January 2005 - farewell party in auckland

The bikes were ready and loaded, all we had to do was toast them, in company of 45 people. I'd ridden my first kilometre on my 42kg bike the day before with a great sense of satisfaction. More than that, there was magic in the air. You could not get the grin off my face and the deep happiness feeling as I looked up to the last rays of sun and turned around to go back up Byblos place - my first 500 metres uphill in almost the easiest gear - "you wait for the Himalayas, I thought".

Our bikes will go through a lot no doubt, but they have now be christened: our friend Ross got to do a wheelie with the bike fully loaded (photo above, not in action unfortunately) -there is no stopping this man, who was close to considering joining us on his unicycle...

So we cheered, and toasted, and sang to our bikes, our trip, and life in general but above all, to all our friends and family, loved ones gathered there on the day, who put their worry, or more, aside to give us encouragements and big warm smiles as we were about to embark on our journey. Thank you!