TRAVERSE Issue 18 - June 2020 | Page 58

for travellers. “There’s rules for literally everything,” he laughed suggested that there seems to be more ‘don’ts’ than ‘dos’ posted everywhere. As an Australian we probably take it for granted, yes, we are at times a nanny state, but it takes an outsider to make it clear. We laugh again. “I felt a bit parented by people who gave me advice on how and where to travel,” Michael sips on his coffee as if to make a point. He acknowledges that it is all made with the best intent, yet it “becomes an annoyance when you have been on the road for a long time.” We laugh again when discussing a Facebook post about riding the Great Central Road through the Great Victoria Desert to the back of Uluru. It seemed for many that the main issue would be that Michael planned to ride in December, he was told numerous times that he would ‘die’; it’s too hot at that time of the year, the bike isn’t capable, the ‘Opal’ fuel is bad, it went on and on. Michael took it all on board and did the ride. “I’m so happy I listened to you and did it,” a smile as wide as the Western Australian horizon creeps across Michael’s face. Of course, he listened to the advice of many and used that as the basis for his decision. “Seeing The Olgas (Kata Tjuta) loom on the horizon was magical,” still that smile. We told you so. TRAVERSE