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Mexico Sum Up And The Heart Speaks
With mixed reactions about Mexico we have a combination of love and hate.
Firstly we didn’t like it not understanding enough Spanish which is our fault, we have been doing Spanish but nowhere near enough as we planned a month in Guatemala which is essential for the rest of our trip to get into the local scene rather than just skim it from the top. We got by no problem and to be honest once we were grounded within a week or so and understood more about Mexico we both really enjoyed it with the only limitation of not understanding more talking with locals. Moto wise Mexico was a big torment for us with Ellens crash, again not Mexicos fault but we had difficulties experienced with an accident, add to that in a foreign country with foreign language, something you don’t really think about until it happens then you rely heavily on the very people who are trying to help. You trust the tow truck driver to do well by you in your time of need ...NO WAY, I knew they would try and bump the price but they blatantly quadrupled the price and tried to steal our cookset so I went absolutely ballistic at them as they were kicking a man when he is down which is just week minded and seriously wrong in any country .... welcome to the real world. We won in the end, I would not back down and threatened Policia so they suddenly found our stuff and charged us less (noting we still paid heavily) Prior to that "heading south" Jim on ADV rider helped us out with bringing our chains and sprockets in as they were late leaving the dock in the US, so thanks Jim for that we really appreciate that and SR, Airhead Wrangler you guys and all good buggas!!:clap Highlights for us were the silver lining of Ellens crash Lo De Marcos, Nobert ... you rock. Isy and Rob, Alesandro and Mable and as well as George and Carol you guys all made life a treasure for us when we hit the ground after Ellens crash. Our new Canadian family, we are coming to Canada to see you guys further down the track as we feel indebted to you for the help and warmth you gave us. Copper Canyon, huge and neat place, loved it along with all the very dangerous roads that banditos were going to kill us on .... more likely to be run over by a truck. The Mexican people, how can you explain to someone who listens to the American news that is full of shit that Mexican are very warm, friendly, welcoming, helpful, friendly, open, friendly, nice, friendly, except tow truck drivers ... you get the picture. The two majors pissoffs for me with Mexico is the people don’t get a shit about rubbish and it is everywhere, just like in China in the tops of the mountains there is crap everywhere and there are signs on the side of the road saying “NO TIRE BASSURA” which means “NO THROWING RUBBISH” We have followed cars, trucks and even the Policia Federalia just hurtling rubbish out of their window and it is a crying shame, the second for me is barking dogs, all day, all night, every dog and more so the little ones that are really short with something to prove but yet the owners do nothing, this is really frustrating when you pay for a hotel room and the dog barks all night right outside your window stopping any hope of sleep. At Palenque I ended up hoping up out of bed about 3 am and yelling at the dog that was just barking at nothing into thin air and it shut up for about 2 minutes then started again, so I went down and woke up the owner who was disgruntled to be woken but his house room was way around the other side .... i.e. away from where the dog was barking. With the dog still barking its head off at me I swung run and booted it in the chops and yelled at the owner .... things finally went quiet... needless to say at breakfast he was not entirely friendly. I will add at this point I am a dog lover having had dogs all my life but their comes a point where frustration overwhelms acceptability even in “their country” through lack of sleep one can get pushed over the edge. Cost wise, Mexico hasn’t really worked out any cheaper than the USA due to the fact we camped 90% of the time in America and Canada and in Mexico camping is not a great idea nor is it very accessible unless you are in the know so our accommodation costs basically doubled from what we were used to but I qualify that by saying our level of accommodation went up not having to put the tent up so it is all relative. We found some camping places, they wanted $100 pesos each and a hotel room with toilet and shower, lockup etc was $250 so a no brainer realistically. All in all I have enjoyed Mexico and it has its own beauty and more so in the south than the north in my opinion but don’t take my word for it, highlight for me being San Cristobal and the low definitely Ellens crash. The Heart Speaks Andis view With Ellen dropping her bike at Yoquivo and hurting her ankle it made things difficult, then when she dropped her bike on the devils spine reinjuring that same injury I was pretty unhappy, while she was looking for sympathy I was telling her off as it was making my life and her life much harder to the point of me not enjoying the trip (echoes of Denali Highway here) Then her final unexplained crash heading towards Lo De Marcos was extremely hard, first reaction was to get her right and second was to say that is it!!! no more riding as I cannot spend my hard earned RTW trip riding my mirrors anymore as I had had enough, the trip isn't all about me but when "me" is not even enjoying it WTF is the point in carrying on with it?. A weeks shakedown at Lo De Marcos, buying Maya with our “just in case” bucket, insurance backing out on us, Ellen unable to walk or ride her bike back to the US it all got on top of me, on the way back to the USA in the back of the ute we had an epic scrap at which I wanted to go my own way .... completely. It would be fair to say stress levels had exceeded safe limits and I was not happy at all. Ellen had booked a week away with Lihong (her sister who lives in Montreal) and to be honest it was what we needed, had she not gone and with the anger and frustration that had built up it would have had serious consequences for us. Fast forward slightly, we were pissed around with the trucking company and Maya arrived two days prior Christmas, this was meant to be a joyful time however I cried, when I put the key in and started her she rattled badly and I was gutted, ringing the previous owner right there on the spot he said “it is the nature of the beast” WTF ...lier. I seriously had had enough and to be straight up I was ready to chuck it in and go home, I said **** this!!! if this is RTW travel it is not for me. From the strength and support from Bevan and Clare in Phoenix and the Phoenix KTM community and especially Spencer we persevered. We were ripped off and many of you will have read about the whole drama, still to this day Alfred Lamarre the lying ****wit (which is french for lying ****wit) ((Sorry Pierre:D))from Portland Maine still has not responded to any calls, emails or pm. He has now been permabanned by ADV Rider for his arseholism and not even responding to ADV Rider to try and give his side of why? Alfred Lamarre of Portland Maine, YOU WILL DIE with this on your conscience, the world is not a big place and your time will come. With a few issues still to deal to we are nearly there I hope. Now riding two up was not in the plan either and I would have to say it is a lot more work for me, I am not a big dude and certainly not that strong so it has meant that I am getting a little more tired, coupled with not doing the exercise like in NZ it means I will have to shape up a bit more and get stronger. I am now writing this from Habana in Cuba, with Wifi harder to find than hens teeth it has given us some reflection time to look back and assess what has happened, the luck and goodwill that has come our way post bad accidents and bad dealings. Sometimes when the shit hits the fan so hard that it stops it is hard to make good calls while your head is not working properly so any help and support you get becomes a silver lining .... my advice to RTW travelers is take it at the time to spread the load with the view to reciprocating to others when they need it (as we had already done in NZ and will do on our return), I guess it is like “paying it forward” and don’t wait to help someone else before you need help. Also, I would like to make a mention for Al Jesse Welcome to Jesse Luggage Systems for supplying and fitting luggage to Maya and going the extra mile with the strengthened subframe etc, the panniers and top box are second to none and this has made our travels with this far easier, thanks Al your blood is worth bottling. The Dymond family of Mexico are Diamonds, Garry and Ivonne hosting us in Mexico City, warm, welcoming and great people and their daughter Leslie in Playa Del Carmen looking after Maya while we were tormenting Cubans and having us stay, you guys truly made a huge effort which is seriously appreciated so WHEN you come to New Zealand our Casa is your Casa. |
Belize Border To Orange Walk
Belize ..... Welcome to Belize mun.
Easy getting in, we did ride straight past the spraying and insurance both cos no one came running out at us ... public holidays eh. We clocked into customs, clocked Maya in, went back to the insurance office and bought our insurance and Maya got sprayed with WTF they spray her with .. just as well she is not ticklish. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...alk/file-6.jpg I had a larf with the guy saying I thought he was going to wash her but that joke kinda fell flat cos she is still covered in oil and undersealed from the oil pipe splitting. With all the formalities done we were off into the unknown again, destination Orange Walk ... for us it shoulda been Orange Ride. Along the way we stopped at Corozal for lunch beside the sea. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...alk/file-7.jpg Finding a reasonable priced hotel was a challenge, first one was way to spendie next one was spendie but we didn’t have many options, it was later in the day, we were tired and slightly dehydrated so yeap take it, nice place it was. Walking into town the place was dead ... we thought WTF have we done but later on the roller shutters rolled up and the town was breathing. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...alk/file-1.jpg The bridge over the river behind our hotel http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...alk/file-3.jpg Tug boat setting a pace!! http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...alk/file-2.jpg This looked more like a KTM shop than homely stuff http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...0Walk/file.jpg Tea was an eat in that night as we had food we needed to finish from Mexico so that was nice, on walking around the town we stopped and looked in the corner shop / dairy ad they sell booze!! Black Stollies to be precise so I bought one to take back to the room and it almost made back. |
Orange Walk To Sarteneja
A ride to Shipyard (a town) that has a Mennonite Colony there was the first part of our day, the road varied from nice tar seal to WW2 bomb holes, I slowed the whole trip down avoiding the rough stuff were we could.
We were just about there when we were flagged over and stopped by a guy in a ute on the side of the road, having a chat with him he said follow me I know a shortcut ... so we did. Well that was interesting ... sand pits and mudholes etc kinda fun but not two up. Carrying on to Shipyard we watched the Mennonites go about their business in their old fashioned way but they did have tractors and motorcars so not totally old school. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...eja/file-8.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ja/file-12.jpg Returning we came back the same way so we could show you the road, ok in the dry but being peat swamp with clay I would think it would be slippery as, Sjoerd advised us against wet back road travel and we can see why now. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ja/file-28.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ja/file-30.jpg Back to the hotel to pick up house an contents we made our way out to Sarteneja, the first part of the road we were doing 15 - 20 mphr (imperial here in Belize) going around the potholes. 1.5 hours later we had ridden 60 km or 40 miles and arrived at the back packers, $47 BZ ($23.50 US) for the Cabana or $14 ($7.00 US) for a camp site .... we set up out tent. Off to town which is a ten minute walk the place was really cool, we decided to walk back and grab out togs then go out on the jetty were the locals were and joined them for a splash. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ja/file-38.jpg There was a yachting regatta on as well so there were boats in the water everywhere http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ja/file-42.jpg Very blue water http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ja/file-39.jpg The local bus shelter, note the bottle wall at the back http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ja/file-36.jpg We bought some food for tea as we had cooking facilities so we made the most of this, our entire days food and drinks cost $41 BZ, less than just dining out and getting not much for tea so it is still considerably cheaper at least to self cook here in Belize, maybe not so much in Mexico. Included in the food total was two cans of coconut juice which cost $8 so we added some rum to these to spice them up .... yummo. K, off to bed. |
Sarteneja To Crooked Tree
After a reasonable sleep we were ready for action ... the yachting regatta.
Well we did go down and have a look but there was not a lot happening as far as spectator sport goes so we opted to continue to Crooked Tree. Negotiating the potholes back to Orange Walk was my job so there was no time to sit back and relax on that part of the road. Crooked Tree is a sanctuary for bird watching, the Crooked Tree Lodge is a very nice place indeed in a beautiful location and a great setup with a bar and cabins etc. CROOKED TREE LODGE BELIZE C.A. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ee/file-13.jpg Full credit to the owner Mick and Angie they have a great slice of paradise which they share it with the world. We camped the night there on a GRASSY area (note USA that is how it is meant to be) and didn’t even remove the GPS or SPOT etc as the place is very secure. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ee/file-30.jpg We walked into town to have a look around, the people were very friendly and we ended up having an early tea there of chicken and fries, basic but nice. This guy wasn't on the menu tho :D http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ee/file-12.jpg Returning to the lodge we settled in for some drinks with Mick and some locals which was cool, to be honest I would loved to have stayed there at least another night so this place come highly recommended for travelers who want to be slightly out of the main town is a quiet place. If you want to find it easily here are the GPS co-ords ... you will love it. We did get lost as one sign is broken and we rode past the turnoff into a sandpit http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...0Tree/file.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...Gorda/file.jpg Couple of pictures from a piece of paradise. The lodge entry http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ree/file-8.jpg The bird viewing platform http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ree/file-6.jpg A few locals http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ee/file-18.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ee/file-11.jpg Don't take our word for it go see for yourself!!! |
Crooked Tree To Punta Gorda.
Setting off from Crooked Tree we were going to go only as far as Hopkins, we had a game change and went via Belize City which was cool but didn’t really hold a lot for what we wanted to do so we decided to stick with the plan to go to Hopkins ... then ... like a woman we changed our minds again as it was only lunch time so we changed the game plan to Punta Gorda.
http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...PuntaGorda.jpg Punta Gorda is right at the bottom and is the last part of the main paved road, we were tossing up whether to go down there as the Northern Highway from Chetumal to Belize City just scoffed our front tyre turning it from a knobbly to a road tire in 150 km. I looked down at the front a few times during the ride and Ellen says what is wrong?, I couldn’t figure it out ... turns out I could feel the very coarse road just eating the rubber and destroying the tire so that coupled with the heat it dissolved our front tire pretty quickly. On the way we were stopped at a Police check point for the first time ever on our trip (our trip IN TOTAL that is), they wanted our insurance, TVIP and spraying documents which we had all of, they were very friendly and very professional, seeing our papers in order they were more interested in our trip than anything so we had good chats and giggles. Reaching Punta Gorda I took the front tire off and rotated it to extend what little life we had in it, turned out to be a good move also coupled with the road chip improving 100 % being way less aggressive we might even make it to Antigua where we had already organised a new tire ... lets hope it makes it there. Punta Gorda was a nice ride but the destination was not quite as we envisaged so we opted to stay just the one night but we did go for a nice walk around town and talked to the locals, great bunch of people they were and very welcoming. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...rda/file-1.jpg The only restaurant there we decided to eat out and we would have to say the food was very good and reasonably priced. St Charlies is where we stayed, Charlie the owner is a great guy and at 79 years old is a real live wire and has great stories to listen too so the stay there was cool. |
Punta Gorda To Hopkins
We woke to a beautiful morning after a pretty good sleep, first mission was to go to the Chocolate factory for a tour, trial and purchase.
It was cool as, everything is made right there from the bean grinding and baking to the finished product it is all right there. The chocolate is spendie but very nice indeed so we splashed and supported the local economy. This is Ellens hurry up and take the bloody photo look as she wanted to get into the chocolate http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...rda/file-9.jpg The grillers and grinder http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...rda/file-5.jpg Hot chocolate pot http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...rda/file-8.jpg Guilty as charged, see the small production line behind me http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...da/file-10.jpg Finishing in town we picked up an A&W Root beer for me ... YUMMMOOO! then packed up ready to the road back to to Hopkins, the trip was uneventful which was cool but hot 36 degrees and fookin humid. Turning into Hopkins we hit another standard bomb blasted road, these seem to be standard issue when stepping off the main drag, we are thankful for a 21 inch front wheel and long travel suspension to suck up the road or lack of it. Destination was Lebeha Cabanas and drumming which we found pretty easily and were welcomed in by Jabbar the co owner and great guy. We took basic cabana for $30 Belize ($15US) per night which was a coupla rugged beds and a table and double opening doors with a padlock ... saweet our own lockup which make storing lappies etc a lot easier. We walked to the beach which is about 80 metres away, the water wasn’t very clear as the wind was up as was the surf but it was very warm and nice relief from the heat and humidity, we also played with a bunch of local kids letting them climb up on our shoulders and dive into the water the laughter and giggles were second to none with everyone enjoying themselves. That evening we cooked in with having rice and some local veges and sausages then off to the drumming down the beach at the Driftwood in. |
Hopkins Lazy Day
Wanting to go snorkeling we couldn’t as the wind was up and the boat owner didn’t have enough to fill his craft to make it worthwhile unless we wanted to sell Maya to cover the cost ... I don’y think so.
Onto Plan B, with our front tire tread disappearing quickly we jumped onto the net to see what we could find. Given we had not much to do other than enjoy the nice day we set too and walked along the beach to a point they call the split which is where a local river runs in into the sea, the river has crocs in it so we didn’t swim in there ... just in case. We checked our emails for tire status with not much luck, also Wifi here is very hit and miss with gmail taking up to two minutes to load ... at least it works eh. Meeting up with Lev from ADV and Frances from Germany we enjoyed a coffee and chats which was cool, Frances wanted to go diving so we all went for a walk to find the elusive diving shop, the day was very hot and very sticky so togs was it....for the day. That evening was an international gathering of travelers (4) all heading out for tea to discuss travel, life and general chatter etc. Great chats, giggles and notes comparisons finished off with coupla drinks. Some photos for the day http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ns/file-28.jpg Ellen relaxing on the beach http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ns/file-26.jpg Local kids swimming and play http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ns/file-19.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ns/file-15.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ins/file-9.jpg Drumming Centre http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ns/file-11.jpg Our cabina http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ns/file-14.jpg Photo from the day before, try to pass the bar http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ins/file-1.jpg The boys and girls room http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ins/file-2.jpg |
Guy's looks very relaxed in your part of the world,lovely photo's ,like the birds especially:D
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Hopkins ... A Big Day Out Snorkeling
We made the decision to be tourists again for a day, at $65 US for the day it was spendie but Ellen really wanted to go.
Setting off for a 40 minute boat ride before hitting the first reef the day was warming up very fast. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...kling/file.jpg After snorkeling for 2 hours we stopped for a break on an island which was stunning. Leaving lunch we did another reef, we were lucky enough to see some sharks, barracuda, stingrays and an assortment of glamorously coloured topical fish. I really can’t talk it up any better other than to say of all the snorkeling I have done in Oz, New Caledonia, Hawaii, Fiji etc this kicks there arse hands down. Just a few photos, not very good with our small camera but you get the picture. Aquagirl hard at it http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ing/file-3.jpg Bright coloured fish http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ing/file-5.jpg Shark lurking under a rock :eek1 http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ng/file-21.jpg A Stingray making his way out of reach http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ng/file-36.jpg The awful lunch spot http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ng/file-47.jpg |
The Birthday Party
One of our neighbours was having her birthday so it was decided that all the travellers would get together to celebrate to help her to get older.
Jabbar the owner of the Lebeha drummers hostel hard at it http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...rty/file-2.jpg The birthday girl http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...rty/file-8.jpg Bunch of drunken bums http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...rty/file-5.jpg Someone who looks like me being happy as after 1 or 10 rums :eek1 http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ty/file-10.jpg Most of the others did not get up early the next morning and were nursing a severe case of bottle flu :evil |
Hopkins To Flores
Leaving Hopkins behind with good fun memories we had a cooler day at least to pack up and start with.
http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ala/Flores.jpg Part way along the Hummingbird Highway we past a R80 BMW and 250 Sherpa with big waves so we stopped and turn around to catch up to find it was Billy and Trish. Two neighbours havin a great laugh ... see the spastic face :evil http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ala/file-3.jpg The 250 Sherpa had 180000 km on it :eek1 and still going strong http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...emala/file.jpg Being Kiwis and Ozzies we had “a bloudy guod cutch up maite” on the side of the road. Travels, motorcycle, federals, breakdowns, camping etc you get the gig, saying goodbye and sending them on their way we continued towards Guatemala border. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ala/file-6.jpg It was painless leaving Belize and partly painless getting into Guatemala UNTIL we had to get our TVIP. The nice fat bastid behind the counter was very unhelpful and could not be bothered and clearly we were interrupting his day of doing nothing. He wanted a photo copy of the stamp he just gave us???? and Ellen had to go back across the bridge to Belize to get a copy ...you have to be joking ... nup it was for real. He was probably half way through our paperwork when a small buzzer went off beside him, he hoped up and walked off .... out of the building and down the street....gone. Apparently it was lunchtime so he just dropped everything and left ... we were still standing their wondering WTF has happened, an hour later after the fat bastid had made himself fatter he returned and very unwantingly took 2 - 3 minutes to finish us up.... couldn’t believe it. :eek1 !!! The que by this time was monstrous .... I hope he had a good lunch. Hmmm, I have to admit I had to walk outside and get a drink of water to clear my head and stop me from getting angry with someone who clearly just does not give a shit and stuffed it in our face. On a brighter note all our paperwork was in place and we were away to Flores on nice paved roads for the most of it. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ala/file-5.jpg Arriving at Flores we went over to “the island” and found a good priced hotel with a courtyard that we could pull Maya apart in to fix an intermittent electrical fault. Tea was bar b q chicken with salad and chip and was absolutely a great feed. |
Flores Day 1 & 2
Day 1
Arrival from the day before... aim...fire ... head easy as long as Maya did not die :rofl http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...lores/file.jpg At Twomotokiwis electrical engineers headquarters we removed the seat and tilted the headlight mask forward, the hotel dude was into it as well and he didn't even run off half way through, he was a great help .. good man he restored my faith in Guatemalans.:rofl http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...res/file-3.jpg I checked everything I could with very little to see, a few dirty connectors but nothing that would stop her in her tracks, I also cleaned the off/on switch. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...res/file-5.jpg After pushing and pulling everything I could we put her back together as we wanted to see a bit of Flores rather than just fix the bike and leave. We wandered of around the island and into town checking out the markets and all and came back to the island to relax and feed the locals which I did in style as they bit the shit outa me which is unusual. We were however rewarded well with our first Guatemalan sunset ... luvin it !!! http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...res/file-7.jpg Couple of drinks with some new neighbours, talked some shit and drunk some drinks.... gotta luv white rum :1drink :freaky :D Day 2 We set off to make our way to Semuc Chepayne, we made it 6.6 km out of town with Maya coughing and farting so we tuned back to Flores and back to the hotel ... I was not happy.:cry :cry Being early in the day I decided to rip her right down tank and all so I removed the seat, tank, headlight mask, speedo, air filter, ECU and all ... I was quite surprised how small she was after removing all the clothing. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ey/file-21.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ey/file-17.jpg On inspection of the PO’s wiring mayhem I discovered a wire hanging out, I could not see they day prior as it was on the opposite side and out of view. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...pey/file-2.jpg Scattered :eek1 http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ey/file-18.jpg I traced it back to the off/on circuit and manually pushed it in and out to try it and see what is did and bingo that was the fault. Repairing that we had to put her all back together which was a mission in itself. Fixed http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ey/file-19.jpg Jose was kind enough to knock up some lunch while I was fixing Maya, onya mate really appreciated it. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ey/file-22.jpg Heading off this time on a test ride we took her 20 km away to El Rement a swimming place to cool off, on the way back everything went well which was great and I was pretty sick of problems with this bike. Unfortunately someone decided our orange one way fuel cap on the rear tank was shiny and they wanted it .... and they got it..... petty theif is rampent. For tea we bought tortillas, some cheese, beef and guacamole and cooked it coupled with some Stollies again. |
Flores To Semuc Champey
Starting with the leftover tortillas we had these for breakfast as well as finishing off our watermelon....luckily we had a big breaky as this set us up for a big day.
http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...mucChampey.jpg With Maya running nicely again this was a huge relief and allowed to to get to destination albeit one day later than planned. Along the way we had to take a barge to get across the river. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ey/file-28.jpg Nothing to stop Maya diving off the side never to be seen again :eek1 http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ey/file-30.jpg The rest of the ride was uneventful until we reached the end of the tar seal then it turned into a rocky based road which was harsh but great fun taking us through many small villages. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ey/file-44.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ey/file-43.jpg It was a neat road http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ey/file-40.jpg Lunch was later than usual and welcomed when we stopped, the temperature hitting 38 degs and very humid so we were dripping like a candle in the sun. Friendly people everywhere along the way http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ey/file-38.jpg Arriving at Lanquin it was stinking hot, Ellen walked off to find the truck going in, they had extra space as well so we unloaded the top case and clothes bags to make the last 10 km assault a bit easier for me, turns out the road was pretty similar to what we had come in on anyway. Even a big welcoming Andy on the wall :D http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...pey/file-4.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...pey/file-6.jpg Off to Semuc Champey I enjoyed a ride sans Ellen and top luggage which transforms the bike in the tighter stuff. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ey/file-12.jpg Forget Redbull ... getting our here and enjoying the beautiful Guatemalan scenery on a motorcycle gives you BIGGER wings!!! :clap :D http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ey/file-13.jpg Even some muddy water to make it look authentic :rofl http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ey/file-14.jpg The road consisted of soft, hard, rocky, muddy, loose, etc so a real mixed bag, sometime requiring a little negociation around front tire stealing rocks :eek1 http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ey/file-15.jpg Semuc Champey is an outstanding place and a ADV must, you wonna go well here it is .....no excuse now!! http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...0Chol/file.jpg Time to settle in and see what tomorrow brings. |
Semuc Champey For The Day
A 40 minute walk to the National park from our accom at Utopia Lodge and we were at the gates and a quick munch on a watermelon that a girl was selling, need to rehydrate in the heat.
http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...Day/file-5.jpg $50 Q each which is about $6.50 US and we were off, up to the mirador first to check out the views that are nothing short of spectacular. It was quite a grunt to get to the top coupled with 35 deg heat and humidity to match we were drenched by the time we reached the top. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...Day/file-8.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...Day/file-9.jpg Stairs .. lots of stairs http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ay/file-12.jpg The view, no point in talking about it, see for yourself. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ay/file-23.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ay/file-17.jpg Heading back down to the pools we started at the top and wafted our way down and we met some guys in Flores and they were there too so we caught up with giggle and chatter. Only a few photos, if you want to see the rest click on any pic and it will take you to our album ... it IS worth it. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ay/file-60.jpg The colours here are simply stunning http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ay/file-34.jpg The pools, hot day, great company and stunning scenery added up to what can only be described as perfect. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ay/file-36.jpg If words really could describe it I am struggling to say it http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ay/file-29.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ay/file-32.jpg We spent the day there and left when the sun went home, heading back on our 40 minute return walk rewarded with cold showers back at the lodge as we were dripping wet again from heat on our return. Time for my hair cut again as it will be only 9 months or so and it would be in my eyes so had to deal to that swiftly. :rofl Chat and drink with Dan & Elaine who were heading to Cuba so we showed them some photos and gave them so fresh information which they were please about. This is Utopia Lodge ... sod of a place :rofl The view from the deck http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...20Day/file.jpg John the Boss at the bar, this dude rocks and adds a new meaning to customer service which was excellent, all his staff follow the same standards which quite simply cannot be faulted ... John .... we will back mate !!!! http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...Day/file-1.jpg The deck and eating area http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...Day/file-2.jpg This is their website, go check it out. Utopia Eco Hotel, Lanquin ~ Eco Lodge Accommodation, Tours, Restaurant and Bar Bed time again to rest the weary body from playing all day ... it’s just hard work. |
Semuc Champey To El Chol
Getting going at around 9.00am we hit the dirt road back to the main highway, the rest of the road was clean, neat and good condition so quite different form our “shortcuts” which we confirm ARE the longest distance between two points.
http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ey/file-16.jpg The temperature was hitting 40 degrees and we were following a slow car up the long winding hill .... both fans blazing away to help Maya keep her cool but nearly at the summit she started to vapour lock and flood with our light throttle and heat buildup despite still having two bars left on the temperature gauge. She was trying to run on 2 half cylinders so I cracked her open to get some air in there which worked well, she sputtered for about another 300 metres then cleared her throat and by that time we had crested the pass and were heading down so less load and things were back to normal. Rather than sitting behind the slowjoe I should have passed them and gone which may have prevented that but either way it was fookin hot. We reached the end of the tarseal at Rabinal at 2.00pm, we tried to find a hotel so the local police took us there. The lady saw the bike (chiching$$) and that we looked a bit stuffed (chiching$$) so she hiked the price and told us with a straight face what we were to pay, we had her receipt book right in front of us which clearly said quite differently from previous customers charges.:huh Ready to take a tuck from her I inspected the room, came back put the keys on the counter as said no gracias (being polite) and we carried on. I was prepared to by ripped a little if the room was ok but it was 40 degrees C and it had no air conditioning and NO ceiling fan (fan which is standard here) so the angry dutchman came out (so did the angry chinese) .... the lady thought she had it in the bag so greed left her with an empty room, ironically no-one else was there and her previous customer date was a wee way back so all the signs were not ideal. Given it was only 2.00pm we had time up our sleeve so we carried on with the view of camping out somewhere high to get cooler air. The road was totally dirt and pretty gnarly in places and had obviously had big rains in there and with cattle etc to look out for. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...hol/file-5.jpg Stopped for a quick Pepsi to get some sugar boost http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...hol/file-7.jpg The road was beautiful and tree clad in places http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...hol/file-8.jpg And open in others http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ol/file-13.jpg We stopped beside a dry rocky waterfall for a photo and for the first time on the trip in total from Alaska I dropped the bike .... the ground was further away from me and being tired I just couldn’t hold her up. :eek1 http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...hol/file-9.jpg We both dropped to the ground in a pile of dust right beside a big hole which crumbled away as we stood up!!!...it was about 10 metres down before the bottom :eek1 :eek1 http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ol/file-12.jpg Fark ... that was was close, no damage other than to my pride so we picked up Maya started her up and carried on. Was not even 5 minutes later we were stopped with road works, only a 10 minute stop but is was SO hot and I could not put the stand down on Maya due to the camber on the road so I had to sit on her and suck the heat .... the Keep Toasting Me 950 Sauna Eh :D http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ol/file-18.jpg Soon on our way we rolled into El Chol a little town and in the middle of nowhere (well somewhere anyway) and spotted HOTEL. :clap We rocked up and Ellen checked it out, respectable price and respectable room ... that is more like it. After showering off and turning into humans we walked around town, people starring at me ... not many whitefoos come here me thinks, bought some tea which was Chicken and Chips and Tacos, total $27 Quizales which is about $3.50 for the two of us so after tea we blew the budget on three big mangos and scoffed them back out our room ... yummo!!! ... that was another $10 quitzales so $1.30 US for 3, if we can get em in New Zealand we pay about $3 - $4 each!! Cool buses in this region, one of many that we saw http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ol/file-19.jpg No Wifi here again so time to right all this up. Off to Antigua tomorrow, 75 km of dirt roads with a new front tire waiting at the other end WOH HOH. |
El Chol To Antigua
Ok, pologies for the late update ladies and gent, Wifi VERY sporadic here is Xela so I am doing a Cafe hop to find the best Wifi to meet your needs :rofl
Ok, El Chol To Antigua First things first we had to get Maya out of the market that had set up earlier in the morning, luckily it wasn’t tight and they all thought it was pretty funny. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...tigua/file.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...gua/file-1.jpg The road started out as dirt and we had sporadic tar seal of race track quality here and there mainly in towns then back to dirt and with the occasional bordred bridge thrown in. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...gua/file-7.jpg The entire road was being revamped with heaps of work being done, the entire side of a main town street blocked of with concrete formwork, concrete trucks, workers, screeds etc so they were paving a huge section of the road. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ua/file-10.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ua/file-11.jpg There were newly constructed bridges and detours everywhere which made for interesting riding, this didn’t stop us from getting lost and having a grande tour of a small town through streets no wider than a small car.... it was great fun. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...gua/file-4.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ua/file-23.jpg At one stage we were stopped completely by a big digger hacking up the road and were mobbed by little bikes....when the truck left and the road cleared it was like a MotoGp start with bikes fizzing off everywhere trying to get out front ... it was hilarious to watch so we calmly took off giving them all the lead until they reached top speed then we blazed on by like they were standing still ... the look on their faces was funny. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...gua/file-2.jpg That is Valentino getting the right line out on the right :rofl http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...gua/file-3.jpg Carrying on down the hill the road was that of a freshly laid supermoto circuit and beautifully finished. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...gua/file-5.jpg Arriving in Antigua we set too trying to find economic accommodation but first I went and found Taz @ Moto Mundo which I did, for those wanting to find him easily the GPS coords are in the above post. Taz is a great guy and seriously helpful, he took us to a hotel that was reasonably priced and had solid Wifi. We could not park Maya in there so Taz said no prob leave it at his shop .... easy. We got settled in and had a walk around town splashing out of a MEGA frappe, it was beautiful. Tea that night was spent with Dan and Elaine some travellers we had met at Utopia lodge in Semuc Champey... they trustingly lent us $100 Q as we had left our money behind, the restaurant is called Por Que No and the food was excellent. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ua/file-24.jpg The climbing rope to get into the loft http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ua/file-30.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ua/file-28.jpg REAL food http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ua/file-25.jpg Next morning I went back to Tazs workshop to spoon off the stuffed MT21 and spoon on a shiny new one. Also on my list to do was place a fine mesh in front of the radiator to stop fine mud clogging the radiator fins, Kiwi fix will do :clap. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...TM/file-48.jpg That evening we meet up with Dan and Elaine, Dave and Jana at their hostel for happy hour drinks and a Dave Burger, good times, good chats. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...a/Antigua1.jpg |
Antigua ... Time To Look Around
Not going to write much as the pictures do more of the explaining, the first photo is one I should have put in the last post of our HUGE Frappes so when we hit Antigua again these are on the list
http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...gua/file-1.jpg Antigua is a fairly "gringo" town with many foreigners there, felt kinda funny but to be honest I really like it. It is a very nice place with the old town typically tidied up and revamped. The church in centro http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...tigua/file.jpg There small emblems cast into the footpath for moto parking, something we hadn't seen before. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...gua/file-2.jpg Very old building having suffered major damage, not sure if it is old age or if the civil war took its tool http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...gua/file-4.jpg A very typical street in old town, makes for interesting riding especially when they get wet :eek1 http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...gua/file-5.jpg Local markets selling all sorts http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ua/file-13.jpg Locals selling their goodies http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ua/file-23.jpg The place is alive with brightly coloured buildings, this is very typical here at least in old town http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ua/file-10.jpg We are looking forward to going back to Antigua to have a better look around and meet up with Julio and go on some local rides, also we "should" understand a lot more Spanish which we are really looking forward to using to get in the depth of the Spanish speaking countries rather than just getting by. |
Antigua To Xela
An uneventful ride once we got out of Antigua, we had a local who decide he wanted to fit in where we were behind a truck and he literally pushed us out of the way, I tooted our spastic horn then blew passed him leaving him stuck behind the trucks in a cloud of diesel. :D CC beats arrogance! :clap
We did have a wee moment on a corner when we hit heavy rain with a greasy patch and coupled with our shiny new rubber was a bad combo, only 1 km down the road a car had lost it and tried to jump the centre island too..... the island won BIG time :eek1 The road was absolutely mint condition and winding around hills and valleys so a nice ride http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ela/file-2.jpg The road just before Xela took us up to 3031 meters or 9944 ft for you imperialist, this of course took us well into the fog zone and thus cold, at one stage we slowed right down to about 30 km/hr as we could not see a thing. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ela/file-1.jpg Xela was nice and cool on arrival... 20 degrees!!!!! .... cool .... listen to me :rofl:roflI must be getting acclimatized and I have to admit during the rain it dropped down to 13 degrees so I turned on the heated grips as I was wearing my summer gloves.... gettin soft. :evil We found our escuela (school) and found out where our host family is, they have courtyard so Maya is safe which is essential. |
Quetzultenango Semana Uno
Xela Week One
Starting at escuela (school) is a whole new experience after not being there since 20 years young ... now at 46 years young here I am again...don’t think I will get the cane this time tho. I was introduced to my teacher Dayma, she was very fluent in English to the tune of 0, luckily her Espanol is fantastic. So with deafening silence we started ...... ummm ....... yeah.... my name is Andi and I am a moto bikeaholic OK, we did get going after a slow start, luckily with spending 4 months in Mexico and 3 weeks in Cuba I had a basic knowledge so I could pick up the ball and run with it which was our saving grace. At first I thought it was a complete disaster with her not talking english then when I thought about it I was there to learn Spanish so “sink or swim” here I come, luckily I could swim albeit a little but it was enough to understand her and start making ground. Me wif my skool book ... just like a mug shot in jail :D http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...lan/file-2.jpg And Ellens http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...lan/file-1.jpg With the first day finished I am surprised I got home cos my head was not on my shoulders and thankfully autopilot took me home to a good feed waiting for me. To be fair I had mixed emotions, one of accomplishment, one of stepping outside my comfort zone, one of total torment and misunderstandings so apparently I had a very successful day. Another student who had been there for 5 weeks said if you go home feeling you know it all you have stuffed up, these words are very very true. Fast forward to Friday to the end of the first week that went faster than my first date with a hot chick I feel in my mind that I have actually achieved a huge amount, not knowing it all and coming home every day with a saw head and having to focus hard to answer simple questions I know I am going forward. Ellens teacher Kartie http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...lan/file-4.jpg Action shot with my teacher Dayma http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...lan/file-8.jpg There is also the aspect that we are living with our Guatemalan host family who speak 100% Spanish only so the Kiwis have been teaching them Chanish and Spinglish (known as Spanish to the educated people) coupled with smiles and larfs which go a long way. All in all a very successful week so obviously I have no clue what is going on. |
I think it's a great idea to do the immersion Spanish studies. 6 months from now I'll be in Guatemala looking for a school. Would you recommend the school you attended?
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There's "no replacement for displacement".well ?Great to see your update.
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Cheers Ellen |
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We had one dude ride around us on the outside of a corner on soft shingle on a CG125 with semi knobbies, he did take a wee tank slappa but full cred he held it and rode it out. We were not going fast as I was looking out the window but it would be fair to say he was travelling at a reasonable pace. |
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We just missed you guys, we arrived in Antigua Monday!!! Leaving tomorrow to near the Mex border, oh well maybe some other time some other road we can have a beer!
Gino & Fiona www.ginoontour.blogspot.com |
Damn
Well that is a bugga, would have great to have caught up with you guys, you will love Mexico it is a great place.
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Quetzulnetango Fin De Semama
Xela, The Weekend WOHHOH
Sabado (Saturday) was a sleep in ... no pictures of that. :evil We decided to take the day off, wonder around Xela centro, go to the market etc and just take the place in and case it out. It started with a choco coco .... no explanation needed, measured by chocolateonfacesmileinpublic grin :D <---- like this fella but brown!! http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ls/file-13.jpg Ellen was a little more lady like http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ls/file-14.jpg We had a great walk including finding longer screws for the top case for spacers and taking in the huge market. Mangos ...... mangos ... argh we splashed out and bought two huge mangos for 5Q which is about 64 cents for the two, these were for the hot pools the next day. Saw a 27.5 inch mountain bike for the first time although probably old news now I was excited to see it. Domingo (Sunday) was almost a sleep in with breaky at 8.30 am and Fuentas Georgina lined up for the day. Fuentes Georginas is a neat hot pool centre sitting at about 2800 metres up in the cloud and fog line. Time to break out the moto and take a 16 km ride, out of town was hard work as most centros are but once out of town and up to the access road that was as wide a one car in places it was neat fun. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ls/file-19.jpg It is incredible where the Guatemalans plant crops with some incredibly steep faces being farmed. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ls/file-20.jpg Crops brought to the road side and friendly wave from a friendly Guatemalan ... not hard to find here at all. :clap http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ls/file-26.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ls/file-27.jpg The hot pools (Aqua Caliente) are in an amazing setting, the first pool at the top is a little too hot to start with and you have to get in quietly and can only stay in for a short while. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ls/file-28.jpg The next pool down is very comfy and can turn you into a prune cos you realize how long you have been sitting in there, then there is a kids pool which is shallow. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ls/file-31.jpg Ellen enjoying her back being tampt by the hot water, check out the ladys look on her face to the right of Ellen :huh :eek1 .... I am sure it wasn't us http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ls/file-72.jpg Right at the entrance there is another hot pool in a rock setting on the left hand side which is very cool so we made the most of that too. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ls/file-60.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ls/file-56.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ls/file-43.jpg Out treat for the day was to have the mangos from the market and they were simple beautiful providing the much needed orange ring around my mouth supported by a contented grin. Having a late lunch there we chose the cheese burger option which come with chips and salad and come highly recommended. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ols/file-6.jpg Setting off for home looking like heated prunes we rode back partly through fog then popping out below the great white canopy allowing spectacular views of the valley giving us appreciation of our elevation. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ls/file-77.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ls/file-95.jpg One horsepower can move a lot but 100 HP is more fun :rofl http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ls/file-79.jpg This is the town of Zunil that you take the turnoff up to the springs http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ls/file-98.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...s/file-101.jpg All in all a great trip from Xela, not far away and very nice. |
Andi and Ellen looks so beautiful ,the hot pools
Mind you Hanmer springs in N.Z are pretty nice too,also some really nice one's on a back road(dirt) in the Canadian rockies.country over all , it :Dlooks beautiful.,
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Quetzulnetango Semama Dos
Xela Week Two
Greetings people, this week has been a trial of man and machine, I thought I was a machine but nup. :eek1 The week started like every school weeks starts when you are having your mid life crisis and learning a second language ..... for fun.:huh Although I managed to drop a few bombs in the Latin American section of ADV Merino Wool Shirts?? - ADVrider in my Merino T Shirts thread (go have a look at my expense:D) progress has been good. Everyday I felt bombed in the head means I am going forward, Ellen on the other hand is flying through with honours and doing extremely well. We are surrounded by mostly younger folk (hate saying that) ((approx 15 - 20 years younger than us)) and wanted to feel a little more sporting although most of them take their hats off to us for our trip and they too feel totally spent after each day so we don’t feel so bad knowing that. :clap Ellen decided to ditch her grey hair and sportingly go slightly rojo (red), I decided it was time to honour my long time want of a getting a chain tattoo ... so I did just a symbol of my passion for motorcycles and mountain bikes ..... hope I never wonna buy a BMW 1200 GS !!!! http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...too/file-1.jpg Finished pic will be posted when complete :evil So all in all really enjoying Xela and the Spanish lessons as they will make such a difference south of here. |
Quetzulnetango Fin De Semama
Xela, The Weekend No Two
Sabado (Saturday) a leisurely start, breaky and the usuals. Game plan was to catch up with Dan and Elaine in San Pedro at Lake Atitlan. Setting off from Xela we fueled up and looked down the road, the entire main road out of town for (as it turned out) 10 km was closed for a cycle race coming into town. :huh Hmmmm, needed a game plan to get out cos we had no other way of getting out of town, seeing another big bike with lights on and camera gear ...hmmm ...saweeet. We rode across the road, passed the Police and some organiser looking types with day glo jackets and proceeded to head out of town at around 40 km per hour staying close to the crowd who seemed to assume we were crowd control. I switched on the LED lights, Ellen had her camera out so we carried on with thousands of people lining the streets and us looking like official crowd controllers staying in the right lane!!! http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...itlan/file.jpg So we carried on looking as official as we could pushing the crowd back who respected our authority and we carried on all the way out of town, 3/4 the way out we had a Police vehicle come up behind us then beside us .... they waved at us and acknowledged the great crowd control job we were doing and carried on....too easy, these guys even have a welcome sign :rofl http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...lan/file-1.jpg It was really surreal seeing thousands of people lining the streets and we having the entire road to ourselves, the racing bikes had already headed passed us in the opposite direction so we knew we were not causing trouble and turns out unwittingly helping out, Ellen waved to the crowd and they waved back so we just ran with it. :clap:clap So back down to earth from ten minutes of respect and royalty we carried on our merry way .... Mrs.Garmin was having a siesta and sent us AWOL, we found ourselves taking an incredible little shortcut which turned into a very steep and rutted dirt road, down to first gear and making our way up I was hoping it was not going to get much steeper as I was running out of skill very quickly. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...lan/file-2.jpg We popped up and out onto the main road and literally had the bike length to stop in on the shoulder and given I was still up it she was all hands on deck to stop with big suspension compression and full anchors. I headed straight across the road only to find we where heading the wrong way, Mrs.Garmin then got her shit together recognising we were on a main drag and told us to turn around .... in 6 km!!!! We stopped, looked around, with no-one watching I lined up a plastic bottle on the curb using it as a ramped and we jumped the center island and back on track. The rest of the trip was normal so that was easier and with the day being stunning we had epic views 3000 metres above stress level seeing for mile each side. I missed our turnoff, was gonna do another stuntman maneuver but we had Feds watching us and given our earlier game we decided to play it safe and take the next turn off in which we rode through villages etc so quite a cool wee side tour. Carrying on the road to San Pedro we crested the hill which overlooked Lake Atitlan, coupled with the clear day and our elevation we were wowed. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...an/file-46.jpg With potholes, shingle, fine powder etc we finally made it to San Pedro, fluffing around we tried to find a cafe with Wifi so we could contact Dan and Elaine so we rode up the street ..... well their she was on her way back from a tramp so we pulled up beside her and said “where do you think you are going?” http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...an/file-35.jpg Being a non petrolhead and tired she didn’t even recognize us until we stopped so it was funny. San Pedro is a cool wee place, very gringo but nice, this is the alleyway leading to our hotel which was 50 Q so about $6.45. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...lan/file-3.jpg For some reason which are to find out yet some old waterfront building are in the water and half submerged. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...lan/file-6.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...an/file-10.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...an/file-12.jpg Wifi .... yeap :evil http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...an/file-14.jpg This place the basement is totally under!! http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...an/file-15.jpg The "ex" waterfront still makes for great photos. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...an/file-16.jpg There is some really groovy painted shops there too with incredible colours. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...an/file-22.jpg The cab drivers seem to be having some sort of hotrod competition dressing their taxis with all sorts http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...an/file-23.jpg On Sunday morning we walked up the hill behind the town and watched soccer game, these guys were good with some real expert footwork. See the ball, 1/4 of a second after I took that pic the ball slammed the fence straight in front of our noses .... that is 300mm away :eek1 ... I shit myself :D http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...an/file-25.jpg Leaving San Pedro the streets wee busy with markets and we found a sign, no need to say anything more :eek1 http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...an/file-40.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...an/file-38.jpg On our return home at 3200 meters the fog came in so thick we were down to first gear in places and the temperature dropped to 8 deg C http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...an/file-33.jpg |
Once again you are making me late for work.
Great report,photo's up to your usual standard.:D
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One Year Anniversary On The Road
Buenas dias de Guatemala
Good morning from Guatemala Today is our one year anniversary having been 365 days on the road, we left New Zealand on 3rd May 2012. We celebrate our day in Xela at our Spanish School with our other inmates over dinner and drinks http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...al/file-12.jpg |
Congratulations Andi & Ellen....One year already! Well Done! time sure flies....
I hear you with the Espagnol at our age....old dog, new tricks etc...:eek3: Keep up the good 'work' guys! (man) Hugs from Lisa & me |
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Espanol gettin better s l o w e l y :thumbup1: Man hugs accepted and big hugs to Lisa :D |
Congratulations on your one year anniversary of being on the road. Fantastic job I am really enjoying your reports. Thanks
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Quetzulnetango Semama Tres
Xela Week Three
Well another torturous week of espanol full on training and learning, head saw everyday so progress is good. :D http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...al/file-18.jpg This week Ellen and I did half time change sides with our teachers, Ellens original teacher somewhat more fun than mine. :clap I learnt that in spanish if someone says “es muy caliente” it is very hot, if you say “yo estoy muy caliente” (I am hot) it means “I am hot for you and want sex” :huh :evil :eek1:lol3:eek1:shog Do I seriously need to explain on a hot day my wee stuff-up .... no I didn’t think so, lets just say gramma was not my strong point when I was younger and whaddaya know it still isn’t ... but I am learning, I should be out of jail next week. :hung Wednesday night we were treated to a lightning storm, we were about 15 minutes late back to the casa to catch the storm on top of Xela but it did provide some neat backdrops again the mountains. Muy bonito (very beautiful) http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...tning/file.jpg Just stunning watching the anger and listening to it :clap http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ing/file-1.jpg What a treat :clap:clap http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ing/file-2.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ing/file-3.jpg Got the mid week study blues and had to take a pic cos this is just wrong, Maya lookin lonely and me wanting to go for a ride rather than study so a severe warning to other travellers of these inherent dangers.:evil http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...al/file-11.jpg So with a mostly uneventful week at school we were looking forward to Friday for two reasons, firstly it is Friday and our working week finishes, secondly and more importantly it was out 1 year celebration on the road so with a potluck dinner at school planned it was game on. This is the menu board and I will explain one word which essentially you can read the entire board, each of us had to bring something and note it so we didn't end up with 20kgs of tacos with no filling, the word you need to know is Frito .. this means fried, the menu was recklessly attacked by an american :rofl .... the rest is up to you :evil ... do read it all. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...al/file-17.jpg Armed with a box of cheap (frito) wine, a (frito) chocolate caked lovingly baked by visa and some home made (Frito) guacamole we went to the party with our school amigos. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...al/file-16.jpg 365 days since we evicted ourselves from New Zealand and here we are back at school.:huh The night was an early finish (11pm) for us given Ellen had a 5.00am start and I was heading away for a ride. Good night all, thanks to all who have followed us and supported us through thick and thin. :clap:clap |
Quetzulnetango Fin De Semama Tres
Xela, The Weekend No Three
Sabado (Saturday).... no leisurely start today, things to do, people to meet, places to go, Ellen hopped up at 5.00 am for her hiking trip up Tajumulco Volcano the highest in Central America, breaky as usual for me though. Meeting up with Juan (what car?? from ADV) we were also making our assault up the mighty volcano but ours was at a gentlemanly hour of 9.00am. Leaving Xela was easy with local knowledge and we were soon up to 3000 metres looking down on the world, the road conditions pretty good with the usual Guatemalan stuntmen on the road and the weather playing perfectly into our hands. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...co/file-46.jpg They paint the big rocks purple with the curbing painted purple and white, something we had not seen before, purple and orange go well together :evil. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...mulco/file.jpg Turning off at San Sabastian we started our assault on a cobbled road that soon turned into dirt and rock, wet in places and rolly rocks wanting to steal our front wheels we had to keep our mind on the job. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...co/file-13.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...co/file-45.jpg Juan was obviously thinking of hot chics or something as his bike decided it was time for a break and lay down, Maya on the other hand was scared of getting her hands dirty and stayed upright. We rode a few km up to a turning point and stopped there, the track was getting steeper and wetter and with the fog rolling in we were not going to see anything and it was almost 2.00pm by then anyway so we turned back, also the bit we are allowed to ride on finishes at the red hilux just above my right mirror ...you will have to look hard. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...lco/file-2.jpg Views all round when the mist cleared momentarily http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...lco/file-5.jpg The two amigos http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...lco/file-7.jpg Looking back down the hill with the fog beneath us. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...lco/file-6.jpg Juan on an easier section on the way down http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...lco/file-8.jpg The paved section only 1 km from the road http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...co/file-10.jpg Given the time we stopped for lunch in a place call Los Vegas ....it was kinda the same as were were on the main drag.... not a bad view :evil http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...co/file-12.jpg From there taking the coastal way home we ventured off into the unknown, although we didn’t get lost we had a very, VERY good look around with Mrs.Garmin not being as local as we wanted her to be. Riding through some stunning back road territory we hit some mainish roads and swapped bikes so I rode the 990 Adventure and Juan rode the 950 SE, this was a great comparo back to back with the SE engine being a lot smoother in the engine..... hopefully not from low compression!!!:eek1 The SE certainly feels like a bigarse trail bike compared to the Adventure with the Adventure feeling a lot more roady like, interesting the seating position with really sitting into the SE and sitting on the Adventure, certainly with the bar risers on the SE it makes life easier standing offroad. We hit the inland road back towards Xela bordering dark then hit the fog in the dark .... this slowed progress a bit, for the first time I got to really appreciate the power of the Rigid Industries lighting which is outstanding in a very black night that just stole the OEM headlight so very grateful for these, also for nasty Guatemalans who didn’t wonna dip their lights they had the floodlights poked in their face ....that made em dip.:clap We eventually hit town again and I rocked in the door at 7.45 pm with a grin and a half like this guy -> :D, slightly completely stuffed. Huge thanks to Juan for local knowledge and just having a dudes day out riding. Domingo (Sunday), Tarea (homework) for most of the day until Ellen got home at 2.30 pm then off to the cafe to post this stuff. |
Ellen's Cumpleanos (Ellens Birthday)
We had dinner in an Indian restaurant. The asian restaurant we were going to go is closed on Tuesday.
Anyway, I have to say the Indian restaurante is really nice. We invited Juan as well, here is the photos to approve. I have to test Andi's shaved face, he did a good job http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...day/file-3.jpg dinner with Juan http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...day/file-2.jpg |
Ellen’s third weekend in Xela - Hiking Volcan Tajumulco
I wanted to hike in one of the surrounding volcans in Xela, finally chose to go with Kaqchikel - a local tour company to do a two day hike.
Saturday 6am I meet other hikers at the company’s office. Two chicas from spain and one chica from Germany, todos las four chicas! Our guide Jose is a 26 year old local boy. I know what Andi would say about him : the lucky bustard. But if he knew what Jose had to carry, a backpack loaded with tent, water, food and cooking gear over 35kg, he might change his mind. We set off on a local bus to get to the bus station, then changed to a chicken bus from Xela to San Juan then another chicken bus to the bottom of Volcan Tajumulco. It’s my second time on the chicken bus, they don’t leave until it’s fully full. The seat is comfortable to sit two people, but in Guatemala they fit three. Now I know why it called " Chicken bus." It took us two and half hours to get to the entry of the park, then we start to climb. The hiking itself is not difficult, but with my backpack over 15kgs, it’s pretty hard. We stopped mid way having our lunch. I knew Andi and Juan would come up this way, so I was keep looking back, hope they come in time I really missed him then (for the right reason). The same place Andi took his photos, unfortunately we were about an hour earlier. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...co/file-16.jpg The "lucky" boy http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...co/file-19.jpg After lunch the fog/cloud started to roll in. We also meet a big group of people from US - They are talking pretty loud, we could hear them from a distance. I preferred our small group and I practiced my Spanish as well. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...co/file-20.jpg After 4 hours hiking we got to the camp site. There was a big local group up there as well. We set up our tent a little bit further away from the main group so we can have our “tranquilo” camping for the night. We boiled some water for coffee and then Jose cooked us spaghetti for dinner. I was really tired, maybe because the altitude is very high at about 3900 meters so I went to bed about 7:30pm. toilet in the camping site http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...co/file-25.jpg Quarter past 4.00 am I heard Jose calling out: “chicas” so we all got up put our head torch on and started to climb the last 300 to 400 meters to the summit. It was dark and cold, my icebreaker leggings and tops saved me. Jose carried sleeping bags for us, we only took a little bit of water. I have to say it’s much easier not to carry big backpacks. When we got to the summit, the sun was just about popping out of clouds. Although we aimed to watch the sunrise the weather conditions were not up to it. We can see the volcan next to us, but not Mexico and the pacific ocean, they are all hidden behind the cloud. We managed to take some photos then came down the camp for breakfast. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...co/file-28.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...co/file-33.jpg Walking back down was my reward. Firstly, my backpack was 5 kg lighter, I got rid of all the water and food, secondly, the sun was shining and the view was incredible. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...co/file-36.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...co/file-38.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...co/file-42.jpg Morning is definitely the time to be in the mountains to see beautiful vista. In the afternoon, you can only see cloud. The trip to volcan Tajumulco is the highlight of my time in Xela, I really enjoyed it. |
One Year On The Road - And The Heart Speaks.
Friday May 3rd 2013, one year ago we left home amidst excitement and tears, a very special thank you to our great mates Richard and Margaret in Wanaka for kicking us outa the country.
First the recognition needed to those who have made our trip possible .... that is YOU our readers, supporters and sponsors! Our Sponsors helped get Two Moto Kiwis off the ground proving Kiwis can fly thus deserve a good mention as they play a huge part in our everyday life, Klim Adventure Riding gear Scala Rider communications Arai Helmets Kevin and Keiko from Te Anau NZ for making our logo Bro Paul from Delis Tools Icebreaker Alaska Leather Barkbuster Sargent Seats Mike and Mei from Linguis International and Stay at NZ Immigration Service Screens For Bikes Australia Sidewinder chains and sprockets. Sara and Roger from New Zealand. These guys have given us tremendous support and enabled our trip to be better by providing outstanding gear and equipment so please if you are considering buying products give them the support they gave us and many other RTW (and normal:huh) bikers. The people, gezz hundreds, if your name is not on here it is because my head forgot so nothing personal (at least don’t look into it too deep 8-) :rofl Barb and Victor Smart, owners of Alaska Leather gave us access to their (heated floor) home workshop to assemble the bikes and start our trip.:clap All you mad Alaskans that made us feel so welcome. Canadians .... well. Grif and Lisa,.Micheal and Jing you guys rock Pierre, unreal dude. Mel in Fort St James Richard in Dunster David Barrett unwittingly climbed in to help without hesitation when Chiwi blew her seal. David & Kandi for Vancouver Island, took us out and led us astray ... WOH HOH. Americans .... hmmmm Shann Florer long time mate in Fresno, had my 46th birthday with him which was great Doug Holck from Lodi (Holckster on ADV) Edward Wilkinson (Questor on ADV) you have my drinking problem.:freaky Bevan and Clare Walsh ex ozzies from Phoenix AZ, helped pick up the pieces, gave us support and a place to gather and recoup after Ellens crash and a sale for the two bikes. :clap Spencer from Phoenix in AZ, took the time to help us sort Maya after being ripped off by Alfred Lamarre the previous owner. The rest of the AZ contingent who also helped us out and Dillon from Zen Motorcycle who got Maya back in shape. Craig and Sharon (although Ozzies :evil) who we met under a wet tree, good buggas and currently RTWing too. Mexico Norbert, life saver supreme, mate your blood is worth bottling. Our non petrolhead Canadian family that supported us after Ellens big biff. Spencer Harris ... great info and had us stay for a few days in La Manzanillo. Gary and Ivonne Dymond in Mexico city and their daughter Leslie in Playa Del Carmen, the model family and very welcoming, we look forward to having you guys in New Zealand. Guatemala Julio otherwise known as Guaterider taking delivery of parts for us after Maya did more poos in her pants, hopefully these new nappies will stop more 8-) Taz from Motomundo saving a front tire for us and giving us workshop space :clap Finally, everyone from ADV rider, Kiwibiker, The Hubb who have all contributed to our trip with advice, support, giving us shit, giving us props and even being nice.:huh :D Also a special thanks to ADV Grifter a for being a dick on our Ride Report and Alfred Lamare for ripping us off blind plus Lawnman who happens to be ADV Grifter and a couple of other lowlifes who tried to bring us down, all you guys have made us much stronger in life and we realize that your pathetic attempts to bring us down are feeble :puke1, just because you are miserable you don’t have to try and make ours that low, the great thing is we have learnt from this to step up and carry on ... you lose.:clap:clap The Heart Speaks One Year Anniversary This year has undoubtedly been the hardest year yet the best year of my life (from what I can remember) :evil Fulfilling a dream of travel by motorcycle has bought freedom, tears, extreme anger, extreme love, outstanding friendships new and old, total devastation and unreal accomplishments. To say it has all been fun would be a complete lie, some RTWers seem to want to paint perfect pictures so as the readers don’t feel bad but envious. Being Kiwi our heritage is tell it how it is, no sugar coatings just reality, this has its good and bads and to be fair across the board our trip thus far comes us with a huge tick. The People and Places Starting in Alaska was seriously cool as Alaskans are just like Kiwis but on the top side, we were welcomed in and helped tremendously with the likes of Bezzer cutting our side stand and welding a decent footprint on them. Charlie in Homer took delivery of us in Homer and took us around, the place is simply stunning and you Charlie are great company. Dicon and Leslie also helped us out and Gary and Debs were great company and continue to be (noting new friendships). Memories of our first ride out http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...r/877f85a1.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...r/b256297e.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...r/726595db.jpg Coming down through Canada from Inuvik down .... gezzz, we must have been the luckiest travelers alive with mostly great weather and surviving a coupla bears outside our tent Lake Kitwanga. The Columbia Icefields ...... u n r e a l, we believe that coming from New Zealand and specifically Wanaka we are qualified in what is beautiful thus when we say it is stunning it comes from heartfelt views, grandeur and beauty that can only be had from being there and photos don’t really cut it, many locations have bought a tear of appreciation to my eyes realizing how lucky we are. Then the USA, again some of the most stunning scenery and beauty, we have not seen enough of the mid and east so we will be back to torment you lot on that side. We were wowed many times and to be honest it is hard to pick one place that we would say that is it!! One of my favs http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ke/file-33.jpg Mexico, is it safe?, the straight answer is NO as you will love it and NOT want to leave thus causing concern and grave fears from anyone who has not been there, unfortunately a lot of US Americans will never experience Mexico due to their govt machine and homeland security handbrake leading them astray. Cuba, cool place but that box is ticked, we enjoyed it having spent 3 weeks looking around and taking it in, there are aspects that smack you in the head as insane tho, these being two currencies - one for the whiteyfoos and one at 1/24th of the cost to locals, also the Revolucion ..... next time they have a "great idea" the people should become better off, this coupled with the US embargo leaves Cuba in a huge whole to which they will never recover, these two combined see the locals line up daily for bread, banks and basics while the wealthy few run (ruin) the country so a crime in my eyes. Bonus, we did buy a painting that did make it home so we do have a wee slice of Cuba http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ana/file-8.jpg Belize, the people there were really cool, a huge influence of african american black people, some of the most beautiful woman I have seen (apart from Ellen :evil), we were told the place was mighty expensive, this is quite the opposite and not much more if any than other CA countries give or take one or two exceptions. We will go back there for a better look down the track. Guatemala .... bloody awful, couldn’t see myself living here for more than 50 years. What a cool place (except havin ta go ta skool agin:deal), to be fair the place has incredible scenery and diverse areas from chilly mountain tops to extreme hot and humid beaches. The Motorcycles Ok, we didn’t really have an ideal run with Chiwi and Hobbit with engine casing replacements etc so losing 6 weeks out of 6 months was a huge pissoff as we missed Colorado etc because of this, Suzuki said the would compensate us but we have seen nothing from them and to be honest I don’t think we will, shame on you for bad production and promising to make good then not coming forth.:cry Maya, the story of my life, trusting a “stand up” guy on ADV rider, maybe we should have gone to look at it but it is all money and again we were completely misrepresented from the pictures we (and everyone on ADV Rider) were shown. The PO has been permabanned from ADV but we are still out of pocket big time to the tune of an extra $2500 USD to fix all the **** ups, we will never see anything from the lying arsehole but we will go back to the US and will visit him, the game will be evened out make no mistake.:norton We have a pile of parts to put on when we get to Antigua and we are hopeful this is the last of the major fails. Andi & Ellen The interesting part, Ellen starting with little “technical” riding experience made very hard work for me, her riding is smooth and good but her U turns etc tormented me on a daily basis. As you know this came to a head on the Denali highway with serious words being said, serious enough to have everlasting consequences. We continued our trip and made the best of it, in Moab Ellen wanted to do the white rim trail as a learning platform and I was dead against it but we did it and she had her big off. Fast forward to Mexico and her final unexplained off on a straight road was the finish as I said I was not prepared to ride any further having to ride my mirrors all day. On the way back to the USA stress levels exceeded safe levels and we had an epic scrap and I wanted to go my own way. Things were going very wrong, Ellen was injured, her bike was damaged, the tow truck drivers tried stealing from us, the bank gave us the run around with Mayas payment and it was all too much, my reaction was “**** it” and walk away. With Ellen going to her sisters in Montreal it gave us time apart which was essential. We held it together, got Maya fixed and fixed Ellens bike and sold the two of them and continued two up, this has its own set of quirks too as I had NOT planned to ride two up whatsoever. Good advice I will give to anyone contemplating riding around the world with your partner, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend, alien or whatever is make sure you have you own time and plenty of it as you will be together 24/7. Also make sure your riding partner is within a bulls roar of your own ability as this caused grief even in traffic let alone back country roads or off road. Although I would prefer to be riding one up I would prefer more that Ellen is alive and well, that is not to say we won't get injured or even killed two up but with my riding experience I would like to think that will pay dividends for our safety. Conclusion You have to be overly and very accepting of different cultures and ways or you will fail so when in Mexico drive like a Mexican, don’t get pissed off!!! ... join in. When an oil pipe blows off as you enter a town think how lucky you were that it shat itself there and not in the middle of nowhere, there is ALWAYS an upside.:clap http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...lan/file-4.jpg When it is raining extremely heavily and you are freezing your balls off think what it would be like at work on a bad day ... rain isn’t that bad ... see how fast you can corner without binning it :rofl. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...pic/file-4.jpg Go play in the rain to fend it off :clap http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ic/file-15.jpg When you drop your bike cos you are so tired, dehydrated and stuffed and you look straight down a 10 metre drop less that 300 mm away and the dirt is crumbling away under your feet think how lucky you were not to go down the drop. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...hol/file-9.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ol/file-12.jpg Little things mean a lot on the road and simple seems to go out of the equation some times. Logistically you have to be a better manager, we pretty much wing it each day but my engineering head is thinking tires, chains, sprockets, oil changes not to mention “what happens if Maya shits herself right here” :eek1 Some days quite simply you will have to be superman and wonderwoman and other days you just say hell yeah with a grin so wide you could not measure it with a speedo!!! With triumphs of having Ellens writing published in China this has been a huge thing for us knowing that others are living vicariously through us, hopefully others will find inspiration in this too :clap http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ticle/file.jpg So one year on the road, stresses greater than work at times, 40 deg plus days, -2 snowing days, rain and sun, arseholes cutting you off, great food from side of the road vendors, listening to bears outside your tent, side of the road repairs, barking dogs everywhere 24/7, meeting new people, going new places, mosquitos, beautiful beaches, mountain vistas not to mention riding ... my passion in life ..... I would not swap it for the world. We are still in love hardships and all, we have been tested to within an inch of insanity or maybe 1/4 inch at times, just stand up to it and say "**** it" this IS all about us and we WILL make it happen.... which we are doing and looking forward to carrying on doing .... besides you guys need our reports on your desk as promised :clap Luv to all Andi & Ellen Two Moto kiwis :clap |
Congratulations! Great writing! Great story!
I see myself in many things you wrote, hard to explain, you have to experience it yourself, right? Did not know that you went through so much, especially when it comes to your relationship hard core tests! Very well done and inspiring that you should not throw the towel too early! I WILL see you (again?) and if it has to be on the steelrat ; )! Safe and fun rides to the both of you and good luck with the orange beast! |
Xela week four
There was lots happening in our last week in Xela.
First was my birthday on the 7th May, we went out for tea with Juan and you all saw the pictures. Second was the “Mother’s day.” Although it is 10th May, people celebrate all week long here. On my birthday morning I went to the gym, they are giving out roses to the mothers, they didn’t give it to me because I’m not a mother, but it was my birthday too. Never mind, I won’t compete with mothers on their day. My teacher Dayma has two young children at school and they have school performance for the mothers. To attend the celebration, she has to change my morning class to the afternoon. It allowed Andi and I have free time together so we decided to go to Laguna Chicabel for a quick visit. Laguna Chicabel is a crater lake which is about 20ks from Xela. We locked it into our GPS as close as we could and off we went on a beautiful Thursday Morning. We turned off the main road as the GPS pointed but we couldn’t find the sign as Juan told us to follow. We stopped and asked three local woman, they pointed a road ahead to us and said it for “carminar” means walk, we asked if we can take our “moto” up, they smiled, laughed and then said “si”. So we went. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...bal/file-1.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...bal/file-7.jpg It was REALLY soft from the previous nights heavy rains http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...al/file-13.jpg Andi wouldn’t want the hill any more steeper or longer as we were two up and I had to hop off the bike, not that I don’t trust him, I just don’t feel being on the bike was helping. Lucky we only stuck once near the top of the hill, and it took us both to push Maya out off the ditch. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...al/file-15.jpg I tired backing off to stop digging but the Mayan earth mover dug very quickly and within half a second was on her belly :eek1 http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...al/file-16.jpg We carried on that road not very long and it took us back to the main road into the park.That was a little adventure detour for this trip. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...al/file-17.jpg The first week of May is very significant for the local Mayans. They all went to Laguna Chicabel to have their ceremony before the winter. When we got there, there were people everywhere, they were letting off fire crackers, having BBQs, drinking and putting flowers and crosses in the water. It wasn’t as quiet as we thought, but we were very pleased to see all the ceremonies. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ake/file-1.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ke/file-10.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...0Lake/file.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ake/file-8.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ake/file-7.jpg On the way back we tried to find the “Mirador” - the look out, we had to walk around the hill and finally found it. The view from the top was very nice, definitely worth the mucking around. It turned out if we came back from the lake took the steps it would lead us there straight there. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ke/file-11.jpg On the way up there was some mountain bikers making the most of it :clap http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ke/file-12.jpg We could not have had a better day so someone above was on our side http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ke/file-13.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ke/file-14.jpg Back at the normally quiet carpark it was like a toyota hilux convention http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ke/file-15.jpg Then is the real celebration for Mothers day. The church started 3am in the morning, we heard the music, the singing then the fireworks.... BOOM and they went up, then it woke up the dogs, the chickens and everything else that was breathing including us. I’m sure real mothers would like to get on with their sleep-ins but not in Guatemala. Anyway, the celebration carried on the whole day. We should really get into selling fire works business here, Guatemalans seems to love to blow up shit all the time... and they are BIG bangs :D. It’s also our last day in Xela, we had our last tea in Utatlan. They bought a cake for me and another student who has his birthday on Saturday, so I have a birthday cake in Xela. That was very nice. Thank you Utatlan, you make our time in Xela very memorable, we had six students in our home that day, time to leave. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...an/file-11.jpg |
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Yeah I think RTW traveller appreciate it a little more eh, We will definately catch up no worries there. :D Now go fix ya scoota !!!:thumbup1: Cheers Andi |
Hi Andy just think Bro, ya get home and soon ya plan for the next one
and do it all over again, catch you and Ellen on the road some day, cheers. Roger.:scooter::scooter: |
Mate belated happy birthday.
great photo's ,always enjoy.:D
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Already planning the next one ... will definitely catch you somewhere ... maybe in OZ? |
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Quetzalnetango Fin De Semama Cuarto
Xela to Antigua, The Weekend No Four
Sabado (Saturday)....a cruzy start and pack up Maya for a trip to Antigua. Juan took us out of town to make sure we didn’t nic anything on the way out, we rode together until his turning point that waved goodbyes from there. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...gua/file-5.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...gua/file-7.jpg Stopping along the way we took in the sights, this was one stop on a tall bridge, looking straight down at the river. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ua/file-21.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ua/file-23.jpg We continued on our merry way and turned off to the road that Julio (Guaterider) had recommended, it started off loaded with potholes and washouts, the road then improved very quickly into world class motogp circuit roading then just as quick dropped off onto shingle with rolly rocks. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ua/file-10.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...gua/file-9.jpg Road race quality road http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ua/file-13.jpg Then straight onto rocky stuff http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ua/file-11.jpg We continued along the road through a few villages getting up to great heights within fog, it was a beautiful road and so much better than the main road fitting chicken buses and trucks for space. A few wee interesting features carved into the lime walls http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ua/file-14.jpg Banos (toilet) stop and drink of water at the top http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ua/file-15.jpg We eventually made our way down a small rutted shingle road/track toward Antigua making good time, so good we arrived nearly two hours earlier in fact. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ua/file-18.jpg We waited for Julio and Luisa to arrive back from Guatemala City and we had made plans to meet outside the cathedral ..... well with celebrations on we could not get near it so plan B was hatched. Maya was creating a bit of interest with some locals http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...wo/file-51.jpg After some toing and froing (and Julio having a comfort stop) we all met up and followed Julio and Luisa back to Guatecasa where Maya was allowed to sleep under cover with a BMW R1200GSA. Julio is a cook and a half so treated us to some home cooking, this was very very nice indeed. The is Julios "I hate frijoles" (black beans) look :D http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...20Two/file.jpg The following morning Julio and I went for a local hoon taking in views around Antigua before meeting the girls for breakfast. (no frijoles :wink:) The two other girls playing well together. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...Two/file-5.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...Two/file-9.jpg On returning from breakfast we stripped down Maya and started replacing all the bits and pieces that had failed, Julio had kindly taken delivery of a large box of stuff for us which was simply outstanding and a huge help. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...TM/file-74.jpg On completion of the repairs we had another Julio home-cooked tea, this time we were armed with two bottles of Chilean red wine we bought earlier in the day to complement the chefs cooking. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...Two/file-1.jpg Larfs and chats were had .... good times. Next morning Julio took us to the Macadamia farm for breakfast for panqueque (pancakes), this was also outstanding and extremely nice. The macadamia desheller http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...wo/file-28.jpg Macadamias in shell http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...wo/file-29.jpg The result :clap http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...wo/file-32.jpg Ellen and I then spent the afternoon in town getting stuff sorted and enjoyed a superb Antiguan sunny day with the Volcano not only peeking from behind the cloud but preforming a full frontal !!!! http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...wo/file-38.jpg Next day was organised with Richard Chang picking us up from Julios and leading us astray to Guatemala City, I really wanted to see the Guatemalan sinkhole but they had filled it in.:huh With our final night we yet again had red wine, chats and Julios famous home cooking, A very nice way to finish. |
Antigua To Guatemala City
Due to peer pressure ... here it is :D
Well it started off as a normal day with Richard coming to pick us up at Julios to take the scenic way to Guatemala City rather than the main drag. Right on time for a 9.00 am start Richard arrived at 9.45 am ...thats cool it set the mood for the day which was cruzy. Setting off we climbed straight out of Antigua through Santa Maria de Jesus on a nice road, the road turned to gravel on the other side of the town, we did catch some roadworks for a short while which made for interesting riding but other than that was plain sailing with great views. Following Richard http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...a/P1070815.jpg Locals busy at work http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...a/P1070817.jpg Small patch of roadworks which made things interesting http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...a/P1070835.jpg Getting into Palin Richard took us into a restaurant in centro, we had pork with tortillas which was very nice indeed and Maya was creating a bit of interest on the street. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...a/P1070841.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...a/P1070840.jpg Leaving Palin we headed toward Pacaya Volcan taking in spectacular views with a perfect weather day and the mountain top in full glory. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...a/IMG_0005.jpg Not long into the trip we found a patch of volcanic sand/dust on a tight corner, with gravity against us and the front tyre loosing traction Maya started to go down. We were just about to a stand still when I could not hold her up any longer and off we went, Ellen and Maya were fine but I landed just a bit wrong on the road and managed to clean break two ribs and fracture two others which turned out to be less than ideal. I could not ride Maya now so I had a ride in an ambo to Guatemala city, Maya had to be put onto a deck truck and bought to the city. Arriving at hospital I was not a happy camper as any of you who have broken ribs will know about. This is my happy hospital look :eek1 http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...emala/file.jpg They took the X rays which confirmed the breaks/fractures however medically they can’t do anything more than give me some hard drugs and tell me to take a cement pill and harden the fook up...easier said than done on the HTFU front. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ala/file-2.jpg So I was all taped up for support and drugged up to take away the pain and start the slow recovery. I did have a few sneezes in the first days which bought tears to my eyes and some blood curdling screams of pain so it certainly was not a highlight of my life, not sure I will list this as one of life accomplishments on my resume. Fast forward two weeks now things are starting to improve but I still have one really bad spot and on rechecking the X rays it appears I have one rib that has completely come apart and gone down a notch so I will be back in tomorrow for hopefully a better X ray to see what is happening, we are now back in Antigua and I am recovering slowly still strapped up and on drugs... Maya is still in Guatemala City and will return on a fine day when Julio or Gene can bring her back . So being here in Antigua things are easier to get too being a smaller town, also Gene and Neda (Lightcycle on ADV) rocked into town and are doing Spanish for a month so last night we were all invited to Casa Guaterider (Julios) for TEA ... dinner for you foreign fellas, we also met Richard Harwood who hit a cow in El Salvador, unfortunately his good lady took the hit and needed surgery, best to her to come right too. So we had a gathering, Julio cooked a fine lot of Thai curry which we scoffed with Red wine and beers ... good times all round. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ree/file-8.jpg |
Mate been there done that .
I had a car pull out in front of me ,ran up it's arse,broke 4 ribs punctured a lung,all round not fun.every visitor wants to tell you a joke,one that comes to mind,why do scuba divers always go into the water backwards?,well if they went forwards they'd be in the boat!Any how i remember just how uncomfortable it was ,so i hope you recover well from it.Great bunch of photo's once more.Noel:D
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Mate you had it far worse than me as my lungs lucky got away unscathed so for that I am very grateful. It appears I do have one misplaced rib but I am not sure if they can even do anything for that. Off for another X ray today to see |
Get well soon. There are worse places to be... like at work. Say hi to Gene and Neda and of course Julio.
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Yeah that is why we came back to Antigua cos we like it and it is easier to get around than GC and Julio has been a great help and support. Meeting with Gene and Neda tonight along with Phil and Jane so will be a small gathering of travelling hoods bier Hi to the team from us too! |
Stop falling off your motorbike! You know better!
Hope you feel better soon.
-Michael and Terumi |
Bones we have known.
Cheer up Andi! Just think: you are going to have an interesting skeleton!
I have a defunct Pacemaker, and a large titanium prosthesis in my upper left humerus to entertain some future pathologist. That came from my futile attempt to fly an aeroplane through a tree, last century. You remember the old song "I Fought the Law and the Law Won"? Well I fought the tree and the tree won. But I'm still flying; and biking..:mchappy: Rob |
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"I Fought the Law and the Law Won"? ... dude that is showing our age, remember it well after singin it for years. Quote:
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Antigua Round Three - We Can’t Seem To Leave This Place
.....Julio says it is cheaper to buy a place here rather than just keeping coming back again and again:rofl
So after our wee get off life has been interesting considering we (me) are doing very little. Highlight of my day is lunchtime and tea time, we have also been doing two hours each day Spanish so this is good and take my mind off my ribs but I find it uncomfortable sitting so I move around a lot. Maya was safely delivered by Gene and Neda who are normally seen riding the GS’s. Nedas bike needed servicing in Guatemala City so Gene cadged a ride with Julio who kindly offered a seat while Neda followed behind on her bike. Dropping her bike at the dealership they both piled onto Maya, this worked out well for them as Gene does not have a passenger seat on his GS and it worked well for us to get Maya back in our possession, a HUGE thanks to Victor for looking after her. Something happened to Maya in Guatemala City and the rear brake decided it did not want to leave town and started making smoke signals which is a bumma, seems that moisture from humidity in the brake fluid was the culprit so new pads, new oil and a good clean out and we will be up and running ... not that I can use the bike anyway. HUGE thanks to Gene and Julio, really appreciate the team effort to get her back here and I promise not to post any pictures of Gene on the KTM ... other than these ones. :evil Concentrated look http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ree/file-9.jpg I was the guide boy .... dunno what I could have done if Gene let her go :rofl http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ee/file-10.jpg Squeezed through the entrance http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ee/file-13.jpg All the way to the back courtyard http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ee/file-14.jpg So at our place we are staying I am relaxing and resting, every morning we go for a walk to get circulation going which is great, a walk to the market or town centre, the market is a cool place where you can buy anything .. except a camera tripod. Ellens training coming into full flight here http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ee/file-15.jpg A reminder and pisstake on Cuba ... very appropriate :clap http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ee/file-16.jpg This place is CHOCA with fruit and veges, prices ranges dramatically depending on the day and who is serving you, some see whites fellas and go ca-ching and others are asking their usual prices. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ee/file-18.jpg Every afternoon the clouds gather and have a scrap, mum nature lets us know she is in control with thunder and lightning served up in generous proportions, in New Zealand this is rare, in Guatemala this is everyday in the rainy season. From the "sun" deck http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ee/file-21.jpg See the layers here, just stunning http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ee/file-22.jpg A couple of minute up here is as good a world class movie with swirls and changing clouds and Huey taking photos of earth http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ee/file-20.jpg There have been many parades and celebrations, Guatemalans love blowing shit up and everyday there are huge booms which makes one jump if you are not ready for them. This was a dance on the street, check out their masks http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...Three/file.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ree/file-1.jpg In house here we have a big rabbit who is a real friendly bugger and loves to try and trip you up, who needs a watch dog with a daunting face like this. He is whiter than me!! :D:D http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ee/file-24.jpg Last Saturday evening we got an email from Phil and Jane on the Ultimate Ride, they were in Antigua for two nights so we caught up with them which was so cool. Given they only had two nights we organized a dinner at a restaurant called “Por Que No”, which translates to “Why Not” on the Sunday evening. It was quite the gathering with Gene and Neda, Phil and Jane, Ellen and I and Julio (unfortunately Luiosa was in Guatemala City with work) We are not sure why but Nedas meal came our first, so with no guilt we said get into it and don't wait for us ..... well she did ....and it smelt great http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ee/file-28.jpg The team, from the left, Jane and bro Phil, me, Gene, Neda, Ellen and Julio http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ee/file-30.jpg Gene recklessly graffiting the hat :wink: http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ee/file-25.jpg We showed them “the hat” that started a two page war on our ride report against Voodoodaddy who was offended, it was agreed unanimously he was a dick, obviously the mods thought so too as he is permabanned. So in good spirits Team Phil and Jane as well as team lightcycle - Gene and Neda signed the other hat ... now there are scrawlings from three dodgy adventure bikers there is no other real estate left in there to graffiti in. Look inside and you will see the sigs http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ee/file-26.jpg Good times guys and a great catchup ... may the slow race continue, Gene and Neda no more cheating going around the block to Cuba and back again :rofl:rofl. Also in my time to think about life for a while I got to thinking about facts and figures, at the end of my ribs saga in say 2.5 weeks time which will be 6 weeks we have had 18 weeks off the road to failures. We lost 6 weeks out of the first six months to the DR 650s casing fups by Suzuki and we lost 6 weeks to Ellens crash and regroup and now 6 weeks to my ribs. In a very strange sorta way we are very lucky considering a lot of people don’t actually have 18 weeks to travel let lone have 18 weeks to recover and get over fails with motorcycle and bodies. So at 400 days now on the road we have had around 126 days off...without sick pay :huh:eek1, so more than a quarter of the time, this is something we had not factored into our trip so our best plan was to have no plan which has worked out well. Where is this going? .. buggered if I know but I was just thinking about it so I guess anyone considering a RTW trip just think a little more about possible illness or crashes, don’t base your trip around it but place it in the back of your mind. The consequences of this is we are obviously miles behind where we thought we were going to be, theoretically we should be down in South America around Peru or so, at this point we have not made it half way and we are dead set into the rainy season which or course has other bonuses and trials. That concludes what has been happening to date, next update when something exciting happens although life has still been great despite me single handedly keeping the Guatemalan medical profession from going into recession. Luv to all. |
all the best for you and your skeleton!
As if it was not enough with bad luck mechanically. But could be worse: what was the name (Ryan?)and where is the post of the rider with the accident on a KTM? He had a broken hip...I think his bike his here, in San Salvador, broken frame! Just saw your last post: I do not even want to count the days that I have been forced not to ride, luckily due to the bike not the body (at least something positive). Funny enough, just today I also thought about that with the annual holidays...(in order to get my bike going I spent the free days of a about 2o years or so for some "normal"people. Saludos and relax! |
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Trust all is back in order with your bike? My skeleton is coming together and it won't be too long before we are out terrifying people again. Yeah can't do anything about ribs so just making the most of spanish lessons and coffee in Antigua so life is ok. Costillas (ribs) have stopped crunching now so I am one happy lad :clap: ... just gotta get some strength back now .... might have to start a few pub scraps :taz: :smartass: |
Hi!
Glad to hear that you are growing (together : ) ). Good luck with the training in the pub (order big glasses, they weigh more)! Right now I do not even know when the parts will arrive...it is a big mess, KTM at its best! Many times I have thought, it cannot get worse...but it did! I think something does not want me to go on (on this bike at least)... |
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Least my ribs are getting better, went for a short ride this morning, no luggage and no Ellen, a little saw but hey ... life is going forward now. |
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Yes, from Mexico on things were made worse...I do not even feel that Austria cares or sees any responsibility! It is insane... What do you mean by "a little saw"? |
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Mate of mine has a KTM 990 i think he loves the thing ,but said to me one day do you know what KTM stands for? Keep Throwing Money.He did a big trip with it recently only broke down once ,quite happy about that.hahaaha.
Glad your on the mend.Noel:D |
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Hopefully we are on top of the biggies, anything mechanical can still fail tho .... lets just hope it is the smaller stuff now bier |
Antigua - The Happenings
Ok, due to Pierre pressure (above) this is what has been happening .... :wink:
Greetings readers, first off I am very happy to report that my ribs have finally stopped crunching thus I am on the mend, the difference in pain levels between crunching and not crunching is night and day and fair to say enthusiasm levels have increased with it. So what has been happening? ... nothing extreme but still lots of cool stuff. We had a Sabado Sushi at a local shop/cafe however the owner didn’t do much advertising so it was very quiet, coupled with that mum nature come to the party and doused Antigua down so this probably didn’t help. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ee/file-38.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ee/file-36.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ee/file-37.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ee/file-34.jpg Did this matter? ... hell no ... had HEEPS more Sushi for us, Gene and Neda joined us as well so we shouted them lunch just for fun, later afternoon the roof tarpaulin started ponding and the supporting (lack of) structure was groaning under the weight so we decided to vacate the “swipe “zone and the owner managed to empty the pond and avoid disaster. Ellens sushi :tb:tb http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...01/file-23.jpg The shop owner Axle http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...01/file-21.jpg Even with the weather still going well Gene and Neda had to go so they made these stunning rain coats outa rubbish bags....I think it will catch on. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ee/file-40.jpg Some minor custom tailering :rofl ... sorry for the photo quality but it is hard to make Gene look good :D http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ee/file-41.jpg Gene and Neda invited TMK and team Guaterider to have tea at Casa Ride DOT, Neda was doing a special dish from Croatia. Samplings of red wine, local chocolates etc and it was a very enjoyable evening all round, Gene and I also swapped movies for the rainy days....somehow we all missed fud photos ...I think we were all to hungry and inspired by the great tucker put in front of us. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...201/file-7.jpg Gene and Ellen .... they look more normal than Ellen and I :rofl ... h e y Neda :evil :D http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...01/file-10.jpg Back to motorcycle stuff now, after all the brake work Maya was ready to race again, nice to see her in the courtyard playing with smaller kids. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...e%201/file.jpg I finally got out on Maya for a short ride nearly 5 weeks after our crash, the night prior I checked the front tire pressure as we had a problem with a sticky valve ... pressure was 20 PSI ... bit low but enough for the short ride and around on the cobled streets here. This my friends is what a really contented look looks like after 5 weeks off her, I slithered across the seat soas no to upset anything in the rib department and the feeling to sit back on the bike was ...actually hard to explain, a combo of :cry for joy and that funny little feeling blokes get when ya go a hot chick and things are warming upppppp :evil:wink::eek1:D http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...01/file-11.jpg Well, 6.30am I headed out to Maya ..... front tire TOTALLY flat .... argh fook so out with the pump, good exercise anyway with the hand pump, I could feel my ribs .... tire pumped and ready to race it was a short test the brakes ride and test my body ride, so I left Ellen and luggage at la casa and Maya and I went out. The brakes worked perfectly with new blood in their veins and new pads on the back, I ended up pulling the front system as well as we had half a bottle of fluid, the front caliper bottom piston was slightly sticky but ok but well worth the service to have everything working how it should with proper adjustment. I wasn’t very long away but I felt ok body wise, still saw but on the improve but no double backflips just yet, during the ride I noticed the steering was out of line to the left from our binning so I undid the top triples and straightened this up. Now Mikes favourite bunny has been playing to the audience, spotted here the bunny was giving Ellen some patting lessons .... I think she past but he has a dodgy look on his face....not entirely sure about this tongue thing :rofl http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...201/file-1.jpg He also likes to dig .. who woulda thought eh?, note the second dodgy look on his face along the lines of piss off I am digging :D http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...201/file-2.jpg With variable weather here at the turn of seasons we get a mixed bag of weather but some days after the rains we are treated to spectacular view of what Antigua has to offer. This from our roof top where I took the previous rain and clouds shot, Antigua is stunning.:clap http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...201/file-3.jpg Today on my ride I passed a ute ... at least I think it was ... the bloody thing was so bent the doors did not shut and the driver and passenger were holding them as closed as they could so I got ahead of and just HAD to take a pic ... I still can’t believe this POS is on the road. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...01/file-20.jpg Sunday was an early breakfast with Julio and Luisa, heading outa town there was a disgruntled local who was upset about trucks so he blocked the road COMPLETELY. Me bein a gringnotunderstandingwhatisgoingon took some photos ... well it seemed he thought I was taking photos to report him and he got right grumpy at me (so I found out later) he took photos of us (hope my hair looked ok) and he duly cleared off soas not to get dobbed in to the feds ... classic didn’t know this until we were sitting down having breaky ... Julio, Luisa and Officer TMK :eek1. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...01/file-24.jpg So the place we rode to had great smoked sausages, breakfast was had and sausages were bought and home we went taking back roads and going to a church on the way home to wash our sins away ... unfortunately they didn’t have enough water or trees for me and having to give away money and booze didn't hit my spot. The LEDs really set it off for me :huh http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...01/file-25.jpg That afternoon was a celebration of fud and bebes for Gene and Nedas one year on the road....well done guys and nice to share the occasion with you. No pics of that either :huh .. .starting to think we are all greedy buggas :rofl More to come ..... later. Goodnight and luv to all :clap |
Andi glad you are mending well
Yep i think we all know the withdrawal of not riding for a period of time.Noel
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All repaired mate and ready to race!! ... I think it is easier to give up drugs :clap: |
Antigua .... For The Last Time ... Unfortunately
Things finally happening again WOH HOH :clap :clap
Good afternoon all With our stay in Antigua nearly to an end we are now counting the days down. We have enjoyed our stay with raint season throwing in daily spices of super heavy rain, thunder and lightning :clap ... here is Maya sheltered from the shower http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...01/file-29.jpg Trying to take advantage of having to be stuck in one place we decided to take spanish Iessons.... to be fair I have had a bad run with teachers having been stood up 4 times now. :huh The first had to go to hospital so couldn’t teach me anymore so I missed that lesson, the second was on deck for three days then her son was crook so she couldn’t turn up (thats ok) and I missed that lesson so she organised to come the Saturday morning and didn’t turn up for that one either for no reason (thats not ok) FFS. Finally I get another teacher who could come until she couldn’t cos she went to hospital so I missed that lesson too (thats ok ...but) Here we are at the end of our time in Antigua and I am owed two lessons (picked one up on a Saturday) so I am loosing interest pretty quickly trying to make the most of it here as far as Spanish goes, don’t want to sound like a whiner but FFS this has turned out to be a highlight for me which is great cos it takes my mind off my ribs...but I would not recommend that school to anyone. So now that my whinge is out of the way we have had some funs things happen, firstly I wanted to get a photo of the Guatemalans blowing stuff up from the BIG cylinders .....well I got my moneys worth here cos they blew one up right beside Maya in the street outside our casa ..... just as well they did not blow the bike up.... see the dude who lit the fuse is still walking away!! http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...1/IMG_0004.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...1/IMG_0005.jpg This was the beginning of a big parade down our street and Maya was parked where they were walking thus created a lot of interest and no one seemed worried she was parked there and in fact seems the lads were more interested in Maya than their parade. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...1/IMG_0006.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...1/IMG_0008.jpg We had a second Sushi Saturday which was a success and all rolls were sold bar one, the owner pulled rank and ate it!! .. why not ..bosses privileges . http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...1/IMG_0002.jpg While here we have had the pleasure of dining out, way more than we do normally mainly because we have Gene, Neda, Julio and Luisa for company which has been great, also Phil and Jane for a night. On one of the nights we all went out for Friday night fud and drinks, Ellen ordered us a monster pizza with a flip top thingy and it was outstanding to say the least, I don’t think we had eaten that much cheese since leaving the USA. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...01/file-41.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...01/file-42.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...01/file-43.jpg I have to say if you are broken or need time out to relax and recoup Antigua presents a great option, gezz even if you just want a nice place to hang that is not too spendie then it fits the bill nicely.:clap On one of our walks we came across this young fella, I love Boxers having been loved by my one Tara for 13 years so a quick cuddle on the street was in order ... he was a nice lad! http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...01/file-36.jpg A view of Antigua from the cross that overlooks the town http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...01/file-39.jpg Our final night in Antigua was at Julios, Gene and Neda came around, Julio and Luisa had some couch surfers so another great night was had with some superb cooking by Julio, Gene and Neda did pudding duties and we were in charge of the wine. While there I sat on Genes 1200 .... nice comparo http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...an/file-37.jpg A motorcycle and two BMW's :rofl :rofl http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...an/file-38.jpg Julios starter .... note Julio had noted my liking for boobies so made a special serving for me :evil http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...an/file-42.jpg Thanks for the big sendoff guys it was nice, that was Wednesday and I wasn’t coming back for a ride till Saturday so I missed them dearly. :rofl The day we left started out beautifully, Ellen had an early walk with the camera, here is Volcan Fuego have a wee spit http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...an/file-46.jpg The communal washing facilities http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...an/file-27.jpg The stunning colour and views from in town http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...an/file-23.jpg We left Antigua just as it started raining and snuck out under cloud cover to beat the rain ... excellent timing, our mission was to make it to GC (Guatemala City) unassisted by ambulance Police or military ... bit of ask but we completed our 37 km journey without upsetting anyone and the only thing we broke was a record of getting there alone.:freaky Next week we head to El Salvador and our normal life will resume, this I am really looking forward to but in between times we have plans for GC and actually enjoying the city and surroundings. |
GC ... And The Big Day Out
WOH HOH in GC (Guatemala City) ...this time with nothing to do with hospitals etc as promised.:clap
Arriving back to GC was great and arriving by bike to meet up with Victor in one piece was even cooler, we had to pick up our passports from immigration as we had spent our 90 days and we had not even left Guatemala :evil. Arriving in GC at about 1.30 pm we discovered that Immigration had closed at 12.00 noon that day for renovations until the following Tuesday... hmmm, our plan was to leave Monday morning .... OK, plan B. We had also ordered a pinlock fog insert and SAE cable 6 weeks prior through a professional shipping company, we were also stood up on this too with them saying it was all held up in customs....but we paid for it NOT to be held up in customs.:huh Argh Well, Sunday morning, 7.30 am, planned to go for a ride with Victor and some local lads. As mum nature would have it she decided the road needed a wash ... all night and in the morning. No problemo I have flash new wet weather gear, part of the team rang in earlier and cancelled so it was up to the hardy souls. We headed off to the petrol station that is the designated meeting point, Victors cuzzies Fernando and Carlos were a little late and with every moment that passed the weather was on the improve. Wasn’t too long and they turned up, gear on and off we went with local knowledge working well. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...out/file-7.jpg We headed through and out of GC, a little bit of rain here and there but nothing much, as we got out of town the cloud dispersed and although still overcast it was not wet at all. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ut/file-11.jpg Our destination was laguna de Ayarza, we stopped for breakfast at a small and were fed and watered like kings and queens setting ourselves up for the day. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ut/file-21.jpg The bikes, left to right, Fernandos, Maya, Victors and Carlos. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ut/file-22.jpg The crew, left to right, Ellen, Fernando, Me, Carlos and Victor. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ut/file-23.jpg The lake was only half hour on tar then about 20 minutes on gravel, Victor of course is on his little 250 hyosung roadie which was less than ideal for the rougher road, both Fernando and Carlos were on the two F800GS’s and us on Maya. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ut/file-16.jpg We all but made it to the lake, Victor only had to turn into the car park but unfortunately lost the front end, he went down at an awkward angle and was not happy, his foot swelled up like a ballon quickly. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ut/file-31.jpg This is a photo of a man who is in a bit of pain http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ut/file-24.jpg The bikes lined up at the lake. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ut/file-29.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ut/file-30.jpg Back to Victor, we carried him down the road to put his foot into the cold water http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ut/file-35.jpg He tried to soak it but the lake water was warmer than colder ... NOTE, NOT me this time.:D http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ut/file-37.jpg Time to regroup and sympathize with Victor and formulate a plan to get bike and rider home http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ut/file-38.jpg Now Victor is a hairdresser by profession and this leaves him open for a bashing (as most of us office style workers endure :evil) however, this tough little guy said get my bike back to the tarseal so he is not jarred by the shingle road and he will ride it back!! ..... a true soldier:clap So we headed back to the town for lunch, we stopped at a petrol station as well while waiting for the lads to return with Victors bike, a local was so taken by Maya which was nice, he gave me a good luck pendant so I will keep that with me for good karma. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ut/file-17.jpg There was a Policeman, the forecourt attendant, shop attendant and a couple of his mates, I put Maya up on the centrestand and one by one they all had there photos taken, it created a great atmosphere with huge larfs and huge smiles all round ..... makes a great day out. So we sat down and had lunch, fish from the lake, Victor grinned and beared it while keeping a sense of humour. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ut/file-19.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ut/file-18.jpg After lunch we set off back to GC, Fernando and I swapped bikes so Ellen and I took his 800GS back and he rode Maya, a great back to back comparo pointing out strengths and weaknesses on both machines. All in all the weather held and barring Victors off it was what one would consider to be an almost perfect day out. And a good word for our soldier, Victor rode back unassisted back to GC with TWO broken bones, both at the bottom where his leg bones join the angle, his foot got smacked heavy breaking the smaller leg bone and breaking a piece of the bottom of the opposite side. Victor, you are hard mate!!!:clap http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ut/file-40.jpg So we have got to partly reciprocate with Victors injury as he took us in when I did my ribs and he looked after us, goes round comes around, came round a little quick (the bugger of being injured) so we have extended our stay a few more days to get Victor set up as best we can before heading away, this has given me time to help with repairs on his bike to get him back on the road. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ut/file-42.jpg Maya has to stand in the rain and watch :eek1 http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ut/file-44.jpg |
Andi and Ellen great to see you guy's moving again!
Andi did you like the f800?photo's remain of a high standard ,really like the first one of Maya in the rain.regards Noel:D
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Cameras
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What camera are you using Andi? I have been a Nikon user forever, but I recently bought a Lumix. I realty dislike this camera for many reasons, but the one thing that I cannot argue with is the quality of its images. Leica lens. Says it all. And I have to concede that it's images are far better than those produced by my Nikon/Nikkor combinations. So: Andi: tell us your secret! Rob ?c? |
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Look at the 800 Adv with 24 L tank ..... noice bike. :clap::clap::thumbup1: |
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We just use a Kodak cardboard disposable eh :D Seriously, we use a Canon SX40HS, just an overgrown point and shot with 35 optical zoom and a Panasonic Lumix FT3 waterproof point and shoot, the rest is good, luck, good timing and different angles, both cameras sub $400.00 US We do try to look at things differently to how the eye sees it and to be honest that seems to make a photo interesting, standard height and standard zoom is what everyone sees so we try and present it differently. We are not experts, just trying to record our event as good as we can :thumbup1: |
GC To El Salvador
We FINALLY made it to El Salvador, despite our love for Guatemala having spent a total of 3 months there party for study and travel and partly for my ribs so we had to extend our VISAs and the TVIP for Maya, pretty painless other than some stuffing around and a bit of cash.
From GC we set off just after 6.30 am, the traffic was building up real quick, we did get stuck in a small traffic jam but we split lanes and sifted our way through it so only 20 minutes of sitting in traffic and we were starting to roll. Getting out of the city and heading towards the border was pretty straight forward, no dramas really and the only thing that amused me was a chicken bus within in internal flat on the dual wheel set on the back axle, I don’t know if he knew or not but the tire was rolling around like a pig in mud. Quick rest stop to spend the last Q's on coffee etc. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...dor/file-2.jpg The road was absolutely mint condition http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...dor/file-4.jpg We made it to the border in good time, approaching the border we rode past what would be 2 km easy of trucks lined up as far as you could see, we snuck around the outside right up to the front and the border guard nicely pointed us in the right direction. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...dor/file-6.jpg Our last point in Guatemala http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...dor/file-5.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...dor/file-7.jpg Clocking out was a 5 minute affair that took 40 minutes from Guatemala then on to El Salvador which took about 2 hours as their computers were out to lunch, no biggy we were clocked in (no stamp though as were are in the C4 zone which is Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua which have an open border agreement for up to 90 days for tourists/travellers) but Maya had to get a new TVIP. Our destination before the rain set in was Parque El Imposible (Impossible Park), it got its name due to the near impossible route from over the top were they bought the coffee from inland to the sea and it had taken many lives and been very difficult to cross. We had recommendations of cabins right by the park entrance however less than 1 km back down the road in Hostel Imposible which is where we ended up at, a very nice place and the price we negotiated a better deal for three nights as it is the off season, add to that we agreed to eat there as well so they get it back through feeding us, all in all a great place and highly recommended. As I am writing this we have a massive downpour, so loud on the roof I almost can’t hear Ellen speak ... there is a God :D ... as luck would have it it is 6.26 pm and we have to walk up the path for our tea at 6.30 pm ... we got wet. Tea was nice with bar b q beef then we settled in for a good old fashioned sifi movie ...... which I enjoy but Ellen fell asleep, lights out at 9.45 pm in preparation for our 9 km stomp around Parque Imposible the next day. |
Parque Nacional El Imposible (Pronouned ... Parkee Nasheeionarl El Imposeeblee)
(Impossible Park)
Day 1 Named because of the pass that is near impossible to get through having claimed many lives, this was the route from the highlands bringing coffee down to the lowlands for shipping. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...01/file-10.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...01/file-19.jpg We set off at around 8.30 am with a short 1 km warm up walk, we were both soaked by the time we arrived at the park. The park entry building is interesting with local animals found there on display Spooky looking cat http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...01/file-11.jpg Ant eater http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...01/file-12.jpg Something else :D http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...01/file-13.jpg Paying our entry fee and getting our park guide because it is dangerous (BS) we payed dearly for him as they had no change so they got a pretty good tip really. We walked through a combo of bamboo and lush rainforest and in places looking very much like Jurassic Park ..... we didn’t see any dinosaurs tho. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...01/file-15.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...201/file-2.jpg We arrived at the top view point called Leon with a pretty epic view of stunning rainforest and looking across to Pase Imposible http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...01/file-22.jpg Our guide couldn’t use a camera for love nor money and it was a struggle to get any photos, never mind we have enough of us anyway. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...01/file-29.jpg On the way back we caught a coupla butterflies shagging on the side of the track http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...01/file-28.jpg We did the full loop circuit up to the top and back down via a steep ridge and small creek crossing which provided beautiful surroundings to walk in. Along the way we found some funny mushrooms with a very ...erotic shape and a net over it, kinda looked like man parts with an exploded condom (so I was told cos I am a virgin) http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...201/file-6.jpg Also his family just further down http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...201/file-3.jpg Back to the track our guide was picking food to take home, some spiky plant that he cooks then eats the inside of. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...201/file-5.jpg The day was semi overcast and semi sunny but still very hot and humid, we took 2 litres of water with us and used it up 500 metres before the end of the track so not bad timing on a 9 km climb and decent. Finishing up there we wondered on back to the hostel for a shower and gear changing session cos we were soaked through from sweat and tomorrow we will do it all again to the mirador (view point) and rio (river). The afternoon we sat down to do the write up and had beautiful El Salvadorian coffee (actually I have two), the coffee here is simply superb. During the afternoon we played ping pong with the weather trying to dry our clothes, although very warm it is very humid so it take hours to dry a lite shirt and gruds and they still feel damp when you put them on, this isn’t bad though as it is cooling. Not having the internet or telephone brings us back to having time to write and relax a little, it is nice to have communications but it is also very nice not to be owned by it, the other thing is to sit and watch the world go by, it happens a lot here so we just join in. Sitting here this afternoon with an El Salvadorian coffee (or) two in my hand watching the rain come down then stop and cycle again was really nice, knowing we can just relax and take the place in was excellent. We were also graced by a local butterfly posing on the window sill for us. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...01/file-30.jpg Tea tonight was mushroom spaghetti and pupusas with some fresh water, it was extremely nice :clap. |
Parque Imposible Day 2
Started our with the same warm up walk to the park, a guide who befriended us (or at least our wallet) and tried to convince us how dangerous the park is and that there are Pumas up there bla bla bla..... yesterday we only saw butterflies.
Being wised up from yesterday and already having left a far bigger donation we said no thanks and went on our merry way much to his disappointment and advice....we lived.:D Our walk took us to an outlook first off overlooking the valley we were about to go down into, from there we dropped off down a very steep zig zag for 1.2 km before the track semi levelled out into and undulating scenic tour of beauty .... not to dissimilar to the beauty of Haast pass in New Zealand in places. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...202/file-2.jpg The track dropped very quickly http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...202/file-3.jpg Again bamboo the order of the day http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...202/file-1.jpg We found so very twisted trees which caught our fascination and this led us down to the river where we enjoyed the whole place to ourselves, Ellen decided it was skinny dip time and I settled for a sit in the sun to take in the peaceful bit of paradise we had been given for the morning. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...202/file-4.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...202/file-6.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...202/file-7.jpg The weather started to change which meant the mozzies were back out so we took on the accent back to the top which was a grunt to say the least, being hot and humid meant we were both soaked in 5 minutes and the rain would have been a clean welcome but it only spat for 2 minutes and left again.:cry Approaching the top we came across two locals heading down and they had some scuba gear with them ???? then another group loaded with camera gear so something was happening. We made it back to the park building HQ without being eaten by a Puma, I would love to have seen one but yet again butterflies were the order of the day other than one fluffy tailed something that darted off into a hole in a tree. Two killer butterflies :rofl http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...02/file-14.jpg The afternoon saw showers to freshen up, clothing washing and some Spanish learning and writing all graced by Papas fritas (french fries) or for the Kiwis readers chips!! and pupusas, tortillas glued together with cheese etc and a coupla cups of beautiful El Salvadorian coffee for lunch. I must say Parque Imposible and a great tropical forest and Hostal Imposible is a very nice place to veg out for three days with great accommodation, food and hosts. The Hostal http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...02/file-17.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...02/file-15.jpg The path down to condo TMK :D http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...02/file-20.jpg The small pool at the bottom of the accommodation units http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...02/file-21.jpg The view from the hostel towards the ocean http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...02/file-18.jpg There are mango trees everywhere ... they are just falling off the trees and rotting so we had them for breakfast and afternoon tea snacks etc ... just beautiful .... and free. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...02/file-16.jpg |
Parque Imposible To El Tunco To San Salvador
Leaving Parque Imposible Mario and Alexandro had decided to come up and meet us at the hostal.
In true style they turn up on two BMW’s, Mario with his daughter Fenanda on their 1200 GSA and Alexandro on a shiny white F800GS .... once again Maya outgunned by the Germans :D ... but we were happy to be in great company with local leadership. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...nco/file-8.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...nco/file-9.jpg Setting off after packing up we followed the lads down the 13.5 km stoney road down then headed left to La Libertad on the seaside. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...co/file-10.jpg With Mario up front us in the middle and Alexandro we set a nice pace for us two up with gear, beautiful twisty road .... we were bulldozing the front all the way and I later discovered the front tire was at 24 PSI due to a sticky valve problem. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...co/file-18.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...co/file-19.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...co/file-20.jpg The rear was also at 28 PSI from doing local rides around Guatemala with Julio (Guaterider) so a quick pump up of front and rear now she feels much better. We also saw a heap of sports bike going warp factor two in the opposite direction utilizing the beautiful day. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...co/file-17.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...co/file-16.jpg We also did a milage check with the addition of opening up the triangles and adding some kitchen scrubbies as precleaners and this seems to be working very well. Coffee stop down by the seaside, the coffee was good ... just see the look on my face :D http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...nco/file-2.jpg The beach http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...Tunco/file.jpg We bunked down for the night at the surfers retreat and had a walk along the beach, Ellen took a dip while I played coastguard with the gear, we wanted to do some trip reports but the internet to the town and surround was dead .... the linesmen putting up new cable, seems someone had stolen the phone lines .... literally!!! Sorry Mike and Jantar no nuddy bum shots here :evil http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...nco/file-5.jpg Swamped http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...nco/file-6.jpg Eating out at a nice place just down from us the guy kindly lent us a phone to call Mario so we could arrange our meeting the next day and head on up to Mario Hill on the Volcan. That night we had a 5.8 mag earthquake which even the locals were talking about, our cabin rocked quite a bit as the epicenter was only 30 km away from us. The following morning and like a dodgy drug deal going down we meet up at a puma service station then play follow the leader, this time Mario was on his KTM690 Enduro .... nice machine. Up at Mario Hill where his basic cabin is located (and offered to travellers) there is a small climb to get there, one corner is paved as it it off cambered so challenging, the rest of the track is true ADV style dirt and grass and when it rains .... well, lets just say experience goes a long way. Mario on the 690 making it look easy http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...co/file-25.jpg Me just after ..."the turn" :rofl http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...co/file-26.jpg Track was nice and dry http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...co/file-27.jpg Mario even had time to huss it up and play :D http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...co/file-28.jpg We arrived at the top in one piece, well the place is a wee gem smack bang in the middle of his coffee plantation, quiet, private, secluded, tranquil .... its awful. The only concessions one makes is no hot water or wifi ... the rest is perfect with a capital P, with its elevation we get a fantastic view of the storms at night with thunder and lightning galore so a treat for us. More to come.... :evil |
Thanks for the update ,will look forward to the new photo's
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Intermittent Wifi so not much posting but here is some more ... more to come bier |
San Salvador, Locale
The big welcoming from Mario with steaks and some greenery to spoil it but a great feast was had and a barb q that would make most kiwi blokes envious, Mario set the bar high.
http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...dor/file-7.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...dor/file-8.jpg We had a few drinkies talking about life and things as you do comparing countries, costs and services, all with pluses and minuses each way. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...or/file-10.jpg How could you not smile with this in front of you!!!:clap http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...or/file-11.jpg So this is the start of our new approach to seeing the places on our RTW trip whereby we bunk down at a central location, ditch both panniers and box and ride day rides out with just our wolfman soft bag for our wet gear and some water. The decision was made to send all our camping stuff home to make life easier for me weight wise so our total gear is simply two side cases and a top box, if it does not fit in there it does not come. ... they are however optimally packed, so this now it our total kit. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...el/file-10.jpg Sooooooo, after setting up base at Marios hill we got the low down on what to see and where to go with outstanding knowledge from Mario knowing what adventure travelllers like to do. This was all done in luxury of course ... http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...dor/file-6.jpg And this is the garden view we had to put up with :D http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...dor/file-2.jpg We took a walk to the Crater at the top of the Volcan, if you come through El Salvador you have to come to San Salvador and make the effort to go as it is a fantastic place with views from the top of the crater like we have never see before, breath taking from the top. View from the top http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...or/file-18.jpg The centre of the crater down inside http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...or/file-19.jpg The writing with the rocks at the very bottom http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...or/file-17.jpg It was 6.2 km up so we were tired when it was time to return, we met some locals at lookout No 3 of 4, we asked them about the bus and they said they were heading the same way so would give us a lift although we didn’t know the name of the town, it was so nice of them cos I have dodgy knees, walking up and flat is no problem but walking downhill kills them very quickly. Even with my Parque Imposible custom handle on my walking sticks (cos one fell off in Mexico somewhere)it was nice to sit in the car on the way down, “thank you” locals. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...or/file-54.jpg That night was hot dog night.....Mario knocked up some superb hotdogs which went down like a treat, we had bougfht some dark Bacardi Rum too which evaporated in the heat pretty quickly, see in the photo I think we caught a bat ripping through in a split second. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...or/file-44.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...or/file-52.jpg |
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The Day After The Hot Dogs
Post Hot Dog day was a ride to Matapan and along the new supermoto race track return, at Matapan we pulled into the Pollo Compero for a coffee and # ones, the coffee to be fair was good and we sat in air conditioning which was luxury, upon going to leave we went to pay and the waitress said gratis, seems they thought highly of us and our politeness and smiles so the manager gave us coffee :clap.
Thank you Mr.Manager, quite unexpected so a free plug for Pollo Compero in Central America, free Wifi, air con, clean toilets WITH toilet paper (coffee may not always be free tho) :evil ... sorry The naked 9 fiddy sun bathing while we coffee up http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...or/file-32.jpg This is my free coffee look ..... kinda like Terminator forging a (stupid) grin http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...or/file-33.jpg Free plug for the good guys http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...or/file-35.jpg Our return leg toward home base was a brand new road beautifully paved and through some neat countryside ... then back towards San Salvador and across to our turn which takes us back up another world class supermoto track/road to the Volcan and home. I was just waiting for Rossi to pass around the outside http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...or/file-36.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...or/file-40.jpg Passing several signs we felt safe as the sign says "no hunting" ..... it didn’t day no hunting travellers but hey 8-) what a great day out. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...or/file-41.jpg More terrible roads with outstanding views http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...or/file-42.jpg Back to Mario hill and down to the cafe to do some ride reports and upload photos...later that night finished off with a few grogs At the cafe they have a zip line which was cool http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...or/file-49.jpg The radio and telephone, looking yesteryear but all new, still cool just the same. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...vador/file.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...dor/file-1.jpg That night the lightning Gods put on a real show for us, one of many, the Gods used so much power that Santa Telca went dark for about an hour with a power cut that knocked down the power to the whole town. Lightning through the clouds, this is around 9.30 pm on a pitch black and very wet night. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...or/file-46.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...or/file-47.jpg Finally the ghosty shot looking through the branches, the light behind the trees is actually the light from the lightning beyond, this shot was at about 11.30 pm pitch black and raining heavily. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...or/file-48.jpg |
Suchitoto Trip
Next day we woke up to a beautiful day after a wild night of lighting and thunder and seriously heavy rain making its mark on the access road up and carving some good ruts in it.... as I discovered on the way down .... no problem to the mighty Mayan!!:rofl
We rode across the Volcan and out north and picked up where we left off on the supermoto highway, from there we turned right and down toward to lake to catch the ferry crossing, this is a stunning part of the country and a very enjoyable ride indeed. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ip/file-10.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ip/file-13.jpg Arriving at the docking point at San Francisco Lempa on lake Embalse Cerron Grande we were the only ones there, the price went from $6 to $7 to $10 when the lady told the ferry operator the bike was grande (big) .... at that rate of change it would be cheaper to get a helicopter.:rofl http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ip/file-16.jpg We decided to do it rather than ride back, so we sat down, bought a watermelon and scoffed into it, soon after a car arrives so our price went back down to $6 ... then another car arrives but the base price is $4 for the moto and $1 each person. Finally the ferry turns up ... all aboard, Maya has a AZ plate on her and one of the guys from one car was from Phoenix and asked which part of AZ we were from 8-) .... I shoulda said Bevans. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ip/file-17.jpg So much interest when we said New Zealand and conversations were rolling with one guy very interested in the bike.... it was a nice feeling chatting in English and some Spanish especially learning moto style words you don’t get in class. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ip/file-22.jpg The big dude holding the handlebars was fascinated by Maya http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ip/file-25.jpg Arriving at the docking point at Suchitoto we rode off the ferry and up to Suchitoto township for lunch. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...rip/file-7.jpg The exit ramp was lumpy, wet, greasy, stoney ... everything we all love :clap http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...rip/file-8.jpg As above I rode off the ferry and over the greasy rougher stuff solo then waited for my photographer, again beautiful setting. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...rip/file-9.jpg Lunch stop in Suchitoto, street lunch as the town square was being revamped. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ip/file-26.jpg Very nice older town http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ip/file-28.jpg The mission from here was to get to Marios workshop to change Mayas oil, we had ordered 15 - 50 Motul fully synthetic fresh blood, this will see us through the rest of Central America and beyond, at nearly 5000km the old oil was black although gear shifting etc was still fine so the Central American heat takes its toll on oil with the bike running hotter in the 35 - 40 degree daytime temps. Interestingly the engine is quieter with 20 - 50 GTX dinosaur oil in than the fully synthetic 15 - 50 Motul....even after nearly 5000 km on it!! Getting the job done was easy, both screens were pretty clean, both magnets had virtually nothing on them and the main filter was also very clean which is very comforting given her start with us. I washed the Scotts washable filter and two screens and back in they went followed closely by new blood. Big thanks to Mario for getting the oil in for us and allowing us some space to do the change, although he has very competent mechanics I still prefer to do it myself so I know it has been done and cleaned well...piece of mind for me. WOH HOH .. good to go!!:freaky |
Guatemala Sum Up And The Heart Speaks
Greetings all, well I have to say I have a love hate relationship with Guatemala, to be clearer on that I love Guatemala but I still hate hospitals.
The medical treatment I received for my ribs was excellent and my nurse was yummy so that was good, I just hate visiting hospitals so on this next leg of the journey we are staying right out of them. This is my happy happy joy joy hospital photo http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...emala/file.jpg So starting from the beginning, entry in to Guatemala was not really smooth with the big fat customs guy leaving for his lunch break while 90 % of the way through our paper work, a small bell rang and he just left the building and no one would say he had gone to lunch for an hour, so we and many other behind us were left standing wondering what was going on. If they had said lunch time then sweet we would have got some lunch but it seemed to be a secret and they seemed proud to make it a secret and just hold everyone up ..... not good tourism relations and that guy really should get another job, apart from his secret unexplained exit the process was straight forward. We both love Guatemala, it is the start of the Jurassic Park section of Central America and we found every bit of it excellent. Sumec Champey is our favourite location in Guatemala .....the place is nothing short of stunning. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ay/file-17.jpg We took up Spanish lessons in Xela and this has provided an excellent base to start with but we need a little more practice and hopefully with immersion this will help. I was lucky enough to hang with what car?? (Juan) and we did a big boys day out to Tajumulco Volcan which was great, we rode up to about 3400 metres (11200ft), thanks mate it was a sanity break from Spanish lessons!!! http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...lco/file-7.jpg We also had the pleasure of meeting Guaterider and Mrs.Guaterider Julio and Luisa in Antigua, even tho he rides a BMW he is still a great guy. Richard Chang from Guate City (GC) took us from Antigua to GC which was really cool unfortunately the crash bringing that to an early finish ... that is where the I hate hospitals comes in. I had the three hour ride to GC in the back of a heavily sprung ambulance and I felt every toppe and bump from Palin to GC. Having four breaks in the ribs things were crunching around, it would be fair to say it was slightly painful and at one point I had tears rolling down my face and I just wanted to go home, if I could have pushed the escape button and be back in New Zealand in one piece right then I would have done it. No other way to explain the value of home comfort, I was not happy. With the confirmation of broken ribs from X Ray they said nothing they could do, having had broken ribs prior I knew what I was in for so we bought some tape and taped me up BIG time for support and this worked very well. Me doing some electrical work on Richard wee Honda, I was going mad so had to do something, note the strapping on my back to hold me together.:D, sorry Mike no girl bum shots :eek1 http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...C/IMG_0001.jpg Enter in to the equation Victor who is a good friend of Richards in GC, he had offered us to stay with him but by the time we arrived at his place he had inadvertently picked up a broken whiteyfoo patient more than a RTW traveller. So our three days turned into two weeks, Victor your blood is worth bottling mate, you are a true gentleman and a welcoming host, we didn’t know how we could reciprocate being in our position. We then headed back to Antigua, funny thing was prior leaving Antigua to go to GC we had talked about extending our stay in Guatemala ..... irony is turning up back in Antigua not quite in one piece but we got to enjoy it for another month and do more Spanish so we had a bonus there. Not long after we went back to Antigua Gene and Neda arrived and Gene was kind enough to bring Maya back from GC to Antigua as I could not ride her, thanks mate, the ADV tree works well. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ee/file-13.jpg This then provided a great platform for a few social nights of international travellers, we were also joined by Phil and Jane so we had quite the gathering for a short time. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ee/file-31.jpg Upon leaving Antigua when I was ready to ride again we then spent the last weekend back at Victors as RTW travellers and not broken patients, we had organised a ride with his cuzzies on the Sunday so that was cool. Unfortunately Victor had a binning on his bike and broke two bones in his leg .... and he rode home ..... I am feeling like a girl now taking an ambulance. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ut/file-40.jpg So very quickly it turned around that we were there to help Victor and reciprocate with help for him in his time in need, so yet again our stay we extended to help Victor as he couldn’t drive so what comes around goes around, coupled with that our cable and pinlock insert that we ordered 6 weeks earlier had not arrived so we extended our VISA’s and TVIP, Victor needed help so that concluded it it was worth staying on to help, I became a personal driver to help him get about for that following week then his cuzzy was going to take over. Funny how things can change in an instant, seems to be the basis of our travels. The Bike So we got a lot of parts out of the USA and sent to Julios in Antigua, these were the final mop up after the shitty purchase issues we had, thanks Julio, again you made life easy for us. Maya is all good barring any issues from riding but oil changes are netting nothing unusual which is great and now we have our washable filters etc working for us. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...TM/file-74.jpg I am looking forward to wearing shit out now as that means we are travelling!!! Us Across the board we have been good, life has been treating us well but it was a difficult time for us with me being broken and I have to admit I probably don’t make the model patient. Ellen did well to see me through the hard time of the first couple of weeks of the ribs including a couple unwanted sneezes bringing tears and crying and not being able to breath .... it was hard for both of us at this time ..... and with all the drugs there was no drinking so a double wammy. Ellen also tortured the guys with her sushi making several batches for the team to scoff. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...1/IMG_0002.jpg So at the end of Guatemala we still live and we are still in love and we have realized a few things, I don’t bounce like I used to Gene likes KTMs I still hate hospitals Fresh fruit from the eternal garden of Guatemala is world class Guatemala is somewhat of an adventure biker paradise We still hate mozzies Guatemalans love blowing shit up Where does this leave us now?, well since the beginning of our trip we have lost 18 weeks to failures in just 13 moths, 6 weeks to Suzuki failures, 6 weeks to Ellens crash and now 6 weeks to my ribs, we are now miles behind where we thought we were going to be ... who cares. We are lucky enough to have the time, not many people get to travel for 18 weeks let alone have 18 weeks off the road within a trip. Now things come in threes so they say so from here on in our trip will be boring with no more BIG issues but we promise to do our best for photos and writing ...maybe some more bum shots for Mike. I am very glad I could not push that escape button as I would have regretted it, like all horror moments there is always a silver lining born to see you through and yet again people went out of their way in our time of need so just when you say to yourself well how the hell is this going to unfold ... it just does and unfolds with bonuses. I don’t suggest for a moment you rush out and break your ribs tho .... it is not recommended.....however these are :rofl http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...a/IMG_0013.jpg So to finish up, thanks to all in Guatemala, luv to all, Andi & Ellen |
El Salvador - The Volcan Coatepeque Ride And The Final Night
Saturday morning, was a little gloomy but still rideable, after a quick chat with Mario we put the trip back one hour and it was improving by the minute.
We rode a combo of beatutiful main roads and some interesting back roads that looked like patchwork in corn paddocks http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ide/file-2.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ide/file-4.jpg Destination and half way point was Lago de Coatepeque, a crater lake, this was decided because I had an urge for #2’s and they had great coffee so that was that. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ide/file-1.jpg This is a bit fluffy sorry guys http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ide/file-7.jpg Part of the lake from the view point http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ide/file-8.jpg We bought coffees and a small cake each shouting Mario for his kindness and generosity. Two fine young gentlemen :rofl http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...de/file-10.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...de/file-13.jpg The lake is absolutely stunning, although the sun wasn’t out the views were outstanding and the water very calm. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...de/file-11.jpg A short day out with a nice amount of riding in and another nice look around El Salvador. The previous afternoon we did some photos with the kids and we had two printed out for the family which was cool...plenty of room on Maya for more :rofl http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...or/file-28.jpg Thanks again to Mario, local knowledge is something you can’t buy with maps and GPS. Now ..... The Final Night That evening Mario had organized with the family to come up to Finca Tepeyac which is Marios plantation and we were going to have a feed and drinks. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ide/file-5.jpg It started off with a round of Sushi washed down with Rum and various treats http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ght/file-2.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ght/file-3.jpg Sunday lunch was treat with Mario cooking up a storm with tacos, here he is masterchef San Salvador. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ght/file-8.jpg Mario took us up to his other coffee block which was a 4WD expedition in itself. We all went for a short walk and looked at the coffee trees so a relaxing day all round. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ght/file-5.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...Night/file.jpg That was our final night and day to spend it with Mario and his family was great. Now Mario owns and runs Motorider in San Salvador, he has most things RTW travellers need and want including Heidenau tyres, Touratech gear, oils, filters, brake pads, chains and sprockets etc and large workshop area. He got the 15 - 50 Motul in for us no problem at all and allowed me to do the change (cos I like doing it). So this is a shameless plug for a truly great guy who has helped out hundreds of travellers / bikers, if in El Salvador and needing stuff contact him and he can sort you out in a land where things are hard to find, again local knowledge is not something you can buy on maps and GPS. Here are Motorider's coordinates to find the shop directly. 13°41'43.49"N 89°15'0.28"O http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...el/file-11.jpg Next day was our trip to San Miguel to get close to the border in prep for our double border day which has seen me stressed over the reports and info coming back with people getting hammered. The final descent down Mario hill ... unscathed :clap http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...uel/file-1.jpg A waterfall, not the usual type :rofl http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...uel/file-2.jpg Horrible roads http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...uel/file-5.jpg KTM bridge :evil http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...uel/file-8.jpg Adios to El Salvador, a fantastic place with fantastic people and thoroughly recommended to RTW travellers ... don't just ride straight through as you will miss a lot. |
El Salvador Sump Up And The Heart Speaks
Ok, not a biggy this time, all I can say is GO THERE.
Take the great information and comradery offered by Mario and be prepared to enjoy yourself in a beautiful country. The only bad thing about about El Salvador is having to leave and to be fair we loved our stay and travels around the country. The Heart Speaks Well that was kinda it, we only have praises and good things to say :bier Again thanks Mario and fellas for making our stay excellent. |
As always a very entertaining report
Very beautiful country by the look of it.great photo's as always.
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Honduran Double Border Day And The Expected Torment
... that never happened!!! :eek1
For me I had been reading horror stories of the dreaded double crossing including corruption, lies, unnecessary hold ups and photocopying beyond belief, helpers who will torment you mentally and basically just a day out of your life. So we are not far from the border filling up at the service station when a guy comes up and says hello where are you from ..... I can help you, Ellen says New Zealand and where are you from, he replied El Salvador, I work at the border .... ah ha ... we know you!!! ... the famous Jose ... at the service station!!! No gracias, we can do it ourselves and that was the end of the chat with smiles etc.:D On our way to the border a small bike fizzes past us, it was him. Leaving El Salvador was easy except we missed one photo copy which we soon rectified .... then across to the dreaded bridge to the Honduran side ready for WW3. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ing/file-1.jpg We were greeted by the “officials” Jose and Ronnie, they were telling us what we needed to do, we still said no gracias. Then we were greeted by the real officials in proper clothing and formal shirts. They took us to customs and aduana offices and I was swamped by money changers, again I just replied no gracias with a smile and they almost went away. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ing/file-2.jpg Ellen was doing all the paperwork and running around / photocopying, Jose and Ronnie were standing there only 1.5 metres away like two loyal puppies and realising after about 20 minutes they were not going to get any money they left and even waved goodbye to me....too quick for the camera unfortunately. I was having fun with the money changers with roars of laughter from both sides and at one stage I grabbed a huge wod of money off him after he was talking about quetzales (Guatemalan currency) where he said did I need 5 Q? and I swung it around on 5 Q! for the whole wod of cash .... funny enough that deal didn’t work for him and as quick as a bolt of lightning he realized I was pulling the piss and he said no I offer you 5Q for your Moto, ... I said I didn’t have the heart to rip him off .... again followed by roars of laughter from both sides, handshakes and away he went.:rofl Maya waiting outside patiently http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ing/file-3.jpg All in all apart from the ridiculous amount of paperwork the crossing went very smoothly and took 1 hour and twenty minutes and was almost enjoyable. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ing/file-4.jpg Into Honduras and across the country to the next border at El Espino, passing through we took in the sites and to be fair it was much nicer than we imagined and the roads actually not to bad other than a couple of biggish potholes here and there. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ing/file-5.jpg The last part of the road heading up to the border was stunning with beautiful winding road in great condition (shown above), we arrived at the next border at 12.30 pm and everyone was at lunch, ..... so lunchtime it was. Again an official came bounding up keen to help, I asked him if he worked for customs or was a helper, he showed me his official helper badge which I was throughly impressed with, again he said you pay me, we just said with a smile no gracias no dinero and as quick as a flash he ran off, maybe we just smelt bad. So realizing we had entered lunch break mid ship we just joined in picking up some chicken and rice to munch on, it was soon enough 1.00 pm and the wheels of industry started turning again. Ellen set off to do the paperwork while I guarded Maya, the helper came back over and we had a chat about life for a while (about 20 minutes) that was great cos I had nothing else to do, I did make sure he knew there were no consultancy fees on our chat and he was happy just to sit and chew the fat. Leaving Honduras, easy, done in half and hour, then off to the Nicaraguan side. We snuck down past all the trucks and Maya had a bubble bath of something useless, we exchanged $3.00 dollars for that then headed to the Nicaraguan immigration to do the usuals. The insurance man was there as were money changers and more helpers, insurance being mandatory I set to and started getting that done while Ellen got us clocked in to Nicaragua, Maya the mighty monster was creating interest with the locals which was cool. Very friendly and very helpful we were done in another half and hour plus our half hour lunch in Honduras. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ng/file-15.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ng/file-16.jpg After exiting El Salvador at 9.00am and entering Nicaragua home free at 2.08pm, across Honduras NOT one policeman in sight, no corruption or anything stupid so what I had been stressing about for months turned into a very pleasant day indeed, so much so we had enough time to find Vallardos house and get out canyoning for the afternoon ... that next. Our experience for the day was excellent however Dick and Diane Hubbard from New Zealand had a gun pulled on them by officials but at the lower border.:eek1 |
Canyoning Down The Canon De Somoto
So after an unusually easy double border day and entering Nicaragua at 2.08pm we found the canyon guide Bayardo Soliano who is an amigo of Mario from El Salvador.
Although he was out his good lady phoned him up and he was back in a flash. After a quick discussion we established he has accommodation on site, can feed and water us and provide breakfast, perfect we didn’t even need to ride to the next town as they have everything in hand, it couldn’t get any better.....or could it? The park http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...to/file-33.jpg So off with the bikey gear and into canyoning lite weight stuff and we were off. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...oto/file-1.jpg A 30 minute walk into the canyon, along the way Bayardo showing us the river that splits one way into Honduras and the other way into Nicaragua. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...oto/file-2.jpg The first view of where we were heading too... http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...oto/file-3.jpg Down to the waters edge, on with the life jackets, out with the camera and a quick brush of the hair we took the plunge. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...oto/file-4.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...oto/file-7.jpg There was an assortment of rapids, smooth sections, rocks that were high enough to hit yer bum (sorry Mike ..but is wasn’t damaged) and torrents that would send you straight into rock faces as well as a coupla jumps from heights into ponds below. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...to/file-11.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...to/file-15.jpg Decent wee waterfalls http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...to/file-18.jpg Smooth patches to relax http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...to/file-20.jpg ADV salute just for you guys, this is commitment taking time out to remember you guys in times of hardship :rofl http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...to/file-23.jpg The canyon is 200 metres vertical in places with huge rock faces looking back down at you. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...to/file-25.jpg The boss (well most of him) diving into one of the ponds from the rocks above http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...to/file-26.jpg The whole trip was about 3.50 hour return back to home, on returning home they served up coffee and a great feed. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...to/file-36.jpg This food produced in their basic kitchen, these guys are fantastic cooks ... forget masterchef these are the real deal !!!:clap http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...to/file-45.jpg Even time for a quick smile before two hungry kiwis dived in.. :evil http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...to/file-37.jpg After tea I uploaded the photos to the lappy and the whole tribe sat around and checked out the afternoons shenanigans with Bayardo and the two foreigners, it was great fun. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...to/file-46.jpg We packed it in not too late after having been in three countries on the day and done the canyoning, couldn’t fit much more in!!! The following morning was a hearty breakfast that set us up for the day which was to travel to Leon and Bayardo said my parque impossible handle was inadequate and made me a new one, this dude is a machine. From this http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...or/file-54.jpg To this http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...to/file-47.jpg Finally leaving from Bayardos house we set off to Leon. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...to/file-48.jpg Bit of a corny picture :rofl http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...to/file-50.jpg So for any fello travellers wanting to do this go for it you will love it, here are the GPS Coords to their front door http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...to/file-54.jpg These are his contact details. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...to/file-55.jpg Finally a short vid going down one section, I hope you have enjoyed reading cos we seriously enjoyed the afternoon out and writing about it. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...th_file-56.jpg |
Leon
The trip down to Leon was a cooker, an uneventful trip with only a few sights along the way like this local bus
http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/.../Leon/file.jpg Arriving in Leon it was very hot and very sticky ..... add to that a 950 cc heater under us it was nice to peel off the gear and turn into humans. A decision was made to have an iced coffee and I was just parking Maya when we bumped into Simon and Julia from New Zealand .... a big surprise. We organised to catch up with them for tea that night but in between time a cold coffee was in order. While having the treat of a cold coffee mum nature chimed in and played a huge thunderstorm coupled with the heavy rain etc, quite spectacular really. The hostel we stayed in that night turned out to be a shite place and not very nice, luckily we had organised to go and stay in Hostel Jurgen (Ride Nicaragua) also Werner and Claudia were also arriving so we had quite the gathering. The following day Jurgen took us for a local ride, we headed out on normal streets that turned into sandpits, gravel and rocks through some very cool countryside and past local volcans. Claudia modelling her riot gear :rofl http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...on/file-21.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...on/file-11.jpg We ended up at Volcan Momotombo at a funny wee local bar on the edge of lake Managua, cold drinks were the order of the day after the silly photo session on the beach, getting back off the beach was bit of low key entertainment with squiggles and wobbles and some rooster tails thrown in. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...on/file-30.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...on/file-42.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...on/file-47.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...on/file-49.jpg At the local bar/tienda there was local music playing at about 140db through less than ideal quality speakers but that didn’t stop the locals getting up and dancing on the sandy floor, low impact natural surface that never wears out ... perfect, Jurgen was hit with the ladies with them wanting their photos taken with him. Just when we thought the action was dying down the attention focused on the motos for an impromptu photo shoot for a combination of slinky girl photos and some family orientated shots, this time EVERYONE was in on it. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...on/file-52.jpg .....I am just the owner ... ignore me ... and she did :rofl:rofl http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...on/file-54.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...on/file-16.jpg Upon completion of the photo shoot we were given the royal sendoff with big waves and smiles ....it was quite cool actually....and we headed back to reality. That evening was a nice round of stirfry provided by twomotokiwis followed by some Flores de Cana rum provided by Werner and Claudia ... good times, a half time change sides from the previous nights shenanigans. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...on/file-17.jpg The next morning was a fixit morning with our broken USB charger, we did get it fixed and sorted thanks to a local dude who Jurgen knows, if in Leon and you need something sorted Jurgen is ya man. We then headed on on our merry way to Managua. |
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