Reisebericht

With Appreciation to Those on the Road

Sure there is a lot of work to do before the lift off, and there is a lot of help needed from a lot of people.
But after the final take off we had to look forward and find our way to make the dream come true. The lines below are here to say "Thank you !!" to all (some) of the friendly people we met on the road and gave us a very warm welcome. This unexpected heartily welcome recharged our batteries and gave us power to move on. Sometimes we spent a few days, sometimes just a few minutes together, but for sure we will remember this time our lifetime. Below listed according to the point of time - we hope the list will further grow ;-)

Sonja [Biddefort/Maine]20.July2006

After all the exhausting time at the beginning of our big trip, the days in Manhattan, all the struggle for getting our Landy, we arrived at Sonja's place a few days later. So it was important to have a place to know "you are welcome" and we enjoyed every minute together. After the windy night at the park slot of the lovely house we were prepared for our big trip.

Mark and Marie [Jeffersonville/Vermont] 22.July2006
After our life on the road got started we were not sure that there were really kind and down to earth people on the road. Mark and Marie convinced us from the opposite. We will remember the hours at the campfire and talking about Canada in front of us and "what ever"

Lorne [Dowling/Sudbury] 30.July2006

Lorne is a story to himself and could be a whole book. He just picked us up during our lunch break in front of a visitor map. There where some french people with their Landy too. They where on THEIR big Trans America trip. Straight away he decided to give all of us shelter for a night at his camp. For sure we could use all his belongings, starting from sauna and ending at his canoe. So we spent a great time at the beautiful lake at his property. Anyway, it was a very special time for us, and we never met such a nice fellow - and probably there is nobody else like him.

The french people: Fabrice, Valerie,the two kids and their Landy: [at Lorne´s place]

Just a few words to the french guys we met. Great what you are doing and so similar to our project. Their kids are just about 7years older than ours and their Landy has done 200000k's more than ours already. So we looking forward to catching up.....

Joel [Bellingham WA] 22.August2006

What a kind person !! The best friend from Mike. We just spent a few minutes, maybe a hour together, but it was great to talk to him, meanwhile our kids had fun with his son Sam in the backyard. All the tips he gave influenced our further journey all through California and the canyons. Not just because of the homemade bread he gave to us we left his place well recovered.

The Kunrath's [Portland OR] 23.August2006

Right after they got known about our journey through Egberts brother, they wrote a invitation in our guestbook (by the way, everyone is welcome to do so ;-). As uncomplicated and friendly this was, the stay at their driveway over night was too. Not to forget the tasty dinner we enjoyed on their terrace. Luke and Felix had great time with Annie the dog, and all the toys which got kindly prepared. It is a pity, but we had to leave to the coast and where not able to spend some more days with them on their mountain hut.

Mike [Stockholm,California, earth] since July 2005

We met Mike and his family on our bicycle trip around Stockholm/Sweden in 2005. Uncomplicated as he/they are we spent a day in Stockholm and for some dinner and coffee at their flat. However, his talking about California was one of the initial points for our basic decision to organize the trip as we did. Maybe he felt guilty?? But he supported us all our way down the west coast with a lot of tips what to see and where to meet some nice people.

Nathaniel & friend [Coalinga CA] 7.September2006
Was just a short talk to the two off-road enthusiasts at the parkinglot of the Coalinga church where we stood overnight. But these to guys stand for all the other people we talked during our trip in belongings "LANDY". Yes, they are right, the Landy is the right, the only, fellow to experience such a journey in a proper way (for us).

Walter+Clare & Eugen+Helga [Moab UT] 18.September2006
While we were BBQing our chops at the nice camp in Moab a green Land was passing by. Sure that he pulled off. In it Eugen and Helga were the two experienced German travelers. So there was lot of stuff to talk about. They decided to spend the night at the same spot like we and invited the sympatric Austro/Canadian Walter and Clare they met earlier the day. So we had a lot of talking at the campfire for few hours, Helga and Eugen were talking over their former trips to Australia, Africa,..... and Walter and Clare about coming to Canada 50 years ago. Next day in the morning we met these kind people again, the Germans were heading to the Arches and Walter on his way to the bike loop. We wish to be as fit as Walter when we get his age and look as young as he does... another goal to meet.

Jack & Marion and family [Long Beach/ L.A. CA] 1 and 2 October2006
It was one of those days, you are traveling for a long time and no place to find for staying overnight. For sure we expected that it won´t be easy when entering to L.A. At one of the thousands of red lights in Long Beach- a small talk with a Harley rider. What model year the Landy ?? vs Where the next WAL Mart ??- But there is none in the near. Anyway, a couple of red lights later the Harley rider appears again- why not to stay at his homeplace he asked ? Why not ?! A few miles later we parked our Landy in the driveway of his beautiful house and we had a great BBQ at night. Like won in the lottery his wife Marion (born in Sydney) works for a travel agent and is expert for down under and Fiji. So she double checked our hotel reservation for Fiji by phone and as you can imagine we had a lot of stuff to talk about the whole evening. So one evening was even too short- and we stood another night at their place right after our visit to Disneyland.

Roger, Fran, Scotty and family [Orange / L.A. CA] 4. October2006
Washing, waxing, vacuuming...we are at the car wash in Orange near the city centre of L.A. for the whole day. Last night we stood at the Wal-mart parking lot, but they do not like this here. Anyway, small talk about Landy and things. Unexpected the kind offer from Roger to spend the night in front of his house. What a pleasure to learn more about these kind people, the humorous Roger, his kind wife Fran and their clever son Scotty. What a warm welcome- what a nice evening- the last evening for us in the States.

Peter, Birgit, Philipp [Sassafras / Melbourne - AUS] 29.October- 26. Novembre 2006
THE BIG PARTY AT/WITH THE ZANON´S & COMB´S
What a time !! Together with the Combs (Darell, Angie, Daniel, Maya) and the Zanon´s for four weeks at the beautiful place on Mt. Dandenong. Beside the preparations for the Aussie trip of the Combs and us, there was enough time for having fun at the eleven people househould. Not just the kids enjoyed the time together and the explorations in the Zanon´s garden. Looking forward to another great time at this lovely place when we have to leave Aussieland in April.

Anthony / British 4WD [AUSTRALIA]
It seems that Anthony knows everything about Landies. And much more than that- he is willing to share his knowledge to crazy nuts like we are. So he helped us out by phone the one or other day when we had little worries with our fifth family member. Good to know that these worries are not based on serious problems and that our landy can get fixed by an "monkey with an stick" (so it is really the right car for us). The fast and uncomplicated shipment of the "tie rod end" and some "wheel bearing" cross the continent was just another great service !!

Rochus, Nina, Simon, Jakob [Bunbury / West-AUS] 28.-29. Dec + 4.-7. Jan 2007
We met the family from Stuttgart at our lunch break in Bunbury/WA. They are on their one-year timeout with homebase "Bunbury" After some small talk we asked the question why not to spend some more time together. So they packed their Disco within few moments to be prepared for the camp at the Belvedere and some fun on the beach the next day. After our new year experience in York we decided to make an additional weekly loop in the South West before heading up to the north. So we got the chance to meet again and tour around together for two days.

IAN
a story in some acts
Act 1 [Nullabor Plain / middle of nowhere] 14. Dec 2006
Full speed ahead (80k/h) we are hunting through the longest sealed straight (more than 140k´s). What is appearing on the horizont. A yellow dot gets bigger and bigger. It is Ian with his Bedfort Jowett (2 Zylinder; 7,5HP; MJ 1947) having a small break down (broken axle). However, we stopped for asking if he is fine and... he is missing his jack so we lent ours and gave a hand where possible for fixing his outback approved oldtimer. After the job was finsihed we headed to the Balladonia Roadhouse where we stood over night and got the kind offer from Ian to pull over at his place in York near Perth.

Act 2 [York / near Perth] 30. Dec 2006 - 2.Jan 2007
For having some New Year party and some Civilasation around us we pulled over at Ian´s place as he offered to us. It is a real nice house in th small town of York. Here we found out that York is quiet a bit away from Perth (100k´s) and that there is no NewYear party in Perth this year. So we decided just doing some sightseeing in Perth and to stay at York for the New Years Eve for having a bit different party this year. After that we started to an additional loop in the south before heading up to the north.

Act 3 [York / near Perth] 9. - 12.Jan 2007
After that nice loop was finished another three night stop over at Ian´s place. We get prepared for the big bit of nothing in the north and made a final check at Landy. Finally we change the wheel bearing which might have been the reason for some unhappy noises from our fifth family member. So we should be prepared for the Tropic now- anyway there is the plan to meet with Ian further in the north.

Act 4 [Miaree Pool WA to Brisbane QLD] 25. Jan-12. March 2007
Miaree Pool- [Sarah&Sean]; Marble Bar- [Hottest town Australias, we did it for sure in summer]; Nullagine- [the gold, which gold ??]; Broome- [the beach, the sunset, the humidity]; Windjana Gorge- [a great place even more in the off season]; The Kimberley´s- [green, wide, no one there]; Kakadu- [mainly flooded]; Litchfield- [nice, fresh water]; Borroloola- [The Gulf Savannah experience]; The Barkley- [boring like ever, but green this time]; Charters Towers- [made it!!]; to Brisbane
46days, close to 10000k's - what a time!! Thank you "Super-Aussie" for your so patient travel companion!! Our Landy still feels a bit sorry to pushing your Nissan to the limit sometimes- please forgive.

Sarah & Sean part 1 [Miaree Pool to Nullagine / West-AUS] 25.-29. Jan 2007
As we met Ian on the point fixed before (Miaree Pool / 25 Jan) he was surrounded by Sean and Sarah. The Aussie couple nearly our age , is on their yearly time-out and just started their trip from Perth- their homebase. So we spent a few very nice and relaxing days at the Miaree Pool. Not just the kids enjoyed the activities of the two really. Just because of the two, Luke improved his swimming a lot and got used to the swing-rope. The fishing experience Luke made counts to one of the highlights to him for sure. Together we made the run to Australia's hottest town- Marble bar and further to Nullagine (in all that in the summer time) Unexpected they had to leave there, their Engel was hesitating with the high temperatures, and a partly broken battery from their solar system made their life not easier. It was a hard good bye after a great time.

Sarah & Sean part 2 [De Grey River to Broome / West-AUS] 31. Jan.- 7.Feb. 2007
As unexpected as the good bye in Nullagine the come back near Port Hedland was. Due to they have got to Broome to get fixed their battery we can join for another few days - and maybe more. Beside fishing and exploring, Luke picks up more and more the English language, and Sarah & Sean get familiar with Deutsch. So they get well prepared for further traveling- in Europe? Thanks to the two Luke became a real diver- no worries for him to dive a whole lenght in the pool now. Meanwhile they waited in Broom´s caravan park to get the Toyo´s rear differential fixed, we explored the surrounding with Ian. When meeting again- bad news again. They leave the same afternoon to perth by plain due to bad circumstances of Sarah´s grandma. Again an unexpected and hard goodbye. We got known that the time together was more than a good travel company - we got friends. So hope to see you soon- if not at this trip - for sure in AUSTRIA.

Mike Murray [Fletcher Creek / near Charters Towers QLD] 27.Feb.-2. March 2007
Thanks for the fishing net !!

Kingsley, Kathryn and the kids [Grampians/SA + Nambour/QLD] 1-2.Dec. 2006 + 11-12.March 2007
First we met in the burnt Grampians. The Aussie family [Kingsley,Kathryn,Caleb (15), Samuel (13),Leane(10)] on their three months trip through down-under. For sure we followed their invitation to visit them at their homeplace in Nambour/QLD. So we called in on our last part of our trip and got a very warm welcome. They got caught by their everyday life already, the same destiny we have to handle in a few weeks too :-( However, it was great to exchange some travel experience and the kids had some fun. It is a pity that Luke could not enjoy the stay very much- his high temperature since a few days handicapped him. After the quiet night in their backyard we headed further to the south.

Dr. Nathan [Mullambimbi] 14+16.March 2007
He did everything to find our what is wrong with Luke. Yes, he had the right feeling- it was the bone infection which caused the troubles in the right knee and the temperature.

Dr. Freihaut + the Nurse Team [Lismore Base Hospital kids ward] 16+29.March 2007
They had the right feeling too, and got it confirmed after the bone scan. After finding the right antibiotics we saw Luke feeling better day by day. After nearly two weeks in the kids ward Luke did not want to get out there. The kind nurse team was just too great and making friends with Kallem made the good bye even harder. Never thought that it can be as hard to leave a hospital.

Diana [Lismore Base Hospital / Alstonville] 23. March+ 1.April 2007
What a dedicated woman. Beside her full time job the Austrian born lady organises heaps of great things for long term guests in the Lismore kids ward. So there was this beautiful quilt for Luke. Not just he had the choice for the design, he even was able to take it home. He is so proud of it. After he got out of the hospital we got the chance to get a bit more known about Diana when invited to her place for a coffee and great sweets.

Darell, Angie, Daniel, Maya [near Byron Bay] 13. March- 2.April 07
After the big party at the Zanon's we were sure to visit the great family on our way down the east coast. Not just Luke was looking forward to the meeting for months. Due to Luke's hospital experience it became weeks instead of the planned days. Especially at this period of time it was very important for the Pressl team to have such a great support from people like the Combs. A pity that the planned traveling days together were not able to get realized. All the best for your future in OZ land.

MANY THANKS all these kind people above mentioned and to all the other friendly people we find everywhere (For sure there is an other sort of human life around too, like everywhere- but it is not worth to spend just one letter for these- isn´t it? ). A kind small talk or just a smile is what it makes just more worth to doing what we do. It just makes the difference between looking nice photos and living the dream.

AND thanks to all the travelerlodges, Super8 and other motels with unlocked wireless. Yes, the green Landy in your parkinglot is ours and we are just updating our website ;-)