Omeo - Melbourne: 3rd. leg
Omeo - Melbourne, Click Here For Map
With
waking up in a different place every day, it sometimes takes a minute for it to
soak in of the whereabouts. By the time the usual morning coffee routine is
performed, everything is put back into perspective. Then no later, as the legs
are cranking the pedals again, especially like uphill leaving Omeo, the
temperature in the single digits. Wearing arm-warmers and a jacket, I became
aware of reality all around.
After
the initial 10ks of climbing, the next 100ks following the Tambo River (which
runs from the Victorian Alps to the Gippsland Lakes) on the “Great Alpine Road”
to Bruthen was a lovely downhill grade. Turning west onto the “East Gippsland
Road” to Bairnsdale added some traffic, as it is part of a tourist route and I
had to share the road again. Pretty soon past Bairnsdale, I was able to get
back on secondary roads for more solitude. It was an illusion, though, as
fierce headwinds for a whole day started up mind games with the head. I had
learned from previous trips, and as past experience told me, I installed the
earplugs. This kept out the noise and the positive side effect the wind had was
the absolute lack of any pesky flies.
Finally
I reached the coast once more at Inverloch, and the ocean smell was a welcomed
scent. Although the mountains are a pretty sight, I still prefer the presence
of an ever moving and changing open sea. As 83% of Australians live within 50km
from the coast, it increased the traffic and the competition for the pavement
was on again. The smell of coffee and Danish Pancakes at Kristian’s (pic)
gourmet mobile truck by the campsite was superb as well. One can work up an
appetite while watching him as he’s preparing the goodies with precision. Everything
measured by the gram and timed by second to get his products served perfectly
every time.
Now
I could take it easy, as Melbourne was within an easy 3 days of riding away and
I had 6 days to catch the ferry to Tasmania. The next stop was Phillip Island,
which is connected to the mainland by a 640m concrete bridge. Riding across
that bridge brought back memories again, as we made that journey on motorcycles
in 1989 to watch Australia’s first International Motorcycle Grand Prix, which
then was won by Australian Wayne Gardner. I can still hear the 100,000
screaming fans. Watching the race on DVD will remain a treat, always.
What
had eluded me though so far was the warm summer temperatures. Although the sun
was out, there was still a chill in the air. With the lack of rain, at least I
could pack up the tent dry for a change. After spending an extra relaxing day
in Cowes, I took the shortcut and boarded the passenger ferry to Stoney Point
rather than taking the long way around the bay. I continued riding up the
Mornington Peninsula to Port Phillip Bay, stopping in at Seaford to visit Simon
an “old” workmate from Muller-Martini. He was kind enough to put me up for a
couple days. We caught up on past times over a couple of Cooper’s, and I got plenty
of rest in a proper bed.
A
short ride along the bay got me from the suburbs to downtown Melbourne, the
second most populous city in Australia, for some sightseeing. It almost felt
like a homecoming with all the familiar sights, since I had worked there for a
few month 5 years ago. It was exciting to stroll through the alleys and along
the Yarra River mingling with other tourists and having galore of restaurants
and cafés to choose from. With the odor of curry & doner kebabs in the air,
at times I really was wondering though which continent I was on!
After
traveling trouble free now for over 1700km on my new TREK bike, I was rather
pleased with the performance and reliability of it. Ready to leave the mainland
of Australia, I checked out of my “proper” accommodation at 05:30 on a warm
morning (for a change) for the Spirit of Tasmania at Port Melbourne (looking
back to 1983, I rode this stretch on a CB900 F2). After a lengthy boarding
process, the ferry headed out into Port Phillip Bay and Bass Strait under in
the meantime rainy skies....
Until
next time from down under
Tony
Bike
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| Dark Clouds over McDonalds :) |
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| Christmas Decoration |
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| Ever Sleeping Wombat |
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| Beach by Inverloch |
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| Kristian Nielsen @ Inverloch Campground |
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| Old Railway Bridge, Kilcunda |
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| Bridge to Phillip Isalnd |
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| Christmas Koala |
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| Beach in Cowes |
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| Cowes Waterfront |
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| Leaving Cowes on Passenger Ferry to Melbourne |
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| Frankston Beach |
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| Port Phillip Coast |
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| Melbourne Skyline |
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| Flinder Station |
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| St. Paul's Cathedral |
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| Flinder Station |
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| Yarra River |
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| Ferry to Tasmania |
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| Nostalgic Downtown Tram |
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| Dark Clouds over Port Phillip Bay |
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| Skyline from Ferry |
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