Mittwoch, 4. September 2013

Bull sharks for my Birthday

These guys were so close. I am still drowsy and can't believe this really happened ;-)

Montag, 2. September 2013

First dives

I can't be bothered with cutting a video together now so I just took some screenshots ...























Samstag, 31. August 2013

Ripped off by the men in skirts

After the usual "one beer" night in Sydney, I struggle a little on this Saturday morning. I throw what I've got into my waterproofed bag but internally focus on my credit card and passport. Quantas treads me well and after a short 3 hour flight I am standing on Nadi Airport dealing with a massive dude in a skirt. Scotland pops into my mind for a second and I start negotiating a deal to get a ride to Pacific Harbour, which is 160 km away. 80 Fijian Dollars seems to be a good deal. A friend of Mr Skirt shakes my hand introduces himself as Police man with a side business. He hardly fits into the car with his massive shoulders. He senses my negative comfort and says "Don't worry everything will be fine. Just relax." Really comforting to look into his white teeth showing grin. Well alright let's see. I give him the cash at a petrol station assuming he needs to fill up the tank. But he just gets a coke and we keep going.

He drops me off at the bus stop in Nadi saying this was his "other car" and I had to swap vehicles. I don't argue with that dude. He takes of and leaves me alone with an Indian cab driver who of course doesn't know about the initial deal and the money I just put down the drain. My new cab man isn't as tall and strong and I am willing to "get the shits" with him. After a bit of back and forth I put down another 60 Fijian bucks but tell him that I will hand over the cash ones we arrive at our destination.

At another petrol station a couple of minutes later. 

My new friend gets out of "the cab" and really fills up the fuel. While he does that a strong and very drunk guy approaches "le cab" to borrow a lighter. My cab driver hands it over and Mr Drunk leaves into a dark alley behind the scenes. We are about to leave the petrol station but we  keep following "the lighter" into that dark corner. This is where I am losing my guts, brains and all the travelling experience I have gained so far. The alarm just went off. The moment when you think this is all a setup and a conspiracy solely against you. They have planned this move for ages and they do it to everyone, every day. I am telling him "Mate, I really feel uncomfortable, let's just turn around. I get you 20 new lighters." He senses my anxiety and really does turn around quickly and tells me to relax. (I just heard that sentence and that didn't go to well). Mr drunk lights a fire in the alley, approaches us while we are turning and really just hands over the lighter.

Turtle necking has never been less unpleasant. I am tensed and worried. It's dark and it rains but after 2 and a half hours we finally reach our destination. Team dormitory has 2 bottles of whisky on the table and welcomes me with a warm "Hello Mario". Sweet, bring it on…I need a drink.

Samstag, 12. Januar 2013

Biggest Dolphin ever

This was just unreal. I was and still am stoked.... Let the pictures talk...

the cage
some seals on the way
catching some bait
Hello there
Let's get this party started
Gimme some bait !







couldn't help it... touched it  ooops
picture taken with provided camera in "dramatic" mode





And a little video:

Donnerstag, 10. Januar 2013

From Sydney to Port Lincoln

You know what it's like when you leave a really nice job? It's a bit painful. So I sneak out of the office on Friday without hugging everyone, so my mascara stays in place.

Flip side of the coin is my bank. They kept calling me every day to stop putting any more money into my account otherwise it will blow up. So what can you do ? You go on a trip !

Let it rain


We are on our way to Cobar from Sydney. An initial 700 km ride should take us far away from mobile reception and any urban society. The sun is enjoying it's ray punishments and gives us a damn hard time. Shortly before Cobar a thunderstorm hits the ground and we can enjoy a temperature drop of 20 degrees for a short time. Me and Susi (my motorbike is named after Marta's hot mother in law) are wet and full of dirt, but this was exactly what we wished for.

Define "heat"


I have been in India in summer, I have been in Mexico during summer and I have made some trips through Australia's desert, but when god played with his Sauna muscles this time ... it was just ridiculous.

On the way to White Cliffs I am slowly getting rid of my gear. First the gloves go then the jacket is being opened and I am about to drop my helmet. After a 5 minute break - while having a full bottle of water - the handlebar heats up so much that I have to put my gloves back on to avoid burning my hands. The last bit is a gravel road and I am down to a T-Shirt and speedos. I just can't cope any more.

Crawling through this desert a swimming pool appears and Manuel, Marta and me look at each other and say. "No matter how much this is gonna be, we will take it." We end up sleeping in a Bat Cave having 22 degrees underground and enjoy a beautiful thunderstorm in the pool at 48 degrees.

The pub owners are with us in the pool and so we know where to go and when ;-)

The suburban toilet frog


The next day we aim for Broken Hill and a pleasant 44 degrees ride makes this trip wonderfully enjoyable. On a road house we have to take care of a female bladder. So Marta decides to annoy the owner's dog and make 10 frogs jump out of the loo after flushing.... Imaginations of what could have happened were uncountable.

Bye Bye M&M


After one of the most beautiful sunsets in Silverton and a flash light BBQ I have to say goodbye to Manuel and Marta. These 3 days have been just really impressive. Australia's desert is so adorable and deadly at the same time.

The Loner


Talking about deadly. The night in Silverton has been a 40 degrees sweat fight, so while I leave Susi at the "screw doctor" I organize a motel room with aircon for myself and do nothing but watching TV and cooling my head in that cool artificial breeze.

South Australia


The next day I am heading south west to Port Lincoln. I have to say, that South Australia is one of the most beautiful states of Oz. Here the Outback meets the Sea. Hundreds of Ulurus are combined on one side of the road while the ocean is spewing waves on the other... loving it.

Future plans


Despite the fact that Tazzy is on fire and I probably can't ride around it, I am about to board a vessel that takes me out to see one of the types of shark I haven't seen just yet. After this one it's only the Tiger shark missing on my bucket list to full fill the sighting of all 3 of the biggest men eaters alive. I am really really really excited.

Some videos: