December 2009 Update Argentina

With the bike safely tucked away on transport to Buenos Aries it was our turn to pack and bid farewell to our family of helpers in Rosario de la Frontera explaining we would return before we departed Argentina early in 2010. A few South American countries enjoy ‘Cama Buses’ which provide almost fully reclined seats allowing patrons to sleep on the lengthy bus rides. The recliners are larger than aircraft seats and the position was quite comfortable in our injured states.

November 2009 Update Peru - Bolivia - Chile – Argentina

Leaving Puno the weather cooled as the road took us to the border. We noticed a distinct lack of movement on the Bolivian side which contrasted significantly to the very efficient Peruvian side. It was lunch time and nothing would happen for another 45 minutes. Indigenous venders selling all manner of goods from local foods to handicrafts approached us. A French couple (Arno & Julie) riding a tandem bicycle complete with trailer joined the migration south but their exit of Peru was not as smooth as ours. Having been robbed of their passports, the replacements did not have a Peruvian entry stamp plus their small immigration docket was also missing. No sympathy was shown for their predicament by the Peruvian officials but some how after a few dollar bills were passed over the stamp appeared and their exit of Peru was complete. Just how things are done here.

Welcome to Bolivia

October 2009 Update Peru

We had been chasing a solution to our misfire for three days now with the consensus being a failing ignition coil. Assistance came from several sources including the BMW site on Horizons Unlimited, friends in Australia, the Mitsubishi dealer in Cajamarca and lastly the mechanic of our English contacts David and Peter owners of Adventure Peru Motorcycling whose office is in Cajamarca. I will give these guys a plug as we had never met them (introduced as friends of friends) but spent a lot of time and effort trying to get our problem sorted. They also offer help and information to all travelers in the area should it be needed.

September 2009 Update Manaus Brazil to Cajamarca Peru

Carol had a days rest from navigating a big city as Joelmir escorted us to the bustling wharves of Manaus. Two in a row for her, as Cecilia’s GPS gave her a holiday in Belem as well. Competing with cars, trucks, motorbikes, pushbikes and pedestrians in 40+C heat is not fun but having someone who knows the way up front makes it much easier.

“That will NOT fit”. Loading the bike at Manaus

August 2009 Update Belem to Manaus The Long Way

Belem appeared busy every day of the week with people bustling around even on the weekends. Our boat ride organized and with the help of Alex who also owns a small motorcycle shop, we were able to find a suitable knobby front tyre for the anticipated dirt roads ahead. Pirelli MT 21’s are manufactured in Brazil but they are almost impossible to find. Even the Honda dealer did not have them listed in his Pirelli tyre book. Even the Metzler Sahara 3 also manufactured in Brazil was not available. The Mitas (rear) we had fitted in Curitiba Brazil some 10,000 kms ago still looked up for the task and should make the round trip to Manaus.

Alex’s bike shop in Belem