Ode to my Thongs

Oh rubbery friend of mine,
Bought for a buck in the discount line.

I’ve worn you in China, Tibet and Nepal
On buses and trains, rickshaws and all.

Though I mistreat you, wear you out in the rain
You don’t let me down or give me foot pain.

And when this trip is said and done,
When all the roads lead to one.

You’ll be there, like a dear old friend
To be worn to the pub, every weekend.

I’m no Poet..

OK so quite clearly I’m no Whitman, Cummings or Frost but I needed to show my appreciation for these marvelous inventions. I’ve abused mine recently, I’ve worn them through mud, used them to stop a scooter from rolling down a hill, swatted 100s of bugs and generally not looked after them. So this poem is my penance for torturing my poor shoes.

Regardless of what you call them, pluggers, thongs, jandels, flip-flops, slippers, sandals, they simply are the  greatest footwear available, and Lets not forget they cost on average $3.00.

So lets give a hand for the hardest working sole protection devices out there!

GK out.

In a heart beat.

The time I spent above 3000m will stay with me for a lifetime. The views, people, and chance to stand on the roof of the world was worth the pain in my legs, chest, back and arse.

The people I made the trip with, Dan, Deb, Dan (Tour leader), Micheal, John, Keith, Esty, Russel, Kane, Jody and Anthony were some of the nicest, and patient individuals I’ve ever had the pleasure of working/riding/being with in a tent for 15days. They put up with the  Crazy little Aussie that brought the wrong bike, wrong clothes and failed to train for what is one of the hardest rides you can do. They smiled, and inturn helped me smile, through the endless servings of curry potatoes, head winds and cold. They help each other, and me, ride sections we thought we couldn’t, change tires when they went flat and get going in the morning when all you want to do is sleep. (I hope I spelled everyone’s name right!)

Thanks Guys (and Girls) for making the trip for me!

I want to also thank Dan, tour leader, for scaring the crap out of me by saying I might have to go home, and also being a great guide. I hope the next tour, a Buddhist meditation walk, is easier and your charges less of a headache.

The ride itself is worthy of a mention. The distance and altitude add up to a monster of a challenge, something I thought I was ready for, I was wrong. If you ride a bike and think you need a challenge take up the KE adventure tour. You wont be disappointed.

In total I managed just over 700km of the 1150km ride, I’m proud to say I managed that, but there’s a little voice inside me that says I’ll be back some day to earn my EFI (Every F*cking Inch) Badge.

Standing at the foot of Everest was the highlight. I still smile like a kid on Christmas every-time I think of the mountain and the fact I’ve seen its size and beauty in the flesh, or should I say rock…and snow. Even the altitude sickness, being rushed to a lower place and vomiting can’t take the smile off my face. Not only did I achieve my goal but I have a great story to tell for years!

I’ll end this with a thought. If there’s somewhere you want to go, something you want to say, or something you want to do…. DO IT. Don’t wait grasp life by the stones and leap.

A smiling regards

GK