The team poses for a photo with BFGoodrich and the team from Tyres Plus.

Journal by Justin Mounts

Another one down…

We have finished our crossing of Australia and now are ready to begin preparations to ship our cars to Singapore to start the Asian leg of our journey. It is too soon to call it the road home, since there are yet several months of driving to go.

Today is an early start for almost everybody. Thanks to the warm reception by Australians, we have had a great deal of press as we’ve traveled around. Just yesterday, I conducted two radio interviews, and today we are making an appearance with BF Goodrich tires. Going into these events always brings a great deal of uncertainty, because you never know who is going to show up. Also, after the long days we’ve had getting into Perth, the team is a bit haggard and could use some time off. But everyone knows the drill—shirts on, cars cleaned, smiles firmly affixed to our faces, and it’s game on.

We arrive on time, set up the cars, and wait…

Unfortunately, luck is not on our side today. Only a few people show up to support our appearance, but sometimes that’s just the way it goes.

On the bright side, Perth is a great city. After the long haul across the Outback, it’s nice to be back in a developed area. At first glance, it reminds me quite a bit of San Diego. Perth is full of museums, beach areas, and friendly people, plus it has a vibrant downtown shopping area. But Perth also feels quite a bit more laid back compared to the other cities I visited in Australia. It also reminds me a bit of home. It’s been nice speaking English again for the last month, although I have to admit that sometimes trying to translate Australian English can be just as difficult as translating Spanish or Portuguese.

But, I do feel it’s time to go. Having given Australia its fair shake, I’m yearning for the challenges and cultures that await us in Asia. I have never been to the Southeast part of Asia, and I am uncertain of what to expect. As with all of my travels, I’ll find out when I get there.

Until next time, I wish you all well from the far side of the world.

(L to R) Todd, Nick, and Nancy pose with the Michelin Man at the SEMA show in Vegas at the end of October. Michelin and Drive Around the World sponsor BFGoodrich are part of the same company.

Photo by Michelin

Logbook for May 15th, Day 197
Start: Cottesloe, Australia
Time: 7:30 a.m.
S: 31* 59.406
E: 115* 45.222
Finish: Cottesloe, Australia
Time: 5:00 p.m.
S: 31* 59.406
E: 115* 45.222
Mileage: 41
Notes: Day started with a 3-hour appearance at Tyre Plus with BFG corporate present. After lunch with Brent Laobrook from BFG, we prepared a news story for the local papers and made a visit to a local gentleman who has Parkinson’s.

(N.O.)

Help support our cause: The LONGITUDE Expedition is the longest journey ever attempted with a focus on Parkinson's Disease. The Drive Around the World team aims to raise money for Parkinson’s Disease research by driving four certified pre-owned Land Rover Discoverys around the globe following lines of longitude. Readers are encouraged to pledge small amounts of money per expedition-kilometer via a pledge form that can be found on our Parkinson’s page by clicking here. 100% of donations received go directly to Parkinson's research and all who donate $10 or more will be entered into a raffle to win an expedition-equipped Land Rover Discovery.