Toronto to Vancouver - Log #001# (Toronto, Ontario)

It was a foggy day in Toronto which created a very special atmosphere, with the scycrapers fading out into the mist.

 

Old Toronto and the Old Whiskey Distillery.

The waterfront.

On my way to Richmond Hill to meet the Dorsts.

Richmond Hill in the suburbs of Toronto.

With Patricia and her daughter Marianne we met at the Toronto Pearson International Airport. 

We flew on the same flight from Paris and after Patricia spotted my helmet we exchanged email addresses as she and her husband are avid bikers.

After emailing me a couple of hints and tips about destinations and sight seeings in Canada, Patricia eventually emailed me an invitation to stay at their family house in Richmond hill.

 

I spent two nights at Dorst's place and I have to say that their hospitality was very important for me to recover from minor jet lag, recharge my batteries ,plan my trip (co-authored with Patricia) and have some fun with the family.

John on his Yamaha, Keyse, Patricia, me and Marianne. John accompanied me up to Wiarton in Bruce Peninsula on my way to Tobermory. 

Very kind of him to introduce me into the Canadian Highways.

So long Patricia,John and Marianne up until our next meeting.

Soundtrack: Neil Young, From Hank to Hendrix

Toronto to Vancouver - Log #000# (Beam us up, Scotty...)

For the road-trip in the Americas me and the moto flew two different flights. Soon to be completed the shuttle that will be connecting Athens to Florida...

With Mischa who offered hospitality, facilitated transportation to the Cargo Terminal, showed me around Frankfurt and most importantly channeled positive vibes to the whole "colpo grosso".

At the Cargo Terminal it is imperative to disconnect the battery and make sure there is less than 1 gallon of petrol in the tank.

The motorcycle is shipped as Dangerous / Hazardous item.

Eurolines bus to Paris to catch my flight to Toronto.

From Gallieni straight to CDG.

Hovering Nova Scotia.

Toronto Pearson International Airport.

Next morning took the bus to the Cargo Terminal in Toronto.

To Customs for clearance of the moto.

Some things were never meant to fly. Not the Transalp.

Motorcycle on Canadian soil,battery reconnected and ready to roll.

Acclimatizing the moto to its new road companions.

Brno - Prague - Frankfurt - Log #037#

From Brno to Frankfurt with a brief stop in Prague to sort out some bureaucratic issues at the embassy.

Departing Stromovka 680/ 32, Jundrov, Brno.

Praha train station.

Incheba Expo Praha.

Prague was the permanent seat of two Holy Roman Emperors and thus was also the capital of the Holy Roman Empire.

Borders of Czech Republic with Germany.

Bavarian house in Nuremberg.

19 Km to Frankfurt where I am loading the motorcycle on a plane to Toronto.

At the Cargo Terminal it is imperative to disconnect the battery and make sure there is less than 1 gallon of petrol on the tank.

The motorcycle is shipped as Dangerous / Hazardous item.

With Mischa who offered hospitality, facilitated transportation to the Cargo Terminal, showed me around Frankfurt and most importantly channeled positive vibes to the whole "colpo grosso".

Goethe's tower upon which the German writer used to stare at the city.

Goethe's family house.

European Central Bank.

 Sketch by Petar Pismestrovic.

Frankfurt on river Maim.

The Römerberg (city hall square).

Frankfurt was the seat of the first democratically elected German parliament ,the Parliament was actually St. Paul's Church in 1848.

Saint Bartholomew's Cathedral. From 1356 onwards, kings of the Holy Roman Empire were elected in this church, and from 1562 to 1792, the Roman-German emperors were crowned here.

Double rainbow over Main.

The steel bridge over Main features verses from Homer's Odyssey reading:

"Πλέων επί οίνοπα πόντον, επ’ αλλοθρόους ανθρώπους" translated as 

"Sailing on dark seas among alien people."

Frankfurt skyline and Main river with excursion boat.