Vista Lago
The night we before we left we ran into Brady who flew to Lima (because that was the cheapest ticket from home to South America), bought a Chinese bike and is riding it back to DC.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8522/8...5aeed025_c.jpg DSC05618 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We were a bit sad to leave the cooler and colorful Boquete, but south it is. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8109/8...dbbd261e_c.jpg Sartiago 1 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8544/8...2cf5d336_c.jpg Sartiago 2 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Daniel and I have been following Gino and Fiona as they headed from BA to Ushuaia and north. They just arrived in Panama and we all planned to meet near Santiago as our paths crossed. We headed west again to David and then south to Vista Lago Ecoresort http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8396/8...a1b2c727dd.jpg Screen Shot 2013-04-09 at 4.23.12 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr . We had heard from many riders that they had received speeding tickets in Panama. Christophe calculated and average of 4.5 km between moto cops with a radar gun between the border and Panama City. We found this to be true and driving the speed limit we say many cars pulled over on the way. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8391/8...6c8f550c_c.jpg Sartiago 5 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We ran into a huge line of traffic. We passed one biker, then 3, and then found the pack at the front blocking the Pan-American. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8529/8...fb4346e8_c.jpg Sartiago 7 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8519/8...d5e215cf_c.jpg Sartiago 6 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8383/8...163782da_c.jpg Sartiago 8 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We did have to stop at the customs checkpoint where one official wanted our passports and the other our temporary import permits. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8401/8...e798f657_c.jpg Sartiago 4 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Our room looked out onto this man made lake. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8100/8...b67b052a_c.jpg Sartiago 14 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8104/8...6a5d0432_c.jpg Sartiago 11 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8522/8...3ddaf433_c.jpg Sartiago 15 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr When we arrived there we had to check out the 3 cool bikes out front. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8382/8...d697ec13_c.jpg Sartiago 9 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8266/8...63eff667_c.jpg Sartiago 10 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Gianni from Switzerland http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8405/8...ee8b6903_c.jpg Sartiago 26 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Gino and Fiona from Scotland. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8258/8...839e9ef4_c.jpg Sartiago 28 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8115/8...0df37c04_c.jpg Sartiago 27 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We hung out at the pool and made friends with the local fauna. He loves fries. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8406/8...341ef952_c.jpg Sartiago 16 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8525/8...1bda9603_c.jpg Sartiago 19 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Here is the gang hanging out drinking beers and swapping stories. You will note Fiona’s clothes are soaked as she had just been in the pool saving a man trying to drown. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8520/8...aec55ae2_c.jpg Sartiago 21 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr At dinner we got serious and took out our maps. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8540/8...4f8e1bca_c.jpg Sartiago 25 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Now for the goodbye. We are headed south to Pedasi and they are headed north to Boquete and then Costa Rica and beyond. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8524/8...b5edc826_c.jpg Sartiago 32 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
El Valle de Anton
We have really had enough of the heat so we headed up to El Valle de Anton, which is a small town in an extinct volcanic caldera.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8242/8...c0335b44_o.png Screen Shot 2013-04-11 at 3.41.52 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8107/8...94bf7199_o.png Screen Shot 2013-04-11 at 3.42.33 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Leaving Venao we continued around the peninsula initially on a paved road that became a rough crappy paved road that turned to intermitted pavement and gravel and then a good gravel road. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8387/8...f529101a_c.jpg el valee 6 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8395/8...282456b6_c.jpg el valee 5 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8252/8...a1e6dbf4_c.jpg el valee 2 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8521/8...12fc5be1_c.jpg el valee 4 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The only tough spot was where the construction of the road was at the other end. They had just dumped oily aggregate. Luckily on the first steep part I followed in the front loaders tracks. For the next bit that was very deep we waited for the roll compacter. On the last short loose and deep bit it was go slow and duck walk. Managed to make it intact. Daniel of course did the first section in the deep, but waited for the roller with me. After this it was like a black ribbon undulating infront of us! http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8537/8...4738b3e7_c.jpg el valee 8 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8530/8...3f7f2bdc_c.jpg el valee 11 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8248/8...5c95f335_c.jpg el valee 12 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8545/8...581cb3f3_c.jpg el valee 15 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr This is a quaint spot with few foreigners. We chose a small hotel close to the center of town and across from the church. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8239/8...dd0c684c_c.jpg el valee 23 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8534/8...80c8f4d1_c.jpg el valee 19 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8526/8...42e912d2_c.jpg el valee 20 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8122/8...dcc80e92_c.jpg el valee 40 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The next day we set out to explore the valley. Initially we were on a nice paved route, which became a rougher paved road and then a gravel road and then a grass (read eventually very muddy) road. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8101/8...814c6213_c.jpg el valee 24 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8527/8...c3c72b33_c.jpg el valee 25 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8534/8...3a2c9c1b_c.jpg el valee 27 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8260/8...108df0e6_c.jpg el valee 28 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8398/8...4b3ebbf1_c.jpg el valee 30 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8537/8...aa344c2e_c.jpg el valee 32 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8540/8...a90fd4b1_c.jpg el valee 34 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Turning around we headed back towards town and stopped at the ecolocical park. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8541/8...d463dc21_c.jpg el valee 35 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8531/8...d464a50c_c.jpg el valee 38 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Here you hike up along the river and past small falls and pools. This leads to some large rocks covered with petroglyphs . http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8122/8...e99552a2_c.jpg el valee 50 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8260/8...fefbc617_c.jpg el valee 44 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8250/8...78c09815_c.jpg el valee 46 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8099/8...8fa6d839_c.jpg el valee 45 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr If you continue hiking/scrambling up to the top you eventually reach the top for a view of the la India Dormida or sleeping Indian girl ( the image seen of the mountain range) and the entire Valley. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8241/8...5ba75890_c.jpg el valee 55 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8265/8...8ef710f0_c.jpg el valee 54 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8111/8...0a80dda9_c.jpg el valee 53 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8383/8...c111c495_c.jpg el valee 51 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8393/8...3fb2162f_c.jpg el valee 61 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8258/8...e36aed5e_c.jpg el valee 73 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8545/8...209f748a_c.jpg el valee 71 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
El Valle de Anton
You could find your dream home here!
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8258/8...95ae1426_c.jpg DSC05624 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8402/8...de2e51e5_c.jpg DSC05626 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8261/8...cba9bc0e_c.jpg DSC05628 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8261/8...5434ae8f_c.jpg DSC05630 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8393/8...0a29759a_c.jpg DSC05632 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8401/8...862403e5_c.jpg DSC05631 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Panama City
The ride from El Valle to the Pan-Americana is amazing, but the Careterra itself is a bore. There are radar police at regular intervals, especially when the limit is 80 or below.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8543/8...326a5fa8_o.png Screen Shot 2013-04-11 at 3.42.33 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8241/8...0c5b2a0b_o.png Screen Shot 2013-04-13 at 9.42.59 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8255/8...387dce62_c.jpg FILE0649 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8102/8...a220b5f7_c.jpg FILE0673 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Nearing the canal we crossed the bridge of the Americas http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8110/8...45a413a3_c.jpg FILE0699 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8527/8...941f2088_c.jpg FILE0701 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The Panama Canal has two locks on the Pacific side and you pass one on the way to the viewing platform at Miraflores. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8379/8...bac304b0_c.jpg FILE0732 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8254/8...4bc62116_c.jpg DSC08946 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8258/8...c069a65f_c.jpg DSC08947 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We were very “locky” today at the canal, because we saw a number of boats going thru at the same time. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8246/8...c8dcc7f3_c.jpg DSC08948 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8527/8...5deea18d_c.jpg DSC08952 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8102/8...2d6ea95a_c.jpg DSC08957 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8104/8...2a88c6fd_c.jpg DSC08959 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8393/8...633f7533_c.jpg DSC08961 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8265/8...bac55f81_c.jpg DSC08966 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8393/8...b90f67c4_c.jpg DSC08973 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8120/8...d907bca0_c.jpg DSC08974 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8532/8...9f42258c_c.jpg DSC08978 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The museum has some interesting displays and even a simulator for the ships bridge. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8398/8...1af055b7_c.jpg DSC08979 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8401/8...ca9327c6_c.jpg DSC08986 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8123/8...abb38778_c.jpg DSC08992 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Later we also saw a huge cargo ship come thru the locks. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8545/8...9638c565_c.jpg DSC08995 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8382/8...676d1f69_c.jpg DSC09004 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8396/8...71d014a1_c.jpg DSC09012 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8246/8...a6293f80_c.jpg DSC09013 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8253/8...da98c21a_c.jpg DSC09024 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8125/8...dcc6440e_c.jpg DSC09030 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Driving into the city from the locks you arrive on Avenida Balboa, which offers a panoramic view of the city. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8521/8...1a7c9afd_c.jpg FILE0762 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8539/8...56cd611e_c.jpg FILE0833 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Old Panama
We are here to get the bike storage and shipping organized at Gerig, but we had the weekend to sightsee. The first stop was the historic district of Panama or Casco Viejo, where there is a mixture of run down and restored buildings.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8525/8...bd21252c_c.jpg panama city 1 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8239/8...0585fb3f_c.jpg panama city 6 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8242/8...cd663481_c.jpg panama city 3 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8522/8...2011b055_c.jpg panama city 14 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8387/8...e9f34b97_c.jpg panama city 12 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8522/8...9b7f7091_c.jpg panama city 11 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr There are a number of squares each with a church., some of which are in ruins. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8521/8...36bda2e2_c.jpg panama city 5 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8253/8...b07caefb_c.jpg panama city 9 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8388/8...bc010b11_c.jpg panama city 21 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8389/8...d2d75c1e_c.jpg panama city 22 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8400/8...287ee5e8_c.jpg panama city 23 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8541/8...abccc005_c.jpg panama city 18 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr These Kuna women were having a heated argument over whose sales stall was in the wrong spot. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8405/8...cb26665e_c.jpg panama city 7 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We next headed over to Panama Viejo or the old site of Panama, which is in ruins. From the 1600 pirates, indigenous from the Darien, an earthquake, and a great fire, tried to destroy the city on his site. The last straw was when it was sacked by a Welsh privateer in 1671 and destroyed. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8379/8...47e6d3eb_c.jpg panama city 31 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8115/8...40eef53b_c.jpg panama city 30 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8405/8...9918b7f3_c.jpg panama city 29 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8533/8...0eafaabe_c.jpg panama city 26 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Gatun Lake and the Atlantic Coast
Today we started with a trip to the Tocumen airport and a visit to Girag Shipping. We arranged to bring the bikes back on May 1 for storage until the end of September when we will come back to arrange the shipping to Bogotá. Details to follow! That done we decided to go Coast to Coast and rode over to the Locks at Gatun lake and then on to the ruins of the Spanish Fortress at San Lorenzo.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8099/8...aa12f88a_o.jpg colon and San lorenzo 1 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr After a long somewhat rainy drive we arrived at the Gatun locks when a large tanker was in transit. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8123/8...ff59d079_c.jpg colon and San lorenzo 6 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8121/8...cfe41fc9_c.jpg colon and San lorenzo 9 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8113/8...a7c87409_c.jpg colon and San lorenzo 10 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We sat along the shore and had a lunch break while the tugs guided several ships to the canal locks. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8117/8...25bbe1a5_c.jpg colon and San lorenzo 2 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8103/8...7358f0c3_c.jpg colon and San lorenzo 5 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr What is really cool here is once the doors are closed and the vessel is raised in the lock you can drive across the canal towards the Atlantic. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8102/8...3c96efa3_c.jpg colon and San lorenzo 11 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8122/8...512e000c_c.jpg colon and San lorenzo 12 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8102/8...1c50b1c9_c.jpg colon and San lorenzo 13 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8118/8...f8fb71e4_c.jpg colon and San lorenzo 14 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8109/8...00d29aca_c.jpg colon and San lorenzo 15 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8123/8...375d77bb_c.jpg colon and San lorenzo 16 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8106/8...c29e59e8_c.jpg colon and San lorenzo 17 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8109/8...fe3cf4ec_c.jpg colon and San lorenzo 18 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8126/8...b05f1869_c.jpg colon and San lorenzo 19 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8113/8...ab0e680c_c.jpg colon and San lorenzo 21 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Nearby are the coast and the Shelter Bay Marina. There is a USA military presence here and several Black Hawk helicopters. There is what looks like the ruins of a base too. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8115/8...1638ff6a_c.jpg colon and San lorenzo 22 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr You get a great view of Colon docks from here. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8116/8...fc2193b9_c.jpg colon and San lorenzo 25 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Next we headed towards San Lorenzo and suddenly the road was just completely gone. There was a divisio of course. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8113/8...e15558d1_c.jpg colon and San lorenzo 29 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8110/8...cbf389ca_c.jpg colon and San lorenzo 31 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8119/8...1948d805_c.jpg colon and San lorenzo 34 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr In 1502, Christopher Columbus discovered the Chagres River. Spain built Fort San Lorenzo at the river's mouth from 1587 to 1599. In 1670, Henry Morgan attacked the fort left it in ruins. He invaded and destroyed Panama City the following year. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8103/8...ae278bb8_c.jpg colon and San lorenzo 64 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8100/8...8eef59e7_c.jpg colon and San lorenzo 66 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8121/8...aa141450_c.jpg DSC09093 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8104/8...5cb84702_c.jpg colon and San lorenzo 51 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8100/8...3e560f30_c.jpg colon and San lorenzo 60 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8108/8...03b2ca11_c.jpg colon and San lorenzo 56 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
South towards the Darien
Now for some real adventure we headed south of Panama City towards the Darien.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8116/8...41f5d5ce_o.png Screen Shot 2013-04-16 at 8.37.56 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8112/8...3b9c1147_c.jpg colon and San lorenzo 69 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8119/8...e9d16b4c_c.jpg to the darien 1 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8116/8...1f7c9112_c.jpg to the darien 2 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8115/8...f21157b7_c.jpg to the darien 7 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8107/8...58f9e014_c.jpg to the darien 5 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8122/8...38365edf_o.jpg to the darien 8 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8108/8...21783ff8_c.jpg to the darien 14 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8117/8...2692382c_c.jpg to the darien 16 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8114/8...022e62c1_c.jpg to the darien 17 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr This is a place with many of the indigenous Kuna people. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8123/8...a6ac529d_c.jpg to the darien 18 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8104/8...047d2e3c_c.jpg to the darien 20 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr This is why there is a beautiful road to “nowhere”. Where the pavement ends is where the deforestation begins. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8121/8...f8202385_c.jpg to the darien 9 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8108/8...e2a50659_c.jpg to the darien 23 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Headed back to “civilization”. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8103/8...dbaaf9b6_c.jpg to the darien 24 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Road to Bocas del Toro
We were meeting friends in Bocas del Toro in a few days time and decided to drive back instead of flying with them. Getting out of Panama City in the traffic took almost an hour. The F800 was having some issues with the bike dying at speed. So we stopped at BMW to get a fuel pump electronic controller. Problem solved and they gave us a huge discount. The F650GS has the new version of the controller, which is sealed. This meant a nearly 490 km day in 39 degree heat got us back to back to Boquete by 430.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8107/8...7214b8bc_o.jpg road to bocas 1 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8540/8...2ce82a93_c.jpg road to bocas 3 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8544/8...43845f76_c.jpg road%20to%20bocas%204 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Leaving Boquete we headed up over the mountains to the North Atlantic Coast of Panama at Almirante. This is another dodgy port town like port town almost everywhere. The ride up is stunning and despite the wet road we had very little rain. Daniel was lucky and saw a large black panther. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8261/8...dd1963ee_o.jpg road to bocas 7 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8118/8...e8404f9a_c.jpg road to bocas 11 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8100/8...a1673995_c.jpg road to bocas 16 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8520/8...fbd44571_c.jpg road to bocas 12 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8389/8...3c916037_c.jpg road to bocas 15 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The view from the hotel is of the Chiquita banana loading area, but it has a casino! http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8523/8...4091cff4_c.jpg road to bocas 20 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8519/8...1f3a726a_c.jpg road to bocas 21 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The ferry to the islands leaves at 8 everyday except Mondays and returns at 4 pm. This means you have to stay in this sketch town 2 nights. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8384/8...3ef9fcb1_o.png Screen Shot 2013-04-18 at 9.44.11 AM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We got up at 6 to get in line and loaded at 7. The trip is 10$ per bike and takes 2 hours. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8108/8...8435db36_c.jpg road to bocas 38 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8524/8...79cc48e4_c.jpg road to bocas 40 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8395/8...c4a8c6f2_c.jpg road to bocas 26 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8259/8...1720d042_c.jpg road to bocas 30 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8525/8...8508e0ca_c.jpg road to bocas 24 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8108/8...498439e6_c.jpg road to bocas 33 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8114/8...a3b4ba1d_c.jpg road to bocas 41 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8534/8...c6e78049_c.jpg road to bocas 58 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8541/8...1ac9d17c_c.jpg road to bocas 51 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8399/8...aa95f887_c.jpg road to bocas 56 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr On the Isla colon itself there is only 1 road to Bocas del Drago beach 15.5 km away. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8535/8...b3f00fe0_o.png Screen Shot 2013-04-21 at 4.53.26 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8112/8...d1752024_c.jpg road to bocas 35 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8258/8...2ef20585_c.jpg road to bocas 36 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Bocas Del Toro
The town itself is very touristy and there is a garbage collection dispute going on in town so it is strewn everywhere. The mayor announced this week that instead of 7$ per month the collection fee was 1.50 per bag. There are some funky spots here in town.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8522/8...2e2906d8_c.jpg Bocas with the Chackos 17 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8529/8...c876fb60_c.jpg Bocas with the Chackos 18 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8532/8...1eb40bd1_c.jpg Bocas with the Chackos 72 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The first day here we decided to get a water taxi for 1$ each to the nearby isla Carenero and then walk the 2 hours around the island. We had only gone about 20 minutes when it started to torrentially rain. We took cover for an hour, but it only got worse so we headed back towards the docks, got totally soaked, and even had to wring out our underwear. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8540/8...49954535_c.jpg Bocas with the Chackos 9 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8113/8...e99802ca_c.jpg Bocas with the Chackos 19 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr After 2 days of rain the sun finally came out and within a few hours we were already too hot and humid. We spent the day out on the water. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8263/8...fdd97130_c.jpg Bocas with the Chackos 33 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We saw dolphins frolicking in Dolphin bay. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8395/8...9945c76d_c.jpg Bocas with the Chackos 32 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8395/8...4e9c1c74_c.jpg Bocas with the Chackos 28 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8398/8...7e1454b2_c.jpg Bocas with the Chackos 25 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We then did some snorkeling in Crawl cay. There was a lot of plant life and some coral, but few fish. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8389/8...de7d5574_c.jpg Bocas with the Chackos 16 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8118/8...96fd6a78_c.jpg Bocas with the Chackos 13 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8262/8...62a617e0_c.jpg Bocas with the Chackos 14 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We also headed over to the famous red frog beach on Bastimentos Island. A huge mangrove forest surrounds the island. There were a few sloths hanging out by the docks. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8384/8...920c10b9_c.jpg Bocas with the Chackos 49 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8261/8...278195a2_c.jpg Bocas with the Chackos 36 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8521/8...189656c9_c.jpg Bocas with the Chackos 47 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8263/8...cf7cb16c_c.jpg Bocas with the Chackos 55 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8264/8...2a5b26fc_c.jpg Bocas with the Chackos 57 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
walk around the island
We did finally get back over to walk around Carenero. There are lots of urchin shells on the beach. The village is on one side of the island and it is covered with trash piled up everywhere. There is a private reserve on the other side and the beach is pristine.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8397/8...3c9c16ed_c.jpg Bocas with the Chackos 82 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8381/8...0f740385_c.jpg Bocas with the Chackos 85 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8121/8...0695639f_c.jpg Bocas with the Chackos 89 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8519/8...432890e3_c.jpg Bocas with the Chackos 92 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8260/8...6a7b8be5_c.jpg Bocas with the Chackos 97 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8537/8...4b362ce6_c.jpg Bocas with the Chackos 103 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Back to Panama City at last
Finally heading back to Panama City to store the bikes at Girag on May 1.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8265/8...2da03ce9_o.png Screen Shot 2013-04-30 at 5.35.16 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We needed to get back to the mainland so we had to wait for the ferry until 4 pm. They load it like a jig saw puzzle and we ended up sealed in. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8255/8...8cb6c26e_c.jpg almirante to vista lago 3 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8265/8...a175cfc8_c.jpg almirante to vista lago 15 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8404/8...0a985404_c.jpg almirante to vista lago 11 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The nice thing about the delivery guys is they off sell their wares so there are lots of snacks for the 2-hour ride. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8115/8...9548c7a7_c.jpg almirante to vista lago 16 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr This huge diesel delivery truck got stuck half way up the ramp to the ferry, as there was no traction. They needed to rig up a ramp system with pieces of wood in order to get him on. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8540/8...0ae787cc_c.jpg almirante to vista lago 5 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr This boat travels so slowly there is not even a wake. The US coastguard was in town too. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8536/8...a5b13167_c.jpg almirante to vista lago 18 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8264/8...8419bdd9_c.jpg almirante to vista lago 10 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8255/8...f8390d2c_c.jpg almirante to vista lago 19 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We were really dreading the hotel that we stayed at in town near the ferry, but luckily there is another somewhat better option at the other side of town and there is a not bad Comida China there too. The ride back to Santiago over the mountains was amazing this time in the sunshine. We always meet the most interesting people at the gas station. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8539/8...d1412ce3_c.jpg almirante to vista lago 24 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8119/8...be0c85df_c.jpg almirante to vista lago 21 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8399/8...06664e76_c.jpg almirante to vista lago 23 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We headed back to the Vista Lago eco-resort where we had met Gino and Fiona. The “hiking” trails are well marked by colored signs or painted rocks and trees. There are some dangerous looking plants, but we did not see any of the other local poisonous creatures. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8265/8...5898b3a7_c.jpg almirante to vista lago 33 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8397/8...2f38e6ed_c.jpg almirante to vista lago 26 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8262/8...19c2cbee_c.jpg almirante to vista lago 28 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8541/8...ef565eb0_c.jpg almirante to vista lago 29 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8546/8...9b64ce6a_c.jpg almirante to vista lago 36 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8255/8...01e1e0ce_c.jpg DSC09168 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Now for the last time back down the Pan-Americana to Panama City and again the police radar is amazingly every 5 km or so. Be warned do the speed limit. After 600 km in two days in 35 plus heat we are hot and tired. Luckily for us we arrived into the city on a holiday again so there was NO traffic. We cannot say enough about the great service we had at Panama City BMW. This dealership is brand new and spotless. Roberto the Service Manager speaks perfect English and is a super nice guy. The fit us in without any hassle at all. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8266/8...6df1cb80_c.jpg DSC05906 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8395/8...415334a1_c.jpg DSC05907 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8540/8...00794e68_c.jpg DSC05911 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8116/8...eb230a96_c.jpg DSC05913 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8537/8...dd657139_c.jpg DSC05919 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
To Tocumen
It was another very sunny and hot day in Panama when we headed to Tocumen. The traffic in the city is insane.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8399/8...651542b6_o.png Screen Shot 2013-05-01 at 5.07.55 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8122/8...ffde35ef_c.jpg FILE2108 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The toll on the Corridor Sur was well worth the 30 min verses 75 min it takes to go the 18 km on the libre, but the into town side of the highway was packed. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8547/8...c929ecfb_c.jpg girag%203 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8122/8...3e02b886_c.jpg FILE2257 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8543/8...d556e66b_c.jpg FILE2270 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Girag
Once you get to the Airport you take a left at the Roundabout to the Cargo terminal. There is a fair amount of road construction on the road that circles back around the far side of the airport. You will go thru a second round about and take the first exit. Ahead you will see the security check point.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8272/8...6e0a28c2_c.jpg girag 6 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8535/8...4f237ca3_c.jpg girag 7 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8269/8...118f3b5f_c.jpg girag 8 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Drive up and stop to talk to the official who is there 8-4. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8133/8...8f1d1f53_c.jpg FILE2383 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8419/8...1d2fcdae_c.jpg FILE2320 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Here the official basically just wants to know what your business is at the cargo terminal, which is cancelling your temporary permit and shipping the bike. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8120/8...ba564273_c.jpg FILE2406 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8118/8...57797fa8_c.jpg girag 12 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr You can see the blue sign that points to Girag going to the right. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8113/8...4cfd911b_c.jpg FILE2395 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8409/8...e75a1964_c.jpg FILE2457 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8259/8...90773fe1_c.jpg FILE2478 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Driving down this road a few minutes you will see the first building with the cover over the road. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8546/8...9ae84a11_c.jpg FILE2512 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8266/8...d8d7b482_c.jpg FILE2514 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Drive just past here and park in the shade of the tree. Ahead you will see the rest of the cargo area. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8117/8...8a4e1b50_c.jpg FILE2521 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8263/8...517f3455_c.jpg girag 22 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Now go to the building just behind you and check in with the aduana. They will tell you to go to Girag and return with the paperwork for the bike. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8412/8...b7c48573_c.jpg girag 24 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Proceed past the second covered area towards the main cargo area. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8539/8...d1f6d9c4_c.jpg girag 27 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8413/8...583fa36a_c.jpg FILE2559 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8399/8...7d1d1200_c.jpg FILE2571 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Follow the signs to Girag, which is ahead and to the right hidden behind the trees and trucks. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8127/8...e3ea977d_c.jpg FILE2576 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8268/8...29eed27b_c.jpg FILE2588 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8125/8...1b0e167e_c.jpg FILE2595 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8277/8...ec894c7f_c.jpg FILE2597 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Park in the shade out front. When you are facing the office with the Girag sign behind me, the door to the right is where you will go to pay CASH for storage and/or shipping. The door to your left on the other side of the loading bay is the export office so go there first. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8137/8...f0ce7098_c.jpg girag 35 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8254/8...e3f6d9b8_c.jpg girag 37 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We were storing the bikes here for the next 5 months, so we drove them into the lot for the official to inspect. Then they will be moved into the bonded warehouse. We will return to arrange shipping at the end of September. They want 100$ per month per bike, which is 40 less per bike then the Tocumen Storage company next door. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8273/8...294f1c0b_c.jpg girag 40 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Ingrid will check you in and will want to see your passport. Once you enter this area you are technically not supposed to leave. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8268/8...852433af_c.jpg girag 42 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The official will check the bikes and document any damage or scratches. He will want your passport title. He made his own copies. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8131/8...eb460b90_c.jpg girag 43 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8556/8...8753e9bc_c.jpg girag 50 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8400/8...4e412fdf_c.jpg girag 52 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Some of the other toys here. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8413/8...47d81112_c.jpg girag 48 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr He then hands you the Girag registration paper to take back to the aduana where you started. Inside there is an older lady to process your permit cancellation. She was so excited to get our sticker for her collection. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8402/8...78f05964_c.jpg girag 23 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8138/8...2781716b_c.jpg girag 25 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Then the sad part we had to part with the storage fee. They said we could pay when we came back, but we decided to pay now as we had the fee agreed on and were not sure what they would say in 5 months and we will have to pay for the shipping then too. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8558/8...4fa10538_c.jpg girag 54 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8399/8...cb38fb02_c.jpg girag 53 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr With the bikes stored and unloaded we have our stuff to head home. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8552/8...ff0596b7_c.jpg girag 39 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr There are only two airport hotels near Tocumen and wow they are not cheap, but they are nice. We stayed at the Riande which was very chic. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8263/8...7e6f335b_c.jpg girag 55 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8552/8...384a6e10_c.jpg girag 57 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8118/8...240f2432_c.jpg girag 58 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8394/8...1e76fa3b_c.jpg girag 60 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8542/8...511968fd_c.jpg girag 62 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Home for the summer
Thanks to all who have followed our RR. We are home in Vancouver to work for the summer. We will head back on the road at the end of September. See you then!
Sara & Daniel |
good news about the bikes
We got a nice email from Claudia and Ingo from Switzerland. They had arrived at Girag to pick up their bikes and they sent us an email and a photo to let us know our bikes are safe and sound. The good part is they might arrive in Vancouver before we head back to fetch our them at the end of September and head to Columbia.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3802/9...34458d17_c.jpg _DSC7355_72b900 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr :clap::clap::clap: |
A great idea for after the BIG ride
We saw this in the window of a framing shop in Vancouver.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7424/9...73687319_b.jpg IMG_1717 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
If Claudia and Ingo want to come to Mexico City please tell them they are welcome. There is (almost) always room at garryhostel.com!!
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Garry hostel
Thanks Garry I will send them your email. Hugs to you all!
Sara |
headed to Bogota
We booked our plane tickets from Vancouver to Panama City and then to Bogota September 23! Can not wait to get back on the road.
Sara & Daniel:clap::clap::clap: |
Good news! :thumbup1:
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Thanks
Quote:
Hope you and Mrs Pat are doing well. We hope to buy you a beer next summer when we cross the Atlantic . Let us know when we are within range!! Sara |
About time, lazing around in Van while Mrs P works her fingers to the bone! Get back to speaking Espanol, see you in Escocia next year!
We're still roaming around in the North Och aye the noo G & F |
Ready for the clan
Quote:
SP |
surgery
In April i developed a very painful mass in my palm, but i had to wait until i finished work this summer to get it fixed. So far still painful, but hoping by next week when we get the bikes back it wont be too bad.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7443/9...efe00a44_c.jpg surgery day 1 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7347/9...ee6786ff_c.jpg day 2 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7294/9...b22081d9_c.jpg day 4 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Thoughts on WWR part 1
We are finally headed back out on the road tomorrow after a 5 month hiatus. While living in Vancouver for the summer was great especially since the weather this year was amazing, we are eager to get out exploring again. Looking back over the first ten months of our adventure we learned a few things.
1. Eat regularly because otherwise you get hangry 2. Your bike will not go if you still have your disk lock on 3. 99% of people everywhere are regular Joes like you 4. Food , water, and gas are available everywhere people are 5. Mud is nasty 6. Oil and water don't mix and wow is it slippery 7. Teamwork works thanks fellow HU members When we started out our journey form home in June of 2012 we had never been out on the bikes longer than 2 weeks and we had never been together 24/7 for longer than 6. In fact with my job I was away from home 24-48 hours once or twice a week for the 20 years we have known each other. Motorcycle adventures are of course fun and exciting but also stressful at times and for a couple could cause as we say " marital discord". Pulling into a town late in the afternoon when you are hot, tired, and hungry always will end badly. I'm happy to report that we feel that as a couple we are stronger than before, and we managed much better than we feared. The decision to quit our jobs and sell everything and hit the road was not easy, but once made it was so right. We can always work again when we are done exploring, but may not be able to ride the world later so doing it now makes sense. People always ask "what was the highlight of the trip so far"? There are places for sure that were amazing, but I will have to say the people we met along the way are what really made this trip unforgettable. Garry and Ivonne, Julio and Luisa, and Mario and Fernanda your kindness, friendship, and generous hospitality was the highlight for both of us. Ten months in the trenches, an equipment review. Disclosure :If you are like us and you believe the right gear is important for an extended motorcycle journey then read on. Be forewarned the rest of you folks this could get very dull very quickly. As a chronic research-aholic it has been really interesting to see what items have performed and which haven’t. After 50k+ kms in almost every riding condition some items have become indispensable while others are well, not so high on the list. We probably won’t make any endorsement deals after this, but at least you will have the straight goods on our gear. Stuff we wear 1. Shark Helmets & Shark tooth Com Systems Overall these have been a great choice for the type of travelling we do on the bikes. The comfort, quality and function have been superb. Their durability keeps amazing me each time one of the helmets takes a header off its resting place. The modular design has me convinced that unless you are on a dedicated motocross bike this is the only style of helmet we would purchase going forward. There are just way to many pluses. It gets really hot you flip the lid and you can ride open faced even at highway speed. If you want to talk to the cop or border official again flip the lid. The only negatives being that the helmet is slightly heavier than comparable ones and maybe not as quiet, but you are wearing earplugs anyway right? The Shark-tooth com system has performed better than expected. The units have great range, they are very easy to operate and have excellent battery life. The only negative to report is that one of the units suddenly died one day a month into the trip. Shark immediately exchanged the unit no questions asked and the replacement has been flawless for over 9 months now. Riding as a couple we have found a com system to be really helpful especially when driving in and out of cities, when over taking traffic on windy mountain roads, and in bad weather or road conditions. As a couple we wouldn’t want to embark on an extended trip without some type helmet communication system. 2. DB Blocker custom ear protection Hearing protection is essential and these are an excellent choice. Yes you can buy a lifetime of foamy style plugs for what these cost, but once you ride with custom plugs you will wonder why they still make the foamys. The pairs we have are the vented type that cut out the wind noise, but still allow us to hear our intercom system clearly. We won’t ride without them. 3. Rev-it Gear We have a lot of Rev-it and so it pains me to say that at some point we will change at least some of it. Defender GTX Suits We love these suits and they have preformed well, but there is a major design problem with the three- layer system. For the good news first, for comfort, durability and function they have been great. A big plus has been the light color of the suits. Oh I know hardcore guys will scoff at wearing lighter colored gear, but when it’s well over 30 degrees and traffic is crawling you are going to curse the day you bought that black gear. They cleaned up very well by hand or machine. The suites themselves offer great protection from the sun, and were comfortable to wear riding in temperatures to about 34 Celsius. To be fair the design issue is not specific to Rev-it as many other manufactures have suits with the same issues. It really boils down again to design. The liner style system is in our opinion is going to be a thing of the past very shortly. It simply doesn’t make any sense. Sure it works, but what a hassle on so many levels. It’s okay if you are around home maybe, but for long term on the road. We did not wear the goretex liners after we left Alaska, but instead wore our over-suits in the rain. We did not even take the thermal layer with us. You have to store the liners, put them on if there is a chance of rain, or stop on the side of the road and put them on in the rain. The outer coat eventually gets soaked and becomes heavier and heavier. The solution we have found that works for us is the over suit. We put the bottoms on if it looks like rain, and just tie the arms around the waist. This way we can totally cover up without even getting off the bike if it does start to rain. If there is unexpected rain the outer shells of the GTX suits can handle mild rain without getting us wet. If the rain gets worse we throw on the over our Rev-it H2O suits and all is well. We stay dry, GTX suits stay dry and don’t get heavy and the over suits are much easier to get on and off standing on the side of the road then zipping in liners. 4. Daytona Da-Boots We actually got these boots a riding season before we left on our current adventure. Being motocross folks for years and believing that your feet are really vulnerable when riding especially off-road we have had our share of great motorcycle boots. At first we thought we would ride our current adventure in our motocross boots. Lots of people do, but I’m glad we choose not to in the end. What our Daytona’s bring versus say my Sidi Crossfires and Sara’s Ladies Thor boots is walking comfort. On our journey there are many times when we will stop to explore on foot and this is were the Daytona’s really shine. Not once at the end of the day have our feet hurt, nor have they been wet or cold even after 7 hours in the pouring rain. These boots are absolutely first rate. A plus for the Daytona lady star is they have an internal lift that adds 2 ½ inches. Sara also added a Vebram sole for another inch of flat foot bliss for her 27 inch inseam. 5. Powerlet Rapid Fire Heated Jackets The only thing worse than being wet when riding is being wet and cold. Some riders consider heated gear a luxury for the soft. Call us soft then because this is another item we wouldn’t leave on a long journey without. Being able to ride through amazing landscapes comfortably when the temperatures are approaching the negative range is so much more enjoyable. 6. Motor-cross kidney belts. We both started wearing these on our motor-cross bikes, but they are even more important for comfort on long days on the road. They prevent slouching and back pain. 7. Riding underlayer Any quick dry fabric underwear with minimal seams will work. Sara wears the men’s exofficio boxer brief and Daniel the Calvin Klein microfiber. 25$ for a pair of underwear seems like a lot, but 2 pairs each have lasted a year a still look new. You would be surprised how much of a difference this makes especially on long days or in the heat. In our Silver sokz we were never hot or cold and they really just don’t smell! 8. Gloves We both have rev it comet gloves that have been bullet proof. Sara also has BMW women’s gortex gloves that have proven waterproof in really bad weather. 9. Camping gear Exped rocks. We have the Exped Venus 2 delux tent, which is very roomy for 2 to sleep and has a huge vestibule where you can sit and even cook in bad weather. We would never be with out our exped mats. Dan has the synmat 9 and sleeps better on that than most conventional beds. Sara is comfy on the 7 pump deluxe. The integrated pump system is so easy. We are soft as you know so we have exped air pillows. We both have Marmot sleeping bags (men’s plasma and women’s pinnacle) which are comfy and pack fairly small in outdoor research compression bags. Another must is a silk sleep sac, it adds 5 degrees of warmth and is a must to keep your bag clean. It is also great to use in sketchier hotels. One of the best items we brought was our Ticket to the moon hammock, which we used a lot when camping or not. If you have the luxury of 2 bikes, chairs are an added bonus. We highly recommend getting the Kermit chair. Expensive yes, but you will only buy one and it will last forever guaranteed. 10. Great gadgets we used a lot Titanium sporks Seattlesports folding pack sink 5$ small 6 pack folding cooler Dollar store flat rubber disk sink stopper and rubber door wedge A full list if our gear is listed on our web site at worldwideride.ca Tomorrow we fly Vancouver to LA and then take the red eye to Panama City. We arrive there Tuesday morning and will head to Girag to meet with Richard and finalize the shipping of the bikes to Bogota for Thursday. We fly there ourselves on Wednesday. Andi and Ellen (TMK) we have the parts for Maya safely packed and ready for WWR special delivery Canada to Colombia! Thanks Kenny at Alternate cycle in Kamloops. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7340/9...a268f700_c.jpg DSC06902 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Hi Daniel and Sara. I am enjoying your travel tales and thanks for the recommendations on the gear. If you plan to do Africa and happen to come to Windhoek Namibia, please give us a shout we would love to meet with you and hear about your travels.
Regards Tony |
Thanks for the kind words about us.
We are looking forward to seeing you in around 6 months once we are grandparents, Ride safe. |
Tony
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Grandpa
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Shipping the bikes to Bogota!
We packed up our few belonging and put them back in storage yesterday and headed from Vancouver to Panama City.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3769/9...f39fe074_c.jpg IMG_2220 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7293/9...ff6d4682_c.jpg IMG_2223 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7309/9...4cc5ec15_z.jpg IMG_2225 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr After a night flight that arrived at 830 am we were bagged and headed to the hotel for a power nap. Then off to the Terminal de Cargo and Girag to get the bike shipping organized. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2811/9...926fdb88_c.jpg DSC06935 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr This place is a beehive of activity. Of course the English speaking contact Richard was not in today and of course he had not left instructions, but despite that we managed. Luckily several of the people who spoke some English remembered us from April and were very helpful. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7360/9...0c40b8c7_c.jpg DSC06929 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5495/9...600beded_c.jpg DSC06930 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5350/9...dcc91a35_c.jpg DSC06932 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7425/9...007609b7_c.jpg DSC06933 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We then went into the lot to check on the bikes we found three Honduran bikes there also. All was in order so we went to pay for the shipping. We leave for Bogota tomorrow and the bikes go the next day. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5455/9...b2e45f3a_c.jpg DSC06937 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3834/9...0090d6fc_c.jpg DSC06938 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3777/9...78c4a58a_c.jpg DSC06941 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3759/9...b0a9b2b2_c.jpg Panama part 2 16 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Before we left we went down the street to the Tocumen shipping and Cargo to check on Orvar the GSSWEDE’s bike for him. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2809/9...5842abae_c.jpg Panama part 2 17 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We headed back to the man terminal and into the bowels of the Tocumen Airport to get our flights organized at the Avianca office. All in all not too bad as we managed all this with several taxi trips in just about 2 hours total. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5541/9...c02d96fc_c.jpg Panama part 2 23 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Ahhh Panama!!! http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7293/9...b4b01577_c.jpg DSC06956 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr This morning on our way out of the hotel re ran into these guys who had been in Alaska last summer when we were. They are shipping at Girag today too. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3704/9...9d8c06f8_c.jpg IMG_2229 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Off to Bogota!! http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2863/9...0dd29f7f_c.jpg IMG_2239 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Bogota!
At last the long awaited trip across the Darien Gap to South America. We landed here after a pleasant though slightly turbulent 1hour 30-minute flight and breezed thru Immigration and Customs. The city of Bogota or Santa fe de Bogota sits nestled in the mountains of Colombia.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5486/9...86210f71_z.jpg IMG_2241 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7319/1...15ab0ba1_c.jpg DSC01304 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7425/1...348a1da7_c.jpg DSC01352 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr After an Indy style cab ride we arrived at our hotel in the old city or Candaleria district of Bogota. The hotel Ambar we had booked into had just updated their computer system and had mistakenly double booked the entire hotel. No worries we easily moved for 1 night to a close by hotel and settled in. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7354/9...3e778dba_c.jpg bogota 1 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr After the heat and humidity of Panama the 20 degrees at the altitude of 2625 m was a refreshing change, though walking up hill was a bit more strenuous than usual. In no way did we feel ill at ease wandering around the city. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5490/9...f136961a_c.jpg bogota 2 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3709/9...651cb123_c.jpg bogota 3 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5337/9...0d9b47c1_c.jpg bogota 5 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7302/9...0e5db302_c.jpg bogota 6 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Exploring the area we headed up the Eje Ambital or pedestrian thruway towards the east and the mountains to take the Funicular or tram up the steep mountainside to the Cerro de Monserrate at 3127 meters. The train goes up the hill passing the other coming down at about the half way mark and then goes thru a tunnel. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2865/9...048e0794_c.jpg bogota 9 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7353/9...904f3be8_c.jpg bogota 13 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2868/9...fd3a1e6f_c.jpg bogota 15 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2814/9...708d0ae8_c.jpg bogota 16 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7334/9...83638b27_c.jpg bogota 17 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7407/9...abaae2ae_c.jpg bogota 18 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5450/9...7af480ab_c.jpg bogota 19 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The view from the top is panoramic of the entire city. There is of course a church at the top as well. They have the old train here on display, which looks a bit sketchy. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3727/9...201c645f_c.jpg bogota 28 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7340/9...dae8f67b_c.jpg bogota 38 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7339/9...fd183324_c.jpg bogota 43 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Meeting the TMK
So we last saw the Two Moto Kiwi (TMK from here on out) after we had just left the famous for its massive cinnamon buns Braeburn “lodge” just outside of Whitehorse. We were headed to Dawson City and they we headed back. It was cool and raining. As we passed each other we said in our minds “hey that’s the TMK…should we turn back, no we will see them again soon”. That said more than a year later we did finally meet again in Bogota, where fellow ADV riders Salvador and Paola are hosting them. We had to go out of course for Andi’s Birthday.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3758/9...20b325af_c.jpg Candaleria tour 3 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5321/9...6a65bb85_c.jpg Candaleria tour 4 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5456/9...cd286160_c.jpg Candaleria tour 5 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
walking around Bogota Candelaria area
Spending the day wandering around the Candeleria district or old city we strolled its narrow cobbled streets and into the Plaza del Chorro de Quevedo, which is the historic center of the city. The rest of the downtown area of Bogota has a Soviet era feel to the buildings.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7407/9...d83d645a_c.jpg Candaleria tour 6 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7449/9...5c547fcd_c.jpg Candaleria tour 7 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3766/9...bf9bc517_c.jpg Candaleria tour 13 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2853/9...08486235_c.jpg Candaleria tour 14 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3828/9...4ae006b9_c.jpg Candaleria tour 9 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr There are all kinds of interesting design details to see in the old town. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3773/9...fe78ac72_c.jpg Candaleria tour 23 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7315/9...c74659fa_c.jpg Candaleria%20tour%2017 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3716/9...cab9ef04_c.jpg Candaleria tour 18 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2852/9...bf26e704_c.jpg Candaleria tour 11 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7383/9...9fa980f4_c.jpg Candaleria tour 19 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7305/9...75896501_c.jpg Candaleria tour 21 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr In many public spaces they have these police kiosks. On the streets there are many police, especially at night. They have walking police patrols with huge muzzled dogs. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3769/9...8dd63956_c.jpg Candaleria%20tour%2010 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The Botero Museum is also located in the Candelaria area, and houses part of the private collection of the most “Colombian of Colombian artists Fernando Botero Angulo. His works feature a figurative style, called by some "Boterismo", which gives them an unmistakable identity. His art is a stunning to see and the exhibit includes paintings and sculpture housed in a restored old building with wood floors, fountains, courtyards, and free admission. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3691/9...e6ef47df_c.jpg Candaleria tour 24 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7381/9...d5303533_c.jpg Candaleria%20tour%2025 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5475/9...a4c7b5d2_c.jpg Candaleria tour 28 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2844/9...f2ca2512_c.jpg Candaleria tour 27 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7400/9...b1990dab_c.jpg Candaleria tour 40 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7422/9...eb9434bb_c.jpg Candaleria tour 35 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2891/9...cd1e5b3a_c.jpg Candaleria tour 31 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Bogota
The next stop on the WWR walking tours was the main Plaza de Bolivar and Cathedral Principal.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5530/9...ae65a850_c.jpg Candaleria tour 48 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3822/9...2eddc8a5_c.jpg Candaleria tour 52 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5480/9...fe846bba_c.jpg Candaleria tour 54 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3701/9...d9beab55_c.jpg Candaleria tour 41 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5448/9...9590cd96_c.jpg Candaleria tour 55 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7312/9...d774278a_c.jpg Candaleria tour 58a by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3700/9...d13a353e_c.jpg Candaleria tour 47 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7308/9...0acd932c_c.jpg Candaleria tour 42 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5498/9...34f0a536_c.jpg Candaleria tour 46 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5496/9...36ae26d0_c.jpg Candaleria tour 44 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Leaving the square you go thru several layers of security as you near the Presidential Palace. There is a beautiful grounds surrounded by an honor guard. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7399/9...e63eede0_c.jpg Candaleria tour 60 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7307/9...91f819ed_c.jpg Candaleria tour 62 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3727/9...e8175df8_c.jpg Candaleria tour 61 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Heading back out thru the secure zone we spotted this amazing church façade. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2810/9...ccb9a44e_c.jpg Candaleria tour 64 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7445/9...2f6dd6c7_c.jpg Candaleria tour 63 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3773/9...7d9fe86a_c.jpg Candaleria tour 67 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
museo de Oro
The Gold Museum or Museo del Oro displays the world’s largest selection of its pre-Hispanic gold work. It is well with the 3000$ pesos or 1.60 USD entry. The displays have English descriptions that describe the objects as well as the intricate processed by which they were made. You do not go to too many museums where the doors to the galleries are vaults.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3827/9...c647d5de_c.jpg Candaleria tour 82 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2872/9...1e0a78b8_c.jpg Candaleria tour 68 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2840/9...e3797f68_c.jpg Candaleria tour 80 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5517/9...649bbcfc_c.jpg Candaleria tour 81 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7322/9...a716177c_c.jpg Candaleria tour 71 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3717/9...7f033921_c.jpg Candaleria tour 70 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
A night on the town
Bogota is a very cosmopolitan and lively city. Our hosts Salvador and Paola took us out on the town to a 6- story bar/ restaurant. This place was packed on all levels and decorated in a very kitsch style. They give you VIP crowns and welcome to Colombia sashes. Even the beers come with decorations. When you leave they give you a grab bag full of different sweets.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7391/9...4e08e43b_c.jpg Night out 1 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5490/9...46e08388_c.jpg Night out 2 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7327/9...ea6ee565_c.jpg Night out 17 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7395/9...46c38717_c.jpg Night out 6 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7389/9...1b5c91eb_c.jpg Night out 10 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7337/9...621aebd0_c.jpg Night out 12 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3668/9...d106afc5_c.jpg Night out 18 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5486/9...9f346a20_c.jpg Night out 23 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We had some great traditional Columbian food and Paola introduced us to a new cocktail made from rum, fresh lime juice, and Canada Dry ginger ale….YUM! The men stuck to Scotch. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2807/9...c2e3810b_c.jpg Night out 4 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2879/9...7b964fe1_c.jpg Night out 9 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7304/9...3f681eed_c.jpg Night out 16 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Museo National
The following day was Friday when we were supposed to pick up the bikes shipped the day before. We had half expected the news when we phoned Girag and were told that the bikes were not shipped as promised. Luckily for us Salvador was even more distressed than we were, because he immediately launched a campaign of phone calls all day until he was assured they would be sent on the next Girag flight on Saturday.
Without the trip to the airport today we decided to walk north in the city to the National Museum. On the way we found several delicious snacks. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3672/9...492b9c1f_c.jpg Museum Walk 3 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2817/9...552a38c3_c.jpg Museum Walk 16 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2862/9...1f36549b_c.jpg Museum Walk 4 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr At the museum there was a special temporary exhibit of ancient Greek pottery, as well as the museum’s collection of Colombian artifacts and works of art. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2812/9...81fe2cb3_c.jpg Museum Walk 5 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5474/9...6855f2ce_c.jpg Museum Walk 6 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5496/9...2b7e5df0_c.jpg Museum Walk 13 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7371/9...55fc51cc_c.jpg Museum Walk 1 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3771/9...c8cf5654_c.jpg Museum Walk 11 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5471/9...0e9a4749_c.jpg Museum Walk 14 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3722/9...0ed25114_c.jpg Museum Walk 18 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Sushi with TMK
We were invited by the TMK for Ellen’s famous sushi for dinner.
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2806/1...56804780_c.jpg DSC07198 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7350/1...225d86a8_c.jpg DSC07196 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2820/1...e53851ee_c.jpg IMG_0012 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7324/1...6ce120f8_c.jpg DSC07202 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We then had the “official sticker and card exchange” for TMK and WWR. Paola then got out her favorite t-shirt. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2866/1...3d1bd97c_c.jpg DSC07206 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3804/1...64096b58_c.jpg DSC07204 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Good clean fun
On Saturday morning Salvador’s offensive against Girag began with calls starting at 730 am. We finally got a person on the line after 15 calls at 915. They told us there were 3 motos on the plane, but could not tell us if they were our bikes and the Mexican couple or the three Honduran bikes. AGHHHH. They cannot tell us which bikes the Girag in Panama sent on the Girag plane to Girag in Bogota until the plane arrives and they look at the manifest.
Luckily we had plans for the day, which included a drive to the countryside and 4x4 rock crawling with Salvador’s ORV club. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7454/1...f3bbfa91_c.jpg Image by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3703/1...f8a47765_z.jpg Screen Shot 2013-09-29 at 9.18.25 AM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5549/1...f35fbf29_c.jpg DSC01222 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7443/1...0a7b28e7_c.jpg DSC01226 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3701/1...3ebf5aa3_c.jpg DSC01234 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The TMK stayed with Salvador and we hitched a ride with Jamie….issues to follow. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7394/1...2a242145_c.jpg DSC01223 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Locking up the wheels. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5468/1...2abcf24f_c.jpg DSC01252 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7431/1...678ea253_c.jpg DSC01255 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Now for some good clean family fun! http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3803/1...50e9e1ae_c.jpg DSC01291 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5452/1...fdc3a056_c.jpg DSC01276 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3676/1...200b4137_c.jpg DSC01306 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5339/1...93483e8e_c.jpg DSC01447 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2875/1...0e976709_c.jpg DSC01268 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2880/1...fe81060d_c.jpg DSC01335 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2840/1...5629a1be_c.jpg DSC01317 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The views from here were spectacular. There is a reason Jamie’s truck did not make it to the top of the hill after we hit a big rock. These about 3 foot tall shrubs are Espeletia or Fraylejon are found in Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador at higher altitudes and take about 200 years to grow that tall. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7460/1...32ca3131_c.jpg DSC01393 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Photo below courtesy of the Two Moto Kiwi http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5452/1...bebf6dac_c.jpg IMG_0113 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5458/1...92bd653b_c.jpg DSC01376 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5335/1...fa06bb3f_c.jpg DSC01346 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2850/1...5e2dbf9c_c.jpg DSC01350 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3757/1...e5d329bd_c.jpg DSC01349 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr These Colombians sure know how to picnic. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3675/1...91211563_c.jpg DSC01359 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3801/1...a4d6267a_c.jpg DSC01361 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3763/1...ba92e976_c.jpg DSC01371 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Heading down Daniel got behind the wheel too. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3715/1...0316fe85_c.jpg DSC01396 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5326/1...f2f50b73_c.jpg DSC01432 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2881/1...fd923bfc_c.jpg DSC01420 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3815/1...d0e4a2b7_c.jpg DSC01416 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2827/1...8bdbcc72_c.jpg DSC01401 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Now for Salvador “ lets go down the hard way”. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7379/1...35864a3c_c.jpg DSC01477 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr On the way home we stopped at a finca for some Strawberries and cream and founds some friends there. At 4 pm we called back to Girag and found out that YES the bikes of Senior Pedersen are on the plane and were told to be there at 5 pm and that for sure we could get them tonight. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2824/1...fe65ce3d_c.jpg DSC01491 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5507/1...ba96685d_c.jpg DSC01488 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2828/1...e10837d0_c.jpg DSC01495 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3693/1...abda0d29_c.jpg DSC01504 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Girag
There was some serious excitement on the way to the airport, but some stress also since we stupidly in the 40 plus heat last may 2 nd we had forgotten to disconnect the battery leads on the bikes before they went into storage for 5 month. We had just put in Deka batteries, which claim to hold a charge for a year, but we had the clocks drawing power.
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2894/1...86de44e0_c.jpg DSC01512 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We were so lucky to have Salvador to deal with the Girag bureaucracy for us. We arrived at 5 as were advised, but were told that there was now way we could get the bikes today and that we should come back on Monday. Salvador would not stand for that, since the boss had assured us earlier on the phone that we would get them today. Now the guy says that they can’t do it because the customs is closed, so we should come back Monday. We told him they are open until 10, then he says actually they are open 24 hours OMG! We then called the boss lady whom assured us she would sort this out in 5 minutes. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2837/1...44e7790f_c.jpg DSC01518 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Fast forward 6 pm we are in the office and the guy wants us to go and get photocopies of our passports, when he has a copier 3 feet from him. We had spare copies as we always do. Finally he gives us the waybills so we can head across the compound to the DIAN office for the bike importation. This was a breeze and took about 15 minutes. Now back at Girag they say OK come back in 30 minutes. Fast-forward 7 pm and we return to find the Import guys had gone for coffee. Luckily the Girag staff called them back before Dan and Salvy had a fit. Next the official wants you guessed it photocopies of our passports, which we had already given them. “That was for the guy upstairs” he says, so we hand over another copy, his next excuse is he wants a copy of his own Girag waybill, that we have in triplicate. He finally agrees to make a photocopy himself; we are not sure why he did not just take one of the triplicates. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7439/1...c8a6404b_c.jpg DSC01517 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Next we need to wait until the entire shipment is unloaded before they will release the bikes. Finally they allow Daniel to get the bikes! http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2869/1...1982c26a_c.jpg DSC01524 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3715/1...1c42f3d0_c.jpg DSC01526 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2808/1...fb83cf88_c.jpg DSC01538 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Now the moment of truth will they start!!?? CHECK OUT THE VIDEO Bikes in Bogota - YouTube Heading out from Girag at almost 8 pm, glad we shipped our bikes by plane for sure, but glad never to see them at Girag again! http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3773/1...9aec2519_c.jpg DSC01540 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3784/1...6a9e0f77_c.jpg DSC01522 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
boys and girls
The boys headed out for a day on the bikes and the girls spent the day walking and working. On Sundays several main arteries of the city are shut to cars for walking, biking, and rollerblading on the ciclovia. It is packed with people and vendors. The full house service was just letting out when we arrived.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7372/1...72386709_c.jpg bogota walk 4 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5540/1...d10604a9_c.jpg bogota walk 2 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2857/1...21c66e1e_c.jpg IMG_2279 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3727/1...0843fc8b_c.jpg bogota walk 3 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3827/1...21755626_c.jpg bogota walk 11 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We were able to see inside the recently closed bull-fighting ring. There is a big controversy here in the city regarding the banning of bull fighting. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3695/1...f5920dec_c.jpg bogota walk 6 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5468/1...e6c57a40_c.jpg bogota walk 18 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2819/1...2a73cc92_c.jpg bogota walk 10 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3830/1...79d8994f_c.jpg bogota walk 8 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5475/1...7d01c44b_c.jpg bogota walk 14 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3680/1...0f618dac_c.jpg bogota walk 9 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr I want to give a big thanks to Salvador for getting the boys together for a great ride complete with mondo pollo asado for lunch. Heading out of Bogota Salvador, Andi (the kiwi) and I got to experience some lane splitting Colombia style. Picking up a few more riders we got off the main highway and up into the hills. Before long we had arrived at the country home of Juan, who is our host for the day. In true Colombian style he ushered us into the house for a monster breakfast and a warm welcome. Filled both with food and fuel it was time for day’s tour to begin. First though we needed to make a quick stop at a tire repair shop to get one of the amigos V-Strom tires patched. Next it was off into the hills alternating between the beautiful dirt and glorious tarmac twisties. The day was a huge success. Many thanks to all the guys on the ride and most of all Salvador and Juan for being such great hosts and guides. I was having such a great day riding that I only had time to take just these few pictures. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5339/1...9d7a48e2_c.jpg DSC07232 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7446/1...ceba43e1_c.jpg DSC07213 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5506/1...3e703f82_c.jpg DSC07221 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7402/1...a4731c13_c.jpg DSC07225 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7398/1...92ee17e2_c.jpg DSC07226 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5340/1...af5885f1_c.jpg DSC07229 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7315/1...747db524_c.jpg DSC07231 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Quote:
Hi Looks forward to it. We'll either be in UK (south Wales) or Spain (Barcelona) - or perhaps both! - depending on your timings. Have fun out there!:mchappy: Pat |
Cathedral de Sel
Now the work starts. We have to sort out and pack the bikes again to hit the road. Luckily we had the covered parade at Salvador’s apartment to deal with all our stuff.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3673/1...a5fa1768_c.jpg DSC07233 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The TMK were there to send us off in style and Ellen managed to get a few pics of the departure. Heading out of Bogota at 10 am was a good move; because the normally bumper-to-bumper crawl of traffic was very heavy traffic, but flowing well. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7391/1...124a8818_c.jpg to villa de leyva 5 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2877/1...94207fdc_c.jpg to villa de leyva 9 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5523/1...dbd0ef21_c.jpg to villa de leyva 3 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The trip took us just north to the town of Zipaquira (zee-pa-key-Rah) and a visit to the Cathedral de Sel. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7355/1...e4920a59_c.jpg to villa de leyva 1 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The salt mine has 3 levels and the miners 200 years ago mined at the site of the present Cathedral. The previous was closer to the surface and seeping groundwater caused instability of the cavern there. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5498/1...0c81df36_c.jpg to villa de leyva 10 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5512/1...44bf1ea0_c.jpg to villa de leyva 11 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3821/1...82e7a5a7_c.jpg to villa de leyva 22 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The size of the main Chapel is amazing. They actually hold mass here on Sundays, and it is apparently packed on high holidays. There are also smaller chapels for regular Sundays. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2888/1...2f53c4af_c.jpg to villa de leyva 12 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7347/1...9c73d86a_c.jpg to villa de leyva 20 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The massive “stone cross” is actually an optical illusion and is a cut out in the rock. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3685/1...5de07807_c.jpg to villa de leyva 18 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5503/1...3e3b2e81_c.jpg to villa de leyva 23 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The other optical illusions are reflections of the crosses using darkness and light. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3752/1...d802702c_c.jpg to villa de leyva 15 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr There is the very shallow water pond that reflects the ceiling, but looks like a deep cavern. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7392/1...f4b3423e_c.jpg to villa de leyva 28 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The salt carving of the tree has taken 7 months so far. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7423/1...5f109856_c.jpg to villa de leyva 30 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3731/1...44abe2d2_c.jpg to villa de leyva 31 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The school kids were far more interested in us and getting in a photo with us then the tour they were on. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7421/1...2e3ae213_c.jpg to villa de leyva 25 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3832/1...868bf96c_c.jpg to villa de leyva 26 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr There was also a very cool “ecolight show” set to music in one of the huge tunnels. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7401/1...a25bc59e_c.jpg to villa de leyva 29 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr And the best part of Daniel’s day we found really good ice creams. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3702/1...70c5fb57_c.jpg to villa de leyva 33 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Villa de Leyva to Barichara
The ride father north is very fun and curvy. It is a great time to use the coms to help the second bike pass trucks on blind corners. We had been skirting a huge black cloud pouring rain and lightening all day until the last 5 km to Villa de Leyva. This is a small town with adobe and white -wash houses with red tile roofs set in a spectacular valley.
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2886/1...f02ec95e_z.jpg to villa de leyva 2 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5550/1...0b0a1193_c.jpg to villa de leyva 36 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2851/1...b0010e8c_c.jpg to villa de leyva 38 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Riding out the back way from Villa de Levya the road was variably unpaved (but great gravel), paved, and paved at one time. The later being the worst due to the potholes. We had another EPIC days ride thru the mountains to reach the town of Barichara. This place is so cute and clean it looks like a movie set. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5470/1...04d00ce4_c.jpg Barichara 1 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr There are several picturesque towns on the way and we stopped in one for lunch. Yes I know actual stopping AND eating, we must have learned something from part 1 of the trip. We had a fresh blackberry smoothie, 3 empanadas of egg and cheese, and strawberries and cream 7,000p or $3.70 USD. See I told you I am going to start looking like the painting. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2815/1...70e5caf0_c.jpg Barichara 7 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7299/1...8eb02d2e_c.jpg Barichara 9 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3780/1...40e62aae_c.jpg Barichara 13 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Walking along the ridge you can see the lush valley below from the Mirador. Again this town is so tidy. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2842/1...17483b21_c.jpg Barichara 99 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3819/1...40a6d3e5_c.jpg Barichara 14 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5500/1...1dcc5c2a_c.jpg Barichara 16 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The graveyard here is really colorful, I have a thing for cool looking cemeteries. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7426/1...08a9a137_c.jpg Barichara 18 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr There is the large Cathedral here and several smaller churches. The ones on the hillside all have very sloped floors. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7387/1...fb89ed57_c.jpg Barichara 19 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5534/1...ff510b9f_c.jpg Barichara 25 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7359/1...eac8a6f4_c.jpg Barichara 26 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7421/1...68a44e00_c.jpg Barichara 22 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7439/1...c8a2b71a_c.jpg Barichara 20 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7451/1...2cf30930_c.jpg Barichara 100 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The entire town is flagstone streets and adobe packed earth houses with white washed walls and red tile roofs. There are very few cars here, but there are a couple of Tuk Tuks to get the locals up the steep streets. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5531/1...33eb0edf_c.jpg Barichara 113 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2830/1...3e0c77d9_c.jpg Barichara 30 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3782/1...19aa37f6_c.jpg Barichara 97 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7395/1...01e3023a_c.jpg Barichara 103 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7393/1...178dcf9b_c.jpg Barichara 27 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3820/1...78e48e6b_c.jpg Barichara 28 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3811/1...bcb59985_c.jpg Barichara 29 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
A Days Ride Near Barichara, Colombia
The next day we went out on Dan’s bike two up for some off roading.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5450/1...c8dcf50f_c.jpg Screen Shot 2013-10-04 at 12.34.27 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7416/1...dd171b51_z.jpg Barichara 6 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3746/1...8d69f230_z.jpg Barichara 5 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The Barichara-Guane Road heads south and then you turn east at the “Hotel Danny” sign for about 25 kn down the mountain side on switchbacks to the valley floor and then up the other side to Galan before you see the “hotel”. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3672/1...14e8f75d_c.jpg Barichara 35 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3764/1...025a9de8_c.jpg Barichara 45 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3809/1...0e48f0d8_c.jpg Barichara 36 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3681/1...26aa8ea7_c.jpg Barichara 37 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7418/1...cb7e5f97_c.jpg Barichara 39 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5530/1...a4a13ce0_c.jpg Barichara 40 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3763/1...3043350d_c.jpg Barichara 41 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5499/1...07c082fd_c.jpg Barichara 44 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5519/1...cbd25b6c_c.jpg Barichara 47 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5544/1...0694209b_c.jpg Barichara 48 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7294/1...c56c60ed_c.jpg Barichara 58 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr There is a nice stone church here in this sleepy mountain town. To keep you cool for the long Catholic service the breeze blows thru the walls. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3700/1...a47f72f5_c.jpg Barichara 50 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7454/1...ab3a9333_c.jpg Barichara 51 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5476/1...a1aa5a7e_c.jpg Barichara 54 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Next we headed farther up the road to the next small village of La Fuente. Here we stopped for a coke and a chat with Horatio who at 60 has 11 kids 5 grandkids 2 great grandkids, and 1 great grand kid. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3808/1...6f5c5bf2_c.jpg Barichara 72 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7309/1...8b237806_c.jpg Barichara 73 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7442/1...972dc261_c.jpg Barichara 61 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5546/1...9383ac30_c.jpg Barichara 62 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5480/1...cb3ee1e6_c.jpg Barichara 64 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2884/1...c21c8c0d_c.jpg Barichara 67 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7304/1...6eb9fe54_c.jpg Barichara 66 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5507/1...a661c1cd_c.jpg Barichara 69 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2847/1...d2bf8e9c_c.jpg Barichara 74 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5453/1...7bd4f8ab_c.jpg Barichara 76 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Riding another 24 km down the road we arrived at Zaptoca. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2882/1...833937d7_c.jpg Barichara 77 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7387/1...ef6d598d_c.jpg Barichara 78 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Here we headed out of town or so we thought according to the GPS. We ended up on “ roads” in the pineapple plantation that after 30 min ended where a house blocking further passage. At 430 we decided to retreat and again followed the GPS to Mesa Los Santos, where there is a road, but by then at 530 we decided not to risk going down a dirt track at 530. So another 100 km back track got us home at 730 in the rain and dark exhausted. Daniel did describe the switchback here as THE MOST EPIC RIDE EVER! http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2856/1...c940179b_z.jpg Screen Shot 2013-10-07 at 4.33.59 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3722/1...94a6c9b6_c.jpg Barichara 81 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5334/1...37283dda_c.jpg Barichara 86 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7454/1...b3a44a47_c.jpg Barichara 88 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7366/1...cbfdb7c7_c.jpg Barichara 90 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5443/1...a62bca84_c.jpg Barichara 91 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Day of rest needed
After that huge day we decided to stay and rest in Barichara. We walked the Camino de Guane for a bit and then visited the Park of the arts with its water sculptures, and the small church at the top of the hill. And yes finished the day of with an icecream.
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2817/1...fb77d530_c.jpg Barichara 95 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3797/1...e93e5a9c_c.jpg Barichara 96 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5544/1...d345cede_c.jpg Barichara 117 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Aguachica
We are making for the north east coast at Santa Marta but with the super curvy roads and truck traffic this is a two -day drive, with a stop half way in Aguachica.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5346/1...41c4375edf.jpg to agua chica 1 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5350/1...97282842_c.jpg to agua chica 2 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2849/1...3a372b84_c.jpg to agua chica 11 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2879/1...8fca731c_c.jpg to agua chica 3 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2820/1...6068c2a5_c.jpg to agua chica 4 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr For the most part there was not that much traffic and passing the huge semis on the curvy roads is a bit of a thrill. The views are stunning. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2867/1...eb83ac80_c.jpg to agua chica 6 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5525/1...4f88a3a2_c.jpg to agua chica 13 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2894/1...d8963f78_c.jpg to agua chica 5 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5464/1...7b41570c_c.jpg to agua chica 7 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3747/1...6d15694d_c.jpg to agua chica 8 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3828/1...02c023d4_c.jpg to agua chica 9 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5350/1...026e87c5_c.jpg to agua chica 10 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5443/1...1c9c931f_c.jpg to agua chica 14 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr There are always a few unmarked hazards…..or donkeys! http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3672/1...26880521_c.jpg to agua chica 17 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The best place to pass a bunch of trucks is at the tolls where motos go free and bypass the line too. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2837/1...7bd2f20d_c.jpg to agua chica 22 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7335/1...9a138e83_c.jpg to agua chica 28 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5336/1...fbb667fc_c.jpg to agua chica 29 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7459/1...b004e870_c.jpg to agua chica 23 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We stopped for a lunch of roasted pork, chorizo sausage, blood and rice sausage, and yucca. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7289/1...3ce6f34e_c.jpg to agua chica 24 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2825/1...d9c50e01_c.jpg to agua chica 31 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5525/1...ed851876_c.jpg to agua chica 32 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The army here “ guard” the passage by road, it is mandated that they give you thumbs up sing that the road is safe. Can you imaging doing that all day to every vehicle. Ten years ago it was completely unsafe to travel here, now life is business as usual. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7393/1...314bd8e9_c.jpg to agua chica 25 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3753/1...c34dfa50_c.jpg to agua chica 26 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3809/1...f4c7f2ea_c.jpg to agua chica 18 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr There are a few larger towns on the way and the main roads tend to dump you into the hectic center of town. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7325/1...8affa6f6_c.jpg to agua chica 19 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7401/1...854a9750_c.jpg to agua chica 20 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3813/1...10466d98_c.jpg to agua chica 21 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We decided to stop riding at about 3 pm so that got us to Aguachica. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5344/1...8f6db61a_c.jpg to agua chica 27 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We stopped for gas and asked the guys there for a good hotel. It was quite an amusing Duck talking to Chicken conversation with our bad Spanish and there nonexistent English, but we all had a good laugh. The directed us to the Morrocoy, “you know it’s an animal like a Tortuga”. It was a friendly family place with a huge secure parking lot for the bikes. . We walked around the town and ended up as usual at Dan’s favorite a Pollo rostiazado place. This end of town was hopping with at least 10 bars all blasting different music. Luckily near our place it was silent. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2847/1...86b2331d_c.jpg IMG_2299 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3782/1...8db50d60_c.jpg IMG_2300 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Valledupar
After a good night’s rest we headed out at 830 am when it was already 29 degrees. Thank God for our gel neck bands they take off about 5 degrees and make an unbearable 40 into a not so bad 35, especially at speed.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7326/1...8095a127_c.jpg to valledupur 1 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2861/1...36b13355_c.jpg to valledupur 6 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The 300 km north took us 4 ½ hours with the slowing for truck passing and topes for the military check points on the secondary roads. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5336/1...57dee63e_c.jpg to valledupur 5 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2858/1...be758a40_c.jpg to valledupur 8 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5545/1...45a2c6a3_c.jpg to valledupur 10 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We did see a few new design ideas for the next generation of Touratech Zega Pro Panier systems. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7369/1...4eef0b22_c.jpg to valledupur 2 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7300/1...f8e1def1_c.jpg to valledupur 3 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr After toll booth the next best place to pass long lines of trucks is at the speed bumps entering and exiting towns, except when there are crowded with vendors. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5546/1...8a9cb18f_c.jpg to valledupur 4 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Dan is chilling with his highway pegs. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7338/1...7c5bfd5f_c.jpg to valledupur 7 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr When we arrived in Valledupar it was 35 degrees and we were so glad to get out of the crowded streets and into a Hostal with air con! http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5523/1...b273e46e_c.jpg to valledupur 11 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Santa Marta
Next we really wanted to visit Santa Marta, because of its historic significance. It was founded in 1525 by a Spanish conquistador, and it is the oldest existing city in Colombia and it was the first Spanish settlement in Colombia, and second oldest of South America. Simon Bolivar “the liberator of Colombia died here in 1830. We decided not to take the short direct route, but to go the long scenic way round taking us temptingly close to the Venezuelan border.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8125/1...1f308662de.jpg Screen Shot 2013-10-08 at 7.47.25 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8413/1...cd594604_c.jpg santa marta 19 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr There are a lot of police and army checkpoints, but none have stopped us. Mostly there is just some rope or a tire on the road to slow you down. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8402/1...c8b443ae_c.jpg santa marta 20 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr This guy was the first and all he wanted to do was shake our hands and welcome us to Colombia. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3829/1...fc8b5700_c.jpg santa marta 3 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3745/1...a9638710_c.jpg santa marta 4 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr This is Dan explaining Yo hablo solo un poco de Espaniol, pero me esposa es major. (I only speak a liite Spanish but my wife is better.) Then they both looked at me and laughed! He asked how we liked Colombia and we said for motos its’ amazing. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5531/1...b2f4f6e2_c.jpg santa marta 7 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Driving along in the middle of nowhere you come upon these roundabouts…so weird. Also in the middle of nowhere a paved divided bike/walking path. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3728/1...682e5e5f_c.jpg santa marta 9 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5465/1...fc31783b_c.jpg santa marta 17 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr This put a new meaning in motorbike! http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5493/1...22da457f_c.jpg santa marta 10 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr As we got further east and north towards the coast the landscape was more desert like with sand and cactus. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7459/1...0ebe1db9_c.jpg santa marta 11 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We needed some gas and decided to have “an experience” as Dan says so we bought cheap Venezuelan gas from a guy on the side of the road for 3.24/ gallon. At the station regular gas is 4.73 or more. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3786/1...42a5cf81_c.jpg santa marta 14 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7460/1...242a190c_c.jpg santa marta 12 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr On the way to the coast we had to go thru a few bigger crowded towns in traffic and 37 degree heat with humidity. At one point we had to make an emergency stop at Mc D for 20 min of aircon and a coke. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3723/1...205b3ca9_c.jpg santa marta 18 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Finally we made it to drive along the Caribbean sea where there were tons of banana plantations. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5538/1...0af51102_c.jpg santa marta 23 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2849/1...bf8fc2e3_c.jpg santa marta 24 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We stopped at a small roadside fruit stand for a snack and a cold drink. As usual the bike draw a crowd. Colombians are super friendly and very interested in our adventure. This guy was laughing at my joke in Spanish! http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7317/1...c28b0e5a_c.jpg santa marta 25 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5327/1...5ef4120d_c.jpg santa marta 26 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5487/1...d309de2b_c.jpg santa marta 28 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Here we stayed in a funky Hostel with a massive room. We ventured down to the old city and the Bahia. Here there was the obligatory Bolivar Square with his statue. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2892/1...a5cf368a_c.jpg santa marta 29 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3678/1...8221c1c3_c.jpg DSC07415 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr This is where it all started when the European boats sailed into this harbor to the New world! http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2857/1...132f487a_c.jpg santa marta 32 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7405/1...637d2992_c.jpg santa marta 44 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2887/1...f8583560_c.jpg santa marta 46 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8279/1...6e15ff11_c.jpg santa marta 49 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The architecture is very colonial. This church was the previous site of Bolivars tomb; he was later moved to Venezuela. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7455/1...8fe11312_c.jpg santa marta 37 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5541/1...c10c079f_c.jpg santa marta 39 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7293/1...e20d2e43_c.jpg santa marta 41 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3778/1...75d720c2_c.jpg santa marta 43 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5496/1...4a9a6fbb_c.jpg santa marta 52 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The statues of the indigenous are portrayed with huge hands and feet to symbolize their strong hardworking nature. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3758/1...b543a9a3_c.jpg santa marta 48 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Cartegena
Next was Cartagena (car-the-hay-nah), one of the exotic places we have always wanted to visit. To get there you drive along a narrow isthmus.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5327/1...8ab7edf3_z.jpg Screen Shot 2013-10-09 at 5.04.23 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3761/1...47ddf2d7_c.jpg cartegena 2 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr There are poorer villages out along here, and they were slash burning which is a challenge to see how long you can hold your breath for while driving. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3821/1...b6c10eed_c.jpg cartegena 5 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7455/1...d2d7d508_c.jpg cartegena 6 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Its not too often you see an anteater crossing sign. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7392/1...03478b2b_c.jpg cartegena 8 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5321/1...0b75079b_c.jpg cartegena 7 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Coming into the city you get a glimpse of the ancient walls of the old city. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3779/1...9776dbbf_c.jpg cartegena 9 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Then you need to navigate the narrow crowded streets. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7341/1...2acd1050_c.jpg cartegena 10 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr This place is very picturesque, from the clock tower to the statues, to the beautiful facades of the buildings. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8397/1...ce9cbc9f_c.jpg cartegena 63 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3666/1...ca688697_c.jpg cartegena 12 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7332/1...c1f9c218_c.jpg cartegena 15 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7361/1...b0894839_c.jpg cartegena 16 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8544/1...9f2f5027_c.jpg cartegena 14 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7316/1...94e2d439_c.jpg cartegena 19 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8123/1...7b70005d_c.jpg cartegena 17 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The Plaza de Boulivar was a popular meeting place and there is a small free gold museum here ( air con!) http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8534/1...edb4d02b_c.jpg cartegena 57 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7305/1...cfdf5f9d_c.jpg cartegena 58 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8129/1...8ce09b05_c.jpg cartegena 35 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We walked some of the old city and of course stopped for Palettes. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7300/1...acb11cd7_c.jpg cartegena 31 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7312/1...e77ff42a_c.jpg cartegena 36 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3697/1...d5554f55_c.jpg cartegena 37 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5471/1...acddc212_c.jpg cartegena 65 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Walking on the old walls you get a good view to the see the fort and the city. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3727/1...9b99e442_c.jpg cartegena 55 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3776/1...5a1b9524_c.jpg cartegena 48 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8396/1...8fd36447_c.jpg cartegena 46 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3795/1...884d5c34_c.jpg cartegena 28 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2851/1...c365b456_c.jpg cartegena 26 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7293/1...d2816fd2_c.jpg cartegena 29 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8408/1...5eb0af75_c.jpg cartegena 45 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5501/1...a4cf7fc2_c.jpg cartegena 54 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The night views are cool too. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7444/1...c06c4a65_c.jpg cartegena 43 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3752/1...68690f1d_c.jpg cartegena 40 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We did visit the Castillo de San Felipe to see the panoramic view of the city, explore the fort and all the tunnels. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2880/1...45486f56_c.jpg cartegena 66 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3812/1...193164dd_c.jpg cartegena 72 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3801/1...b19848e0_c.jpg cartegena 73 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5489/1...2d3599d4_c.jpg cartegena 82 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3689/1...c9247b4e_c.jpg cartegena 77 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8279/1...964f0670_c.jpg cartegena 75 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We were lucky driving here and while we stayed, because it was partly cloudy which helped with the heat and humidity that can be horrible here. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5535/1...6d43c270_c.jpg cartegena 71 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8118/1...84fbab2f_c.jpg cartegena 70 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Monpox/Monpos
Well now we were up for an adventure. On Salvador’s suggestion we decided to make a side trip on our way west to the UNESCO site at Monpox. This place really is stuck in colonial times, and is WAY off the beaten track.
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2856/1...630ae06409.jpg Screen Shot 2013-10-12 at 7.31.44 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7397/1...9ce9acd2_c.jpg monpox 1 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr First there is the 60 km detour from the route to Medallin to the town of Manangue. Then there is the 40 min ferry ride. Last is the 40 km drive to the town itself. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5523/1...bc8a07320f.jpg Screen Shot 2013-10-12 at 7.32.06 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Manangue is a crowded place where we figured the ferry had to be near the riverfront so we headed there. The interesting thing I find is that in these places if you are driving around looking for something someone always stops to help you. More often than not a guy on a bike will drive up and ask if you are looking for the Border crossing, the ferry dock, the highway etc and then drive you there. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8547/1...1359a219_c.jpg monpox 3 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr With help we did find the ferry dock, which was loading shortly for the 40 min river ride. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2879/1...fe6a8497_c.jpg monpox 4 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5519/1...6bf9db77_c.jpg monpox 5 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Initially we were told to load the bikes, but then the boss returned and wanted us on last…off we go again. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2854/1...e7cdbe85_c.jpg monpox 9 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Dan squeezed his “moto Grande in front of a truck and then wedged Lulu between his and the winch. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3809/1...19ab5c0a_c.jpg monpox 11 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5466/1...88d06dfc_c.jpg monpox 28 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5333/1...4e701d55_c.jpg monpox 22 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8257/1...eea9f498_c.jpg monpox 15 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr They loaded this thing like a zig saw puzzle. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7415/1...82136d95_c.jpg monpox 13 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7303/1...76cc2517_c.jpg monpox 27 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5347/1...1b11b95a_c.jpg monpox 36 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7334/1...a2e9cccb_c.jpg monpox 16 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3822/1...bdac6ef0_c.jpg monpox 18 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Now for the river ride. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5328/1...1eac4c19_c.jpg monpox 26 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7356/1...442dd126_c.jpg monpox 37 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7324/1...7f1f9e37_c.jpg monpox 35 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5526/1...84478f53_c.jpg monpox 43 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3815/1...5f249b54_c.jpg monpox 42 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7403/1...2d1a3eb2_c.jpg monpox 38 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Next the 40 km to Monpox. The first few km are well paved, and then it deteriorates into paved in parts, and then gravel and finally dirt. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5445/1...f11f21fc_c.jpg monpox 48 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3749/1...476c93ec_c.jpg monpox 49 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7421/1...9b04d5b4_c.jpg monpox 54 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3674/1...24095bd8_c.jpg monpox 56 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The town itself is said to be the best-preserved colonial site in the country. That night there was an incredible thunder and lightening storm that light up the whole town, shut off the power, and set off all the car alarms. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8548/1...aeb15def_c.jpg monpox 63 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3794/1...5f158b0d_c.jpg monpox 64 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8418/1...b5794c58_c.jpg monpox 66 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5507/1...8b3cf4b6_c.jpg monpox 67 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3805/1...55069f8f_c.jpg monpox 70 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Planeta Rica
Now we had to reverse our route back 100 km to the highway 25 and then west towards Medallin.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5483/1...69a4a5e6_z.jpg Screen Shot 2013-10-12 at 8.49.35 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The town was a bit flooded. The storm made the way back out the next day a bit more of a challenge on the dirt, but now mud sections. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7305/1...7b429e6e_c.jpg leaving monpox 1 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2885/1...b639fb8f_c.jpg leaving monpox 2 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2857/1...55702280_c.jpg leaving monpox 4 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3774/1...8a711bd0_c.jpg leaving monpox 7 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7455/1...0a28da9a_c.jpg leaving monpox 9 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We arrived for the 10 boat, which of course had left at 930 so we waited for the 12. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3733/1...f8a5746d_c.jpg leaving monpox 11 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Dan made a few friends while we hung around. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8419/1...8ceb53cc_c.jpg leaving monpox 13 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7398/1...4f6f73f7_c.jpg leaving monpox 14 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Loading the boat was easier than the steep muddy ramp appears. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7294/1...b9b85059_c.jpg leaving monpox 15 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5489/1...00d052f8_c.jpg leaving monpox 16 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7357/1...b2c996a5_c.jpg leaving monpox 17 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2886/1...ee9bcaa8_c.jpg leaving monpox 18 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5493/1...cd6ae707_c.jpg leaving monpox 19 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7307/1...6483dd0a_c.jpg leaving monpox 20 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We were very glad it was not too hot out pouring for the 4o min ride back. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3779/1...6483764d_c.jpg leaving monpox 22 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8116/1...f6cd005d_c.jpg leaving monpox 23 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3680/1...570a4f98_c.jpg leaving monpox 25 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr All the locals were dressed up in Football colors for the big game against Chile tonight. They had their bikes, their cars, and them selves decorated. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5343/1...6fc10027_c.jpg leaving monpox 28 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Huge gatherings of bikes were getting ready to watch the game at local bars. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5344/1...d3783a23_c.jpg leaving monpox 29 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We didn’t drive as far a we had planned do to the 2 hour delay for the ferry, but we arrived at just after 4 in a nice looking town and stopped at the nicest looking of the hotels. We got a nice clean room with fan and air con for 20$. Walking up the road we stopped at a small “bar” to watch the game. Initially at half time Colombia was down 3 nothing, but came back to tie and advance to the World cup. Let the party begin. It is custom here to leave the empty beer bottles on the table. so the waitress can keep track. If you want to but someone a drink you just take one of their empties to your table. The locals here as everywhere in Colombia are extremely friendly. Several people came and took bottles from our table and one gave us several shots of Red Label Johnny Walker. We were all celebrating the Colombian football team together. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3770/1...1fc64b95_c.jpg leaving monpox 30 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7415/1...6cf03340_c.jpg leaving monpox 32 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3716/1...6a19d079_c.jpg leaving monpox 40 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3690/1...5bde7b31_c.jpg leaving monpox 41 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7444/1...b1257833_c.jpg leaving monpox 42 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8408/1...0e763270_c.jpg leaving monpox 45 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr CHECK OUT THE VIDEO |
Medellin
The next day we drove to the center of town to the bank on the main square. As soon as we parked this great guy started to chat us up. He was so funny. People here are SO friendly!
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7405/1...e379e922_c.jpg medillin 2 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Now to head to Medellin (Meh-de-jene), which was the previous stronghold of Drug lord Pablo Escobar. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5496/1...a7196b03a6.jpg medillin 1 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3696/1...bf4decbf_c.jpg medillin 7 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We then got on the road west and over two mountain ranges to get the 350 km in about 6 hours. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5496/1...76dd5caa_c.jpg medillin 9 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Daniel was so tempted to stop and wash the bikes along the road here where the locals had tapped into the waterlines. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3804/1...7f53674a_c.jpg medillin 11 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We headed up into the clouds. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7325/1...f5aed013_c.jpg medillin 10 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2808/1...3e646ec6_c.jpg FILE2171 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Unfortunately it started to rain, but not until the last hour. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3799/1...83cfe5de_c.jpg medillin 6 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Luckily it stopped briefly just as we entered the city, which made negotiating the traffic a whole lot easier. Arriving in the city you are struck by all the red brick buildings. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2809/1...f71967b0_c.jpg medillin 14 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr As is often the case GPS coordinates on line are inaccurate, so when we got to the location of the hotel it was a pharmacy. Like so many times in this country within seconds the pharmacist pops out and asks what we are looking for and then gives us detailed instructions to where we were staying about 4 blocks away. We took Trevor’s advice and used the metro. This is the cleanest most efficient system we have ever seen. This is a city known for courtesy, when a woman or older person gets on the train people get up to give up their seats. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5478/1...a86b8746_c.jpg medillin 17 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7328/1...d45ee9d1_c.jpg medillin 16 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr There is a really nice botanic garden here and a nice way to spend an hour or so for free. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7394/1...448c7712_c.jpg medillin 18 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3782/1...5d5cabda_c.jpg medillin 19 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3809/1...8792baf6_c.jpg medillin 36 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2849/1...09430c77_c.jpg medillin 21 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2812/1...4153a216_c.jpg medillin 22 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7362/1...886bda6d_c.jpg medillin 27 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2807/1...43b40400_c.jpg medillin 28 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2832/1...5b317d08_c.jpg medillin 25 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2879/1...6525439b_c.jpg medillin 37 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7406/1...bfa82cd4_c.jpg medillin 34 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7455/1...a6a94ac6_c.jpg medillin 35 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Not to be missed is the Botero square and the museum. The square was jumping, as a marching band was getting ready to perform. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5508/1...8df8fdce_c.jpg medillin 42 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3792/1...9fd89a99_c.jpg medillin 56 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3805/1...778dc7b8_c.jpg medillin 55 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5541/1...f5475c56_c.jpg medillin 43 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr There were tons of people posing with the statues. The artist has donated over 2000 large and small works to the city. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3789/1...5b7e77b8_c.jpg medillin 47 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3738/1...b56b175b_c.jpg medillin 48 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/world_wide_ride/10320201315/" title="medillin 52 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3757/10320201315_f3e53f2fa7_c.jpg" width="534" height="800" alt="medillin 52"></a> http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7327/1...91c54fa6_c.jpg medillin 51 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7375/1...267ae0ca_c.jpg medillin 50 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7296/1...493b64c7_c.jpg medillin 49 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We walked into the museum and were looking at the maps and this lady walks up and starts rapidly speaking Spanish to me. Then realizing I speak English she dragged her husband over to explain the layout of the current exhibits and the location of the judges selection of best new artists to us. Again random acts of kindness here are common. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7351/1...15b90de3_c.jpg medillin 62 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5511/1...9279928b_c.jpg medillin 72 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Pablo Escobar is dead. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5479/1...b1b6eb3b_c.jpg medillin 80 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr This installation is made of mud. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5548/1...f854f031_c.jpg medillin 75 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr These guys wanted my opinion on the glasses they were buying. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7447/1...ab2becab_c.jpg medillin 44 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3734/1...4832f915_c.jpg medillin 45 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We headed to the famous Irish pub for a Guinness, some football, and a meal. The women here are very friendly with their plastic surgeons it’s plain to see and quite forward. Dan went out alone to get a slice of pizza and then to the store for a drink. Both the ladies in these shops propositioned him! Always finish the day with ice cream. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5533/1...7d002aa2_c.jpg medillin 84 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Chinchina
The rain over night was very heavy, but by about 10 was a drizzle. We stopped by R2R moto to drop off a sticker and have a photo op. Unfortunately this was a statutory holiday and they were closed.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5475/1...2ed88c6a_c.jpg Chinchina 3 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The day was spent in and over the mountains, and it was mostly raining, which sucked. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3724/1...7900a7cc_z.jpg Screen%20Shot%202013-10-16%20at%207.36.45%20PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We stopped for a drink at a small restaurant and this Daniel stopped to talk to us and he was so excited about our trip! http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3797/1...13eac607_c.jpg Chinchina 13 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr There was a truck that drove off the road and blocked the highway in both directions. When we came upon it there was a line of cars several km long. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3733/1...c88962a9_c.jpg Chinchina%205 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We of course drove to the front like the other almost 100 bikes. We had perfect timing! 5 minutes after we arrived the police opened the road to let oncoming traffic go for 5 min and then let us get thru. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3746/1...e0441dd9_c.jpg Chinchina%206 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3719/1...6c649526_c.jpg Chinchina 7 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr On the other side of the accident the cars were lined up on the 3 spur roads, and they stretched for several km on the road were on. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7457/1...1bd6961e_c.jpg Chinchina 8 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2833/1...6ced2c3a_c.jpg Chinchina 9 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2830/1...da8a7e00_c.jpg Chinchina 10 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5507/1...ff7cf413_c.jpg Chinchina 11 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Letting about 100 bikes thru at once was a bit chaotic, but this meant that other than bikes there was no cars or trucks to pass for almost 80 km. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3686/1...4b9da586_c.jpg Chinchina 12 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We arrived in the town of Chinchina (Chin-Chi-Na) on the advice of Claudia and Ingo and stayed at a nice family owned Hacienda Guayabal. The service here is 5 star. The setting is stunning. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2883/1...9a789e85_c.jpg DSC01964 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3711/1...80f87ebc_c.jpg DSC01961 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7411/1...047ca8b1_c.jpg DSC01960 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5539/1...3f0a83be_c.jpg DSC01958 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2855/1...e3f2f233_c.jpg DSC01957 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7348/1...3b0142ea_c.jpg DSC01954 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5481/1...2fd78762_c.jpg DSC01950 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7308/1...0707e472_c.jpg DSC01949 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3753/1...1b0c312b_c.jpg DSC01935 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7322/1...3c346a8d_c.jpg DSC01926 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7292/1...5e65a689_c.jpg DSC01925 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7395/1...48514943_c.jpg DSC01924 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5500/1...c20a39eb_c.jpg DSC01976 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Jorge advised us on a route thru the area for the day and for getting to Cali and avoiding Pereira the back way. He also suggested the Hot springs at Santa Clara. We set out under cloudy skies for the back roads thru the coffee region. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3710/1...d0fd509d94.jpg Screen Shot 2013-10-16 at 7.41.47 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Stopping for gas we checked out the local fashion for riding boots. This is my view as a pillion. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7376/1...b75e87f3_c.jpg Chinchina 19 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5515/1...1bc5d39c_c.jpg Chinchina 18 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The road thru Marsella was paved at one time and it is still in patches and it twists and turns thru the stunning scenery. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3733/1...b7de25d150.jpg Screen Shot 2013-10-16 at 7.42.05 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7439/1...0b169014_c.jpg Chinchina 27 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3744/1...a08a05a4_c.jpg Chinchina 33 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5510/1...dec1b87a_c.jpg Chinchina 37 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7324/1...33af14c5_c.jpg Chinchina 24 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2835/1...9ae2f16c_c.jpg Chinchina 25 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr This is really a picture post card town. These old gents agreed to a picture. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2875/1...248c4460_c.jpg Chinchina 32 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2808/1...e31908fe_c.jpg Chinchina 28 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We then headed to the hot springs at Santa Clara. The road half way from the town is paved and it has white arrows painted on it that say terminales this way. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7449/1...0cb27280_c.jpg Chinchina 35 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3791/1...3ee6b3de_c.jpg Chinchina 38 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7332/1...e549fbe8_c.jpg Chinchina 48 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The waterfall here is so perfect it looks man made. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7356/1...9398d6ab_c.jpg Chinchina 41 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5503/1...3dc35c50_c.jpg Chinchina 44 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5474/1...48eb4d0f_c.jpg Chinchina 45 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr You can cool off in the falls and then soak in the hot pools. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7320/1...01b6d198_c.jpg Chinchina 58 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3707/1...bc51f0d6_c.jpg Chinchina 61 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7370/1...f1944872_c.jpg Chinchina 62 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3803/1...a0f8575b_c.jpg Chinchina 64 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5478/1...4851444e_c.jpg Chinchina 65 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Back at the ranch we were welcomed home like old friends. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2886/1...7b373818_c.jpg Chinchina 80 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7301/1...4a163986_c.jpg DSC01965 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr That evening three British girls Fiona, Helen, and Lucy who were an absolute riot joined us. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3741/1...10f5c918_c.jpg Chinchina 74 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7401/1...1b89636a_c.jpg Chinchina 76 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5517/1...2175fe42_c.jpg Chinchina 75 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Cali
Starting out in the rain from the Hacienda we were sad to leave, but the rain did not last long. The drive is scenic and the only 4- lane road we have been on so far.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5499/1...b57ed931_z.jpg Screen Shot 2013-10-16 at 7.39.27 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Arriving in Cali we headed for the famous Casa Blanca Hostel and Moto shop Motolombia run by Mike and Diana. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7333/1...7d6fab02_c.jpg IMG_2348 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2836/1...2389ca7e_c.jpg DSC07579 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Fellow rider from Alabama and Casa Blanca guest Armando welcomed us. It’s not every day you meet a rider who was born in Ushuaia. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5475/1...624a408a_c.jpg to pasto 3 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The hostel is in a great location for travelers and bikers especially. Mike at Motolombia can help you out for sure. Just up the street Sammy at Motoluxury has all you lubricantes and for us good quality chain lube for cheaper than home. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2891/1...241a9786_c.jpg IMG_2354 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We settled in and relaxed. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3736/1...71624d27_c.jpg cali 6 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The next day was moto maintenance. Bold tightening, power washing, and inspection. Daniel had planned to change our tires from Huston in Santiago, but looking at his they will not make it. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3797/1...d0cc8c6b_c.jpg cali 27 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Ok look up tires on the internet and get the address from the GPS. Then drive all the way across town to the address, but no shop. Heading back in traffic we luckily made a wrong turn, because when we were coming around the block Gabriel drove up beside us on his 1150R and said “do you speak Spanish?” I said no English, and he switched to English and said “ do you know where to go in town for BMW?” Long story short he suggested the exact place we were looking for Astrias motoroservico, and stopped to give us direction and several other contacts and connections. Thank you so much! http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5515/1...9b9905e1_c.jpg DSC07587 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Funny story in the end the Asturias shop is 3 blocks from the hostel. This is where all the BMW work in town is done by Jorge and not at the BMW dealership. They were very helpful and called the Heidinau distributor in Bogota and had the tires shipped the same day. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7392/1...125851bf_c.jpg DSC07590 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7296/1...3eb1fe28_c.jpg DSC07592 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7336/1...a05bda17_c.jpg cali 32 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Another great contact that Gabriel gave us was Alain, who just happen to come by the shop when we were there. He has been up and down South America many times. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7360/1...c35f41ef_c.jpg cali 26 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr I decided that I was sick of restaurant food so we whipped up a good home cooked meal. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3688/1...1b69a35d_c.jpg cali 36 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Since we are stuck on this side of the protestors we have to find something to do and North of Cali. Today we headed out towards Darien and around the lake. Following the GPS initially we detoured for a bit off road, and then we did it the old fashioned way and asked directions and had to back track to the route around the mountains to the lake. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3825/1...e56a928f_z.jpg Screen Shot 2013-10-19 at 7.02.37 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7381/1...1a2b167d_c.jpg cali 45 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3690/1...5c1fbc4c_c.jpg cali 47 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7412/1...da960961_c.jpg cali 48 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5501/1...554ab543_c.jpg cali 50 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We took a side trip to the town of Restrepo for a snack and a cold drink. There is a nice church here. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5531/1...62b5265a_c.jpg cali 65 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7373/1...a81b9a0d_c.jpg cali 52 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2876/1...3bf0dc37_c.jpg cali 54 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2834/1...3835bdba_c.jpg cali 53 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7355/1...25177f8c_c.jpg cali 57 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7382/1...95851833_c.jpg cali 55 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The route around the lake is very windy and scenic. We waited out a short rainstorm at the postre stand on the side of the road. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7379/1...a00e4a3c_z.jpg Screen Shot 2013-10-19 at 7.02.54 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5479/1...5959d17d_c.jpg cali 58 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7326/1...da20713b_c.jpg cali 59 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7440/1...eab98210_c.jpg cali 61 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5520/1...022f2047_c.jpg cali 63 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Don't go to Beunaventura
Well the road is still closed so we decided we were up for an adventure. We headed north to Beunoventura.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3667/1...daf4d16f_z.jpg Screen Shot 2013-10-25 at 5.21.00 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3762/1...2b97c07a_c.jpg buenaventura 8 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Half way there is started to pour rain and we had a brake under an overpass with the military guys. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2892/1...6477b639_c.jpg buenaventura 11 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Arriving we stopped at the police station and they advised we “ go to the islands”. We parked the bikes inside at the station and the officer drove us to the docks. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3715/1...01099bd0_c.jpg buenaventura 12 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3814/1...a4ec1429_c.jpg Image 4 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Its not often you get to ride in the back of a police car. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5545/1...5f756237_c.jpg buenaventura 18 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7388/1...a098e403_c.jpg buenaventura 19 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Here is where it falls apart. This is the first bad experience like this we have had in a year. The boat is 28 per person, but we get charged 40. We are in the front of the launch and get soaked in the rain and salt spray for 25 min. We are taken to a “beach” with no dock and very big waves and are expected to wade to shore. We do and then arrive at the “hotel” where we were told it was 30,000P a room, but now he wants 90,000 per person. This place is a S*^t hole. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3811/1...61eb15c8_c.jpg buenaventura 22 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5475/1...ca37406e_c.jpg buenaventura 24 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7413/1...7596d19f_c.jpg buenaventura 26 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Now we are all mad so we insist on returning to town. Arriving back in town a very nice cabby drives us to a few hotels until we find a nice one with secure parking for 40,000 per room including breakfast. Then he takes us to the police to get the bikes and then drives us back to the hotel. It was raining so hard here that the streets filled with water and the kids were actually swimming in the street. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5514/1...81fb5d11_c.jpg Image 2 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We had heard from the police that the road was going to open Monday afternoon, so we got up early and headed back to Cali. |
Finally the road to Pasto is open
We decided to dry out and go the next day all the way to Pasto.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3756/1...0c613500f8.jpg Screen Shot 2013-10-25 at 3.50.48 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3746/1...53889330_c.jpg DSC07642 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr What was interesting is that there was no news or Internet coverage of the road closure at all. We initially heard of it from an Argentinean newspaper. Also the super nice people at Hacienda Guayabal in Chinchina emailed us to warn us that the road was closed. The first coverage in Colombia was the day after the road opened. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3707/1...17c263db_c.jpg to pasto 1 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3690/1...42d4039b_c.jpg to pasto 2 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Leaving town the highway 25 heads right thru the market area. You can imagine how the meat cart smells in the heat. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7352/1...7040a2dd_c.jpg to pasto 5 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We were stopped by police on the road to Popayan and were told the road was open now, but that the local planned to block it again in the next few hours. Here the police are checking our “Dian papers” (see below). http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3680/1...7c3195b3_c.jpg to pasto 7 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr On this very windy steep pass we ran into Daniel and Fabien who are hard-core dudes. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7374/1...ff0b5e6d_c.jpg to pasto 9 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2813/1...0d071990_c.jpg to pasto 10 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We passed this couple on an overland trip of their own. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2841/1...05cc567b_c.jpg to pasto 18 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr After a few more stops for police checks and quite a bit of construction we arrived in Pasto after 385 km and 7 hours in the rain. We found a good hotel with a great kebab place two blocks away. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2839/1...6a76f1f4_c.jpg FILE2704 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3686/1...a642dc7e_c.jpg to pasto 26 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
South toward Ecuador
We got ourselves slowly packed up for the 84 km to Ipiales at the border of Ecuador, since we expected a quick drive to Tulcan just across on the Ecuador side.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7447/1...4a6b8ee3_z.jpg Screen Shot 2013-10-25 at 3.53.22 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Our first issue was when we passed a long line of cars and trucks and then a police van, which we found out, was following a group of bike riders. What he said on the loudspeaker to us we did not get. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3758/1...2bf3d71e_c.jpg to tulcan 2 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7303/1...052cd68f_c.jpg to tulcan 3 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The road was eerily empty this should have been a sign. About 5 km later we were stopped and told we needed to wait tunill we were told the road was open. It was a power trip since 5 min later we were “free to go”. Next the road was blocked because of an accident and we needed to wait for it to be cleared. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3715/1...20404783_c.jpg to tulcan 5 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5484/1...e2d4a1c0_c.jpg to tulcan 4 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Then we ran into the last of the Fondo bikers for which they were blocking the Pan-American Highway in both directions. The rest had already reached Ipiales. He was going about 8 km an hour. We gave up and stopped at a house and asked to buy water. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3764/1...73841c04_c.jpg to tulcan 6 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr One of the things we wanted to see since we left home was the Santuario de Las Lajas, which is just outside of Ipiales. It is a Dominican church built over a canyon. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2843/1...8cdd77fd_c.jpg to tulcan 10 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7301/1...83dffcc2_c.jpg to tulcan 60 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3742/1...736cef1c_c.jpg to tulcan 11 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2837/1...9f2e15a7_c.jpg to tulcan 55 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3805/1...13660662_c.jpg to tulcan 25 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3833/1...7e765be6_c.jpg to tulcan 21 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5496/1...a6f275fb_c.jpg to tulcan 54 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7435/1...6066ed47_c.jpg to tulcan 23 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5504/1...4d1515db_c.jpg to tulcan 34 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7399/1...04188c56_c.jpg to tulcan 38 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3691/1...3967b02a_c.jpg to tulcan 50 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5476/1...8154eb8f_c.jpg to tulcan 41 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3799/1...84aec951_c.jpg to tulcan 57 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5548/1...4305fca4_c.jpg to tulcan 58 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The church is built right on the wall of the canyon and the back of the alter is the rock of the cliff. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7357/1...a16ee5f4_c.jpg to tulcan 33 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7429/1...5f72ede4_c.jpg to tulcan 28 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3706/1...b784193c_c.jpg to tulcan 27 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Country number 12 Ecuador
Then we headed the short distance to the border. Arriving at Rumichaca the first thing you see is the huge Dian sign. Don’t stop there keep driving around the back to the big parking lot.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7455/1...371eef4f_c.jpg to tulcan 62 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Head up the stairs to get your passport exit stamp. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3717/1...e8e4549c_c.jpg to tulcan 75 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Next you head out back to the Dian Office. Here is where it gets funny. We had been given a carbon copy of “our permits” in Bogota, which we had been handing out to the police. Armando pulled out this huge stack of papers to had in and Dan said “ what is all that”? Long story short we were never given the papers, but because it was the Dian officers fault they just sorted it out for us right there. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7297/1...1c794319_c.jpg to tulcan 76 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr There will be several people changing dollars there so now is a good time to get rid of your Pesos at a good rate. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7368/1...84697403_c.jpg to tulcan 78 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Leaving the parking lot merge into the line of cars go right and past the aduana and around the back where there is a parking lot. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7363/1...8d4c7773_c.jpg to tulcan 63 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3794/1...86766bac_c.jpg to tulcan 65 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr There was a large group of bikes on a tour heading north. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3675/1...045cc2e8_c.jpg to tulcan 67 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3688/1...73d75d1d_c.jpg to tulcan 69 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3696/1...7d264508_c.jpg to tulcan 70 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7378/1...1556f775_c.jpg to tulcan 71 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Go into the Migration and fill in your tourist paper and then get a passport stamp. “ Welcome to Ecuador for 90 days”. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3765/1...4d761ffd_c.jpg to tulcan 80 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7408/1...25a7b4e9_c.jpg to tulcan 85 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Leaving the migration turn right and cross the street to the small office on the left corner of the building to buy your SOAT for 5$. You will need a copy of your driver’s license and a copy of the title. This coverage is for accidents, but will cover your medical costs too……… http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5538/1...76ca1097_c.jpg to tulcan 81 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7394/1...8ca6d1a0_c.jpg to tulcan 82 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Then head a few shops over to the copy place where they will copy your license, you SOAT, and your passport with the entry stamp for .85$. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7343/1...15f5234e_c.jpg to tulcan 72 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Then go back and get the bike and bring it around to the aduana again to get your import permit. They want to see your stack of copies. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5487/1...1a5f3007_c.jpg to tulcan 87 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2867/1...101246a8_c.jpg to tulcan 83 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7443/1...a71e436a_c.jpg to tulcan 86 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr This nice guy gave Daniel a Jesus card for his tank bag to keep him safe. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7306/1...02cfe595_c.jpg to tulcan 89 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr After 2 hours 30 min at the borders we finally made it to Tulcan at dusk. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3735/1...63a93ecd_c.jpg to tulcan 88 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The last problem of the day was that not only was there a convention in town, but the ^&%$# Fondo people had taken every hotel room in town. We pulled into the large Imperial hotel and parked. Daniel and Armando went into 7 hotel before he found rooms, which were clean, not rented by the hour, had on demand hot water, thick blankets and all this for 10$. The Imperial was nice enough to let us park there for free. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5484/1...17a0ddb6_c.jpg rescue missions 9 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Quito
Armando was smart to ask the Bike Official about the road for then next day. Of course they are going to block the Pan American Highway in both directions from 8 am till noon so the bikers can go a 120 km. That said we left Tulcan at 1130 so we would be unlikely to run into them in the 285 km to Quito. We stopped for lunch beside a small lake and 3 of us ate for 5$.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5493/1...a4bb2d3318.jpg Screen Shot 2013-10-25 at 4.50.09 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Setting out south all of the gas stations within about 5 km of the border were closed, as they had no gas. We finally found a station that had gas, but in this entire state there is a purchase limit if you do not have an Ecuadorian plate. For bikes it is 3$. Gas is 1.48$ per gallon for regular, which is the reason for the limit to prevent people crossing from Colombia where they are paying 4.50/ gallon. They did agree to break the rules and let us fill up since we were heading south. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3746/1...3b243747_c.jpg FILE3310 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The scenery here is also stunning, and I don’t even mind paying the tolls since the roads are like silk and motos only cost .20$. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2836/1...031bdf10_c.jpg FILE3461 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3690/1...5750d646_c.jpg FILE3485 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7336/1...97fe06a3_c.jpg FILE3529 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7346/1...bdba023d_c.jpg FILE3553 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3770/1...ce1607e6_c.jpg FILE3579 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Arriving just at 5 pm to Ecuador Freedom Bike Rentals and were glad to see they were still there. Sylvain and Court are great guys and they came out to great us with New Freedom T shirts! Looks like we found Freedom after all. They were kind enough to give us some advice on off road routes thru the country. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7318/1...8ed41f69_c.jpg quito 2 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7410/1...58cc7f18_c.jpg quito%206 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5500/1...8e1436bb_c.jpg quito%209 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr They had recommended a great place to stay near by too at Casa Helbling. They have super comfy beds and so much hot water it’s insane. Claus makes his own charcuterie meats, which we had both nights for dinner. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2891/1...5f91a552_c.jpg quito%2010 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We met fellow KTM riders from Switzerland Claudia and Thomas. We set out walking from the hotel to the Old town. First we visited the Cathedral, where if you go around back you can buy an entry ticket to climb to the spires for 2$. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5544/1...3c671617_c.jpg quito 18 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7414/1...40aa45e9_c.jpg quito 20 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7369/1...2e885db2_c.jpg quito 22 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5477/1...7787a262_c.jpg quito 25 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5505/1...ac851afe_c.jpg quito 26 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7305/1...4d6b34e4_c.jpg quito 50 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3783/1...bf6d9858_c.jpg quito 30 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3704/1...65b7fbc0_c.jpg quito 27 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2841/1...8703b71e_c.jpg quito 28 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7309/1...a0e55112_c.jpg quito 32 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7338/1...f0ee988b_c.jpg quito 38 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5529/1...0ca035d6_c.jpg quito 39 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3808/1...35a6bd32_c.jpg quito 40 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7407/1...ebeeb218_c.jpg quito 41 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7419/1...8db81f4f_c.jpg quito 44 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3712/1...0db1b87c_c.jpg quito 46 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7456/1...0d3fef92_c.jpg quito 49 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The old town has a very European feel. There are a lot of tourists here, which is not something we have seen for a while. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3737/1...f4898632_c.jpg quito 55 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7341/1...e7a03c7f_c.jpg quito 56 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3703/1...8eec1867_c.jpg quito 68 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3743/1...ac83bb40_c.jpg quito 62 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The Convent of San Francisco is simple on the outside, but amazingly ornate inside. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7393/1...618bc8a4_c.jpg quito 64 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3741/1...3bc939ee_c.jpg quito 65 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3682/1...cf0e1aaa_c.jpg quito 61 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7342/1...0b030ef3_c.jpg quito 60 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2877/1...3af42e74_c.jpg quito 57 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr This guy was running downhill with this load. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5490/1...8e2c567c_c.jpg quito 70 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We finished off the day with a trip up the teleferico cable car to 4100 m. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5473/1...2603d48d_c.jpg quito 89 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2814/1...84a85306_c.jpg quito 72 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7413/1...45453818_c.jpg quito 75 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3668/1...8d307ff5_c.jpg quito 73 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3690/1...577199d1_c.jpg quito 82 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2832/1...2f2feb46_c.jpg quito 74 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7437/1...7b06f767_c.jpg quito 83 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3739/1...5f1df8ce_c.jpg quito 84 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3760/1...54578e29_c.jpg quito 78 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7439/1...0594c8a1_c.jpg quito 86 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
A not so happy birthday
Well today is Daniel’s midway birthday so we though we should go to the middle of the earth monument before we headed south. A year ago today we were fixing Daniel’s dead stator at Garry Dymond’s house in Mexico city…….
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3696/1...b48719e5_z.jpg Screen Shot 2013-10-27 at 4.31.05 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The monument is only 25 km from central Quito, but that take over 90 minutes in traffic. According to our GPS the monument is 60 m off the true equator. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3780/1...998d4c00_c.jpg quito 94 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5517/1...d62f16fe_c.jpg quito 93 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5499/1...4ab104d0_c.jpg quito 96 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2834/1...dbbac7e1_c.jpg quito 106 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5541/1...8f063c51_c.jpg quito 101 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3720/1...16701909_c.jpg quito 102 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3739/1...7e26c366_c.jpg quito 100 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Several people wanted pictures with our bikes, like this Ecuadorian family. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2829/1...576113a0_c.jpg quito 109 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr You have got to get ice cream at the middle of the world. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7319/1...7c280054_c.jpg quito 108 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Heading back thru the heavy traffic it was 4 hours since we left the hotel and we were only 10 km south of the center. We were in a barrio trying to get a short cut to the Pan Americana to get out of town a bit quicker. Sara was driving and suddenly a yellow warning light came on then off. About 5 seconds later there was a VERY VERY steep cobble road with a speed bump at the top, because of cross traffic. For those of you who have been to Garry’s Steeper than that hill to his house. As soon as she reached the tope and put some gas on to get over the bump and around the turn at the top the bike died. Long story short bike died and fell over landing on her right foot. Several guys near by helped to pick it up and push Dan over the bump and up around the corner, because it would not restart. Pulling out the computer and the GS 911 we found the stator was dead!! We got a taxi to give us a jump, but that lasted less than 5 min. The locals came out to help with cell phones and water and food. These ladies stayed with me for more than two hours while Daniel drove the 10 km back to Ecuador Freedom Motorbikes to get Diego the mechanic from Mariscal Motors and he and arranged for a truck for Lulu. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2814/1...fd316d2b_c.jpg quito 111 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7456/1...175dc354_c.jpg quito 110 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Luckily we had the rewound stator from the F800 and a spare gasket. Daniel and Diego had her fixed up in no time. He is a great mechanic and a super nice guy. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2864/1...6cea289b_c.jpg quito 113 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5474/1...2f6b685d_c.jpg quito 112 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Also luckily for Sara Armando was still around to translate for her at the hospital. I went to the local hospital recommended by Claus at Casa Helbing. I got amazing care. In Canada for your super painful hurt toe you would likely wait many hours to be seen and many more to be treated. Here they apologized that I might have to wait 45 minutes. In the end I was in a trauma bay in ten minutes, I had seen the orthopedic med student and then the resident in less than 30. I had xrays showing thankfully no fractures, but a dislocated big toe. Now a miracle I saw the staff Ortho surgeon in less than an hour. He froze my toe and painfully realigned it. I will need to rest with a splint for 2 days, and then should be able walk/ride. This is not my xray, but this was what mine looked like. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3818/1...ff8b57da_z.jpg Image by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3742/1...88c2ac64_c.jpg quito 115 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Hi,
Sorry to read about your bad luck with the bike and your dislocated big toe on the same day. Get better soon and keep the nice stories and great pictures coming :thumbup1: |
Thank you
Quote:
Well I have been waiting for it to happen really. 50,000 plus km seems to be it. Dan's died at 52,000 mine at 53,000. After this I will just want mine swapped out at the next 50. On the good side we got a really swank hotel for 50% off for me to laze about. Split is off tonight and then we will see if I can get my boot on. Sara |
laid up in Quito
Well the last 2 days have been pretty boring. Lying around reading my book with my foot up on a stack of pillows. Daniel has been my butler and ladies maid, but that can’t last too long. The F 800 had a nice parking spot in the courtyard of the hotel and we could look at it during breakfast.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3820/1...51b9142f_c.jpg DSC07827 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2841/1...3e9429ac_c.jpg DSC07830 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We will stay 2 more days to be on the safe side so I’m able to ride the off road route we planned to the cheese making town of Salinas. Daniel decided to do an oil change here at Mariscal Motors because we will not be able to get full synthetic oil in Peru. Again thanks to Court and Sylvain at Ecuador Freedom Motorbike Rentals we got a deal on the oil. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7353/1...627a5d7c_c.jpg DSC07839 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5550/1...a583c61d_c.jpg DSC07840 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2827/1...92ec3e36_c.jpg DSC07841 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The 4 guys decided to ride along and each took a scooter from the shop to run the errands. Even the dog joined the scooter gang and rode with Daniel the 20 km to the Yamaha dealership. Hey Sylvain looks like you have found freedom too. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7324/1...8f1ac22f_c.jpg DSC07838 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Then I got taxi service to lunch. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3724/1...fb0ed158_c.jpg DSC07837 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Even the Firemen here ride motos! http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3802/1...da23e714_c.jpg DSC07832 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
South to Chugchilan
We headed out south of Quito again and were entertained sort of at the light. I’m not sure it’s juggling if there are only 2 items.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7370/1...b2cd7b02_c.jpg FILE0085 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Riding on the silky smooth Pan American Highway you see some strange vehicles. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2833/1...c1e81f7b_c.jpg FILE0095 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Turning off the highway south of Lasso on to the initially cobbled road towards Chugchilan, then we headed off road. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7370/1...245b25f0_c.jpg FILE0115 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7386/1...35505a8c_c.jpg FILE0138 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2861/1...ae28a082_c.jpg FILE0155 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr There were a few small patches of pavement that came out of nowhere. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5544/1...fdaff043_c.jpg FILE0189 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We then began rising into the mountains. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7349/1...0ec0af18_c.jpg FILE0214 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3717/1...6fae6480_c.jpg FILE0236 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5503/1...9bd11274_c.jpg FILE0250 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3723/1...d70f39b8_c.jpg FILE0313 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7458/1...e84c60ed_c.jpg FILE0402 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5516/1...f24f663a_c.jpg FILE0468 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Here there were some very steep and hairpin switchbacks. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5520/1...2a71e4e0_c.jpg FILE0338 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7392/1...cf4e0c96_c.jpg FILE0638 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr There were lots of indigenous women herding sheep and goats. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3689/1...67e86a30_c.jpg FILE0495 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The views were stunning. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5537/1...5d2bd789_c.jpg DSC07844 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3710/1...34cdba5b_c.jpg DSC07842 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7368/1...66e1c900_c.jpg FILE0926 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7295/1...706bcd9f_c.jpg FILE0544 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2868/1...b95229c5_c.jpg FILE0580 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7455/1...29decd5f_c.jpg FILE0701 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2846/1...64709941_c.jpg FILE0783 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5532/1...46250b3b_c.jpg FILE0859 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5510/1...3d637d7e_c.jpg DSC07847 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr What is crazy is that about every 45 minutes you will come across a bus on this crazy road and so you need to be extra careful on the corners. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3759/1...4ee0ac6a_c.jpg FILE0818 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3826/1...cd893b51_c.jpg DSC07846 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We arrived in the village and to the Mama Hilda hotel. This place is a common stopping point for the people walking the Quilotoa Loop. There was a fire burning in the lounge wood stove, up to, which we all gathered to warm up. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2871/1...72880def_c.jpg DSC02115 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5485/1...2b6b3e97_c.jpg DSC02116 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3774/1...ce311d30_c.jpg DSC02118 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5540/1...59fdca02_c.jpg DSC02122 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
To El Corazon
Now we continued on the planned route to El Corazon. The road was pretty good dirt and thankfully it was not wet.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3720/1...514af9b1_z.jpg Screen Shot 2013-11-08 at 8.05.57 AM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3802/1...54f46b53_c.jpg FILE0064 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5475/1...5cf2cb07_c.jpg FILE0095 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr There were a few areas with landslides. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3825/1...023215e6_c.jpg FILE0149 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3693/1...8a0c2d96_c.jpg FILE0214 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Suddenly there was this silky smooth pavement. This was just a few km before the Laguna Quilotoa. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7446/1...2f366ab6_c.jpg FILE0241 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5500/1...7a047d13_c.jpg FILE0253 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr At the Laguna a kid representing the tourism board checks us in. We really wanted to take the bikes up the path to the crater, but the guard said no. We learned from Court that he just drives up and lets the guy yell at him. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3763/1...6d4d9624_c.jpg FILE0350 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5547/1...0d907d5a_c.jpg el corazon 12 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3792/1...a521e4cc_c.jpg el corazon 11 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5500/1...31cdbdfa_c.jpg el corazon 19 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3726/1...9c865b1f_c.jpg el corazon 13 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3830/1...aee55272_c.jpg el corazon 15 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The pavement of the Pan Americana lasted about 12 km until we headed off road again and over the mountains to El Corazon. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7428/1...f19ba93a_c.jpg el corazon 21 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5487/1...7b6aebb6_c.jpg FILE0537 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
To El Corazon
At higher elevations you are in the clouds, and apparently in January and February it is totally fogged in on these roads.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3781/1...ea578fd6_c.jpg FILE0707 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7309/1...91f06ee9_c.jpg FILE0747 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Today there are some switchbacks, but none as steep as yesterday. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3703/1...b671eccc_c.jpg FILE0945 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3674/1...8e29b198_c.jpg FILE0982 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We stopped in the village of Apagua for a snack of sweet manderinas and a drink. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7310/1...98180702_c.jpg el corazon 51 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2812/1...9e0eef27_c.jpg FILE0064_2 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Further on the route we had amazing views of Cotopaxi volcano in the distance to the north. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7300/1...a8eb5e64_c.jpg el corazon 42 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2889/1...f9326be2_c.jpg el corazon 41 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Riding along some of these ridges we felt like we were looking down thousands of feet. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7457/1...1f5c8e85_c.jpg FILE0124_2 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7367/1...d6f80fbf_c.jpg FILE0212_2 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5529/1...24360182_c.jpg FILE0380_2 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We were so lucky it was dry mostly and not foggy. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5501/1...fbb83139_c.jpg el corazon 50 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5488/1...0c4278c5_c.jpg FILE0307_2 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2828/1...78b130d9_c.jpg el corazon 53 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5478/1...b17c23ed_c.jpg el corazon 44 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Next we happened upon a festival in the town of Angamarca. One of the local ladies came over and said hello and explained what was going on in the dance. The people were dancing the entire day to the band playing. Stopping here created a crowd around the bikes and especially the GPS. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5480/1...0dd6c673_c.jpg el corazon 58 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5508/1...9c9ef01a_c.jpg el corazon 54 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3762/1...e43d8021_c.jpg FILE0372_2 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Now we were on the final stretch to El Corazon about 35 km or an hour away. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7379/1...a1eed019_c.jpg el corazon 46 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3821/1...e2def95c_c.jpg el corazon 48 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5501/1...fb7e9494_c.jpg el corazon 49 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Dead bike part 2
About 900 meters before the town of El Corazon there was a sign for the town and a small church. We stopped to ask for directions, and dah dah my bike would not start. Luckily for us it was an all down hill coast to the central square and then to the only hotel in town. It is incredibly lucky for us that this did not happen 25 plus km from town on this narrow mountain road with nowhere to set up a tent or get immediate help. Again we set up the GS 911 and found the stator was dead. It seems the job done in Mexico to rewind this stator was not good.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7323/1...b4827ba3_z.jpg rescue missions 1 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5505/1...da9c43d5_z.jpg rescue missions 2 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The next day we managed to get one of the hotel owner’s sons to agree to drive the bike the 4 ½ hours back to Quito. No one else in town would do it before Monday, which was in 2 days away. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2857/1...e04bbc64_c.jpg rescue missions 5 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3745/1...d1ce2211_c.jpg rescue missions 6 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5548/1...890a95c2_c.jpg rescue missions 11 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The first 50 km of this was off road to get to the Pan American highway. Dan rode his bike and I had all day to practice Spanish. We stopped here on the road where the trees roots are actually keeping the rock wall stable. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5484/1...b0e5ee161e.jpg Screen Shot 2013-11-10 at 1.43.51 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3727/1...460d7f22_c.jpg rescue missions 12 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Part of the route we took out of the town was different than the one we took in. It was about 15 km shorter, and a much steeper route thru the mountains. Arriving back at Ecuador Freedom Motors Court and Diego were there to help us out. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7426/1...a1c55752_c.jpg rescue missions 14 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Another lucky break was that we met another client of Ecuador Freedom, Tim, who offered to let us ship our parts to his office so that his wife can bring them when she comes down next week to meet him. Court was kind enough to host us at his place. We may trade in the bikes for scooters. Since Dan had the luggage, Court got the dog and me as pillions. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5500/1...ba342a43_c.jpg salinas 1 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5546/1...02939ed5_c.jpg rescue missions 16 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7351/1...05215a2a_c.jpg rescue missions 17 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3678/1...a078f37b_c.jpg rescue missions 18 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The next morning we were going to head off on Dan’s bike and book it down the Pan American towards Riobamba and then back track to our original route to Salinas. Court got a call from Sylvain that one of their tour clients had burnt the clutch on a brand new bike about 3 hours away from Quito. We decided to help out and loaded a replacement bike up and headed north past Minto. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3721/1...77d99e7c81.jpg Screen Shot 2013-11-10 at 1.52.09 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5505/1...6c00c242_c.jpg rescue missions 19 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2856/1...d45377b4_c.jpg rescue missions 21 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr A few km farther up the road was a hike to the cascades. We did the 30 min hike to swim in the pool, and then enjoy some fresh squeezed sugar cane juice as a reward. Might gave been a bad idea on the toe. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2885/1...82ffc856_c.jpg rescue missions 24 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7374/1...f1440d1b_c.jpg rescue missions 26 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5498/1...c0c5aa5d_c.jpg rescue missions 29 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5506/1...e17ddfdf_c.jpg rescue missions 31 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5514/1...d660eea6_c.jpg rescue missions 37 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2865/1...bda2499b_c.jpg rescue missions 23 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Chimborazo
Finally we headed out again more than a week later than planned.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5540/1...b0d04ec0_z.jpg Screen Shot 2013-11-08 at 8.07.36 AM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We booked it down the highway to Ambato and then on the secondary roads including this one thru and amazing 60 km slot canyon. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5506/1...7b31396a_c.jpg salinas 2 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Then we headed up to 14500 feet on the north side of Chimborazo. This is the highest peak in Ecuador and since the earth is elliptical it is the farthest point on earth from the center of the earth. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5481/1...949a4c5f_c.jpg salinas 5 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3757/1...5cf8b19c_c.jpg salinas 6 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5471/1...b1f94720_c.jpg salinas 7 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7326/1...4dccd799_c.jpg salinas 8 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3677/1...1a47d15e_c.jpg salinas 12 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr From here we rode the 23 km off road to the cheese making village of Salinas at just over 11,000 ft. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2853/1...8056d958_c.jpg salinas 22 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3797/1...89e65fa6_c.jpg salinas 28 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3745/1...ef4d1715_c.jpg salinas 9 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3797/1...213c4e30_c.jpg salinas 13 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3683/1...5171593b_c.jpg salinas 18 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The next day we rode on the highway farthest from the earth’s core along the south side of Chimborazo and then off road the 8 km up to it’s base at 15894 feet. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3707/1...6868d007_c.jpg to macas 23 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7370/1...a351dbf0_c.jpg to macas 4 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5491/1...9c143283_c.jpg to macas 14 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3759/1...e28dbe4a_c.jpg to macas 5 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2844/1...6ed76a59_c.jpg to macas 7 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3724/1...9749cd12_c.jpg to macas 17 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2889/1...3aeea567_c.jpg to macas 19 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Macas
Very soon after you spend hours going down. We stopped for lunch in a small village and opted for fried fish instead of Guinea pig. I am a giant here at 5 ft 4 in my boots (5 ft 1 without).
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3665/1...304808e8_c.jpg to macas 24 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7446/1...9ca68253_c.jpg to macas 25 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5514/1...c6db5b71_c.jpg to macas 26 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We needed to cross a valley from one road to another and this involved a very long construction zone. The rest of the ride was a smooth curvy ride. After about 70 km we had not seen a single other vehicle and we began to wonder if the road was actually closed. We were very relieved when we saw a bus coming up the hill. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3792/1...51a96875_c.jpg to macas 27 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5485/1...434f7c72_c.jpg to macas 28 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We had planned to stop in the village of Alshi, but arriving there we found no hotels so we had to keep going. 25 km further is the large town of Macas. Here we found a fairly big hotel on a quiet street and parked the bike in the lobby. The best part of the hotel was the ice cream shop next door. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2830/1...7f9aa78d_c.jpg IMG_2375 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2845/1...a0544f4d_c.jpg IMG_2369 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr This town is famous for the legend surrounding a painting of the virgin that apparently under went some miraculous changes in about 1500 AD. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3804/1...2c5e743d_c.jpg IMG_2372 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Banos
Today we had a short ride to the holiday resort town of Bańos de Agua Santa named for the many hot spring spas or baths of sacred water in the town. We did see this huge snake on the way to remind us we are not in Kansas anymore.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7344/1...240ddf7f_c.jpg DSC08015 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The first 130 km north is a strait road thru the jungle and the last 60 is a curvy road along the river and there are several almost 1 km long tunnels. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5513/1...178db2af_c.jpg FILE1430 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3822/1...c2e71f0b_c.jpg FILE1446 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr It is the adventure capital of the country, with hiking, biking, and rafting. The near by Tungurahua volcano has been very active lately and the road on the other side of it is currently closed. The town has been evacuated in the past, but the last time was about 10 years ago. The route of evacuation is painted on the streets with big white arrows. We did a walk about to one end of town to see some of the spas and the large Cascada of the Virgin. The water here is supposed to be blessed. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7445/1...1213a1ac_c.jpg DSC02239 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7341/1...2300bcf1_c.jpg DSC02234 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3766/1...6cd107d4_c.jpg DSC02230 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7341/1...732762c5_c.jpg DSC02236 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The Basilica here is also dedicated to the Virgin of the Holy Water (Nuestra Señora del Agua Santa). It is named after the vision of the Virgin Mary they say was seen near the waterfalls and it was built with volcanic rocks. The inside is lined with paintings depicting the Virgin's miracles, including saving the church from multiple volcanic eruptions and saving people from other disasters. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5523/1...c7c91cee_c.jpg DSC02215 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7459/1...b92aa36a_c.jpg DSC02218 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7338/1...fb5f2527_c.jpg DSC02220 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5543/1...b2367020_c.jpg DSC02223 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7451/1...c57e3389_c.jpg DSC02219 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7361/1...9f4bb27f_c.jpg DSC02224 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The next day we rode along the route of the cascades and then up the mountain to try to see the active volcano. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5545/1...dce0f5b7_c.jpg DSC02242 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5480/1...22b91772_c.jpg DSC02244 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5534/1...c84c70a1_c.jpg DSC02246 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5508/1...2b2f3c17_c.jpg DSC02248 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5513/1...35c73512_c.jpg DSC02250 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3674/1...dac3e900_c.jpg DSC02257 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The famous tree house has a view of the lava flows and the volcanic measurement equiptment. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3716/1...0443a7ca_c.jpg DSC02259 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7439/1...e1070c9e_c.jpg DSC02252 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7328/1...ab5c626f_c.jpg DSC02255 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Napo
Retracing out steps back 60 km to Puyo we then headed north into the Amazonia and to the Napo river lodge.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7309/1...ba852be2_c.jpg FILE1503 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3744/1...e84e2fa4_c.jpg FILE1568 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2885/1...cee401df_c.jpg FILE1577 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We made it to Napo town and then had to cross the river on the closed bridge. Respecting the sign we headed across, but needed to take off the pannier to get past the truck blocking the bridge. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3724/1...a7894f2e_c.jpg FILE1666 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7363/1...7dd0f176_c.jpg FILE1684 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5523/1...506dd551_c.jpg FILE1700 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr This bridge lead to an insanely perfect paved road thru the jungle. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3794/1...54d2e388_c.jpg FILE1706 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We had booked into a jungle lodge for the night, which was right on the raging river. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2863/1...011464a2_c.jpg DSC08032 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2807/1...f64baa31_c.jpg DSC08023 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3677/1...c047d43b_c.jpg DSC02279 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3736/1...a0cb0911_c.jpg DSC02283 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5504/1...f2fc4069_c.jpg DSC02290 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr There is no electricity so they put out oil lamps for you to see. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3742/1...0d79553b_c.jpg DSC02289 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3695/1...d99dc66f_c.jpg DSC02314 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr There was a great demonstration on making chocolate. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5483/1...f429f1cb_c.jpg DSC02297 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3759/1...e50685a3_c.jpg DSC02305 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5477/1...a4ac9821_c.jpg DSC02307 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Galapagos
Headed back to Quito over the mountains it was 10 degrees and then poured rain for about 20 min. We were lucky because about an hour after we arrived it REALLY started to rain, like build an ark rain. We stored the bikes away with Diego at Mariscal Motors and packed up a few things for a trip to the Galapagos. We managed to get an unreal deal on a first class boat. The other option is to fly to San Cristobal Island and book there. The deals are even better on the island especially if you can be flexible on dates. Last minute spots are listed on Galapagos Cruise Links - All Availabilities
After a sleepless night worrying we would sleep in and miss the flight, we were a bit tired to start the day. First there is the 60 min drive to the new Quito airport to which they have yet to complete the road. Luckily there was no line at the tourist office where you must pay 10$ each for a tourist card. Then you have your luggage screened to make sure you have no fruits or plants. Last you check in for boarding. There is a short flight to Guayaquil to exchange some passengers and then a 2 ½ hour flight to San Cristobal Island. Flying in there is nothing but ocean for 1000km and then you finally spot land. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2858/1...ff614e72_c.jpg galapagos santa fe 4 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2873/1...b9c68123_c.jpg galapagos santa fe 3 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2851/1...63b1f1c0_c.jpg galapagos santa fe 17 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Just before landing they open all the luggage bins and spray some sort of disinfectant. It is a bit weird, but required by the park service. They did not however spray the hand luggage under the seats. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2813/1...fbc7aa47_c.jpg galapagos santa fe 2 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr After landing you pass thru passport screening and then pay 100$ each for park entry. Nationals pay 6.50$. Our guide Walter met us at the airport. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5493/1...9f6fd54d_c.jpg galapagos santa fe 6 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The animals even in town at the docks are everywhere. We had a short ride to the boat, lunch and a safety briefing. We did take this seriously since our crew rescued a boatload of people 5 weeks ago when their wood boat hit a rock at 1 am and sank. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3677/1...37678b5f_c.jpg galapagos santa fe 11 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3694/1...8bfbfb53_c.jpg galapagos santa fe 12 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2847/1...ce0d7af1_c.jpg galapagos santa fe 9 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5496/1...79f42266_c.jpg galapagos santa fe 7 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5531/1...b195cb93_c.jpg galapagos santa fe 8 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5535/1...580a9bcc_c.jpg galapagos santa fe 10 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3729/1...90964897_c.jpg galapagos santa fe 14 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5531/1...988f5cd2_c.jpg galapagos santa fe 16 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7343/1...9cac37b4_c.jpg DSC08073 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Galapagos
This afternoon we bussed it across the island to the Giant Turtle breeding center.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3819/1...603dd216_c.jpg galapagos santa fe 21 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5546/1...d8297cbd_c.jpg Galapagos by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5523/1...3df574f1_c.jpg galapagos santa fe 24 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7301/1...39612b76_c.jpg galapagos santa fe 29 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3705/1...3f801d52_c.jpg galapagos santa fe 34 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5512/1...3cb90e54_c.jpg galapagos santa fe 35 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5499/1...9f47b61b_c.jpg galapagos santa fe 36 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr That night we had a short and calm sail to Santa Fe. Here we walked the beach seeing sea lions, giant cactus, and land iguanas. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3729/1...2dc81cac_c.jpg galapagos santa fe 50 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7386/1...78846778_c.jpg galapagos santa fe 41 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5480/1...cc34b18a_c.jpg galapagos santa fe 66 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3723/1...ca771891_c.jpg galapagos santa fe 71 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7438/1...8d38838d_c.jpg galapagos santa fe 67 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3741/1...82b24f7c_c.jpg galapagos santa fe 48 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3690/1...9544de9a_c.jpg galapagos santa fe 75 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5542/1...ffa054ab_c.jpg galapagos santa fe 42 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7458/1...7ca69ace_c.jpg galapagos santa fe 69 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5491/1...432d56b4_c.jpg galapagos santa fe 65 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3726/1...7733a0da_c.jpg galapagos santa fe 58 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Galapagos
The first snorkel was today and swimming with the sea lions is totally amazing. It’s like being in a tropical fish bowl.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5520/1...d2dec513_c.jpg galapagos santa fe 83 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3696/1...ea677574_c.jpg galapagos santa fe 84 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5541/1...6159a61d_c.jpg galapagos santa fe 90 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3742/1...63cda290_c.jpg galapagos santa fe 92 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Coming back for lunch and a rest the boat has a following of frigate birds. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3783/1...6632a703_c.jpg galapagos santa fe 99 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7373/1...790e73ca_c.jpg galapagos santa fe 100 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2862/1...0fc5e064_c.jpg galapagos santa fe 106 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The afternoon dinghy ride thru the mangrove got us up close to Turtles, Pelicans, and Blue Footed Boobies. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5516/1...a9c01ae6_c.jpg galapagos santa fe 102 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5490/1...363a3662_c.jpg galapagos santa fe 111 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3742/1...ab49be2c_c.jpg galapagos santa fe 114 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5542/1...8e7f6e08_c.jpg galapagos santa fe 118 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5492/1...c7c18356_c.jpg galapagos santa fe 122 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Galapagos
During the night we had an uneventful sail to San Salvador Island and landed on Espumilla beach.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3767/1...7ef9781599.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7389/1...df5996e4ab.jpg This is a brown sand beach where we saw turtle nests and sea turtles mating. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7377/1...1661a0fe8a.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7418/1...db88b53bc6.jpg There were several huge Galapagos hawks. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5546/1...a3962b7e2c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3708/1...33948eacc8.jpg There were the tracks of crabs in the sand and the tracks of sea turtles from their nests. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3784/1...a4e9e0cb2c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7390/1...e8459a59ef.jpg We went snorkeling from the beach and saw dozens of turtles and one pair mating, which can take 6 hours by the way. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2891/1...a2f6802ec3.jpg http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2807/1...4cb70c96af.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7430/1...900df17cf9.jpg http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2880/1...3eb87e66ed.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7451/1...d7c8e4d729.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5528/1...35d10378dc.jpg http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2816/1...690c306743.jpg Watching the birds fish was so fascinating. The pelicans hit the water like a belly flop, but the boobies dive in like an arrow. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7363/1...0fc719c938.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7457/1...9ea39476aa.jpg Daniel as usual was looking for something riskier than swimming with turtles and so he asked the Capitan if they could jump from the top deck of the boat. The brave few did go for it. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3749/1...37f0ef827e.jpg In the afternoon we went for a dinghy ride along the cliff to see many birds. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7354/1...14c8139e36.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7441/1...a31691cdbc.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7432/1...e54bc90fa7.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7355/1...672cc55731.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3761/1...1b28e9468c.jpg We floated into a cave and were followed by a sea lion. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7429/1...2bc0213f55.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3821/1...44d596ee24.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7448/1...eaa60bec33.jpg |
Galapagos
Lastly today we went for a long walk on the lava to see hundreds of marine Iguanas and almost as many sea lions.
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Genovesa Island
Tonight we had an 8 hours sail to Genovesa Island in the north. It was sort of like trying to sleep in a washing machine.
The first walk of the day we went along the cliffs to see masses of Blue Footed, Red Footed, and Nazca Boobies, and Gulls and their babies. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7416/1...8f6050da_c.jpg http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2876/1...c96172a0_c.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5483/1...2d78c0d9_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3713/1...1a1c5b5b_c.jpg http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2867/1...df7350ea_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3792/1...b5dc31df_c.jpg This is the Darwin finch that started it all. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7289/1...bd6be776_c.jpg The snorkel today was in poor visibility conditions, but there was still tons to see. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7389/1...9558699f_c.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5510/1...f14c2774_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7374/1...cf594485_c.jpg http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2863/1...41d4e19d_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3788/1...1483997a_c.jpg In the afternoon we headed higher up the island onto the Cliffside. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5511/1...8204ebda_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3807/1...9c9c44d3_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3723/1...8ac7cfd9_c.jpg The birds are completely unafraid of you and they are everywhere. We spotted an owl and saw a Boobie feeding and defending her chick from a frigate bird. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7439/1...b7355c72_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3770/1...b88ddf81_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7426/1...cf8eded9_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3697/1...8cf8f8f9_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3827/1...2347c43e_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7369/1...6ecf2869_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7326/1...366fea55_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7352/1...ccb922cc_c.jpg |
Bartholome
Tonight we had a 7 hours sail south to Bartolome Island. I guess we should have been a bit more worried when they handed out anti seasickness pills at dinner and we started sailing as soon as dinner was over. It was an incredibly rough first hour, but the second was better and we did finally sleep.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5535/1...92bdf9b6_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3712/1...962af977_c.jpg This landing was on a volcanic landscape where you walk up to the mirador to view the lava field and the most popular view in the islands. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7456/1...d7103464_c.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5542/1...5e6b2b72_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3682/1...af38178f_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7408/1...422195f8_c.jpg http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2842/1...5bbe03fa_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7336/1...2b2d8934_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7436/1...a4cb9ca1_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3667/1...a7248924_c.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5525/1...0a3ddde6_c.jpg Today’s snorkel was epic with tons of fish, penguins, sea lions, turtles, rays, sharks, and shellfish. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5544/1...29a78ce2_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7328/1...8e7d5df2_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7421/1...370b86e4_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7425/1...304519e2_c.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5503/1...a4fd25e7_c.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5532/1...0688914b_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3700/1...e18eda0f_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7450/1...023d04a0_c.jpg http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2850/1...fdb4595a_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7438/1...13661068_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3727/1...2f27c06e_c.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5503/1...71a6f86d_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3788/1...204f0648_c.jpg The highlight of the trip was swimming with the penguins. They come right up to you. One even wacked Dan in the camera on video. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5516/1...8e0b0d4f_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7451/1...0425d2a2_c.jpg http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2858/1...a570e82d_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7353/1...a67aa674_c.jpg |
GREAT STORY....LOVE THE PICS....WILL BE IN sANTIAGO NEXT SUNDAY TO CONTINUE MY JOURNEY.....
WARMEST REGARDS BOB |
Hello
Hi Sara and Daniel
Loving your tales from the road and very envious about your animal encounters on the Galapagos. Keep the great photos coming! ride Safe Tiffany |
Santi
Quote:
Sp |
Tiffany
Quote:
Sara |
Sara and Daniel,
Would love to get together..........Antonio and I will be staying in an area known as Providencia at Hotel Pisa 1. We will be purchasing Chinese Euromots and heading south after Christmas. email: haysandy@gmail.com All the Best Bob bier |
Santiago
Great we will email you when we arrive. Sara
|
Rabina
Last night we had a short sail to the nearby Rabina with its red sand beach.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3754/1...95d2bc71_c.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5512/1...0bdb36bc_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3730/1...77a310e7_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7443/1...1d3a84a6_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3794/1...e664394d_c.jpg We went to the bridge for a visit to the captain and a chance to steer the boat. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7378/1...a21e6d9f_c.jpg This afternoon’s walk was to see the huge land iguanas and flamingos here. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3673/1...d9b9b444_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7368/1...ec316066_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3736/1...f880d3b4_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7460/1...233e9759_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7457/1...f6a52125_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3681/1...711a473c_c.jpg http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2894/1...e32b25fe_c.jpg For the last island we sailed to Santa Cruz last night. Here we visited the Darwin Research center and its turtle and land iguana-breeding center. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5489/1...7f7528ff_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7417/1...b83b2852_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3807/1...52e63f60_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3669/1...f5cbe9bb_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3706/1...619464da_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3701/1...06f3e55d_c.jpg |
Last of the galapagos
Then we had time to walk in the village and see the fish market in action.
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2854/1...c438bc65_c.jpg This afternoon we drove across the island to see Giant turtles in the wild. On the way we stopped at a huge lava tunnel. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2878/1...9ea3f259_c.jpg http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2875/1...a16b118f_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3803/1...3f728c70_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7392/1...d0166da4_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3802/1...f434240f_c.jpg http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2826/1...f3cb6e75_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3765/1...32be4a33_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7326/1...7e41e563_c.jpg For our last evening we went into town to a street crowded with tables and open-air restaurants. Here we had a huge table reserved for us. We had a choice of either Langouste or grilled fish for dinner. Daniel and Joao went to the supermercado for a bottle of vino tinto. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5528/1...0b7ae278_c.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5539/1...376fc947_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3800/1...89995a81_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3756/1...ab8b7d7d_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7299/1...927516a2_c.jpg |
South to the border of Peru
Then we sadly said goodbye to our gang as we all parted ways in Guayaquil and Quito. We checked back into our home in Quito the Casa Helbling again. The next day we picked up the parts for Lulu from Rick’s Motorsport Electric that Tim and Glenda had kindly delivered. Daniel replaced my stator and got Lulu running again.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3788/1...69911549_c.jpg The best news of the day was that our friend Orvar (kingdom of Sweden) who we met and travelled with in Guatemala and El Salvador arrived at the “Helbling” today too. We had to take him to our favorite restaurant Uncle Ho’s. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2822/1...dc560fae_c.jpg Finally and for the third time we headed out of Quito. There was an amazing view of Cotopaxi on the way south. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3811/1...051b1808_c.jpg We opted to go the entire 450 km and 7 hours to Santa Ana de los cuatro ríos de Cuenca, or just Cuenca. There are thousands of “North American economic refugees” who now call it home. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2805/1...95b30ecf_o.png We spent one night in the Southern district of Baños de Cuenca in the home that is now a hotel of the original family that discovered the hot spring source. The next day we relaxed in the hot springs and volcanic mud. Well deserved after a long ride on the Pan Americana. Then we moved for a night in the historic center of this very nice colonial town. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3668/1...2a0257f1_c.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5502/1...9b6169cf_c.jpg http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2885/1...7c70207b_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3729/1...e7ab06e2_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3777/1...6386073f_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7308/1...22248c40_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7408/1...878e8a7c_c.jpg http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2857/1...f949e931_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3736/1...d2bbac5c_c.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5506/1...059698af_c.jpg We met this Ecuadorian touring his own country in the main square. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7408/1...77e18d16_c.jpg Well we have 20 days to be in Santiago and 5500 km to go, so we must leave beautiful Ecuador. Today was the 354 km ride to the surf town of Mancora Peru. With the border crossing this takes about 7 hours. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7389/1...7f3c560347.jpg The southern part of Ecuador is barren until near the coast where the rice fields and banana plantations abound. It was cloudy and threatened to rain all day. It did not, but the irrigation sprinklers that were hosing the highway did douse us. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7371/1...6a31a496_c.jpg http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2815/1...2fb91fdc_c.jpg A common site here in the south is to see them cooking whole pigs with a blowtorch. They slice off pieces as it us ready. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7398/1...10d0b635_c.jpg |
Frontera Peru
About 15 km from the border there is an ecological reserve. Where it ends at 5 km from the border you will see a 3 story white building of the Transit authority on your left.
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2828/1...89b11b74_c.jpg Just after this the highway is divided and becomes 4 lanes. Before the division turn left and go to the 2 story yellow building, which is the Ecuador aduana. Here they will ask for your permit, driver’s license, and passport. They will stamp your permit and return it and take photos of your plate, bike, and VIN. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7365/1...424e33a8_c.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5528/1...33718bfb_c.jpg Next continue on the 4-lane highway to the frontera. Pass the Salida de Pais and Welcome to Peru signs. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7395/1...3263059e_c.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5511/1...0e528423_c.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5474/1...7bfdb69e_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7315/1...9d77afc0_c.jpg You will eventually come upon the new border complex. This is a new concept in Latin America where they have the entry and exit procedures together in fancy new digs. Enter on the left of the first building. There are also no touts, “helpers”, or sketchy people hanging around here, but many guards who will gladly direct you where to go and in what order. The guard at the entry will ask you if you stopped at the aduana to cancel your permit and then direct you on past the first crosswalk (where you will come at the end to get your Peru permit). http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7307/1...ae1e840a_c.jpg Keep going and park on the left side in the stalls between the second and third painted crosswalks. Crossing the third crosswalk (seriously the guards get mad if you don’t) will take you directly to the migration office with the tables and chairs outside. Go in and go to the front of the Salida Ecuador line and ask for tourist papers. Go out and fill these in and then get in the Salida line with them and your passport for an exit stamp. Then they will direct you to the desks at the left with the second paper where they check in the computer? to see if you have been bad or good? Then in the same room go to the far right to the Entrada Peru for an entry stamp. Now walk back to the first crosswalk past the very new clean banos to the Aduana. Here they want your original title, passport, and Driver’s license and get this NO COPIES OF ANYTHING! They want the value of your bike and you sign a paper that states you owe them X amount if you do not cancel your permit. Another novel concept is the SOAT kiosk is in the same room. You can buy it in Sole or USD (31). We made it out of Ecuador and into Peru in under 90 minutes for country number 13! http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3775/1...07971b3d_c.jpg |
Peru
We were a bit surprised by the barren landscape, but not by, as we had heard all the garbage everywhere.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7333/1...160ccb63_c.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5482/1...d7e183b7_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7371/1...8a0b204b_c.jpg We were headed to the surf town of Mancora mostly because it was a good stopping distance and not the place itself. It is a crappy beach town full of touts and drug dealers. We did however meet up with 3 of the people from our Galapagos cruise for a small reunion. Unfortunately Rita had been robbed at gunpoint the night before and lost all her money and passport! So far not so good for our opinion of Peru. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7389/1...7f3c560347.jpg http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2843/1...d01c9f3c_c.jpg We did however get a nice place to stay with very friendly staff that was very interested in our trip. They also warned us as we had heard from others that the police here are very corrupt. Now I’m really feeling great. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2808/1...d4cdd069_c.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5521/1...3e429cd5_c.jpg That said we passed by a number of police on the first 2 days here and no issues. We also passed a few riders headed north. Arriving after 400 km to just outside of Chiclayo we found a hotel run by an Englishman and his Peruvian wife. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2891/1...00d4c50ca1.jpg This town however looks like you are in a mad max film. There are falling down brick buildings, wires everywhere, and garbage. It is basically then sand from here for 2000 km. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7428/1...a1acec7c_c.jpg http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2867/1...e33b4cfd_c.jpg This guy was transporting buckets of raw chicken in his wagon. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2828/1...5f3c52d4_c.jpg Despite rumours we did not encounter “bad gas” here. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7386/1...545628e3_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7410/1...8a9d5d0b_c.jpg |
Trujillo Peru
We are on a mission, but decided on a shorter 200 day today so we could visit the ruins near Trujillo.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3747/1...760cba3abb.jpg We were stopped at a police check at one of the nonfunctioning tollbooths, but he had a trainee and so he really just wanted to show the guy what temporary import permits for bikes looked like. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7404/1...46eab73f_c.jpg We stopped for lunch in the first decent town we have seen in this country on the beach at Huanchaco for some ceviche. Then we headed to town and our hotel. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5497/1...c2e63f7c_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7392/1...14273499_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3811/1...14659584_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7455/1...91391a04_c.jpg We were interested to visit the Moche ruins at La Huaca del Sol y Luna. This site has been excavated for the last 25 years from what looked like a big pile of dirt. It is the ruins of the capital city of the Moche culture and was occupied from 100 to 800 AD. There is only excavation here and no restoration; so all the murals are original colors. There is also a nice museum full of artifacts. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3740/1...e0a50214_c.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5535/1...b96553f4_c.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5543/1...4fc37a37_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7439/1...eab59899_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3761/1...57b38787_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3725/1...36126774_c.jpg The ruins are an adobe brick stacked at right angles and in sections, which experts believe was a way to combat the frequent earth tremors. It was abandoned when the masses lost faith in their religious leaders who could not combat the destruction by the frequent el Nino phenomenon with their human sacrifices. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3711/1...340c9740_c.jpg http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2842/1...7a0057bc_c.jpg The town itself is very nice with a bright yellow church and polished concrete on the square. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7300/1...425cf54f_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7293/1...a80a2283_c.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5545/1...45438e09_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3715/1...b022589f_c.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5471/1...3cea5739_c.jpg |
Nazca and Tacna Peru
Today we had another 415 km ride thru sand and at times very strong winds. The idea was to get up and leave at 5 am to drive the 150 km to Lima so we could get to the city on the Pan Americana by 7 am when it will not be grid lock.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3726/1...e226d7bcd2.jpg We did leave at 545 with the sun rising as we headed south. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3707/1...b9809c1c_c.jpg There were areas that were so foggy I could not see Daniel who was just ahead of me on the road. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2814/1...9d090ea7_c.jpg We arrived on the outskirts of Lima at 715 and we left the other side about 90 minutes later. I would hate to try this at rush hour. In general the drivers in Peru are not too bad the taxi drivers especially in the north are very aggressive. If stopped behind you at a light they will go right drive on the shoulder and then try to cut in front of you. The worst part is that they will then pull over 50 feet ahead and let out their fare. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5550/1...cb58f7bc_c.jpg There was still just more sand south of Lima, but at least some hills as well for a change of scene. We were stopped at a police check today and all we got was a handshake, a where are you from, and a welcome to Peru. Oh he also said never drive at night in Peru and be very careful on the way to Nazca because of the strong winds. The sand at times was blasting us a bit, but luckily not for long. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7326/1...39df1442_c.jpg We stopped for lunch at Pisco and wondered if a typhoon had hit the beach the town was such a mess. That forced us to decide to press on just over 600 km to Nazca. We stopped at “the Lines”, but did not bother with the tower as you really can’t see much from there and the flights are too expensive at 110$ each for 30 min. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7289/1...731d2dc2_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3815/1...fdcc8db8_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3800/1...51cfb033_c.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5472/1...8c6d91a2_c.jpg We spent the night in the swiss hotel here and got off to another early start for the 400 km to Camana. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3804/1...d444db926b.jpg Filling up with gas we added our sticker to their collection. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2832/1...c48e439e_c.jpg We stopped to lube the chain and have a stretch. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2833/1...16e52447_c.jpg The first 80 km out of Nazca were very windy as well, but after that the road moved onto the coast where there was almost no wind and the first nice scenery we have seen in 5 days. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5479/1...8d75de8a_c.jpg http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2847/1...a0b17e71_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3746/1...fde65e02_c.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5513/1...f468bf6b_c.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5550/1...39104901_c.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5495/1...6d330e48_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7389/1...4b897be7_c.jpg We arrived in Camana and asked for a hotel and we were directed to the Hotel Plaza de Armes, by which they mean the hotel on the main square and not the name of the hotel. I have a thing for apple pies and this one was very good. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3826/1...1b12bb2e_c.jpg Dan is considering trading the bikes in for this guy. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7306/1...6056d6f8_c.jpg No big surprise another day of sand and wind on the 460 km to get to Tacna. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7436/1...877239e8_o.png This is actually quite a nice city with a good vibe finally. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5495/1...86f3377a_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3742/1...e9d1c141_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7346/1...5821d97c_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7401/1...57f77ac9_c.jpg |
Headed to Chile
The next morning we heard there was a strike of the civil servants in Chile, not what you want to hear on the day you plan to cross the border to Chile. We drove the 20 km to the border area.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3694/1...3d891843_o.png http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7411/1...18dd1140_c.jpg http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2861/1...46799960_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3666/1...8219dc8a_c.jpg First you arrive at the Peru immigration building and pull in and park in the lot. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5530/1...969062e8_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3672/1...73033c51_c.jpg At the front of the building there is a small door to the right into the migration office, but first go to the door just to the left. There is a desk there where the guard will have you fill in your information in a ledger and then give you a triplicate form to fill in for cancelling your permit. You take this, your passport, and the tourist paper you got when you entered the country to the officers inside the first door (past the x-ray machine). Here they will stamp your passport and the triplicate form. Go back out and move the bike (not sure why) past the booths and park on the road at the side of the building. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7389/1...32603c73_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7306/1...3d952115_c.jpg Enter the door marked CIT and get your permit cancelled. They want your permit, passport, drivers’ license and the triplicate form. They will enter this in the computer and hand you one of the forms. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7431/1...90657b99_c.jpg We met this cool German Girl Anni who is living in Peru, but is on a 3- month ride to Ushuaia. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5535/1...9c4a601d_c.jpg Now drive to the Chile side. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7400/1...30a2b710_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7445/1...bd481910_c.jpg Pass the booth to the left and park ahead to the right. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7439/1...9a3b7e7e_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7311/1...894e85d6_c.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5502/1...511bf1f7_c.jpg This is where our 320 km day starts to go south. First we arrived at the border at 845, but in Chile its 1045! The first thing is easy you go to the migration window to get an entry stamp. They also give you a declaration to sign saying you have no food or fruit or large sums of cash, but no one ever looked at ours. Next there was a massive line for the Aduana for luggage check. All luggage is x-rayed. This took 2 hours. During this time they told us to move the bikes to the back of the car line which really made no sense, since we are standing in the Aduana line. They finally agreed to let us park them at the front. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5527/1...6e638910_c.jpg When we got to the front of the line they let us move the bikes there and we were told we had to unload everything. This is a joke really, because when they asked what was in the bag I had forgotten in the bottom of my pannier and I said bike parts they said OK and didn’t even look. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7384/1...c2758b13_c.jpg Finally they lifted the gate and we moved to the aduana for vehicles. This is a very quick procedure. You fill out all your own info on a carbon form and they stamp it and give you a copy. Now proceed to the exit gate and show your form. 4 hours total! http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3731/1...6b5d7ff6_c.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5537/1...0f2e00f1_c.jpg Finally headed south in Chile. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7421/1...e60a2947_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3723/1...85888e29_c.jpg There was you guessed it more sand and some wind, but there was a couple of cool canyons. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2877/1...cc66b7d5_c.jpg We unfortunately had 2 30 min road closures on the Highway and so we were racing the sunset at 8 pm Chile time to get to Pozo Almonte. The last 50 km with the sun setting and the wind howling the temperature dropped to a nippy 9 degrees. We arrived just at dark with some gas left still, but no Pesos and very empty stomachs. At the gas bar there was an ATM that luckily worked with our card. The attendant suggested the Hostal near by where for 50$ you get a small simple dorm room with a bathroom. The best was the secure parking lot. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7345/1...5487c291_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7341/1...08a0fac0_c.jpg http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2852/1...3b3e0a52_c.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5510/1...6cd0f269_c.jpg |
San Pedro de Atacama
In the morning we headed the 435 km to San Pedro de Atacama.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5538/1...c9c58bb2_o.png http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5520/1...06599086_c.jpg On the way there is an aduana stop and no gas at about 165 km from Pozo. Here you have to go in with you permit to get it stamped (we are not sure why) before you can proceed south. The next gas station from here is in Calama in 150 km, and this is why there was such a huge line up for gas when we got there. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7400/1...0c22b01d_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7457/1...ce7d6c14_c.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5495/1...974064ae_c.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5486/1...87257374_c.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5531/1...86c096c5_c.jpg Then we headed out into the Atacama Desert and had spectacular view of the valley of the moon and the volcanoes as we drove into this adobe oasis at San Pedro. We arrived about 330 and it was still getting hotter. This town is almost only hotels, tour offices, and restaurants. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5515/1...e963f3f8_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3750/1...1a74e210_c.jpg http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2894/1...4c0825cf_c.jpg The original church was built here in the early 16 th century. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5491/1...2c87b236_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3808/1...870496b7_c.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5522/1...ce66589a_c.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5541/1...100bb2e3_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7305/1...54675599_c.jpg Funny enough after a tour of the town we see Anni checking into the hostal 200 m from ours. She joined us for a tour of the desert the next day where we visited the oasis at Vally Jere. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3682/1...f29d72be_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3801/1...70618817_c.jpg http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2836/1...a4d806d9_c.jpg We then the Lagunas Chaxi (with the flamingos from a distance because the entry was 5$ each) and Cejar (of which you will not see a photo, because it was 4$ each just to take a picture) out in the middle of the Solar de Atacma. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2879/1...80b9a31f_c.jpg http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2849/1...5e776cac_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3728/1...c8ff5eef_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3818/1...0cd852e6_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3803/1...a45ab43f_c.jpg |
Valee de Luna
Dan’s bike was having issues starting, but we thought it was just sand in the starter. This evening we went to the Valley of the moon for some very lunar landscape and an amazing sunset.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7397/1...b97abffe_c.jpg http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2873/1...1a575abd_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7315/1...880b654f_c.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5499/1...861671a0_c.jpg http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2832/1...849e45d9_c.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5489/1...d5c771ab_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7358/1...6d38e4ab_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3733/1...a94f67cd_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3726/1...007922ab_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3698/1...5d0de988_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3724/1...e46010da_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3776/1...818a6077_c.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5503/1...3d369f5c_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3676/1...9a132455_c.jpg The colors were amazing this is how it looked. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7390/1...fc544d25_c.jpg The plan for today was get up at 330 am and drive the 100 km or 2 hours to the huge geyser field. Well we did get up at but at 4 am when we tried to leave Dan’s bike would not start. UGH! Back to bed to sort of sleep. Luckily we have a GS911 and it quickly diagnosed a problem with the clutch actuator switch. He cleaned it out and fixed the problem. |
Hand in the desert
We retraced our route to Calama and then headed south originally to Antofagasta, but it was only 250 km. There were several ruins along the way.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5508/1...a51e5ee9_z.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7371/1...4541608b_c.jpg This is a sign you do not see very often and just after the traffic was crawling for 10 km following the biggest dump truck ever. It took up two lanes and nearly took out several barriers and signposts. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5488/1...807ac8d9_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3704/1...85a14f79_c.jpg Another milestone today we passed the tropic of Capricorn. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5529/1...90e10215_c.jpg There are many of these geoglyphs along the roadside. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3717/1...9159c5d4_c.jpg 75 km south of there is the famous hand in the desert so we stopped there for some photo op’s. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7443/1...9009dc87_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7356/1...a0434cb8_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3755/1...ed5313f6_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3767/1...f2f802aa_c.jpg Instead of back tracking the 25 km to the road to the coast we continued south, “because the will be another road”. Unfortunately there was not and we were stuck on the Pan Americana where, there was really nowhere to stop unlike the coast road until we reached 630 km at Taltal. This is quite a nice beach town. There is a pretty square and waterfront area. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5473/1...17133bf3_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7408/1...6c600a8d_c.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5477/1...f6179941_c.jpg 30 minutes after we arrived at the hotel Claudinie and Fatima from Brazil arrived. They had been in San Pedro also and left about 30 min after us this morning. Together we enjoyed a great fish dinner and Spinglish conversation. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3691/1...9a7b94cc_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3829/1...733e04fe_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3776/1...b2969f8c_c.jpg |
Bahia Inglasia
We were all going the same direction and to Bahia Inglasia just 240 km away.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7359/1...8b04abae_c.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5488/1...15f0ab0a_o.jpg We tracked back to the Pan Americana for about 100 km and then exited to the Camino de Pan de Azucar. Someone had told us about this great road last year. The route is off road, but very solid and the views are amazing. This then heads to the coast and meets up again with the #5 highway. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3733/1...2e73369c_c.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5525/1...0cb49c47_c.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5539/1...8b012c67_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3699/1...90ffb04b_c.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5530/1...7700cb9c_c.jpg Just before this you cross the playa in strong winds and blowing sand. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2824/1...ba3b8952_c.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5491/1...bd033b8c_c.jpg Arriving in Bahia we finally found a place with cabinas that had kitchens to spend 2 nights. This is a beach town just south of the city of Caldera. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7460/1...189fac7f_c.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5479/1...7b4f9241_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7296/1...e3b7c6ce_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7396/1...70cdba4d_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3822/1...c0a1a250_c.jpg Since all 4 of us are wearing these helmets we had to have had lunch at the Shark restaurant. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3692/1...cbeedafc_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7332/1...15deb916_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3712/1...731f9ae1_c.jpg Some really great new friends! http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5488/1...2e0dde88_c.jpg http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2862/1...38b10e47_c.jpg |
La Serena
Heading south 411 km we aimed for La Serena. This was a pretty boring ride down the #5 until the last 45 km along the sea.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5492/1...68b7f9d2_o.png http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3768/1...86960eb2_c.jpg I love a welcome drink. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5479/1...26ab77f2_c.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5477/1...9882e332_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7406/1...7e6a2f86_c.jpg http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2805/1...87f7d0f2_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7296/1...ceea2f0c_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3824/1...18470e74_c.jpg |
camping
Sadly we had to part ways with our new friends, but we will meet them next year in Brazil. We headed along the route of the Estrellas (stars) along which there are numerous observatories on the mountaintops.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3710/1...da30eb91_o.png http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7378/1...b701596c_c.jpg We stopped at a huge dam for a break. There was this wind chime sculpture making the most horrific noise. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3758/1...0f0d2bf7_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3739/1...b38956c0_c.jpg Next we entered the wine growing region and headed up the long winding Elqui Valley to Pisco Elqui about 107 km east of La Serena. This is the home of the Pisco distillery (national drink is the Pisco sour: 3 parts pisco, 1 part lime, and sugar over ice). It is along the route of Gabriela Mistral (noble winning Chilean poet). http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3810/1...8f359e20_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3697/1...22a98696_c.jpg Back tracking to Vicuna we then headed off road on the route of the stars. There were some areas where the road was red. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5524/1...4319e315_c.jpg http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2841/1...a7753197_c.jpg Heading up over the mountains there were some very steep climbs and sharp switchbacks. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3811/1...a719a707_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3769/1...45481203_c.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5494/1...858f44aa_c.jpg About 3 and after about 180 km we spotted a small shelter on the top of a hill and decided to camp there for the night to watch the stars. Unfortunately it then became cloudy, so we did not see too many starts, but it was quiet in the many hours we were there only 4 cars came by and a heard of goats. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3667/1...9f1856fa_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7451/1...261f4c93_c.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5543/1...ac882a70_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7333/1...b91e4669_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7310/1...9165a776_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3714/1...67b26a2e_c.jpg |
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