Tuesday, April 20, 2010

The Australians







The Australian members of our group are all from the environs of Coffs Harbour, a lovely medium size town just south of the Queensland border.

To the left are pictured left to right, Mike Casey (Casey), Monica Joseph and Cain English.
Far left, the four Aussie bikes in front of their hotel in downtown Tokyo









On the left is Simon Rosentool in a picture taken several months ago after a little medical problem that has since resolved itself.

Simon and Monica are longtime friends from travel in Latin America many years ago. They have since raised a family of three who are now on their own. Cain and Casey are more recent acquaintances, workmates and neighbours of Simon and Monica.


I went in to Tokyo a couple of days early from Narita. My bike was shipped by boat to Yokohama, arrived on the 4Th of May, and was to be sent to a warehouse in the downtown Tokyo bay area
The others had a good intro. to Tokyo, driving in from Narita, thru Ginza into the downtown area. Tokyo addresses are complex, all taxis have G.P. S.. Most streets have English markings. but it is quite a challenge, and one must just stop frequently and ask. People are very helpful and kind.
It is a huge city, the greater Tokyo area having a population larger than that of all of Canada!
After a few days in Tokyo, the others set out towards Mt. Fuji and the Izu Peninsula, southwest of Tokyo. I had a day or so before my bike was ready.













Unpacking at Narita airport, outside of Tokyo. All the bikes from Australia came via air from Sidney. It took one day to take them out of their boxes and reassemble them, and another day to clear customs. We were held up a little due to the "Golden Week " holidays.