...and so another adventure comes to a close....

yep..that's right - today is the day I get into 11A, or 22J and sleep for 10 hours and end up in Friday 8 hours earlier than when I left. I have a little issue with having 2 fridays that I have to work, but I will get over it. I always wanted to add a few hours to my 24 hour day.

So, in my deep reflection, waiting for my last meeting here in Japan (and other wise ignoring the need to pack), I have to say this trip was not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. Remember how much I didn't want to come over here? wow. time had flown! what a way to spend the waning days of my 37th year (that too was painful to write)..

and in my constant quest to improve diplomatic relations (since my government can't seem to) where ever I go, I thought I would share some of my major achievements this trip~

1. the Starbucks in Shinjuku now understand what a quad latte is.
2. I was able to convince my hotel to serve oatmeal for breakfast one day - instead of pasta salad 3. I learned how to bow like nobody's business
4. I taught a few folks to say "easy tiger"
5. I tried morning stretching with large numbers of elderly folks - until they put me to shame
6. There was no cursing (and hence no cavity search) with Autralian customs
7. My bike now proudly carries Japanese and Australian flags.
8. I learned to drink hot coffee out of a can
9. I never tried to embarrass myself by speaking Japanese
10. the apple lady learned to say my name ..but I could never understand hers.
11. I am more familiar with the tokyo sunrise than sunset.


and as my last adventure in Japan this trip...I walked proudly through the skyscrapers of Shinjuku with a sleeveless shirt....my tattoos were proud.

thanks to all of you for keeping me company this trip. I am in the US for a few days before vacation, and then home for a few weeks it seems..(may need to work on that). so for now, I will be tucking the blog away until the next great adventure.

ciao!

Ahhhh....international travel...

It was bound to happen again- I mean there was NO reason to expect that I would never hear the words "ma'am, please step over here and take a seat", when going through customs..but for cripes sake! Australia?? c'mon?! Germany, sure! Its a regular to have them want to harrass me (someday I will tell you about the time I had to leave my bike in Berlin) ...but the land of Oz? Its that damn morroccan stamp...

so - this morning, again, as the little prince, I was not concetrated on the matter at hand (traveling), and ended up leaving my rings and bracelet at the hotel..lovely..then at the airport, excess baggage fees - what can I say - 9 bottles of wine will do this. oy..

but- the airport..that was lovely- no strip search this time, but the numerous questions..and the hand search of my bags...luckily my bike was already checked..but my pedals? that took some explaining, until I saw my cycling shoes sitting there and I put the two together...Funny, on the cab ride over, the driver asked me why I was leaving so early....well, I had forgotten what it was like to have an hour in security..alas..was loads of fun..

Oz has been a great, fun, intoxicating trip...I can't WAIT to come back for holiday next year!!

Now lets see how hard it is for me to get into Japan! FIVE days until US soil...God! it seems like forever...

cheers!

The Ultimate of Destinations...

If you have ever been out with me, and I have been able to get on the subject of wine, you know that DeBortoli Shiraz (98 vintage to be exact) is by far my nectar of the Gods. Perhaps part of it is the memories of my last visit to Melbourne, but, even locals here say the '98 vintage of shiraz grapes in the Yarra is by far the best. And I went through CASES of it in atlanta.

you really can't get Debortoli in most of the US any longer. and living in California, I have substituted well, believe me...but there was NO way I was coming to Australia and not going up there.

so Saturday morning, I awoke to beautiful skies - the Yarra is about 55Km from the city (60-70 the way I get lost), so I decided to ride my bike up there. I carried my back pack, cause I knew I wanted a bottle of something....I felt fairly certain I was not going to find a '98.

It was the MOST perfect fall day. I haven't had a good fall since I have been in California. No offense meant to the state, but the east coast knows how to put on a fall day! well, so does victoria Australia....it was amazing - brisk and sunny.

I took a northern route to the Yarra valley - through the Dandedong range and some nice hills. I rode through forrests of Eucalyptus trees, and kept my eyes out for koala's and kangaroos (I have YET to see these elusive creatures). when I hit the valley, for a moment, I really wondered if I was in the Yarra, or was home in Glen Ellen - it was amazing.

I rode around, trying to remember the route to DeBortoli ....of course there was no map- pointless to even ask... but I did find the winery. and in the end, after making friends with the sales person, she went to the back and found 6 bottles (SIX) of the 98 vintage. Now, if you were reading above, you know I am on my bike..and about 55km from the city. I already had bought a dessert wine for the family...I couldn't carry 6 more bottles. but I could carry 4! so, after packing my backpack full of wine, I started back towards town...I kept telling myslef that I used to ride with this much extra weight...I have lost 15lbs over the last few years, so this was just a reminder...yeah..right...

Never ask a non-cyclist if a route is flat...anything short of the Alps or the Sierras is considered flat. Even to call this route "Rolling" was pushing it...but it was flatter than the dandedongs. And as I rode, I thought about Ted and Holmes - they would understand WHY I had to do this.

As I rode, I had some old bloke drafting me. At a light, I told him to go ahead of me because I was weighted down. He said he noticed my weight pack... when I told him it was five bottles of wine he said "oh..so you train like a TRUE aussie!" -I was honored...

In the end, I made it back just after dark. I survived - other things didn't, but that is another story for another time...

Today - I had to buy a suitcase so I could carry my wine home..via Japan of course. tomorrow I go back to the land of the rising sun...

I have to say, even after 5 years.....I could still live in this town. Its like a smaller version of san Francisco - complete with the vineyards nearby....

hmm...maybe I will go for a short ride today and see where I end up...

cheers mates!

haircuts

...Well, the shane look is gone. I am not really sure why I said "oh sure, we can go shorter" today, but I did. Its not as short as the last time I was here....shaved on the sides and platinum, but its still shorter than I expected.. It'll grow - and then I will be complaining again because it s too long...

ONE WEEK UNTIL I HIT US soil...ahh yes, then land of Bush's and loud tourists. Funny, here in Australia, they tell me that the US is "suggesting" to american's that we be a little more "culturally sensitive" when visiting overseas....uh yeah..ok.. and could we do aweay with the Bermuda shorts and black socks - oh..and about 50lbs too? sorry..don't want to upset mom, but man!~ we are a piece of work sometimes. Funny, I met some american's who have been living over here for 2 yrs - they thought (when they arrived) that the americans were misinterpreted...now they see - nope..we are just americans...

(sorry mom)

I have had two (yes - TWO) steaks since I have been in Oz..wonderful. Oh..and I have had two hangovers - but the two are not related. I forgot how much I missed steak. monday I go back to fish paste rice balls and Soba (not complaining about that), and starbucks.

And as ALWAYS - my Ritchey has been SUPER supreme!! we are off to ride to the Yarra Valley tomorrow.

I haven't taken photos here...sorry..it would be like me taking photos of home. but maybe tomorrow - I am headed to the bar where I was still banned until a few friends here begged the barowner to let me in.. :) oy....

cheers!