New Year's Resolution

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A short video, Mt Fuji.

Enjoy.



See you on the other side.

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Update - Cycle Touring Japan - Pacific Ocean Cycle Trail - End of Day 18 (in country).
See captions below.



My smallest hotel room yet…at $110AUD. And that is with a shared bathroom. The closer I get to Tokyo, the more expensive accomodation becomes. You have to expect that I guess. Pity, because accomodation is usually your biggest expense when on the road.



Typical evening meal…gives me a break from the noodles and the rice. I haven’t seen a chicken parmy on any of the menus and the steak is always cooked to perfection. I’ve never had a bad meal here in Japan. Even the horse mince is delicious.
This from Google…
Horse meat, known as baniku or "sakura niku" (cherry blossom meat) due to its bright pink color, is a recognized delicacy in Japan, particularly in the Kumamoto, Nagano, and Fukushima regions. While it is most commonly served raw as sashimi, horse mince (hikiniku) is also utilized in various cooked dishes, particularly at specialty restaurants and izakayas.




The Shibuya Pedestrian Crossing. Apparently, the Worlds most congested pedestrian crossing. I had to go and experience it for myself. Verdict? Absolute chaos but it seems to work. It would be a lot smoother if you took out all the other social media junkies who are just trying to make a name for themselves.



Back to where it all began. I cycled 780km and enjoyed the experience. So much so, that I’m considering returning in the future to more regional areas of Japan if I can source another mob that hire e-bikes. So much to do, so little time!




I’m just being a regular tourist before flying out in a few days time. I decided to visit some of the parks and gardens nearby., I came across ol’ mate.
This from Google.
Saigō Takamori (Japanese: 西郷 隆盛; 23 January 1828 – 24 September 1877) was a Japanese samurai and politician who was one of the most influential figures in Japanese history. While historical accounts of his actions and motivations vary, Saigō Takamori is widely regarded as a symbol of samurai virtue, sincerity, and tragic heroism.



I am staying in Akiharbara, a major shopping district close to Tokyo. This was a Sunday. If you are not a big fan of crowds, stay at home.



4 minute teaser.

See you on the other side!

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Hi Folks,

Myself, His Royal Griceness and a small group from the Wanneroo Wanderers 4WD Club are heading off on a 12 day odyssey thru WA's Outback. The intention was to attend the Nullarbor Muster at Rawlinna, but it's been cancelled due to a lack of support and the fuel crisis as a result of the war in the Middle East. We will still go ahead with plan A and after Rawlinna will head toward the coast and pop out at Esperance. Along the way, we will collect our fuel caché at Zanthus that was buried last year.

We leave on Tuesday, 7 April. You can follow our progress in real time by clicking on the link to my satellite tracker. The link is here;

https://share.garmin.com/YZW3R

See you on the other side!

[Digger]

Update -
Nullarbor Muster and Beyond - End of Day 7

The Muster cancelled the event a few days before departure. A lack of ticket sales and the fuel crisis meant it was not viable to hold the event. We went anyway. Our first obstacle was a closed road on day one. It was open earlier in the day but the Shire must have got spooked. We backtracked and bush camped on the Southern end of the Holland Track and considered our options overnight. The following morning we agreed to do the circuit in reverse, anticlockwise instead of clockwise.
See captions below.




Our first obstacle. Road closed. Backtrack and find a place to camp.




We agreed on the Emu Rock Campsite found on WikiCamps. A very useful tool when on the road.





The Emu Rock Camp. An area big enough for us and a ready supply of bush wood for a fire.




The view from my Office window the following day.




The old telegraph station at Israelite Bay. Still in good shape considering the location and the environment.




Cooks Cottage 1883. Ol’ Mate Cook was the Linesman at Israelite Bay…until he wasn’t.




The gravesite of a Linesman (Cook) and Thomas Brass (Postmaster).




Another adhoc campsite. We were lucky to find this one. Not too many options so we created our own. Here we are on the side of a dry salt lake.



Another bush camp. This time following the alignment of the old telegraph track. This one wasn’t marked also on any map but we decided to pull up early rather than run the risk of going past it and struggling to find a place to camp further down the track. It was a good decision to make.




Baxter Cliffs. On a par with the Bunda Cliffs on the Nullarbor. Stunning!




Another view of the Baxter Cliffs looking east(ish).





Barb on the tools. She destroyed a tyre but only carries one spare. We’ll get her to the blacktop but her trip is over. No chance of resupply out here.




Ol’ Mate Baxter Memorial. He was with Edward John Eyre’s party but was speared and killed by natives in 1841(?).



Our campsite at Twilight Cove where the ocean meets the Baxter Cliffs. Absolutely stunning!




Smile Slackers!




Eyre Bird Observatory, formerly Eyre Telegraph Station. Closed to the public after an incident involving a volunteer who had to be medivaced out.

See you on the other

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Hello Slackers,
Join Ol' Mate as he and a small group from the Wanneroo Wanderers 4WD Club explore parts of the Western Australian Coastline very rarely seen by the average traveler. The coastline is extraordinary, the tracks are challenging and remote and the night skies are superb.
Grab ya gear: Lets go!



See you on the other side!

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Hi Folks,
In this Episode, the Group continue to forge along the rugged coastline stopping to take in the splendor of the Baxter Cliffs, Toolinna Cove and the Bilbunya Dunes. They visit the Baxter Memorial and leave with a much greater appreciation of just how tough our early explorers were having to negotiate this most inhospitable landscape.
Grab ya gear: Lets go!

See you on the other side!

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Hi Folks,
In this Episode, the Group manage to safely leave the beach (but that could have turned out very badly) and make their way to the Eyre Bird Observatory, a former Telegraph Station dating back to the 1800s.Once there, they find it officially closed to the public after a serious incident weeks beforehand. They make the challenging climb toward the Highway for rest and refuel at Cocklebiddy before heading further inland toward the Trans Cont Railway. Regrettably, the Group had to split at Cocklebiddy with some members of the Group relying on the safety of the blacktop to get back home safely.
Grab ya gear; Lets go!

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Software glitch while producing the video - be patient.
Eps 4 Finalé
In this Episode, the Group is reduced to 4 vehicles. We uncover 30 litres of fuel that was cached a year ago before heading south toward Balladonia. Chris suffers his first puncture for the trip and we get anxious knowing the journey is coming to an end.
Grab ya gear; Lets go!

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Hi Folks,
Join Ol' Mate as he cycles part of Japan's Pacific Ocean Cycle Trail.
The Pacific Coast National Cycling Route is a stunning 1,487-kilometer journey spanning from Chiba to Wakayama, officially designated as a premier National Cycle Route. It passes through six prefectures (Chiba, Kanagawa, Shizuoka, Aichi, Mie, Wakayama), offering views of Mt. Fuji, the Izu Peninsula, and coastal scenery.
Grab ya gear; Lets go!

See you on the other side.

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Hello Slackers,
In this episode, Steve hits the coastline and starts heading southwards. He is gobsmacked at the level of affiliation that the Japanese have with water orientated sports but must endure cycling in temperatures he has never encountered before when on a bike. Steve feels threatened when forced to navigate lengthy tunnels which have limited lighting and even more limited lane width. He makes some strange decisions when it comes to accommodation and toward the end, is forced to get off and push due to a poor choice in roads and tracks.
Grab ya gear; Lets go!

See you on the other side!

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Hello Slackers,
n this episode, Steve comes to terms with his age and realizes that maybe cycling is best left to the young. Regardless, he pushes on because failure is not an option. He regains his composure, soldiers on, and continues on looking forward to resting up in Fuji in an attempt to recover from a couple of repetitive strain injuries hampering his progress.
Grab ya gear; Lets go!

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Hi Folks,
In this Episode, the Finalé, Steve inches slowly toward Tokyo, knowing that victory is only a stone's throw away. Steve continues to book questionable accommodation and focuses his decision-making on price, not quality. In between cloudy skies, he continues to get glimpses of Mt Fuji, as his worn, broken body limps toward the finish line.
Grab ya gear; Lets go!

See you on the other side.

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Hi Folks,
Earlier this year, I cycled 780km thru parts of Japan. I enjoyed it so much that I've decided to return but this time to the Island of Okinawa. I leave on Sunday 1 November and start riding from Wednesday 4th.
Grab ya gear; Lets go!


See you on the other side.

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Hello Slackers,
Just checking in.
Update end of day 6 in country.

I’ve been quite conflicted while being in Okinawa. It is in a strategic location within striking distance of China, North Korea, very close to Taiwan and probably plays an important part in regional peace within this part of the World. That’s why the US have a huge presence here after the Battle of Okinawa toward the end of WWII. As a former career soldier, I sometimes struggle with forgiveness and can’t stop thinking about how our blokes were treated by the Japanese during New Guinea, the fall of Singapore and the Death Railway including Hell Fire Pass. I know it is a different world now…maybe I just need a good therapist.
Distance cycled to date - 128km.
See captions below.



Apocalyptic sunrise inbound to Okinawa the morning I arrived. Probably taken at 30,000 feet an hour before touchdown.
Spooky!



There are a number of GPX Files available online taking the guesswork out of navigating from one point of interest to another.



The bike I’ve hired. It’s a Swift Horse (Chinese?). 21 speed E-bike with 5 power settings. They supplied the rear rack, I supplied the panniers. Seems to be fit for purpose at only $125AUD per week for 2 weeks.



Shuri Castle, the Head Office of the Kyukyu Kingdom for 450 years prior to be ‘taken over’ by Japan 150 years ago. The castle has been destroyed by fires and wars many times. The last fire was 2019. It is due to reopen on November 22nd this year after years long restoration.



The grounds of the Castle provide sweeping views of Naha and out to the ocean. This is looking south west.



The eternal flame at Peace Memorial Park. This is near the southern most point of Okinawa where the Japanese Servicemen and civilians alike had to withdrawal to during the Battle of Okinawa.



The Peace Memorial Park lists the names of all the 250,000 who perished on the Island during the Battle of Okinawa. It doesn’t differentiate from civilians, Japanese or allied forces; everyone was listed.



Civilians were listed in order of the village they were from. 100,000 to 150,000 civilians were killed or died by suicide.



The Park is extensive and the Corner Stone of Peace granite walls are arranged in a wave like pattern titled ‘Everlasting Waves of Peace’ and faces the rising sun over the Pacific Ocean.



The nearest beach to the American Village. Apparently, there are lots of deadly sea creatures in some of the waters.



My light lunch on this day. Spam and eggs. Spam is a food staple in Okinawa. A throwback to the US occupation after the Battle of Okinawa.



I am ever mindful that I am a westerner in a foreign land. I fly the Aussie flag on the back of the bike and don’t want to be recognised as anything but an Australian. There are 30,000 US Serviceman in Okinawa and there is some resentment because of reasons like this, an incident about a month ago.



Many Japanese, both on the Island and mainland Japan, are not a fan of the US even though they bring lots of $$$$ into their economy.



American Village after dark. My life is now complete!

See you on the other side.

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Update - Cycle touring Okinawa (Japan) - End of day 12 in country.


I have made some Rookie errors. I’ve only been booking accomodation one day ahead to maintain complete flexibility. When it came time to book a room to the north of the island, all the affordable rooms had gone. The north is quite remote with limited infrastructure so I had to make changes to the itinerary and bypass the north.

Distance cycled to date - 343.4 km.

See captions below.



The area known as Blue Cave.The Blue Cave is a semi-submerged sea cave located at Cape Maeda in Onna Village, on the west coast of Okinawa's main island. It is one of Okinawa's most popular spots for snorkeling and beginner scuba diving.



On a good day, it can get very, very busy. When I was there, the area was closed due to big swells caused by strong winds.
Image downloaded from Google



A replica of the Statue of Liberty on Route 58 near Onna Village close to Malibu Beach. Obviously, a lot of American influence plays a part here in Okinawa.



The cycling infrastructure on Okinawa is not great. It appears that I am doomed to crash at least once on each bike trip that I undertake. By trying not to be a burden to traffic, I got a bit close to the kerb and got all crossed up.



In Nov 23, I received a pretty nasty puncture wound while doing the Mawson Trail in the Flinders Ranges. Earlier that year, I broke two ribs after crashing in the Philippines. Having clipped pedals doesn’t help. No reaction time to do a foot dab.



Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium. Largest aquarium in Japan and Asia. It was busy, too busy to see everything (I’m not a fan of big crowds). It was impressive though.



The Okanawa Shisa statues.
Leaning more toward Chinese influence and from the Ryukyu period. These are a Lion Dog combination based statue and are found everywhere, both out the front of domestic homes and government buildings alike. The male, usually on the right, is roaring to keep bad spirits away. The female, on the left, keeps her mouth closed to retain and safeguard good fortune, blessings, and happiness inside the home or property.



Hmm, sometimes, the Google translate App just confuses things a little. This was the panel on a microwave oven where I was staying at a BnB.



I do love the Maps.Me App for cycle touring. It shows what sort of a day you are going to have.



My lodgings for the night. $65AUD and very comfortable surroundings even if it is not your typical Japanese architecture. Shared bathroom but the only guest there that night.



Not a big day km wise but typically, coastlines on islands are never flat terrain. Gunna experience some rolling country today.



I toured an underground tunnel network, the former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters, which was the last and final defences by the Japanese before the fall of the Island and US occupation. When the final result was evident, some chose suicide by grenade in the tunnels evidence by shrapnel scars inside.



I have come full circle. Tomorrow I leave for their Rottnest for the next three nights.

See you on the other side.