smek wrote:That's because Australia is somewhere you'd actually want to live... as opposed to the US
Mmmmmmm, don't know bout that; certainly from a riders perspective, if you've ridden in the states . . . . . . Oz doesn't even come close imho !

(So don't come here thinking the roads are 'the biz' because compared to the states . . . nah, nowhere near - well that's my opinion anyway).
The roads, the scenery and diversity, over there? huh . . . . Seriously outta this world! Man, if I could; I'd quit work tomorrow - head to the states, hire a bike and just ride ! Now that would be living !
Not to mention the campgrounds you have - no comparison, seriously! The campgrounds in the states are just brilliant. Nicely laid out, and just soooooooooo inviting - again, our campgrounds don't come close (far from it).

And from my experience . . . . I didn't have a problem with language - quite the opposite. Everytime we'd stop for 'gas' we would spend an hour or so at the gas station, because another bike rider would come up and talk to you, and talk to you, and talk to you. And that worked from both sides - it was great to talk with them and they loved talking to us! And more often than not, they were sooooooooo impressed and engrossed in hearing about the trip that we were currently undertaking at the time, that they just didn't want to stop talking to us.
We spent 1x night with a couple and their kids, who were camping (and we only stopped there because the rear tyre in my bike blew) and we stayed up ALL night with them sitting by the fire drinking their flavoured vodka and eating dinner which they shared with us . . . . just comparing US and THEM. What can I say - loved it! And I won't bore you with soooooooooo many other positive experiences that we had, as the list can go on.
Anyway, for me - I'd be there in a heartbeat!
Not to mention I was supposed to be returning on 06/06/08 and my ex boyfriend is flying out to do it all again.

(I'm devo! And am going to get some tissues - shattered.

)