Introduction to the Great Ocean Road

We woke up early and the folks at the motorcycle rental place (Garner's) agreed to meet us at 8:00 AM so we could get an early start.

Signed all the paperwork, picked out gear for Erin and Jenn needed a helmet. Neal lent me everything I needed (helmet, jacket, gloves) from his supply, and Jenn used Sandy’s jacket and gloves.

 After everyone was fitted we high tailed it back over to Neal’s place to pack our cloths and then we were off. A little odd navigating through the streets on Melbourne on the wrong (?) side of the road, but Neal said stay to the left and look to the right! We were soon on the outskirts of town on our way to Torquay where we stopped for a late breakfast. Turns out it is the home to Billabong and DC, and real close to the Bell’s beach, one of the most famous surfing beaches in the world.

Neal pointed out that Australia was number 1 in 3 things; Surfing, Skin Cancer, and The number of things that can Kill you!!!. Hopefully we won’t encounter any of the number 3 items J. We then entered the GOR (Great Ocean Road) and were wowed on almost every turn. 

 There were so many shades of blue I am sure that the pictures we took will not do them justice.

 We stopped at a place where there are usually wild kangaroos but all we saw was this sign. 

So we continued on to our resting place for the night in Lorne and upon pulling into the hotel, we noticed it crawling with police officers. Cars everywhere and officers walking around on every floor. We may just be nervous Americans, but it looked like something serious was going down! We pulled in among the sea of blue and got off the bikes. Sheepishly we ask an officer scurrying by if everything was alright and quickly got into his vehicle and drove off. The others soon followed so we assumed that whatever had occurred was now all-clear. Neal went into check in while I stood menacingly looking with my arms crossed next to our gear. The hotel maintenance guy came by and asked did I feel save! I asked why he would ask that, he said with the entire Police Department staying there, everything should be completely safe during our stay J. In fact we had just missed them as they had hurried of to dinner! Ok John…………. stand down from Def Con 4. After letting my chest deflate to its normal non-badass size, we worked our way over to our room. Neal decided he wanted to go to the beach and Erin was inclined to go with him. 

Jenn & I stayed back and chilled. The beach crew soon returned and we headed out to the GOR’s best burger bar The Milk Bar. As advertised it was delicious and packed with locals in the middle of their summer holiday. We quickly consumed our vittles and walked the short path back to “our stronghold” and called it an evening.  These wild Sulfur Crested Cockatoos were everywhere.

Awesome day, awesome ride, awesome company.