Even 6 months can be over so quickly - coming monday I'll be back to work...

You won't be surprised to read that I thoroughly enjoyed every single minute of this extensive motorcycle tour. During these 6 months I covered some 35000 km (on my '99 BMW F650), of which some 27000 in South America. I crossed Argentina (almost entirely), Bolivia, Brasil, Chile (entirely), Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay.

I have been extremely lucky: Not only because I had the opportunity to do this trip but because I had no problems whatsoever during the entire tour, i.e. no technical problems or breakdowns with the motorcycle, no significant accidents or crashs, only one flat tyre (which somebody else repaired for me immediately), no illnesses or injuries (not even a cold), no assaults, thefts or significant corruption and no real border hassles. I almost exclusively met friendly and helpful people and was always helped when I asked for it.

Many people ask me which of the countries I visited I like most - and I cannot answer this question. Every country has its beauties - only Praguay is just boring ;-). Argentina has Patagonia, the Puna, the Iguazu falls, the glaciers and the women of Buenos Aires. Bolivia has the bizarre Altiplano landscapes and the green valleys of the south. Brasil (I have only seen such a small part of it) has the Iguazu Falls and the beaches of Santa Catarina. Chile has the vast Atacama desert, rain forests and glaciers. Mexico has an innumerable variety of beautiful beaches and colonial architecture. Peru has the Titicaca lake, Machu Picchu and the marvellous landscape in between (Still a lot to be visited...). Uruguay remainds me of a nice big golf course on the beach with a friendly and lively capital.

However, if you asked me in which of the world's metropolis I'd like to live, I'd probably say Berlin. That's one of the lessons I learned on this trip: To appreciate the standard of living we have in Europe. But of course this is not the only impact this trip had on my views of life and people.

In case you like to read more in detail about the impressions I got during my 6 months tour - or if you like to spend a few days or weeks on watching photos, here is the link.

www.winfried-lichtblau.de

Anybody who tinkers with the idea of starting such a trip or a similar one on their own - just do it - it's not as risky as it sounds - and you'll never really be alone.

I'd be happy to see you again - in Germany, Europe or wherever...
Good luck to you

Winne