It would be interesting to know what would have happened if they just kept going.

This isn't the middle east (or mexico) and these guys aren't ISIS, shooting and possibly killing a trourist probably isn't in their best interest at all.

Shame you can't save playback real life to find out what would happen.

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I rode that exact road in December 2013 with no difficulty, it was eerie seeing that video. We didn't have the LonelyPlanet to check before the ride, as some posters had suggested. I guess we were lucky...

It was a great ride though.

That's one thing that puts me off South America, everyone seems to get robbed. Not a big deal if on your own, but I wouldn't like it with my girlfriend.

Still it's not worth missing such a great continent.

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That's just silly. Most do not get robbed. A few do. Most of those who do contribute in one way or another (which is not the same thing as saying they "deserve it").

All IMHO, as usual.

Mark

There are no gurantees of if you if this or that things will be ok. Every person has their own priorities.
For me first it would be save life first. Second my photo which I transfer to my ipad wvery single evening and also copy my photos on my memory stick. I woukd also instantly remove the keys.
Resisit as little possible and be alert as these are petty thieves. Thats the reason they did not touch the panniers. They want a quick buck.
I apprexiate the idea of a fake purse which one can throw far from the scene which shall shorten their time to rob.
And they generally want to be quick at it for they too are scared to run away with what they get.
Rest all is luck.

Has anyone thought that some of these 'banditos' may also have access to the internet and Horizons Hubb and ADV? So if you mention fake wallets and places to stash valuables they have an idea where to look.

We are adults everyone should be smart enough to figure things out and where to stash.

I am into my third year of riding from California through Mexico,Central & South America...95% of the time solo. So far I have not had a problem...even taking roads that were virtually untraveled.
In Colombia, I stopped at the side of the road to get something to eat from a roadside vendor. Some kids came up then some hard looking hombres,that were up to no good. Gave them the Delta 9 smile and then put one of the kids on the bike and took a picture. The next thing they all wanted their picture next to the bike. Lots of smiles and hand gestures. My point is this...smile, be friendly, show NO fear,be firm yet not aggressive,don't treat them like fools, don't carry a big knife( as I have read some guys do)unless you know how and are willing to use it. If not it may very well be used against you.
I start early morning and shut it down by 3 or 4 pm. No riding in the dark.

Currently near Solona rethinking what's in my tank bag and what I can give bad guys to satisfy their need. Some local currency, fake wallet, throw away cell phone is our current minimum although it is a nice place to stow gloves, sun glasses, etc. the main thing is not to stow main money, credit cards, and original documents. I'm not fond of my tank bag anyway. Marco and Zen

Just stick to 'known' good routes, ask people, most people will tell you if there are any roads or areas to avoid.

If you can't avoid it, travel in a convoy with other traffic.

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Controversial maybe, but that guy with the gun doesn't keep it pointed the whole time and seems more nervous than the victims. Wander what they would have done if the victim would have grabbed it.

Maybe I need to watch rom-com movies instead.

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i went across the street to get a drink in Manaus one night , silly me took out my camera , even got a pic of the robber , I called him out when he pulled a knife , he wore my can of coke in the temple , knife was plastic , the security guard , beat the shit out of him, big time with a big baton, I went back to my room
I usually stay in at night in cities, this is why

Which is why I sometimes put money and passport in my boots. ;-)

For Jaime who wanted to hear such stories:

I tried (just for the experience) to get mugged in Manila, back in the old days.

Took a 10 USD bill in my pocket, nothing else. Left everything else in my cheap hotel room.
Wandered around for nearly an hour at 1 a.m. in exactly the same dark places where everybody said "don't go there or you'll get robbed".

I failed miserably.
No one wanted the booty.
Spent the $$ in a nearby bar upon my return.

A Filipine NeckTie would not go so good with your Tapout shirt anyhow.

Been all over Manila, Luzon and Cebu for that matter at all hours. Not always smart, not always how I wanted it to be but it is what it is.
I am however smart enough to realize that simply because I made it out of one area unscathed, does not mean someone else will. I also realize in a country where human cockfight with knives still occur it is not a place to look for trouble.

Getting a tube vulcanized late at night in Cebu.



Odds are in any of these places you will make it home with a story, if you are dead then authorities have cause to look for the murderer, and one thing a thief does not want is the attention of the law, regardless of how corrupt they indeed may be.
IF you look for trouble in a developing nation and think you are going to go all Jason Statham on some bandits, you are sadly mistaken.
Being on the receiving end of a firearm is not a fine point in life, nor do you forget the taste of a blade. That krav maga class you took suddenly seems worthless, your arms feel like they have weights tied to them and you realize doing it wrong is indeed the end.

Keep your travel plans and especially times and dates quiet except to those who need to know. As mentioned bad guys visit travel forums as well. Not all the friendly people you meet and ask directions will keep it quiet. People in desperate situations are forced to do desperate things.

Only fight if there is absolutely no other option and then do so as if it is to your last breath, as likely it will be at that point.



Good job to those in the video, they made it home. Objects, money even your bike can be replaced.

Getting a camera stolen sucks, but I just remind myself that 30 years ago a 36 exposure roll of film would be dragged out for days, if not months :P


Travel safe, be smart and you get to grow old and tell some kick ass stories.

The problem ones are the ones frequently travelled... Why sbdy should be at a untraveled road and looking for tourists....?

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