Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB

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saralou 26 Apr 2013 02:37

walk around the island
 
We did finally get back over to walk around Carenero. There are lots of urchin shells on the beach. The village is on one side of the island and it is covered with trash piled up everywhere. There is a private reserve on the other side and the beach is pristine.


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Bocas with the Chackos 82 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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Bocas with the Chackos 85 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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Bocas with the Chackos 89 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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Bocas with the Chackos 92 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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Bocas with the Chackos 97 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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Bocas with the Chackos 103 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

saralou 1 May 2013 03:49

Back to Panama City at last
 
Finally heading back to Panama City to store the bikes at Girag on May 1.


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8265/8...2da03ce9_o.png
Screen Shot 2013-04-30 at 5.35.16 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



We needed to get back to the mainland so we had to wait for the ferry until 4 pm. They load it like a jig saw puzzle and we ended up sealed in.


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almirante to vista lago 3 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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almirante to vista lago 15 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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almirante to vista lago 11 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


The nice thing about the delivery guys is they off sell their wares so there are lots of snacks for the 2-hour ride.



http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8115/8...9548c7a7_c.jpg
almirante to vista lago 16 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


This huge diesel delivery truck got stuck half way up the ramp to the ferry, as there was no traction. They needed to rig up a ramp system with pieces of wood in order to get him on.


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8540/8...0ae787cc_c.jpg
almirante to vista lago 5 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

This boat travels so slowly there is not even a wake. The US coastguard was in town too.


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almirante to vista lago 18 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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almirante to vista lago 10 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



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almirante to vista lago 19 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



We were really dreading the hotel that we stayed at in town near the ferry, but luckily there is another somewhat better option at the other side of town and there is a not bad Comida China there too. The ride back to Santiago over the mountains was amazing this time in the sunshine. We always meet the most interesting people at the gas station.


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almirante to vista lago 24 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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almirante to vista lago 21 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



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almirante to vista lago 23 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


We headed back to the Vista Lago eco-resort where we had met Gino and Fiona. The “hiking” trails are well marked by colored signs or painted rocks and trees. There are some dangerous looking plants, but we did not see any of the other local poisonous creatures.


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almirante to vista lago 33 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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almirante to vista lago 26 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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almirante to vista lago 28 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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almirante to vista lago 29 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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almirante to vista lago 36 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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DSC09168 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Now for the last time back down the Pan-Americana to Panama City and again the police radar is amazingly every 5 km or so. Be warned do the speed limit. After 600 km in two days in 35 plus heat we are hot and tired. Luckily for us we arrived into the city on a holiday again so there was NO traffic.

We cannot say enough about the great service we had at Panama City BMW. This dealership is brand new and spotless. Roberto the Service Manager speaks perfect English and is a super nice guy. The fit us in without any hassle at all.


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8266/8...6df1cb80_c.jpg
DSC05906 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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DSC05907 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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DSC05911 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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DSC05913 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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DSC05919 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

saralou 3 May 2013 04:13

To Tocumen
 
It was another very sunny and hot day in Panama when we headed to Tocumen. The traffic in the city is insane.


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Screen Shot 2013-05-01 at 5.07.55 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



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FILE2108 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



The toll on the Corridor Sur was well worth the 30 min verses 75 min it takes to go the 18 km on the libre, but the into town side of the highway was packed.


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girag%203 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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FILE2257 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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FILE2270 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

saralou 3 May 2013 04:17

Girag
 
Once you get to the Airport you take a left at the Roundabout to the Cargo terminal. There is a fair amount of road construction on the road that circles back around the far side of the airport. You will go thru a second round about and take the first exit. Ahead you will see the security check point.


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girag 6 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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girag 7 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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girag 8 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Drive up and stop to talk to the official who is there 8-4.


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FILE2383 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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FILE2320 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr






Here the official basically just wants to know what your business is at the cargo terminal, which is cancelling your temporary permit and shipping the bike.




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FILE2406 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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girag 12 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



You can see the blue sign that points to Girag going to the right.


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FILE2395 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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FILE2457 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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FILE2478 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




Driving down this road a few minutes you will see the first building with the cover over the road.



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FILE2512 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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FILE2514 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



Drive just past here and park in the shade of the tree. Ahead you will see the rest of the cargo area.


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FILE2521 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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girag 22 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



Now go to the building just behind you and check in with the aduana. They will tell you to go to Girag and return with the paperwork for the bike.


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girag 24 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Proceed past the second covered area towards the main cargo area.


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girag 27 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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FILE2559 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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FILE2571 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Follow the signs to Girag, which is ahead and to the right hidden behind the trees and trucks.


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FILE2576 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



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FILE2588 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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FILE2595 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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FILE2597 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Park in the shade out front. When you are facing the office with the Girag sign behind me, the door to the right is where you will go to pay CASH for storage and/or shipping. The door to your left on the other side of the loading bay is the export office so go there first.


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girag 35 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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girag 37 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


We were storing the bikes here for the next 5 months, so we drove them into the lot for the official to inspect. Then they will be moved into the bonded warehouse. We will return to arrange shipping at the end of September. They want 100$ per month per bike, which is 40 less per bike then the Tocumen Storage company next door.


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girag 40 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Ingrid will check you in and will want to see your passport. Once you enter this area you are technically not supposed to leave.


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girag 42 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


The official will check the bikes and document any damage or scratches. He will want your passport title. He made his own copies.


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girag 43 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



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girag 50 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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girag 52 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Some of the other toys here.


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girag 48 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


He then hands you the Girag registration paper to take back to the aduana where you started. Inside there is an older lady to process your permit cancellation. She was so excited to get our sticker for her collection.


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girag 23 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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girag 25 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Then the sad part we had to part with the storage fee. They said we could pay when we came back, but we decided to pay now as we had the fee agreed on and were not sure what they would say in 5 months and we will have to pay for the shipping then too.


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girag 54 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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girag 53 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


With the bikes stored and unloaded we have our stuff to head home.


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girag 39 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


There are only two airport hotels near Tocumen and wow they are not cheap, but they are nice. We stayed at the Riande which was very chic.


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girag 55 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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girag 57 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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girag 58 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



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girag 60 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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girag 62 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

saralou 2 Jun 2013 02:02

Home for the summer
 
Thanks to all who have followed our RR. We are home in Vancouver to work for the summer. We will head back on the road at the end of September. See you then!

Sara & Daniel

saralou 29 Jun 2013 03:17

good news about the bikes
 
We got a nice email from Claudia and Ingo from Switzerland. They had arrived at Girag to pick up their bikes and they sent us an email and a photo to let us know our bikes are safe and sound. The good part is they might arrive in Vancouver before we head back to fetch our them at the end of September and head to Columbia.


http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3802/9...34458d17_c.jpg
_DSC7355_72b900 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


:clap::clap::clap:

saralou 9 Jul 2013 03:38

A great idea for after the BIG ride
 
We saw this in the window of a framing shop in Vancouver.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7424/9...73687319_b.jpg
IMG_1717 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

garrydymond 9 Jul 2013 12:44

If Claudia and Ingo want to come to Mexico City please tell them they are welcome. There is (almost) always room at garryhostel.com!!

saralou 9 Jul 2013 17:14

Garry hostel
 
Thanks Garry I will send them your email. Hugs to you all!
Sara

saralou 11 Sep 2013 01:30

headed to Bogota
 
We booked our plane tickets from Vancouver to Panama City and then to Bogota September 23! Can not wait to get back on the road.

Sara & Daniel:clap::clap::clap:

Barcelona Pat 11 Sep 2013 16:20

Good news! :thumbup1:

saralou 11 Sep 2013 20:24

Thanks
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Barcelona Pat (Post 436256)
Good news! :thumbup1:


Hope you and Mrs Pat are doing well. We hope to buy you a beer next summer when we cross the Atlantic . Let us know when we are within range!!

Sara

Rondelli 12 Sep 2013 02:01

About time, lazing around in Van while Mrs P works her fingers to the bone! Get back to speaking Espanol, see you in Escocia next year!
We're still roaming around in the North
Och aye the noo
G & F

saralou 12 Sep 2013 07:36

Ready for the clan
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Rondelli (Post 436319)
About time, lazing around in Van while Mrs P works her fingers to the bone! Get back to speaking Espanol, see you in Escocia next year!
We're still roaming around in the North
Och aye the noo
G & F

Ja ja si señor! Ride safe my friends. See you in Escocia! Have fun in NYC. tip for a great cheap lunch is Vanessa's dumplings 118A Eldridge st YUM.
SP

saralou 21 Sep 2013 21:40

surgery
 
In April i developed a very painful mass in my palm, but i had to wait until i finished work this summer to get it fixed. So far still painful, but hoping by next week when we get the bikes back it wont be too bad.

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surgery day 1 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

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day 2 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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day 4 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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