Luke Yates begins his epic journey across Oz, and quickly realises that it’s not the challenges on the road that make travelling Australia tough; it’s the things you leave behind…
Leaving home is tough. I mean really leaving home. I’ve not lived with my parents for any time longer than a university summer holiday for 6 years now but they are always there. A 3-hour drive may seem a lot sometimes but it really isn’t. It’s always so reassuring knowing that somebody has always got your back, no matter what happens.
This, along with the extended support network provided by friends, is proving by far the hardest thing about the trip so far. There were so many milestones – booking flights, leaving work, leaving parties and many others – that the reality didn’t really hit home until six o’clock Saturday morning in a hotel room in Perth. Up until then I was able to constantly message friends and family, but as I packed my bike fully for the first time, it really struck me what I was leaving behind.
Acclimatising to Australia
I’m very lucky in that I have some great people in my life, in London and further afield, and the lack of contact has been tough so far. Western Australia is an incredibly remote and underpopulated region. The South West is better than most of it, but internet has not been regular, that’s for sure. I still think this trip is the right choice for me. I don’t miss the routine that my life was in that’s for sure.
I’m also slowly getting used to being on the road, my fitness is building and I’m getting more comfortable at heading off for the day not entirely certain where I will sleep that night. I’ve already met some great people and seen some fantastic things and I really can see a path for this trip to be the kick start for the life I want in the future.
All in the mind
It is hard though. Little things niggle, like packing up your life each day; chaining up and then worrying about the bike every time you stop somewhere; the bloody mosquitos. But most of all the difficulty has been mental so far. Regularly having people around that I care about and that care about me is probably something I take for granted and it’s not until this is taken away that you realise just how much this means and how much you miss it when it’s not there.
The road to adventure
It’s definitely getting easier, and I keep reminding myself that I’m travelling Australia with all the time in the world. I feel very lucky and I’m glad I made this choice. I am, after all, currently sat writing this by firelight at a beautiful camp by the river!
But a word of caution: if you’re going to do something similar, do your best to prepare for the difficulties. Realise that it will not all be plain sailing and that there will be a lot you leave behind. Once you can accept this, you’re well on the way to an incredible adventure.
You can follow my progress here, on my website and on twitter @lhyates89 and @GlobalGrapevine so please don’t hesitate to check out my adventures and get in touch. I would love to hear from you!
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