Shipping with Girag, a crash course
If you decide to ship Panama-Bogota this way, check the reports in the relevant section of the HUBB. No additional one needs to be added by me. Instead, a nuts-and-bolts approach.
Once in Panama City, ride out to Tocumen Airport. At turnoff to passenger terminal go straight and circle the whole airfield. Takes at least 30 minutes bec. of traffic. Present yourself with a clean bike at Girag, in Cargo section. But if you couldn't clean bike before, there is a water tap just in front of their hangar, and you can use an old coke bottle to do your ablutions. Drain gasoline, put bike on scale, and push into hangar. Meanwhile the ladies will type up your waybill. They will also take US$400 cash from you, no plastic. Take waybill out to the rotunda, where you came in (you have to hitchhike, it's quite far to walk), to get your stamp in the passport cancelled by aduana, otherwise they won't let you leave the country. You're home free now. Whole procedure shouldn't take longer than 2-3 hours depending on the speed of the typist. What next? You can hitch a ride (there are no taxis) to the airport passenger terminal and take the next flight out, or you can stay at a hotel, wherever, and leave later. Camping nearby not a good idea. Report of dengue fever. I left bike with Girag on Thursday afternoon. It is promised to be in Bogota for Saturday morning. Inshallah!
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