Wednesday, 26 September 2007
The Next Bit
Hiya, been away for a while, doing all sorts of life stuff. Now We"re ready for a new trip. This time we are off to Morocco on our Moto Guzzi 950 California --- yee ha! Not quite sure when we leave yet but itll be for around 3 months. Staying with mates in France, Spain and Portugal wherever possible. Havnt been to Morocco for around 28 years or so, I expect itll have changed a bit.
Friday, 23 February 2007
Hanging up the helmets
Well, back in Goa again, we stopped off in Murdeshwar for a few days, which is dominated by a 30 metre high Shiva statue on the cliff top. Unfortunately his right arm [ or one of them ] blew off in the monsoon and is now being supported by scaffolding. Upon searching for a shore temple we could see in the distance we came across a way onto the beach which didnt involve riding across too much dry sand - so we did what everyone dreams of doing-rode along a deserted beach , on the surfline wearing the biggest smile ever. A fantastic experience, which we recorded on video and stills [this computer is not recognising its own U.S.B. port so I cant post any photos yet.] We didnt get to the shore temple as a lagoon got in the way , but it didnt really matter.
Found the way to the temple the next day and , guess what, there was a whale skeleton laid out in front of it! The temple itself was small with carved wooden deities, all brightly painted - they get changed annually and we left with 2 of the previos years gods for good luck.
The ride up the coast was un eventfull, but enjoyable - the Goa border not being a problem as we snuk in behind a big 4x4 which was being pulled over - we emerged at the last minute, they blew whistles and shouted at us to stop but we laughed and carried on.
So this is it, the end of a good trip. We fly up to Rajasthan on the 28th Feb for a few days, then Delhi then home.
There are a few of us in Goa[ 5 ] looking to store bikes so we are collectively trying to rent a room where our babies can stay, nice and secure, dry - ready for next time.
joes bike got repaired and cheaper than he expected - but still 120 quid which is a hell of a lot over here, so he is storing his too. Perhaps we"ll do it all again next year!
Found the way to the temple the next day and , guess what, there was a whale skeleton laid out in front of it! The temple itself was small with carved wooden deities, all brightly painted - they get changed annually and we left with 2 of the previos years gods for good luck.
The ride up the coast was un eventfull, but enjoyable - the Goa border not being a problem as we snuk in behind a big 4x4 which was being pulled over - we emerged at the last minute, they blew whistles and shouted at us to stop but we laughed and carried on.
So this is it, the end of a good trip. We fly up to Rajasthan on the 28th Feb for a few days, then Delhi then home.
There are a few of us in Goa[ 5 ] looking to store bikes so we are collectively trying to rent a room where our babies can stay, nice and secure, dry - ready for next time.
joes bike got repaired and cheaper than he expected - but still 120 quid which is a hell of a lot over here, so he is storing his too. Perhaps we"ll do it all again next year!
Sunday, 18 February 2007
The last of the mountains
Mysore to Hassan was a breeze, we just went there to extend the luxury. Having said that, the hotel has really gone downhill-and has put its prices up, oh well.
Hassan down the mountains tho- well thats a different story. Its a long road from the plains, over the western ghats to sea level.The road itself isnt that good anymore [ it used to be but its been badly repaired ] but it is very exciting as it has lots of hairpins and spectacular curves.Its also full of traffic, so sometimes you are stuck behind a truck for a long time. The air is full of the smell of burning brake linings and burning out clutches. Inevitably some vehicles dont make it[down or up ] and drop off the edge or get suspended in trees overhanging rivers and cliffs etc.
We managed to grind another 6mm off our centre stand tho, and I chamfered the sides of my shoes- so we did get a good ride out of it.
The last time we did this route was with Joe and it was a right old ding -dong all the way down, as Joe and I ride the same-always pushing a bit harder.
So , now we are in Udipi again- this time at our favorite hotel, overeating and exploring new beaches. The bone in the photo is five and a half feet across, its definitely a vertibrae and must be a whales-I really wouldnt want to meet a shark that big! It makes you wonder how big the creature was tho.
Only 300km to go before we get to Goa and put the bike into storage. Its getting its final service today. There will be no more mountains, we cross some hills at Gokarna and then again as we enter Goa, but these are real pussy compared to the ones weve just done recently.Still dont know whats happening with the Bullwtwallas bike-- I might be able to sell it -but we are only in goa for a few days, so I shall probably store it--- Anyone interested in a bullet for next season at a good price??
Hassan down the mountains tho- well thats a different story. Its a long road from the plains, over the western ghats to sea level.The road itself isnt that good anymore [ it used to be but its been badly repaired ] but it is very exciting as it has lots of hairpins and spectacular curves.Its also full of traffic, so sometimes you are stuck behind a truck for a long time. The air is full of the smell of burning brake linings and burning out clutches. Inevitably some vehicles dont make it[down or up ] and drop off the edge or get suspended in trees overhanging rivers and cliffs etc.
We managed to grind another 6mm off our centre stand tho, and I chamfered the sides of my shoes- so we did get a good ride out of it.
The last time we did this route was with Joe and it was a right old ding -dong all the way down, as Joe and I ride the same-always pushing a bit harder.
So , now we are in Udipi again- this time at our favorite hotel, overeating and exploring new beaches. The bone in the photo is five and a half feet across, its definitely a vertibrae and must be a whales-I really wouldnt want to meet a shark that big! It makes you wonder how big the creature was tho.
Only 300km to go before we get to Goa and put the bike into storage. Its getting its final service today. There will be no more mountains, we cross some hills at Gokarna and then again as we enter Goa, but these are real pussy compared to the ones weve just done recently.Still dont know whats happening with the Bullwtwallas bike-- I might be able to sell it -but we are only in goa for a few days, so I shall probably store it--- Anyone interested in a bullet for next season at a good price??
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