Ushuaia up!
 

Hi Guys, my name is Ollie!

Just done the first 2 weeks from Buenos Aires down to Ushuaia. I'm hoping in the next 8months to make it up to Alaska. I'm 18, fun and easy going and looking for some interesting bikers heading the same direction

Hoping to leave Ushuaia by 2nd Jan. and make my way north at a steady pace. Maybe crossing over into Chile for the Carreta Austral or at Bariloche..?

Anyone up for doing a section or meeting up for a beer?

Ahh, hell You're already famous!
 

By the time you make it to Alaska, you'll have met so many people along the way that you won't know what to do with yourself. Alaska in August is a fantastic plan.

I'll be in Australia in a few weeks, having made the reverse of your trip two years ago, and thus can't join you for the ride. But you should definitely post up a facebook address so that people can get in touch with you. Check it out. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fb...type=1&theater

Keep up the good work amigo!

http://i979.photobucket.com/albums/a...ieforaride.jpg
Photo courtesy of Sherri Jo Willkins facebook.

--Alex

have fun
 

we are just back from that trip, made it to Vancouver at the end of november. Than we found the snow :thumbup1:
Our bikes are still there and we will ride to Alaska this or next summer.
You will have a LOT of fun during your trip!
to go from Arg to chili from Ushuai, take the border at Bella-Vista. Nice rivercrossing and beautifull of road ride. Make sure you have enough full!!!
Need tip? just contact us.

Ils

Didn't think of giving any contact details, duhh!

So my Facebook name is Ollie Plunket but maybe easier to give you the address of my FB page for the trip north:

www.facebook.com/olliesodyssey

Johan and Ils, if you are around Vancouver sometime in July then give me a shout! And I need loads of advice so ill make sure I get back in touch!

Thanks!

do you have already a timeline for your trip? Good luck and perhaps we can share some miles together…

WMur, I'm heading to Bolivia now...maybe 3/4weeks time ill be hitting the Salar... Would be great to do a stretch! But no not any real timeline except for being in Alaska in 8months...

and what about the rain saison in Bolivia? :stormy: I thought it is there right now?
I remeber us waiting till it was over before we went to the Alti-plano and the Salar. And evene for us in may the Salar was still to wet to cross, we just drove into it but we where not able to cross it.:eek3:

Yes I think your right! I've been told that now a couple of times. So due to that and also a lack of time I'm going to go straight to Peru... Bolivia will have to be on the list for my next trip :clap:

I wont be the first to say it but,
 

Bolivia has a lot to offer, and though you're on your own schedule, I would recommend at least hauling ass through it. Riding up to La Paz, Bolivia is a good experience.

Either way, keep up the good work!

--Alex

Hi Ollie,

My brother and I are on our way down towards Ushuaia. Let's keep in touch and meet for a beer when our paths cross. We can exchange routes and stories and advice!

If you're not already couchsurfing, you should be! www.couchsurfing.org - a superb way to meet locals and get to know the culture.

We're in Manzanillo, Mexico right now. The map on our blog is automatically updated with our location whenever we're moving.

Cheers,

Jayne

Hey Jayne and Brother!

I wish my bro could travel with me!

Ill get onto couch surfing then! How long are you hoping for the whole trip to take you? Ill keep my big South America map for you then and pass it over with my route.

Looking forward to meeting up,
Safe travels and if you have Facebook you can add me...http://www.facebook.com/ollie.plunket

Ollie

No idea how long it will take us, we're been on the road for 6 months and are still in Mexico!

We'll keep our Mexico maps for you. :-)

Jayne

Trip North
 

Ollie - Ollie - I don't know where you are now, but I'm in Huanchaco, Peru and will be heading North again shortly. I'm trying to get a reservation on the the Independence ship for February 28 to get from Colombia to Panama, since there's no road.

I'm an old fart who is on the third time to make this trip in 4 years. I got to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska in 2011 after making it to Ushuaia in 2010. I was going to ship me and my motorbike to South Africa from Buenos Aires on this trip, but couldn't afford it so I'm headed back to the US.

Hey Motomon,

I'm on my way to Huanchaco tomorrow from Cuzco. I'm gonna hammer it so hopefully will be there by Thursday! Will you still be there?

Cn you reccomend a good place to stay there?

I'm afraid that I'm not hoping to cross the Darrien until the last week of March...although I may be using the Independence too - do you reccomend them?

That's crazy you've done this trip a few times already! Would be great to meet up and hear the stories!

Ollie

Huanchaco
 

I've already left and am in Ecuador now. I recommend the Stahlratte, but they're not available til April. I've used them several times and trust Ludwig , nicknamed Lulu. Haven't used the Independence and am underwhelmed by them so far. Huanchaco is a good surfing beach and good place to learn surfing ... so l've been told. I always stay at my friends' restaurant, 'Otra Cosa.' They have 3 rooms that they rent out. You have to share a bath, but a choice of full breakfast is included. It's a vegetarian restaurant run by a Dutch/Peruvian couple named Barry and Milagros with daughter Romina and aunt Sandra. I've stayed there six times for over three months total time. One thing I really appreciate is the secure bike storage in the back yard. If you are interested in staying there, I highly recommend you email Barry to request room. Tell him you're a friend of mine. Chris

Great tips, thank you! Ill send him an email! Yes I've heard it's great for surfing, one reason I chose the route was to surf some of the best beaches in the world...my brother is jealous beyond belief stuck at uni...poor guy!

When you say underwhelmed...you mean?

When do you think you'll be traveling throu pgh Central America? Unfortunately I can't wait for the Stalleratte and I think they are later than April...?

Would be great to catch up with you!

By underwhekmed, mean 'issues.'
1. Their website wouldn't accept my credit card for a deposit, with no explanation why not.
2. They asked me to wire the money, which I did.
3. They forgot to tell me the correct name , so it didn't go through.
4. They now want me to cancel the wire transfer ... and I'm in a different country!
If there was a different ship or I had beaucoup $ to fly me and my moto, I would.
IF I get on Feb 28 passage, I'll then travel through Central America, with a stop in Costa Rica for dental and medical treatments, and to visit with friends and relatives.
I hope you enjoy Huanchaco, I like it better than Mancora, another surf spot, but then I don't surf since I'm missing a foot. Guess that's why I've stopped in Huanchaco 6 times.

Yes I've been trying to get a hold of them and have had little luck too. A bit shame and worry, of course the last thing I worry about most is the bike!

Yes it's amazing here, been here for four nights now, next stop is Mancora though. Do you have a blog? Would love to read about your travels!

Independence
 

Western Union Ecuador would not let me change my wire transfer, but I got the main office to do it. I am now waiting on a reply from the ship.
Am now in Colombia headed for Cartagena.

Hope it works out! If it helps, we are doing our booking through Hostel Mamallena (may have different spelling) as requested by the ship. Maybe you can do your booking through the hostel?

All the best

Waiting
 

2 days before reporting and still no confirmation. I hope they sail and maintain the ship better than they do business.

I´m confused when you say, "we are doing our booking through Hostel Mamallena (may have different spelling) as requested by the ship." I don´t see this on their websites. ????? Also, the Independence is no longer listed on the "Boats to Colombia" website. ???

My Dad is doing the trip with me and he did a lot of research before about finding the right boat etc. He also looked for a hostel in Cartagena. He came across this hostel called Hostel Mamallena who say on their website that they can organise it for you. We are using them and they have already put in a pay pal request for the deposit and so it seems on track. I only wish it was the same for you!

Hope it works out okay!