Germany, Berlin, 7 July 2016

Posted on Thursday, 7-July-2016 by Chris Desmond

Berlin TV tower great view from the top, get there early, the Cathedral, Chocolate House amazing creations and ice-cream, Jewish Synagogue, a bit rundown, no photographs and Hackescher Market

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Germany, Berlin, 5-6 July 2016

Posted on Wednesday, 6-July-2016 by Chris Desmond

Berlin, a big modern city with a notorious past. Museums and memorials everywhere all commemorating the mayhem that originated here. Lots of tourists, public transport that will get you anywhere and everything is well organised. Population 6 million and about one-third of the city’s area is composed of forests, parks, gardens, rivers and lakes.

The ride from Veghel to Berlin was uneventful, autobahn all the way, some rain, many trucks, roadworks and not very interesting.

The first thing I did when I got to Berlin was to get a German SIM card, Vodafone, valid for 30 days, cost 10 Euro with 750 Mb of data and 15 Euro credit. Next a Welcome Berlin Card for 6 days 41.50 euro gives you free public transport and 25% discount off most tourist destinations. You can buy them at any railway station ticket vending machine. Otherwise a single ride will cost you 2.70 euro good for 2 hours travel.

The Berlin History Museum and a Memorial

 

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Netherlands, Veghel, 28 June to 4 July 2016

Posted on Monday, 4-July-2016 by Chris Desmond

From Hastings I rode to Veghel once again catching up with friends.

 

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United Kingdom, Edinburgh and Hastings, 22-27 June 2016

Posted on Monday, 27-June-2016 by Chris Desmond

From the Isle of Man I got the ferry back to the mainland and rode to Edinburgh to visit friends for a few days then back to Hastings to do an Oil and Filter change, fit new tyres and do final checks on the bike before I set out for the Continent.

The ride to Scotland was fine right until I got to Edinburgh where it had to rain hahaha.

I spent a day in Edinburgh and visited St.Giles Cathedral and the Museum and wandered around the streets, very touristy and lots of tourists.

The Scottish Countryside

Edinburgh to Hastings a long and not winding road, some roadworks and some rain to liven things up.

 

 

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United Kingdom, Isle of Man, 19-21 June 2016

Posted on Tuesday, 21-June-2016 by Chris Desmond

From Hastings I rode to Heysham and got the ferry to Douglas on the Isle of Man to ride the legendary Snaefell Mountain Course, a bucket list ride for all motorcyclists. This island is a Crown Dependancy with a population of 850,000 and it was a part of Norway until 1266. Beautiful and unspoilt best describes it except when the TT is on…

It is probably best known for the annual TT motorcycle races which are held along the island’s roads. The Mountain Course is 60.73 km long and the current lap record is 16:54 minutes held by Michael Dunlop at an average speed of 215 kph, it took me an hour to get around it  and that was scary hahaha, top speed along the Sulby Straight is 331 kph.

Hastings to Ballassalla on the Isle of Mann

Lots of historical places to visit on the Island, first stop Castle Rushen in Castletown entry £6 but I bought a £20 pass instead which gives me admission to all the National Heritage Sites.

The Sound, House of Manannan and Peel castle, beautiful countryside, blue skies and no traffic, couldn’t ask for more.

Point Ayre, the northern part of the Island, Laxey Wheel and Tynwald Hill

The Mountain Course, watch this VIDEO

Manx Museum, Douglas and The Grove

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United Kingdom, Hastings, 12-18 June 2016

Posted on Saturday, 18-June-2016 by Chris Desmond

I flew from Perth to Hastings via Singapore, a long flight. First job was to take my bike which has been resting in a friends garage to a Suzuki dealer for a checkup as part of a recall issued by Suzuki, all clear, a relief. After that order new tyres, chain and oil and catch up with friends.

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Australia, Perth and the South West, February 2016

Posted on Sunday, 28-February-2016 by Chris Desmond

Perth, Western Australia, population 2 million, a beautiful city. 8th in the Economist Intelligence Unit‘s 2015 list of the world’s most liveable cities.

The Bell Tower and Elizabeth Quay, a new development.

Aquarium of Western Australia AQWA

Swan Valley, wine producing region of Perth, not a bad way to spend the day.

Aviation Museum of WA

Pinnacles and Moore River Estuary 

Art Gallery of WA

Cohunu Koala Park

Mundaring Weir – This dam supplies water to towns 500 km East of Perth via a pipeline

New Norcia a Benedictine Monastic Community – Like all good monasteries they are self sufficient and make their own Beer and Wine.

Fremantle – The Port City and a Lonely Planet Top 10 City

Sculpture by the Sea and Mosman Beach

The South West

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South Korea, Jeju Island and B.I.F.F., 30 September – 04 October 2015

Posted on Sunday, 4-October-2015 by Chris Desmond

Jeju Island is a self-governing province located in the Korea Strait between Korea and Japan, population 600,000 plus about a million tourists. People from most countries do not need a visa to visit this island even if they need a visa for South Korea, as a result it is very popular with the Chinese.

It is a volcanic island with a huge dormant volcano (Mt.Halla) in the centre and hundreds of smaller cones scattered around the island. The people have their own language and culture and society is matriarchal with the woman being the head of the family especially among the  haenyeo (sea women) divers.

Seomyeon, Busan on the way to the airport for the 1 hour flight to Jeju Island.

Uneventful flight to Jeju, landed in pouring rain that continued into the next day.

Dongmung Market

Haenyeo Museum,  Seongsan Crater Park,  Bijarim Nutmeg forest

Kim Yeung-gap Gallery,  Yeongsil Trail Mt. Halla,  Iho Tewoo beach

Jalgachi Waterfront Market, Lotte Mall Sky Park

B.I.F.F. Busan International Film Festival

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South Korea, Busan, 24 – 29 September 2015

Posted on Tuesday, 29-September-2015 by Chris Desmond

Busan is South Korea’s second largest city with a population of 4.6 million. It is also the 5th busiest port in the world and is set amongst a series of hills so you are always walking either up or downhill. A vibrant port city, full of life with ancient markets alongside the biggest department store in the world Shinsegae Centum City.

I was privileged to spend time with a Korean family and celebrate Chuseok  (Harvest Moon Festival), the most important festival on the Korean calendar and BIFF (Busan International Film Festival) was on at the same time.

I flew China Eastern from Heathrow to Shanghai and then Korean Air to Busan. China Eastern is a budget airline and very basic. Avoid this route because they do not automatically transfer your luggage to the next flight at Shanghai, you have to pickup your luggage and go through immigration where they issue you with a temporary visa and customs which takes 2 hours because they scan everyone’s luggage. I only just made it onto my connecting flight after 3 hours of standing in queues, unbelievable.

Japanese Invasion Monuments and Galmegi Beach

Citizens Park used to be a US Military Base, Busan National Gugak Centre to attend a music and dance performance (no photos) – not to be missed  and Bujeon Market.

Chuseok (Harvest Festival), Beomeosa Temple and Nampo

Busan Museum, UN Cemetery, and Songjeondong Beach

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United Kingdom, Hastings, 17 – 23 September 2015

Posted on Wednesday, 23-September-2015 by Chris Desmond

From Dortmund in Germany I rode to Hastings in East Sussex in the UK, wet and windy on the continent. Got trapped by trucks and traffic into taking an off ramp going through Antwerp and had to turn around and get back onto the freeway hahaha, happens every time I go through this city which is clogged with trucks.

Arrived at Calais in fine weather, I had already booked my train ticket, 63 Euro for the bike and myself, follow the signs, check-in is automated and unattended, EU immigration is deserted ride straight through, stop at the UK immigration booth, present passport and carry on to board the train, painless and quick.

Blue skies welcomed me to the UK, short ride to Hasting through winding back roads of the British countryside, this is a beautiful part of the country.

Romney Marsh Churches etc

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