Today marks the 500th day of my Journey Around the World…!!
And it is as near as dammit, to half the time I planned to be on this ride…
But for a 10 day ride across to East Timor, making use of four or five ferries to cross the islands of Lombok, Sumbawa, Komodo, Flores and finally to Kupang, I will have covered three of the six continents I planned to ride on…
Bali to East Timor... By bike and by boat... (Better than "on a wing and a prayer"...!!)
So yeah, pretty much half way there, in more aspects than one…!!
I have traveled 81 230 km to date, 67 000 km of those on the Big Fella and the remainder by either plane or boat…
My trusty BMW 1200 GS has drunk almost 3 772 litres of fuel at exactly 200 pit-stops…
I may have consumed as many litres in Coke, Fanta, Coffee and a few other vital “medicinal refreshments” along the way, but who’s counting…!! Ha-ha…!!
Always ready and waiting, the Big Fella has hardly ever given me any need for concern... (Photo by Mikaela M.)
A good mantra to live by...
Together (and apart), we have visited a total of 79 countries so far… Although the Big Fella spent a day in Kuwait on the way to India, and is rather annoyed that I refuse to count that into his total, he never got to taste the asphalt of Vietnam and Burma, neither did he get to breath in the dusty and spicy smells of Bahrain and Qatar, so I still have a few up on him…!!
Getting myself around the world has been one thing, but I am continually amazed at the fact that every morning, standing outside wherever I have stayed, is this amazing machine, waiting to take me on to yet another new and exciting destination, and into a new round of chance meetings and adventures…
On a certain level, I have taken more pride in having managed to get the bike itself this far, than I have in getting myself halfway around the world…!!
At this point I also wish to convey my sincere and heartfelt thanks to all the amazing people whom I have met thus far over the course of my journey; to the people who have been so generous and kind, inviting me into their homes and making me feel “part of the family”; to the riders who have accompanied me for parts of the ride, and the camaraderie we shared during those stints…
A special thanks to my sister Charmaine, who has attended to my “administrative needs” while I have been away, and is currently recovering from major surgery in hospital… Thanks Sis, know that I am thinking of you during this difficult time…
To my parents and friends who have supported, encouraged and kept in constant contact with me, my special thanks to you too…
To the many people around the world, in over 120 countries, who have logged into my website to share the ride with me, and hopefully dream their dreams with me, you make writing the journal of this trip all the more worthwhile… Thank you for your many positive and kind comments… Much appreciated…!!
Sunset over Legian Beach, Bali... I hope to experience many more to share with you along the way...
And lastly, to Patricia, who has recently opened my eyes to new possibilities and made me begin to think and see things in a brighter light, and dare to begin work on a new dream…
I pray that the spirit and determination that beats strongly within me, will carry the Big Fella and I safely on through the last half of our journey together…
G.B.
Ubud, Bali.
©GBWT 2011
Well done. Very happy to find you half way around the world and happier than when you started. This journey, I believe, is about to change your life forever! Enjoy the ride.
Thanks Markus !! Looking forward to shooting the breeze with you soon…. Been a long time since we last saw each other, huh…!! Those were heady days, my friend…!! R.
Congratulations my Darling! Although I cannot bare the thought of being without you, I will be with you every moment in my heart and soul! I love you, and BTW…go easy on the Coke and Fanta ! 🙂
I heard about Lokon volcano eruption on North Sulawesi. I don’t know if it’s in your planned route. Take care and good trip.
I take it you are on the road again. Good luck stay safe and we look forward to seeing you (both) in Canada later next year. We are on a bit of a low today as we just booked our tickets home (well into Los Angles) and right now it is the last place we want to go. Well we have a plan and it will see us out on the road again soon I hope. All the best to you and it was a real pleasure riding with you.
Trev
PS I think I mentioned to you that Bali was a life changing place for us to visit and it seems like it has been for you. I am so happy for you.
I have arranged that all volcanoes on my intended route refrain from erupting until I am well past them…!! Sulawesi would have been an interesting diversion, but the boat to get there takes as much as four days…!! Not good…!! Take care and thanks for the concern, my friend…!! R.
Well…not quite….but soon enough I guess…!! Flying to Java to check out Angkor Wat’s cousin, then back to collect BF and THEN hit the road… All good things come to an end…eventually…!! You have had an amazing ride, one that you are both justifiably proud of… Remember, the journey only ends at your front door, so there will still be much to see between now and then… Ride L.A. to Saltspring slowly, let all you have achieved run through your mind again… And if you don’t shed a tear or two, I’ll be very surprised…!! It was a pleasure and an honour riding with you too, and I am thankful that we were given the opportunity to do so…
I am indebted to your match-making abilities…!! Bali was a brilliant idea after all…!!
Take good care, the both of you, and before this time next year, keep an eye out for me…!! R.
Hey Ronnie. I have been reading every single blog for the past 500 days and marvel at your courage, as it takes a certain strength to see the best out of every situation. Congrats on all fronts and from everyone on Kingstown, WELL DONE!!!
Now for an interesting stat that I would like to see, how much of the original gear that you left with have you used and tossed? Was interesting to see a tiled floor in Benoni of cable ties to iPods. Will keep watching and reading your road ahead. Keep the wit and the captions coming so us dreamers can keep dreaming.
Ollieeeeeeeee….!! Great to hear from you….!! I was talking about Janine’s amazing soups only yesterday, would you believe…!! What a co-incidence to hear from you…!! Thanks for the kind words, my friend… You don’t know how much I miss the bush, and especially being on Kingston…!! I had some of the best times of my life there…!! Hope you’ll be there to share a glass or three of light beverage when I get back…!! FYI, I have hardly used any of the 25 kgs of spares and tools that I left with, but being a very strong believer in “Murphy’s Law”, I do not intend ditching any of them…!! I have sent back more clothes than anything else, as well as a bag of electrical cables that I had no use for… Other than that, most of the kit I started out with is still with me, including a bloody set of shock absorbers…!! But I have had to change shocks twice, so having them with me was a good call after all…!! Take care and love to all the Lion Sands Family…!! Keep flying that proud flag on high…!! R.
Congratulations GB! You certainly are one in a million, Son of a Gun! You must be the seventh son of the seventh son! Hey when you gonna post some more pic’s of your new better half? We’re dying to see more of her!
Hey Bro…..At long last they have allowed me to have my laptop here in hospital. It has been a very long 6 weeks in here but I pray that the light at the end of the tunnel is near.
I cant believe we have not seen you in 500 days. Can you imagine if you never had this website for everyone to share in your journey, how much more difficult it would have been for Mom, Dad and I. We love and miss you and your funny sense of humour.
May your next 500 days be as joyous and safe as the last have been, Australia beware, Gypsybiker is on his way!!!
Hi Charmz, nice to see you back on the comments section, i know this comment section is supposed to be for Ronnie but I dont have your email and i just wanted to see how you were doing, i cant believe all that has happened to you and that you have been in hospital for 6 weeks, are you in the clear now? I hope you are at least feeling a bit better..
take the time to recover fully before you get back into the full swing of things, hope you get to go home soon.
luv chenty
Hi Ron,
WELL DONE!!! Hope you will have many more safe miles, and living your dream. Thanks for sharing it with us!
Congrats on reaching half-way stage. Safe passage for the remainder. (or in SA lingo “Ry Veilig” !!)
This journey truly seems to be a ‘glass half full’ thus far! And filling quickly! You might even need a bigger glass! Ha! AWESOME!!!!!!!!!
Congrats Ronnie! It was so great to meet you in Bali and now that I am back home, I am enjoying fully catching up on your past blog posts and all your wonderful stories. Any friends of yours who are passing through Santa Barbara are welcome to stay with Raphael and I — it’s on the way to the essential CA Highway 1 coastal drive (Big Sur).
Of course. I hope to see you again before you get to the CA stage of your own journey : ). We are sending you some Australian tips separately …. enjoy your last few days in Bali with Patti and safe travels!
Hi Mikaela…!! It was great spending time in your company, and I certainly look forward to seeing you again in the reasonably near future…!! Any info that will add to the excitement of riding through Oz would be much appreciated…!! Take care, R.
Wooowwww…. you made it to Timor Leste!! I’ve never thought it was possible to do the trip that you are doing, hopping from one ferry to another. Keep it going bro….
On a sombre note, how is your sis doing? Is she the one admitted to the hospital or it is your dad and she is there to look after him? I can’t help thinking about it since we have meet each other in your cam2cam.
Hi there Rory, It was me and not my dad. All well with our parents. I am also recovering from my operation. Thanks for your concern. Take care
Hi Charmz. Glad to hear from you at last(since Ronnie is too busy to reply) and happy to know that you are recovering and able to go out disco again soon. You have to stay strong for both your parents and Ronnie.
Hey Hey Ronnie – well done, it is nice to see you smiling again. Your blogs and photos are great evening entertainment. I am still hoping that you will show up in our neck of the woods oneday. 108 Mile Ranch is in the sticks, but the company should be good.