I guess we´ll just have to wait for the highway to be put through until we can actually ride through the Darien. Like Grant said regarding his conversation with Helge Peterson right after he pushed and pulled his bike through, he wouldn´t have done it if he knew how hard it was going to be. Boat trips are nice and all, but I would prefer to be able to ride my motorcycle, not carry it on my back or in a speed boat - anyway, anyone can do that. I like what Sjoerd said about a bike only being useful if there is some sort of existing infrastructure.

It´s too bad that these guys didn´t do it, I would have loved to have seen a success out of this, and that´s what it was looking like it woud be at the begining with all the preparation. Oh well, maybe next time. Either way, bravo for giving it a shot. Who´s next? Although I would also not like to see a McDarien in there - cause right, that´s gonna happen pretty soon - I would like to see the natural beauty of the place, from by bike seat. Anyway, most of the area is a protected national park (in agreement by both nations) so that would limit most development. We will see a road someday, there are too many benifits to both nations to not put it through.

I live in Medellin, and read a local newspaper article recently in support of the highway. It discussed various pros to putting the highway through that are normally seen as cons. As far as drug trafficking through the Darien, the highway would allow law enforcement easier access into the region and give them more control of what´s going on in there, and through there. Right now tons of drugs come up from Colombia because the Darien is a no-man´s land, basically owned by the traffickers, the Paramilitaries, and the guerilla groups. With a paved route through, both Panamanian and Colombia authorities would have easier access themselves to get closer to the action and prevent some of the trafficking, and could make it a safer place in general. Remember that it´s only an 80km stretch that is unpaved, and pretty narrow there as well, so a highway would give them access to a lot of the region. The highway would serve as a funnel or sorts, which would actually help the authorities.

I came accross from Colon, Panama to Monitos (Arboletes), Colombia a few years ago in a contraban boat. If you´re looking for a ride south from Panama I would look in Colon, and if you´re going north from Colombia I would try to get a ride in Turbo. Or you can get a sail boat from Cartagena if you want to spend a little more, and be a little safer. The San Blas islands are nice, if you have the time to cruise on a boat through there.

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www.motoadventures.org Photo Journal of My Alaska to Argentina trip.
www.casakiwi.net My Moto Hostel in Medellin, Colombia...with a garage of course.