Preparation and Departure

With the first blog entry, as it usually is with things you do or experience for the first time, you don't know if you're doing it right or if you're completely clueless.

That's how it was for me in the past few days: flying long-haul for the first time, dismantling a bike for the first time (it's harder than expected, but doable ;-)), going on a solo trip for the first time, writing my own blog for the first time...

The preparations challenged me: how do you take a bike, a tent, a sleeping bag + mattress, spare parts for the bike, general equipment, and both casual clothes and cycling gear for 8 weeks when you only have 37 kilograms available!?

I had the feeling that everything got heavier the more I weighed or repacked. At check-in, I was initially looked at with disbelief. What I had in mind and how I came up with the idea, I was asked. I didn't have a suitable answer ready. In the end, the scale showed 31.1 kilograms for the checked baggage (allowed is 30), an unimaginable 14 kilograms for the carry-on (allowed is 7, the luggage scale at home said 9.5 kilograms). When I looked at the departure board, I felt a little uneasy, but the nice staff member gave me my boarding pass and wished me an unforgettable journey. I was happy and perplexed at the same time.

Now there are just under 15 hours to Auckland, although we reached Dubai with a 2-hour delay. Fortunately, it was enough for the connecting flight. Now I sincerely hope that my bike is safely stored a few floors below me in the belly of the plane and slowly doze off again. Flying can be really exhausting...