o7 GLENDALE -- Local resident Edwin Hovsepian on Jan. 1 began Odyssey
2000, a worldwide cycling trip that will take him through about 40
countries in 12 months.
He promised to send the News-Press updates about his adventures. The
following is the second half of his latest e-mail, which arrived this
week.f7
We took the train back to Amsterdam to enjoy the remaining days off
and I was fortunate enough to be able to visit a friend I had not seen in
about 20 years.
Once again, I was spoiled in the comfort of a home (as opposed to my
tent!), a bed, home-cooked meals and even a washing machine for laundry.
After these three days of luxurious living, I was off to meet our
group and prepare for our flight to Australia and the start of the last 3
1/2 months of Odyssey.
We landed in Canberra and, after three days of riding, arrived at the
outskirts of Sydney.
This coincided with the Olympic Games and, once again, four days off
to enjoy the games and the great city of Sydney.
I managed to see about five events and spent a few days roaming the
huge Olympic Park and enjoyed the great atmosphere.
The Olympic spirit was ever-present in the city and we spent countless
hours in and around the different venues and Sydney Harbor.
We then flew to Townsville on the eastern coast of Australia, which
brought warmer and tropical weather, much to my delight.
We rode up the coast through the forests and beaches of this vast
country and, eventually, made it to the tropical heaven of Cairns.
This is another very popular and touristy destination in Australia,
and, more importantly, it is only a short boat ride from Cairns to the
Great Barrier Reef, one of the natural wonders of the world.
We spent an amazing two days snorkeling and scuba diving off the coast
and I even managed to skydive for the first time in my life.
I really didn't realize what I had gotten myself into until the plane
took off.
My first question was, "What if I change my mind and don't want to
jump?"
The answer came quickly from my tandem partner, instructor and best
friend, under the circumstances.
"You can't," he said. "The plane can't land with you in it."
It didn't really hit me until the first diver disappeared out of the
plane right in front of my eyes.
Then, it was my turn and there was definitely a big rush standing in
front of the open door of an airplane at 10,000 feet.
I jumped (OK ... maybe with a little push from my instructor!) and
really enjoyed the 30 seconds of the free fall as we reached terminal
velocity at 130 miles.
