Australia. What an amazing place to visit. I absolutely loved it.
Yes the plane journeys were a pain. Being cramped up for 14 hours on the way to Singapore isn't something I'd want to repeat every year.
But Australia is amazing.
It was a once in a lifetime trip for me so I made sure I crammed as much into it as I could.
This post will be split into two. This post which will concentrate on my trip and a second post which will concentrate on the actual race.
I arrived in the Gold Coast to a horrendous storm, which was a little confusing. Where was the sun I was expecting?
I waited for my transport to my hotel and was awestruck by the architecture in the Gold Coast. It's not for everyone but as someone who considered architecture at school, I thought it was amazing.
My apartment was about 150m from the beach and I had an amazing view of the sea from my bedroom.
 |
| Not a bad view even with the storm brewing |
I'd landed on the Saturday morning and tried to stay awake all day to align my body clock.
My race wasn't until the Thursday so I had a few days to spare. Not a great deal of time considering I had to register on the Wednesday but a bit of time.
On the Saturday I decided to build my bike so I could go on the organised GB group ride on the Sunday morning.
One problem, I needed a bike pump so had to walk to a bike shop to buy one. I was determined not to get stung with excess baggage. I walked to Giant Gold Coast (which was a lot further away than I originally thought) and the thing which hit me was how hot it felt. It also felt quite sticky because of the recent storm.
I arrived back to my apartment and built my bike and took it on a very quick spin to see that it was working fine. Gears felt fine so I set my alarm for the group ride the next morning.
 |
| Bike all built on my balcony |
I then decided to go for a quick run to test my legs. 2km working hard then a steady plod back.
Even though I was exhausted, I stayed the course and stayed up all day Saturday. I was a little peeved to be awake at 4am on the Sunday. DAMN YOU JET LAG.
The Sunday ride was really steady and consisted of a 25km out and back and a stop off for a photo of the Gold Coast and a stop off for some coffee. Wow the coffee was good. Like really good. Quite simply the best I'd ever tasted.
 |
| That coffee though!? |
 |
| What a beautiful place |
I spent the rest of Sunday chilling out and decided to walk into the City Centre to get my bearings.
I then had to pack for the next part of my trip. Like I said it was a once in lifetime trip so I was packing for a two day trip to the Great Barrier Reef. Far from ideal timing before the race but my victory was getting to Australia after my depression.
The next morning I got up at 4am to make my 6am flight to Lady Elliot Island which is an atoll on the very south of the GBR. It is beautiful and in the middle of the ocean.
It was simply stunning. I spent the two days relaxing, snorkelling, going on snorkel trips, walking round the island.
 |
| Nothing but ocean |
I got to swim with turtles, manta rays, more fish than you can imagine and just lapping up the natural beauty.
 |
| My new friend the turtle |
These days it is too easy to get carried away with social media and the pace of life but being stuck in the middle of the ocean with no signal on a beautiful island is good for the soul.
 |
| How amazing a view? |
I flew back on Tuesday afternoon and knew that Wednesday would be a busy day registering.
I woke up on Wednesday and made my way to the race venue and transition area.
 |
| Quality spelling on the way to the venue. LOL |
I was expecting a bit of a queue but really 3 hours in the baking sun was far from ideal race prep. It was so hot and there was nowhere to hide from the sun. After registering I racked my bike and made my way home (obviously after spending a fortune on clothes at the venue)
Wednesday night was the opening ceremony and I like to go to these as they are a great atmosphere. Cue more walking and being stood around. #facepalm
Being stood behind Louise Minchin on the way in the parade of nations was good. She really is a nice person and took time to speak to people.
 |
| On my way to the Parade of Nations |
 |
| Love these events |
Thursday was race day but that can wait until
another blog.....
I then spent the rest of the next four days partying, drinking, watching the elites, spending time with new friends, riding my bike, visiting a zoo, walking round Gold Coast and enjoying the downtime.
Did I really just say downtime and list all those things before it?
 |
| There were whales playing in the background of this |
 |
| What a view |
 |
| It's horrible here |
 |
| Made a friend |
 |
| Vicky Holland - World Champion |
 |
| This is lush |
On the following Tuesday I flew to somewhere I have wanted to visit for a very long time. Sydney and boy did it not disappoint. It is a truly stunning place to visit. It appears to be the perfect mix of water, beach, city and sea and I fell in love with it.
 |
| Sydney. Such an amazing city. |
 |
| The bridge |
 |
| My home while in Sydney |
 |
| The view from the roof bar in my hotel |
Again I rammed as much as I could into my visit. I'd planned a trip to the Blue Mountains, a night out with friends, climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge and I landed on Tuesday and headed out on Friday. 3 and a half days and 3 nights of bedlam.
It was all go but I wouldn't change to for the world. I had an amazing time and fell in love with Sydney as a city.
 |
| 3 Sisters in the Blue Mountains |
 |
| Sydney Opera House on the ferry home |
 |
| Sydney Harbour Bridge on the ferry home |
 |
| In England we get pigeons, In Manley they have cockatoos |
One of the biggest things I planned for this trip was climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge, I am not a fan of heights but I am even less of a fan of being able to see through gaps in floors like on piers so facing my fears for thee hours was a challenge but it was an unforgettable experience.
 |
| Faced my fears and won |
Australia is an amazing place and I am so glad I went even if I did end up with an unhealthy obsession with frozen cola, chicken parms (had about 10 out there) and in particular Sydney.
 |
| Chicken Parms are lush |
 |
| So sad to be leaving this amazing city |
Thanks for reading,
Michael
No comments:
Post a Comment