Matamoros/Brownsville
 

Glad you made it through in the end Olly.

Hi Ken & Carol,
Thanks for the info.
We have changed our so called plan!! We are now heading up to Alaska before the weather gets too bad, then coming back down into the States.
We chose the bigger crossing out of Mexico so we get the bike closed out properly and more importantly .. we get our US$400 back, we had to pay cash at El Ceibo leaving Guatemala ... no Credit Card facilities at the crossing!!
Will be entering U.S. on Visa Waiver Programme.
Might see you on the road somewhere.
Kev & Lorraine

USA Border Crossing
 

Thats great news on entering.. July August appear to be best months for AK. Cannot remember when the mosquitos (Alaska's National Bird) are less prevalent though. Returning to the USA we recommend a smaller crossing again. We had trouble with the one between Vancouver and Seattle and we had a Visa!! Eventually went to one in Montana, small one open in summer only and entered into Glacier National Park. If you intend visiting a few Nat. Parks recommend getting the annual pass for $80.00. Will cover entry fee into all N.P. What are your plans after the USA???

Carol & Ken

No problems at all with the border at Matamoros ... we had a problem paying the Mex$262 each for the tourist visa into Mexico tho. We were told at El Ceibo to pay it in to any bank before we left the country, went to pay this morning and the bank wouldn't accept the the payment .. Aduana at El Ceibo had only given us one form and we needed one each with different ref numbers. Off we go to the border expecting to be told to return to El Ceibo for the form!!!! No worries .. the Aduana took the form and payment then a quick check of the VIN number and we got our US$ 400 back and exited Mexico.
Entering the US was just as easy, a quick chat with the guys at the entry point who parked us up and escorted us into the Homeland Security office where we had to fill in a green form asking if we were terrorists etc. and paid US$6 .. No need AT ALL to do the online ETSA and pay US$14 each .. which we had already done :thumbdown: All in all about an hour to do both sides.
Not sure of our plans after Alaska, coming back to the States to see my brother in Indianapolis and then who knows maybe try and get a job somewhere... hopefully if the money will go far enough we will ship to NZ then Asia.
Kev & Lorraine

Hi Bjorn,
Passed today from Canada to US at Niagara Falls on our BMW 1150 GSA with a dutch licenceplate. No problems. within half hour we past. We had the visa waiver but the official told us that one is only valid when you enter by plane. We filled in a form( did you-- no.no.no.no ) got our fingers printed and a photos taken. A few question about our plans and our funds. No interest at all for the bike. So nobody knows official about our bike.
We are under way via east coast, Nashville, Memphis, New Orleans, Houston to Mexico and on to Panama.
Last few years travelled Inidia and South East Asia. This is different.
Menno and Stammes two up