Arrived in Australia

We are now sitting in a nice house in Kirrawee, Sydney. The trip to here took about 35 hours from that we queued up in front of the check in desk at Arlanda. The checking in of the bikes did go well. We had "minimized" our packing to 41,5 kg + the bikes. The bicycle bags did we put in two big "china laundry bags" and then had them wrapped up with plastic so they were transformed to two neat packages. 

The bicycles had we first scrubbed clean from all dirt and removed pedals and turned the handle bars. Then wrapped them with some bubbel wrap on strategical places to give protection. And then put them in a CTC plastic bag. All that took some hours of work. But we were very happy with the results.

It was no problem to check in them, we were only asked to let out the air int the tires. Excess cost for the bicycles was $70 each (Air China).

Flight to Beijing was OK but boring 8 hours. Followed by 7 hours of transit time in Beijing. The airport in Beijing was very big and not much people there so it made it look even bigger. The clear view from the airport was only some hundred meters due to all the smog. We spent the hours in the transit lounge, eating and drinking. 

Second leg to Sydney was almost 12 hour long and a no thrill flight. But gave a beautiful view of the sunrise when we came to the height of Rockingham. The inflight over Sydney was also very beautiful, we could see the bridge, opera house etc and the plane took a turn around south of Botany bay too before landing. The views were a big contrast to the no visibility over Beijing.

When we had passed trough the passport control our luggage were already there waiting to be picked up. Our bikes seemed to have survived the flight in one piece and it was with a bit of relief that we began to assembling them again. The only damaged done that we have discovered so far is that one of the plastic holders for the mudguard is broken. 

Customs were also a simple procedure, we saw a sign informing that channel Seven were filming border control today, but we didn't spot them and we were only asked where we have cycled and then cleared to go through. The whole process took less then 20 minutes. 

Finding the way out from Sydney International Airport towards Botany Bay NP was a bit harder, but with some help we were soon on the bicycle path that goes south along the bay. It was some of the best cycling we have done so far. So beautiful with the beach and sea view. And the weather was also perfect even if it's now winter here, it was around 17 degrees and sunny. 

Staying now with our Warmshower hosts and the next days will we spend on shopping food, fuel, camera etc before continuing/beginning our Australian tour. 

The only picture that we have from the ride along Botany bay and it doesn't look that impressive. But the scenery was actually spectacular. In the background you can spot Sydney CBD.