‘Escorted’ into rainy Frankfurt International

Singapore bound on the Strait of Malacca, passing Sumatra on the west hand side

Next stop Singapore. Let it rain again Approaching Singapore Changi Airport.

Singapore Congestion …

#TO2014

My bird that brings me to Singapore has docked at the gate. What a beauty and named ‘Johannesburg’. A special treat for a TdA alumni, thanks whoever from the tour office in Toronto arranged for this! Now nothing can go wrong anymore.

Check the name!

#to2014

It is pouring cats and dogs at Frankfort Airport and these items are laying there for more than an hour and still nobody around who cares. Hey FraPort! I hope my cardboard box with my bike is sheltered and not disintegrating in the rain.

#to2014

Bike and bag is checked in. Perfect Lufthansa service. Hanging out in Stuttgart until boarding the first leg to Frankfort is announced where I’ll start my first A380 flight later this evening … The Safari has begun ;). #to2014

My ‘life’ for the next 5 months is boxed.

Getting ready for the final night in Germany. Everything I need for the next 5 months is stored in the bag and bike-box. Well, not everything, the veggies and noodles are in the “tour chef’s” bag .  Please  Lufthansa and Silk Air , don’t loose, break or delay the 2 checked-in pieces. See you both on Friday morning  in Medan.

Online check-in  done, boarding cards printed, taxi ordered for tomorrow morning, anything else left to do?

“Kein Australier bereist das Outback im australischen Sommer von November bis Februar – viel zu heiß. Dass es unter Europäern dennoch beliebt ist, in dieser Zeit zu reisen, liegt wohl daran, dass man nichts lieber tut, als dem nasskalten Sauwetter in Mitteleuropa zu entfliehen, um es endlich warm zu haben!”

http://www.australien-panorama.de/fakten/ausklima_reisezeit.html

English:
“No Australian would travel the Outback in the Australian summer from November to December – far too hot. The reason why it is still popular for Europeans to travel just in this time is obviously that they have nothing better to do  than to flee from the wet and cold Middle European weather in search for some  warmth.”

Question: Is Canada a European outpost or why do Canadians organize a ride in exact this timeframe? Probably they share the same desire for a bit of warmth around Xmas.

My home away from home for the next few months. ‘Living room camping’ – I can do it!. No help needed to setup the tent for me and ‘Mrs. Wiggley II.’

#TO2014

2 days to go. Got my final hair cut and a farewell with friends. The hair looks much longer as it really feels and the greyish color must be a defect in the camera sensor 

#TO2014

Just 3 more days in good old Germany before I am leaving for my next adventure. Office is locked, bike is cleaned and boxed, the piles of clothes and things on the living room floor disappeared into the duffel bag … Wednesday and airport taxi can come … oops, there is still a lot of cleanup to do, I guess I need the extra days to clear away the mess that built up around me. Helping hands welcome #TO2014

Only 10 days before I am leaving for Medan/Sumatra, the start location of the tour … and just 15 days before we ride into the first stage, a short 57 km to Berastagi.  But believe me, Cristiano wouldn’t cut it that short, if he didn’t put a big obstacle in our way – the first volcano, a stormy river, heavy wind and rain, or a nice beer garden with free bottomless beer for all of us?!