Colombia... do it? skip it???

[pajaro]

This is the question most Alaska - TDF overland riders face, if not all.
I didn´t because this is where i come from, but for those of you who are debating on wether flying from ecuador to panama or riding through colombia here is an interesting link that might help you out.

http://www.poorbuthappy.com/colombia/node/17764

Not only because i am Colombian, but because i've seen other countries and this gives me some perspective. I really recommend it, ask those who have dared to.

Cheers

Juan

[skip]

Hi
I have to say that visiting Colombia was one of the high points of my travels in South America, don't listen to what the papers say go and see for yourself, its great country the people are freindly and there's lots to see and do. I would go back any time. Skip


1. Life Don't Waste It.

[Rachel]

I am backpacking around Peru, on the gringo trail. Everyone I have met, so far, who has gone to Colombia has said how wonderful it is. That it is not dangerous, providing you take the usual precautions.

If it is anything like Peru, you should have a fantastic time!

[pajaro]

It's nice to hear such things. A jewel yet to be discovered. It will soon blossom, so better hurry up and come before it gets crowdy.
Juan

[albert crutcher]

Originally Posted by pajaro

It's nice to hear such things. A jewel yet to be discovered. It will soon blossom, so better hurry up and come before it gets crowdy.
Juan

I went from Quito to Cali,I live in Quito,this part of the route is supposedly the tricky part security wise,Ihad no problems what so ever crossing the frontier and the road is great in latin american terms,the army is visible about ever twenty clicks or so as it is amatter of national pride that the roads stay open.So don,t worry about just use you,re common sence and you,ll be fine see some amazing countryside,not to mention the ladies

[MAXVERT]

Thanks Pajaro,
It's good to hear positive information about Columbia.
We are leaving Idaho (North West U.S.) riding to Argentina the first of November and are looking forward to visiting your beautiful country.
We plan to take a boat from Panama to Columbia and ride south to Equador.
We should be in Columbia the last week of November and are interested is
finding a local motorcyclest to guide us on our tour thru Columbia.
We are riding two up on a nicely prepared KTM 950 and have made several
trips to Central and South America, but have not had the chance to
visit Columbia.

GO!!!!!!! MAX

[albert crutcher]

Originally Posted by MAXVERT

Thanks Pajaro,
It's good to hear positive information about Columbia.
We are leaving Idaho (North West U.S.) riding to Argentina the first of November and are looking forward to visiting your beautiful country.
We plan to take a boat from Panama to Columbia and ride south to Equador.
We should be in Columbia the last week of November and are interested is
finding a local motorcyclest to guide us on our tour thru Columbia.
We are riding two up on a nicely prepared KTM 950 and have made several
trips to Central and South America, but have not had the chance to
visit Columbia.

GO!!!!!!! MAX

Well Max when you get down to Ecuador let me know as I own a brewpub here in Quito and also an orange beastie 950,come by for a pint of the finest Scottish ale in south america

[RickMcD]

Originally Posted by albert crutcher

Well Max when you get down to Ecuador let me know as I own a brewpub here in Quito and also an orange beastie 950,come by for a pint of the finest Scottish ale in south america

Albert how about some location info. I am flying the KLR (and me) from Panama to Bogota around the first week of Nov. Should be in Quito a few days later. Maybe you can show me how/where to get the best picture of an equator monument.
Rick

[albert crutcher]

No problem me old mucker,thedetails are as follows,the turtles head,la niña y juan leon mera,sector la mariscal,quito,we,re in the north of town,just ask for the hotel marriot the pub,s one block from the hotel,there,s a roudabout on amazonas,that the main thorofare in Quito ask anyone for directions follow it to the marriot ask for the street juan leon mera then la niña is first on the right,the pubs the bright yellow house on the right hand side.Any problems phone my cell on 098 323 788 or the pub 2 56 55 44.
By the way if you can don,t fly in to Bogota get the ferry to Cartagena,it,sreally worth the trip,the old walled city with it,s bars restaurants hotels etc,oh! and the beach,try not to miss it if you,ve got the time

[RickMcD]

Originally Posted by albert crutcher

No problem me old mucker,thedetails are as follows,the turtles head,la niña y juan leon mera,sector la mariscal,quito,we,re in the north of town,just ask for the hotel marriot the pub,s one block from the hotel,there,s a roudabout on amazonas,that the main thorofare in Quito ask anyone for directions follow it to the marriot ask for the street juan leon mera then la niña is first on the right,the pubs the bright yellow house on the right hand side.Any problems phone my cell on 098 323 788 or the pub 2 56 55 44.
By the way if you can don,t fly in to Bogota get the ferry to Cartagena,it,sreally worth the trip,the old walled city with it,s bars restaurants hotels etc,oh! and the beach,try not to miss it if you,ve got the time

Thanks, I WILL be there for a brew. Now about that ferry? More details on that. I know there "used" to be one from Panama but now ......??????

[AndyT]

What RickMcD said; if there is a ferry to Cartegena, I would be real interested. Expect to be in Panama City in 2 weeks +/-. Any other info, such as where in Panama it leaves from? I know some people have taken private boats across, but am not aware of any ferry service.

[MAXVERT]

Originally Posted by albert crutcher

Well Max when you get down to Ecuador let me know as I own a brewpub here in Quito and also an orange beastie 950,come by for a pint of the finest Scottish ale in south america

Albert,

Brewpub, Quito, finest Scottish ale in south america and a couple of orange
beasties, sounds like the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
We definatly plan on spending some time in Quito and will be happy to
"come by for a pint" and hopefully we can rage around on the 950's.

We are planning on finding a boat from Panama to Columbia, and I've read
here of taking a cargo ship to Cartagena but your info on a ferry is the first
I've heard of a ferry to Columbia,any additional info about this would be
helpful.

thanks again for the invite.

GO!!!!!!! MAX

[albert crutcher]

Originally Posted by MAXVERT

Albert,

Brewpub, Quito, finest Scottish ale in south america and a couple of orange
beasties, sounds like the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
We definatly plan on spending some time in Quito and will be happy to
"come by for a pint" and hopefully we can rage around on the 950's.

We are planning on finding a boat from Panama to Columbia, and I've read
here of taking a cargo ship to Cartagena but your info on a ferry is the first
I've heard of a ferry to Columbia,any additional info about this would be
helpful.

thanks again for the invite.

GO!!!!!!! MAX

Sorry I,m talking bollocks about the ferry,two mates of mine had to pay for a 20 foot container about a month ago and it was quite costly about 2 grand for both bikes,but I,m sure if you,ve got abit of timeto ask around you,ll get a better deal,the mates of mine were in a big rush to get to the artic circle before the weather sets in you,ll find their site at 2wmc.co.uk
Once again sorry for opening my big yap about the ferry

[pajaro]

Hi Max

Sounds awesome man. I've never heard about a ferry to Cartagena, but my friend Balam from www.motolibre.com knows a guy that runs a small private boat from cartagena to panama, i think...
Anyway, i might still be around by the end of november, send me an email before you get here so hopefully we can meet. It is a much better idea to land in cartagena instead of bogota, yeah, otherwise you would miss half the country, and by the way, be ready to spend some more time over here, you will be haunted by it.
Regards,

Pajaro

[MAXVERT]

Hi Pajaro,
I'll be emailing you for more information on the boat from Panama to Columbia.
At present we are planning on taking a boat from Colon Pa. to Cartagena Co.
Someone posted on this site that you should go to the harbor master in
Colon and he would help you find a reliable boat over to Cartegena.
The thought of flying over Colombia never crossed my mind.
We hope your still in Colombia when we arrive.

GO!!!!!!! MAX