May 13th: Packing Up in Kuta
Day 212
Today was spent preparing for the next leg of our journey. I washed the dirt off of our bags and trikes, since Australia is pretty strict about bringing in any biological hitchhikers and is known to check for mud on your cycles and camping gear. I also inspected our bamboo pannier frames and found that one piece had rotted and another had a hole that could allow insects into the tube. Using a serrated knife and a folding knife I was able to cut the new pieces to length and drill holes. I have read that Australian immigration is thorough but fair, so I will declare the items on arrival. Take note TSA.
Cher updated the blog in expectation of limited internet access once our tent becomes our primary shelter in Australia. We splurged on a meal that cost more than 4.50 USD person and mentally prepared ourselves for a much different kind of journey. With such an open arid landscape this will be more like unsupported backpacking with water as a major concern. At the last minute I found an application called Wiki Camps Au, which details all caravan parks and roadside rest stops along the way. Most importantly it lets us know where we can find water.
Cher is already dreading the loss of cheap readily available food, while I’m looking forward to doing some of our own cooking. Food in Indonesia has been plentiful, cheap and delicious but I miss the western treats that are comparitively expensive. A can of kidney beans costs the same as two meals and I love beans. Despite our gastronomical differences we are both looking forward to some open space.
