomb has never been found. Nowadays Mongolia is one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world with 43% pastoral nomads 57% urban dwellers. There were halls and halls of history but all very easy to take in and enjoy.Good interesting fun. I then walked to the hill where the Mongolian symbol is inscribed on its side. I included a photo in a previous post. It was nice again to stretch the legs and get out of the city. Great views and pickies!! I walked back via Buda park where the gold statue is. Remember the photo I got at sunset one of the first days? This time it was showing off it’s gold in the afternoon light with the bluest of skies as a backdrop. So that was my walking tour of UB on what was my last day here. I crossed peace bridge back into the city and saw the graffiti face I got a picky with on day 1. It’s only been a month since then but it seems much much longer with all the layers of stuff that has happened. It was a good day to end on yay. Tomorrow I have a Skype date with the folks first up then I’d like to head to the Gandan Khid Buddhist monastery. It is one of Mongolia’s most important, and also one of its biggest tourist attractions. The full name, Gandantegchinlen, translates roughly as ‘the great place of complete joy’. Around the start of the 19th century, more than 100 süm (temples) and khiid (monaster-ies) served a population of only about 50,000 in Ulaanbaatar. Only a handful survived the religious purges of 1937. Only since the early 1990s have the people of Mongolia started to openly practise Buddhism again. It sounds like a cool place to finish my Mongolian experience. After this I’ll upload the last of my photos and get ready to go to the airport early evening. So this will be the last of my posts for a couple of days when I’ll be back with stories of what will hopefully be a safe trip home home home. Talk soon x

Post # 139 UB (4 sleeps)

Day 170 561 days to go. Distance: today: 0 km total 8862 km. It’s 10pm Friday 18/ 5/2012 UB. Awesome awesome day and I am in a place of bliss, excitement, content and happy happy home in 4 sleeps 🙂 Today was a beautiful day in UB with blue skies and a bit more chilly at 7 degrees but the grape’s all over those temps these days. I did some checks this morning into excess fees for Korean airlines compared to postal costs. Posting my gear up to 20kgs is less than half the costs of airline fees. $250 USD for 20kgs vs $35 USD per kilo over (20kg baggage limit). I’m also allowed 12 kg hand luggage which is a huge amount. Add this up and we should manage to check in without much more $. I was then into sorting hand luggage,stuff to post and what to include in Rube’s box. She’s packed up so comfy with lots of foam to look after her sensitive bits and keep her cosy 🙂 Her trailer’s been stripped and padded and just needs a good clean now to get through customs in Aus. Doesn’t that sound good…..in Aus (4 sleeps 4 sleeps). The guesthouse man has offered to take us to the airport about 18km away for T20000 ($15). This is fabulous because the traffic in UB is not fabulous and a fixed price is perfect. I’m trying get rid of all my torog constructively as you can’t exchange it out of the country. I’ve just got back from the shops where I bought some essentials like tape for Rube’s box and bread and honey for me 🙂 There’s some T tucked aside to upload the last of my photos. It’s such a great feeling packing everything up knowing it will be back in use soon enough. Just some rest and TLC first up for us all. There was lots of + pampering vibes exchanged with our kit while I packed. It has worked so well for us keeping us safe and sound for 170 days. I had a beautiful skype with my partner and parents this arv sharing the excitement of seeing each other vvvvvvvvv soon (4 sleeps in fact 🙂 Am I pushing the friendship? Oh well just enjoy the euphoric prelude ride with me for a bit more longer. Natural highs are so cool and this one’s one of the extra goodies. After skyping I headed back to the post office and sent off the box of gear. The staff were really patient and helpful to get it sorted. There’s some items they won’t accept like medication, tools and knives and anything metal. I came back with a bit of stuff but nothing concerning. Overall Rube and I and our main kit bits will be on our way back home (pssssssst in 1,2,3….4 sleeps!!!!). Had to sneak one more in before going to find that honey. Dinner didn’t happen tonight but it worked out not having to be anywhere and pottering on with stuff. Happy day. Talk soon x

 

Post # 138 UB

Day 169 562 days to go. Distance: today: 0 km total 8862 km. It’s 1pm Thursday 17/5/2012 on route to UB. I’m sharing my toffee candy with the Mongolian woman next to me so we’re buds. It’s sooo bizar driving back past what’s been an epic ride with layers of cool tough stuff and experience. Don’t get me wrong I’m very happy to be bussing it back to UB it’s just the experience is so different. I am happy to have done what we have to compare and feel the difference. I almost didn’t get on the bus this morning. The bus driver saw Rube all dismantled as I had been told to do and said,’no.’ I ran back to the guesthouse and grabbed a worker who could speak some English. She explained how we had been told it was ok to take Rube and that I had a plane to catch (just to add a bit of urgency like there wasn’t enough drama already 🙂 He then said ok as long as I paid another full fare which I was kinda expecting. He could of asked for the cash in the first place. Anyway who knows and who cares. There was no blood shed and we’re now over half way there yay!! We stopped earlier at a crazy one horse town for lunch. Actually there were about a dozen horses all roaming sleepily about the empty shops fronts. It looked like a movie set. Another bus pulled up and I met a dutch fella on board. He travelled to Mongolia 3 years ago to do aid work, ended up marrying a local woman, and is now running a chain of bookshop supplies to the rural community. Check it out on the internet http://www.bookbridge.org His name was Tim and the ‘lunch stop’ version of his story was very interesting. Back on the bus I spent some time responding to an email from the Sunshine Coast Daily. The timing is quite lovely and gives me a chance to put words round recent events but with eyes that reflect the last 6 months. Yesterday afternoon was just awesome. First I went for a walk/run into the hills behind Tseterleg. Once over the first range you’re literally in the wild and it’s rocky with the smell of pine trees and summer ground flowers. Honestly it was one of the most beautiful places I have walked. I later found out there’s even bears in the area but I can’t imagine too many being so close to town. i didn’t see any scat or other signs. When I got back to the guesthouse a bunch of lads had arrived from a week jeep tour around the aimig. They said there was a girl Naomi from Brisbane down in the cafe. As it turns ut she is from Palm wood Sunshine Coast and works at Chenrezi the local Buddhist retreat. A friend of mine is a monk there and they are also good friends. How freeky!!!! Bla bla bla bla bla yadda yudda bla bla. And it went on. Lovely chats. Naomi is 46 and also having a step way from life as usual so we had allot to share big big fun! She was actually staying at a yurt camp out of town which I had walked past that afternoon. So I was really lucky to have crossed paths and she’s going to send my love to Carla when next on Facebook yay. While packing, the lads from the jeep trip popped in to say hi and we also got talking about Mongolia and other travels and philosophies. Soo bloody interesting I loved it. One fella Tim from Wisconsin has been in Mongolia for 3 years with his wife doing aid work. They have recently visited home and said their appreciation for what they have is so different nowadays. Sounds familiar doesn’t it but three years wow!!! I can’t imagine the level of impact after such an extended time. I have a place to stay if my travels pass their way. It was late to bed and an early rise so horizontal sounds pretty good right now. It’ still a way off with travel and getting to the guesthouse which is 7km from the bus station. Not 141km so IT’S ALL GOOD (just for you Mops 🙂

It’s 10pm and Rube and I have arrived safe and sound. Except my girl got a flat half way into town. Bugga! Time to push but on the bright side it wasn’t up over a long steep pass on gravel. It was nice to arrive at the guesthouse and be welcomed like an old friend. After sitting on my backside all day in the bus it was good to go for a long walk to the bike shop to get a new tube and box to pack the girl. I had dumped all my spare tubes in Tseterleg not expecting a flat. It was good to see the bike shop folk but they were disappointed I wasn’t cycling on. I finally got to meet the owner Khaliun. She’s totally lovely. We had great chats about her business and cycling and general girly conversation. She’s keen to do dinner tomorrow night and will email to confirm tomorrow. So now I have my bike box and tomorrow will make some enquiries as to how best pack with the luggage restrictions. I may even post some stuff or send by consignment depending on costings compared to airline excess fees. I’ve done some seriously overdue washing tonight including myself so now I’m all squeaky and won’t smell like a yak when out in public tomorrow yay. I’m ready for bed so I’ll finish off with the response I wrote for the news paper article. The questions asked were: How is it all going? What is the biggest thing you have learnt about yourself since being on this trip?What is the most special thing you have learnt about the world? What was it like meeting up with your family over there? What is the most amazing experience you have had so far? How is your body coping with all the cycling? Only a few lines may get printed but the detail counts so its nice to share and a cool way to round off this stage of travels.

The posts will keep coming despite the pause button on the kms. Where to from here will evolve over the next months so stay tuned. As you have probably figured out by now there’s allot more to shecyclesolo than just the kms. My sister Kittie wrote recently,’the adventure continues whether in Maleny or Mongolia.’ Talk soon x

“I have decided to head home now for a time to reconnect, recoup, recover, reassess, refocus and replan. By no means have I finished my shecyclesolo adventure. Far from it. However I do need a time to digest my experiences and learnings which have been extensive and intense. This is a time to connect with home, family and friends, play with ideas and make decisions on future directions when the time is right. Home is where my heart wants to be and I listen to it’s truth and trust it impeccably. I am very rich to have that insight moreso nowadays as a result of my travels. This is the biggest thing I have learnt about myself since being on this trip. Keeping a balance between what’s good and right is everything. I am soooo fortunate to have the opportunity to do this trip, soooo fortunate to have the experiences I’m having and sooo fortunate to have the love and support of family and friends to share my fortunes. It’s very special for me to crave home and appreciate how rich I am with what counts.

The most special thing I have learnt about the world is beautifully captured in a recent Mongolian experience. In Tariat I stayed with a family at their guesthouse. The mother, Tunga is an English teacher and we enjoyed many girly chats over the days. Tunga explained that Mongolian people believe they have been given the land and animals to live off and as such must take care of them both. They look after the land so it will always be there for them. She said this is the core of Mongol belief. This belief is passed on through the generations by the family and community. She spoke with such heartfelt warmth it was very inspiring how the simple works so well for those who live simply. Tunga also spoke about how they have very little money but every day say how rich they are with family and friends and closeness. They don’t want for anything and do what they can to help and share their fortune with others in need. She said how life is so long and we should never judge others with our eyes on the day as a person may behave badly one day but with goodness in time. She said how proud she is of her husband as he always treat people equally based on this principle. A beautiful conversation to have and encapsulates the most special thing I have learnt about the world.

Spending the 10 days in Beijing with Mum and Dad has been my most amazing experience so far. My longing to share this time had intensified over the 111 days. China was such a landmark country in my planning which I shared with the folks over many ‘Wild China’ video sessions. In particular I got to see may parents walk arm-in-arm along their own section of the great wall. How many people get to see this hey?

Physically my body is coping ok with all the cycling. It’s been tough managing the temperature extremes particularly in Mongolia. I have been sleeted on at -10 while cycling to Tariat with sunburnt legs from only days earlier. I am sooo happy but emotionally full as a goog and need to stop and digest. I may even have a tinker with book writing and pull together the highlights of what’s been a physical and emotional huge ride pardon the pun.

Right now it’s time to get me and Rube home safe, take a deep breath of Maleny air and be with family. There is allot happening at home. For starters my partner is on leave from Timor, my cousins have their new baby, my dad turns 80, my nephew from Germany arrives for 12 months in Australia, I need to bear hug family after loosing our Nana on the 10/4 and I can scatter Monty’s ashes on our farm. Monty passed away on the 10/5. I get to share this significant stuff with the people I love and that counts big. ‘Shecyclesolo’ is a trip shared and owned by many who have been with me every peddle of the way. I owe so many so much for their support, kind words and love. x”

Post # 112 Beijing

Days 127 to 138 593 days to go. Post for Thursday 5/4/2012 to Monday 16/4/2012.

I apologize for the blog neglect but it has been such a special time with the folks and I’ve savored the days. We have squeezed 12 weeks of quality time out of the 12 days together.
Day 1 (5/4) – Mum and Dad arrived 9.00pm. During the day I had planned to get my Mongolian visa but the embassy was closed when I found it (9am to 11am). I want that job!!! At least I knew the opening hours and where to go next time. Rube and I had a cool cycle over that side of town past the CBD, Tian Anmen Square and super flash hotels before the diplomatic area. Did you know the 5 star Beijing hotel was the only place a foreigner could stay 20 years ago. Back at the hotel I was muddling about when Helena invited me to dinner….’Yes please!!!’ We went to a local cafe and shared plates of vego tastes and the best conversation. I adore this woman. Helena was going to a night market on the same metro line as the airport. She introduced me to underground train system which is easy, very convenient and cheap. One way travel to any city destination is 2 yuen (30c). Each station has multiple exits and this makes it a bit tricky.

We’ve had our share of lost moments but the folks have been great sports rolling with my trial and error method of learning our way around 😉 I got myself out to the airport and spotted the transfer driver waiting at arrivals with a ‘Kevin Stephenson’ sign. I introduced myself and he thought at first I was my Dad – ver y funny!!! It was awesome seeing the folks come through arrivals and every second since has been a total treat. We toasted and snacked on local tastes then passed out in bliss. Day 2 (6/4) – It was really fun for me to take the folks on a wonder tour of the local alleys and markets all the while catching up on the last 4 months. Helena joined us for the evening and we went to the lakes area to enjoy the sunset and cafes. This crazy cold wind blew in, so we caught a cab to a local cafe for a hotpot dinner yum!! Ma and Pa got to taste their first (and last) rice wine. It’s apparently a bit eeeeeek but good for cleaning machinery 🙂

Day 3 (7/4) – We did a walkingtour through the imperial stretch where I had cycled with Rube. The day was warm and blue. We were pinching ourselves to be finally walking the old town hutong and taking in the imperial sights together!!!! We bought some eat treats and had a picnic on the rooftop terrance back at the hotel that night under a full moon, very hard to take!!!!! Helena joined us which was beautiful. She was leaving the next morning so it gave us a chance to squeeze in some last quality time with her. We exchanged contact details and goodbye hugs but I know I have found a very special friend x. Day 4 (8/4) – We indulged in a huge sleep in and morning laze about the hotel. Then we headed via the local market and picnicked in a park opposite our metro. It was low key relaxing and simply special. We didn’t leave until 5pm and caught the metro into town to check out some sights. We couldn’t find either of the places we were looking for but it was good fun getting lostand found. We took turns asking for help to get about. I really enjoyed this time with the folks. We basically spent the evening getting nowhere but finding cool somewheres along the way. Yay us!!!

Day 5 (9/4) – I spent the day doing some have-to’s while the folks enjoyed some local sightseeing on what was their 52nd wedding anniversary. I arranged my Mongolian visa to be collected on the 16/4. My other to-do was have Rubes weather bag handles re-sewn. The stitching on the handles broke a week outside Beijing. It did well to last that long with the load so we’re pretty lucky. Not as lucky as finding the cobbler man to do the job. I spotted his street stall when we walked with Helena through the hutong alleys to the lakes. He had an old hand-turned sewing machine perfect for what we wanted. It took a bit of retracing, guesswork and good luck, but I eventually found him again. I wished I had taken my camera while sitting on his customers squat chair waiting for our turn. Hutong is the name given to the old town where folk enjoyed a communal life in grey slate housing and narrow alleyways. Old Peking is encircled by modern Beijing. Our accommodation is in hutong over 600 years old. Back to the day…. At 5pm I had a hot Skype date with my partner. We then went out to dinner for the folks anniversary and dined on peking duck at a local restaurent for $6 each yum.

Day 6 (10/4) – We had decided to do a formal tour of Beijing’s top ham, cheese and tomato sights being: The Temple of Heaven, The Forbidden City and the Summer Palace. What a fabulous way to see the most famous places in one day. There was quality information and time spent at each site and we could enjoy it without the work of getting ourselves around. Great idea Moppy!!!! The forbidden city was home to the ruling emperor up to early 1900s and so named as it was forbidden to folk outside the imperial family and guests. The movie
‘The Last Emperor’ was actually filmed on location. The city had a thousand rooms and even more concubines and uniques. Only the right hand unique would know which room the emperor slept so as not to be assassinated in his sleep by throne hungry family. The summer palace was built on a lake outside of Beijing and therefore the imperial residence during the hot months. It was destroyed in the early 1800s by the Anglo-French. The palace was rebuilt for Empress Sushi using military money. In years to come Japan defeated China in war because they ran out of ammo. Oppsy not a highlight in Chinese history. The temple of heaven was where the emperor prayed to the gods for good harvest. The cylindrical pagoda has no nails and built from a rare wood from Yunan province reserved only for the emperor. Its color scheme reflects the traditional rank of heavenly blue, imperial yellow, administration green, and commoner grey. The tour driver dropped us off at the ‘Donghuamen’ night food market which we couldn’t find the other day so great opportunity!! This place is crazy crowded with roasted scorpian skewers and stinky blue veined tofu on the menu. It was extreme night marketting!!! The three of us were releived to pop out eyes intact from the rogue skewers being welded through the crowds. Sadly we arrived home to the news that Mum’s Mum had passed away. It’s a significant and unexpected loss. Our Nana is a backbone for family and friends across the world. She has given us her strength in character to lean on and strive towards.

Day 7 (11/4) – We went to the Lama Temple which is a cluster of assorted Buddhist temples. The inside halls are decorated with Buddhist shrines and the scent and smoke of incense clouds the air. It’s truly beautiful.

Day 8 (12/4) – The folks and I metro’d in to town to see the drum and bell towers directly north of the forbidden city. The towers were used to announce the time in
old Peking. The 360 views were magnificent. We timed our visit for the drum show which was awesome. Time was kept by a water clock and systematically announced by the 25 drums and 42 ton bell. Every day is special but the timing of this day was particularly so. We all enjoyed spotting landmarks and getting a better feel for the old and new city layout.

Day 9 (13/4) – The Great Wall of China is a great thing to see and truly a wonder of the world. There are different locations to take in its magnificence and mountainous vista. We decided on an area about 90km north of Beijing called Mutianyu. It has a cable car that takes you up and onto the wall to enjoy without wasting your walking legs on the hike up. 3km of the wall and towers has been well restored. The wall ruins continue across the mountains as far as the eye can see. The sight is a spectacle of awe. I shared the first section of wall with the folks. It was a beautiful blue day and relativelyquiet. I will never forget watching the folks walk arm in arm across their own section of wall with no one in sight. It was wonderful to savor and made an awesome photo. I went for a run for a few hours to check out the unrestored and remote sections further on. It was a very awesome thing to do and I had a great time with no one around and taking photos to capture the cool factor!! We were exhausted but buzzing the way back to the hotel where we had a rooftop picnic and passed out for another blissful sleep.

Day 10 (14/4) – I sorted gear in the morning while the folks checked out some local temples. We then walked to Jingshan Park which is the city highpoint shaped from the earth escavated to create the palace moat. The hill is adorned with temples and parklands and has priceless views out over the Forbidden City golden rooftops and expanse. The park protected the palace from the prevailing sand storms from the north. We stayed for hours over sunset
and into the evening where the city lights created an entirely different perspective equally beautiful. We fuelled up on fresh noodles at a cafe on the walk home. There was open air dancing in a park where Ma and Pa had a dance with the locals. Once home we pretty much passed out all fairly pooped.

Day 11 (15/4) – Mum and I headed out for an outing just the girls. We walked this time to Beihai Park neighboring Jingshan but on a larger and more grand scale. It’s about a lake and is the emperial gardens that run parellel to the palace. The natural lake was enlarged and the earth mounded into an island with a looming white budhist pagoda ontop. It’s a real landmark in Beijing and beautifuly adorned with tiled shrines and carvings. Around the lake are pavillions where locals were again dancing and having singing performances. Mum and I sat for ages enjoying the dancing in particular. We picked up some dinner on the way home and shared our stories with Poppy over a rooftop picnic.

Day 12 (16/4) – It’s time to say ‘thank you’ to China and to Mum and Dad for 12 days of delish time spent together.

Today was pottering and getting ready for the next stage for both Mum and Dad and I. They head off to Xian and me and Rube to Mongolia.
We all caught the metro over to the embassy to collect my Mongolian visa and that was a wonderful feeling and special to share with the folks.
Afterwards I shouted coffees at Starbucks to celebrate and we sat for ages thinking about our time here in Beijing and all it has meant to
each of us. We decided to finish up the post with our favourite moment and trivia over the 12 days. Mums favourite moment was stepping out into
Tian Amen Square for the first time, a pinch yourself moment for her that we were finally here all together. Mum’s favourite trivia is that
birthdays are celebrated by eating noodles to wish a long healthy life. Of course the birthday cake follows so its a healthy blend of good taste
and tradition :d Poppyloved the temple of heaven and said this was his favourite moment because of the impression is made when he first saw it.
He also loved the grand boulevard that runs between Tian Amen square and the forbidden city. His fondest Chinese trivia is watching the locals in parks in the evening dancing to music. My favourite time is sitting today with the folks at Starbucks thinking about our days together and sharing favourite ‘what about’ stories all
the while struggling to decide on favs. Sounds like a pretty special time was had by all!!!! A bit of trivia is that a round of starbuck coffees cost the same as a Peking duck dinner. How’s that for western vs eastern for quality.
The coffee did taste good but I must admit 🙂 Talk soon x
Dear chinaI’m writing to say thank you
for all you’ve shared and given
You’ve opened up your folk to me
with kindness not forgotten.

I’ve tasted but a slice of life
and understand so little
but all the little things are big
with memories to treasure.

We’ve been shown the road ahead
and had fun conversations.
We’ve shared tea and family meals
all given with such preasure.

You must be proud of your fine folk
who represent your country.
They are your wealth and character.
A good return investment.

Kind Regards
‘shecyclesolo

************
I sit each night
in your rooftop realm
watching your regime. This is your world
Above the hutong
calling concubines.

I’ll miss the time
and starry nights with
prowling Peking Tom.

Post # 137 Tetserleg

Day 168 563 days to go. Distance: today: 0 km total 8862 km. It’s 11am Wed 16/5/2012 Tetserleg. The morning logistics have gone smoothly with my bus ticket, flight booked and now at the internet café uploading photos. The bus leaves 8am in the morning and I’m to be there at 7.30am ready to pack my girl safely on board. The folks were able to arrange through Sandgate flight centre a flight with Korean airlines from UB to Brisbane which is incredibly awesome. I should be able to book my luggage right through. There’s been a little to and fro with dept dates but all confirmed with the e-ticket printed in my hot little hands.

The baggage allowance is 20 kg so culling and posting essentials back home is on the list of to do’s to reduce the excess fee. Saying this I couldn’t have hoped for an easier route or logistics to get home so it’s all bloody good indeedy 🙂 No transit visa is required for Sth Korea so I don’t have to bother or allow time for consulates. It’s nice now uploading the photos and looking back over what’s been a huge few days seeing and feeling so much stuff. I want to go for a huge walk this afternoon to enjoy more of the most beautiful town in Mongolia. It’s a stunning day with the clearest of blues skies. Tonight I’ll potter with gear to be ready for the morn. Tetserleg has been a cool place to stop over but it’s now onto UB and home home home home. How good does that sound and feel bigtime big Weeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!

In the words of my big sister kittie…..’I can feel a song coming on……. Climb every mountain, ford every seas………. ‘ Don’t you just love Sound of Music. Julie Andrews rocks climax socks but remember…… no whistling inside the house 🙂 Off to get some fresh air under my wings. Talk soon x