July 3: Paradise in Perth and Beyond
As I swooped up and over and around the hills and curves in Sandy Gully, bracing myself against the wind, swiping the rain from the surface of my goggles and dodging dirt and water in the road, I chortled with glee, feeling so fortunate to experience such an exhilarating ride after spending an amazing night in Perth.
Arriving last night in North Beach, a coastal enclave on the outskirts of Perth, I couldn’t believe my luck having selected this slice of Paradise to stop for the evening. Strolling down to the sand by the shore, I found myself alone with the frothy white crashing waves, soft deep wet white sand, and light blue sea. Breathing in the fresh salty air, I felt such a sense of peace in my heart, wondering at the beauty of God’s creation.
My dinner at Zeal Vietnamese restaurant just a few blocks away was one of the best so far on my trip – tender and juicy thick slices of beef stir fried in a savory peppercorn sauce with butter and garlic and accompanied by shallots and broccoli.
Walking off my meal, I returned to the beach, descending the wooden walkway to watch a lightning storm creating fireworks over the stormy sea, the city lights sparkling in the background.
Feeling rested and rejuvenated this morning, I headed north on route 60, weaving back and forth from the shore and inland, giving me beautiful peeks of the deep blue and turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. I encountered strong crosswinds and rain but was able to put my experience in Iceland to use to manage the conditions comfortably.
After gassing up in Geraldton and turning onto highway 1, I veered off on route 139 to Kalbarri for one of the best rides of the trip so far. I found it rather amusing that although the road had narrowed, there were no shoulders, and visibility was low, the speed limit remained the same as on the much larger road I had just left.
Whooping it up, I leaned into the throttle, snaking my way through the valleys and gulleys of the rolling hills, speeding up the inclines and enjoying the sense of weightlessness at the crests. The rain came and went, and I could see both deep storm clouds and bright sun below it in my rear-view mirror. What an amazing day on the bike!
