Meet Troopy, our transport.

Troopy

Naomi, the owner of the house we will be looking after for the next 2 months, has kindly given us her vehicle to use while we are in Geraldton.

“It’s old” she warned us, “and the back door is rather tricky to open and shut”

Naomi picked us up from the airport when we arrived in Perth. We stood at the pickup point not quite knowing what make or colour of vehicle to expect. The only hint we had was its age.

15 minutes passed, every vehicle looked modern and shiny. Then round the corner came a Toyota Land Cruiser. It was unmistakably old, a 4WD, sun-faded fawn with patches of rust. We knew immediately it was the one… 

Later that evening we had a delicious Chinese meal together and shared stories. Then Naomi had a plane to catch, so it was back to the airport said our fond farewells and Naomi, with only 7kg carry on pack, left for Java.

Naomi is one very adventurous lady and an intrepid traveller. Read about her travels by clicking here http://www.whatsnextnaomi.com/

Now we were left with “Troopy” He is a diesel, large AND a manual, it is also dark and we are in a strange city not too sure of our way back to the place we are staying.

I have not driven a manual for a long time, but I soon find that it is like riding a bike, you do not forget how to. Of more concern is my night vision it is not good, so it was a tense half hour as we gazed into the darkness trying to remember land marks to find our way back.

PHEW what a relief to eventually turn into Victoria Park.

Troopy is definitely a “he”. He trundles along with a deep-throated rumble, strange shakes and rattles and a high-pitched whistle, but he never misses a beat, starts first time, every time with a roar, then never falters.

The road ahead

Geraldton is approximately 450 kilometres from Perth. There are 2 choices, the Brand Highway, the main north-south highway, or the Indian Ocean Drive a more scenic route. Of course we took the scenic route. It snaked along through miles of flat scrub, occasional sections wound along the coastline with the incredible azure blue of the Indian Ocean sparkling to the distant horizon. We passed through a few small villages, none of them memorable enough to stop for a photograph.

6 hours later we arrived at Geraldton and our home for the next 2 months. I have bonded with Troopy. Not many vehicles travel on this road and we chugged along at a steady 90 to 100 KPH.I’ve rediscovered my macho inner self as I change-up and down the gears surrounded by a large, solid 4WD.

So Welcome to Geraldton, “Sun City” as it is called.