tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43107430087573376822024-02-20T07:44:56.846-08:00Motorcycle Adventures: Golden Bay to Cape HornMotor Cycle Adventures: Golden Bay to Cape Hornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16601201946993138906noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4310743008757337682.post-42788988378768485692013-06-13T20:15:00.001-07:002013-06-13T20:15:06.826-07:00Back in the saddleOk, Sorry for the lack of posting, after a few months off it's been hard to get back into the blogging. It's not something that comes easy for me, I usually get really grumpy around computers (rather be riding I guess). I don't really like them and they don't like me, they usually break out in some sort of virus.<br />
<br />
But, for the many thousands of fans out there who have been following Golden Bay to Cape Horn I'm going to try and keep it up, only thing is I've changed to a new blog for this years North America stage. It's just kicked off, a little slow and not as well as hoped but please go over and check it out at: <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.1planet2wheels.blogspot.com/">www.1planet2wheels.blogspot.com</a> <br />
<br />
Cheers JoeJoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394193965421980981noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4310743008757337682.post-51948666996183567982012-11-16T11:17:00.000-08:002012-11-16T11:17:37.614-08:00Moab and the canyon lands<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_MlX-MpSnCTNnNDksFZpbeMGUKlYyB6GO-U3vWPs1atQQZJQ6tBppeY-K_KoXrSrMgXe5g6Gp4kQ0ehOEA0MIg83yP1vV2y29oE2xNtSqZ8AS2bye3iAOettvBDMnkz46vqbVdlfrTARI/s1600/DSCF5108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<span lang=""></span><br />
<span lang=""></span><br />
<span lang=""><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0zJmYxsvHUdHTSQ_AR_irV_w9FHE6Aqh3KFNbAQMOeO3oUeLqo98jnfMPc-sxZ2XUq8-NJ_5TcR_qgblPdP3kgeMr21msTs7g5wuaz-zSc-BZxAmq1SXY-LYyMQb-pI1dqGqSLl7NBqK/s1600/DSCF5206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0zJmYxsvHUdHTSQ_AR_irV_w9FHE6Aqh3KFNbAQMOeO3oUeLqo98jnfMPc-sxZ2XUq8-NJ_5TcR_qgblPdP3kgeMr21msTs7g5wuaz-zSc-BZxAmq1SXY-LYyMQb-pI1dqGqSLl7NBqK/s640/DSCF5206.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
</span><span lang=""></span><br />
I hit the starter and am rewarded with the familiar sounds of a dr650 motor idling away. Well that's a relief, after a week the bike is back up and running, and the only parts left behind in the reassembly process seem to be those that were replaced. It will be at least another 500km before I can stop worrying about a bolt coming loose some where deep in the internals of the engine and causing a major explosion though.<br />
<br />
After taking the DR on a short ride without incident on the outskirts of Durango with Omar on his big GS1150 I load up and head for Moab, Utah and the famous canyon lands and slick rock. The 400km highway trip gives the new engine parts a chance to bed in and get to know each other before being subjected to the sand and steep slick rock climbs.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4iXPdEb6ozIlxzoAq3yFJjAvrhKJmTWfH87p5t95ERCpG1XjbXU0ciZRXF6eHltKC3cB2RLhUYfl9JuRY0DkM7I_8g-bUFBnazCyljDLeeFxmbDKsig6XrK80oyMr_11qD4vi3nfijwgw/s1600/GOPR0176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4iXPdEb6ozIlxzoAq3yFJjAvrhKJmTWfH87p5t95ERCpG1XjbXU0ciZRXF6eHltKC3cB2RLhUYfl9JuRY0DkM7I_8g-bUFBnazCyljDLeeFxmbDKsig6XrK80oyMr_11qD4vi3nfijwgw/s400/GOPR0176.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">left over parts</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_MlX-MpSnCTNnNDksFZpbeMGUKlYyB6GO-U3vWPs1atQQZJQ6tBppeY-K_KoXrSrMgXe5g6Gp4kQ0ehOEA0MIg83yP1vV2y29oE2xNtSqZ8AS2bye3iAOettvBDMnkz46vqbVdlfrTARI/s1600/DSCF5108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_MlX-MpSnCTNnNDksFZpbeMGUKlYyB6GO-U3vWPs1atQQZJQ6tBppeY-K_KoXrSrMgXe5g6Gp4kQ0ehOEA0MIg83yP1vV2y29oE2xNtSqZ8AS2bye3iAOettvBDMnkz46vqbVdlfrTARI/s640/DSCF5108.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Omar and his beautiful Beemer. I can't thank Omar and Susan enough for all their help in Durango.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH1DSgcrAdFNmWbYxZrvvxu6gku-Ag-LFGIuSR2zetZ_7xQE8Bk7ahLVcCzCmJnfP47Fx368L9TfTSzx1MAPt10_ar4znWOfEJxe8QZ8tUSH12AkX1XNnV571wkfbu8VTwtQzYVV7ts_QH/s1600/DSCF5109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH1DSgcrAdFNmWbYxZrvvxu6gku-Ag-LFGIuSR2zetZ_7xQE8Bk7ahLVcCzCmJnfP47Fx368L9TfTSzx1MAPt10_ar4znWOfEJxe8QZ8tUSH12AkX1XNnV571wkfbu8VTwtQzYVV7ts_QH/s640/DSCF5109.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Russell from Durango Cyclery was a super nice guy and owns a cool little bike shop in down town</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The small town of Moab in Eastern Utah is right in the middle of a huge adventure playground that attracts everyone from rock climbers to jeep drivers to challenge the incredible desert landscape. Back in 2005 I spent 2 weeks here mountain biking and knew that I could easily spend another 2 weeks here this time on a motorbike.<br />
<br />
I arrive in Moab just on dusk and see a couple of DR650's all loaded up for the long haul. I haven't seen too many bikes like mine on the road so it's interesting to talk with Mihai and Pawel from Montreal. They're just 4 days into their 6 month trip and heading south to S America. I spend a couple of days with the Canadians, firstly checking out the Arches and then riding the stunning White Rim trail in Canyon Lands National Park. <br />
<br />
I mountain biked the rim trail back in 2005 and it took 3 days. This time with the motor we easily completed the spectacular 100 mile ride in a day. After almost a year of riding I guess you could say that it takes a little more to get really excited about a ride. The scenery here is so good that I'm more than excited, once again I feel incredibly lucky to be propelling myself through this rocky wonderland of Buttes, Mesas, canyons, and sand. I can't think of a better way to explore this area other than with a motorcycle.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoRDPv7YiIsgF3uxyKcpXdw-Vn6OAvaC1Mk7lConcLx-DMNZuaUOhNvhbBTdNCDh8FxHYkmcQBBEDM37SUPoj87mRkDtS8D4LyQUYuoMhe_VpdHaEC0-_ihLykaNBjYiSCrqlZQ2xGFPy1/s1600/DSCF5119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoRDPv7YiIsgF3uxyKcpXdw-Vn6OAvaC1Mk7lConcLx-DMNZuaUOhNvhbBTdNCDh8FxHYkmcQBBEDM37SUPoj87mRkDtS8D4LyQUYuoMhe_VpdHaEC0-_ihLykaNBjYiSCrqlZQ2xGFPy1/s640/DSCF5119.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mihai , Me, and Pawel in Arches National Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH77s_Hsh9bfdtcRdckm8btKZlLxq0vsN8cgZaE4mJbP8Fg0r2Yx82Omz1nO9q2zoSFHTmpWQCB4iQiqT9NEEQdOOS_hDuIadZPIdWIxy42v4FA3qXu446IgfmqpsUx-ADxvcPRMS4Kipf/s1600/DSCF5132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH77s_Hsh9bfdtcRdckm8btKZlLxq0vsN8cgZaE4mJbP8Fg0r2Yx82Omz1nO9q2zoSFHTmpWQCB4iQiqT9NEEQdOOS_hDuIadZPIdWIxy42v4FA3qXu446IgfmqpsUx-ADxvcPRMS4Kipf/s640/DSCF5132.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Landscape Arch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwlI3mvihrVxDeuOrYm1WDsw9lua1RCR4bajpk7wUMAk8UfC-CXi_5Gblg15UKazvFAislSc46v7P9fTJ63MscJOmE78K8VH7gTWjPjk1uHmSlHY3CQjSfBeEj6V-St6zO8iig4IGB93Q/s1600/DSCF5125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwlI3mvihrVxDeuOrYm1WDsw9lua1RCR4bajpk7wUMAk8UfC-CXi_5Gblg15UKazvFAislSc46v7P9fTJ63MscJOmE78K8VH7gTWjPjk1uHmSlHY3CQjSfBeEj6V-St6zO8iig4IGB93Q/s640/DSCF5125.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5yy0joYZCUDGVjl1mJ7GTyg02UZmRWwXc-UKl2TYwAAc-jXQ0vsicuxlh-EoiOmc7Zxqm73bPW2db7MsaqkYu_445wES0Vygi40V3SE6nNgMsNrxJdTHVPtx83arMCgjLfNJXb9bDWRYV/s1600/DSCF5150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5yy0joYZCUDGVjl1mJ7GTyg02UZmRWwXc-UKl2TYwAAc-jXQ0vsicuxlh-EoiOmc7Zxqm73bPW2db7MsaqkYu_445wES0Vygi40V3SE6nNgMsNrxJdTHVPtx83arMCgjLfNJXb9bDWRYV/s640/DSCF5150.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If these were horses I'm sure they would have enjoyed the run around the white Rim just as much as us!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDN3h1TkHaOSlcgCPXfcMKyJqyLCW-QN1UMCGnI2-4eN6n2wcpqhvZbQKWuHTkjiCUIYlxd0LEY9YEuw6TFt25rAjZGnUYpIOd8Q8ynTVLI9-Tc3qtFRf9QZqW8eybgYwbWD4Fgd6356rO/s1600/DSCF5155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDN3h1TkHaOSlcgCPXfcMKyJqyLCW-QN1UMCGnI2-4eN6n2wcpqhvZbQKWuHTkjiCUIYlxd0LEY9YEuw6TFt25rAjZGnUYpIOd8Q8ynTVLI9-Tc3qtFRf9QZqW8eybgYwbWD4Fgd6356rO/s640/DSCF5155.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awesome scenery on the White Rim</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_eXN7SPzhGMnzKSngwy6pQyDp4khJ-dw8EoemDVhhSZHJXI7EHs2Ipz4OtJuLalMX-8ta-gaVdwDLKk7Qw7qXSgMhP-YWiZdjmo7QsVe5T0ZBYEjRsSe05lh-K1vqW1dJjf60_fCBMr4e/s1600/DSCF5172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_eXN7SPzhGMnzKSngwy6pQyDp4khJ-dw8EoemDVhhSZHJXI7EHs2Ipz4OtJuLalMX-8ta-gaVdwDLKk7Qw7qXSgMhP-YWiZdjmo7QsVe5T0ZBYEjRsSe05lh-K1vqW1dJjf60_fCBMr4e/s640/DSCF5172.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Basing myself at the Lazy Lizard Hostel each day I head out and explore the country side and also the capabilities of a motorbike on slick rock. One of the highlights is riding the world famous slick rock trail which has become so popular with mountain bikers. It was first pioneered by motorcyclist's back in the 70's before the sport of mountain biking was even born, and thankfully today is still open to motorbikes. The rock is just soooo much fun to ride on, the smooth grippy surface allows you to traverse and climb insanely steep slopes through a maze of humps and hollows, ridges and valleys, natural half pipes and bowls etc. It's a huge play ground that just has you grinning from ear to ear.<br />
<br />
One day during my stay in Moab for the first time for my entire year long trip the DR refuses to start. With the ignition on I have no lights, no nothing, nada, which leads me to the blown main fuse. It takes me the most part of a day to track down a pinched wire powering the speedo light. Incredibly this wire decided to short out right in down town main street Moab when I pulled in to stop at a shop. Here, I was able to find more fuses after blowing my spare trying to eliminate all the possible causes of the short. The day before I was way out in the canyon lands, would have been a big walk out. Needless to say I'm now carrying extra spare fuses in my spares kit!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO-XlMM-g-9sQdXR1ewgzz3nVCYD-kdQ8V1-0s3IpKxWsiSikUZHDwPQoz3NzyMV5ITi5kyU6SSrXb9OpaP2dYHTpfvK7StXuR-WGOatoavXXupvGvrlLDcouahWD5iPTnOYX-HnL9DK4V/s1600/DSCF5180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO-XlMM-g-9sQdXR1ewgzz3nVCYD-kdQ8V1-0s3IpKxWsiSikUZHDwPQoz3NzyMV5ITi5kyU6SSrXb9OpaP2dYHTpfvK7StXuR-WGOatoavXXupvGvrlLDcouahWD5iPTnOYX-HnL9DK4V/s640/DSCF5180.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGwPmDK6_oUW5r4WH2AxL1CcQyUTw16tuBgzrYZNaCF_Jsk56rFAAf9xhcWN9Wd4Jt1o_OSQd7aSE36X1qtzOzsQB5Lkv2LH3FL__yqU1pUtSKgz8G-i-ak6LQ6N6Z-jsi5NBNjuqvUsyk/s1600/DSCF5189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGwPmDK6_oUW5r4WH2AxL1CcQyUTw16tuBgzrYZNaCF_Jsk56rFAAf9xhcWN9Wd4Jt1o_OSQd7aSE36X1qtzOzsQB5Lkv2LH3FL__yqU1pUtSKgz8G-i-ak6LQ6N6Z-jsi5NBNjuqvUsyk/s640/DSCF5189.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading for "Chicken Corners"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2WC-UT-NXKbPGHIB9f55n1BBx4BNeCSpLEzysIcQUnX-yiWFH0WQ1TfcH57KFGfcYV-mniOmaUYswcDDvomGeX5cB_QFsJM17lj8M7tP3v95poGgPVbG3lunaav7NVfSMJKipKovNgHRF/s1600/DSCF5193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2WC-UT-NXKbPGHIB9f55n1BBx4BNeCSpLEzysIcQUnX-yiWFH0WQ1TfcH57KFGfcYV-mniOmaUYswcDDvomGeX5cB_QFsJM17lj8M7tP3v95poGgPVbG3lunaav7NVfSMJKipKovNgHRF/s640/DSCF5193.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This guy was guarding the entry into Lockart Basin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYeF8ohO3WrzgkGbeTtNrJpzLWoijY5i7_diBrLxzSPr1h42W3GBFmsRw0pubi4T4RpR6lAY5VObusDNQoPFEBz6lFhH20IvuQlz5a_02MvYU1B-k2tlrRTW6DPAySdH9wyCCfn5RtGAPr/s1600/DSCF5196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYeF8ohO3WrzgkGbeTtNrJpzLWoijY5i7_diBrLxzSPr1h42W3GBFmsRw0pubi4T4RpR6lAY5VObusDNQoPFEBz6lFhH20IvuQlz5a_02MvYU1B-k2tlrRTW6DPAySdH9wyCCfn5RtGAPr/s640/DSCF5196.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kane Creek was a great ride, sandy valley floor riding and then a dramatic exit up and out of the canyon that had me and the DR pushed to it's limits.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4FlD_FcVb_zwmBUt1MfZHagk27iflDKKGQNBsrXFGqHy45TPHwryuheWX_y2jd9suvryfyv4Sg6oUkQqcWEAvdcWEzH_coj3UP9fEPtZPerd_WC-lV5IKfQPVUmmlmZ7qixdnD6eCJsze/s1600/GOPR0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4FlD_FcVb_zwmBUt1MfZHagk27iflDKKGQNBsrXFGqHy45TPHwryuheWX_y2jd9suvryfyv4Sg6oUkQqcWEAvdcWEzH_coj3UP9fEPtZPerd_WC-lV5IKfQPVUmmlmZ7qixdnD6eCJsze/s640/GOPR0008.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A hidden gem of a place just off the Kane Creek Trail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfSULHN7pjenRdnexTcoWZGQEXo44vWbABlD0j00DBH05p6KUra5_umv621zSTHCmfWKgLLIkEcc0wdXJecxJkFVohoN2NdAqewe31ZKVslEvvBtwLjs2B50hII3nBV-6s-O2Z_f7iwsyG/s1600/DSCF5200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfSULHN7pjenRdnexTcoWZGQEXo44vWbABlD0j00DBH05p6KUra5_umv621zSTHCmfWKgLLIkEcc0wdXJecxJkFVohoN2NdAqewe31ZKVslEvvBtwLjs2B50hII3nBV-6s-O2Z_f7iwsyG/s640/DSCF5200.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A highlight of my time in Moab - the Slick Rock Trail. The rock is just such a unique surface to play around on.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg21M9n4GzkBNfGZnqDwZ3JUSLv7_Knt0hKperOvX47sEFnZgzk1dot2UAM5l0tNE6J6wJo6CcRRMsSOqdrHOqSmYAUq2yKp9aa1pnxxDjzJ1evhWNHaLDLsqsjtlBsBCZ1zzGU0w1Oly_6/s1600/DSCF5198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg21M9n4GzkBNfGZnqDwZ3JUSLv7_Knt0hKperOvX47sEFnZgzk1dot2UAM5l0tNE6J6wJo6CcRRMsSOqdrHOqSmYAUq2yKp9aa1pnxxDjzJ1evhWNHaLDLsqsjtlBsBCZ1zzGU0w1Oly_6/s640/DSCF5198.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbdtEHJbrCSOTXJa3X0UOnPBVvjlFI37ORq5X8tHFyYPHtEyZ-UQDIR11_mMYrHS7AhTtBWSREASR73yaZ6ByweDy2jf1s6UJyUoWH4sGj7RChzutsYJjec6O6D9OcCb3fbDgDPBVEZs7B/s1600/G0010076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbdtEHJbrCSOTXJa3X0UOnPBVvjlFI37ORq5X8tHFyYPHtEyZ-UQDIR11_mMYrHS7AhTtBWSREASR73yaZ6ByweDy2jf1s6UJyUoWH4sGj7RChzutsYJjec6O6D9OcCb3fbDgDPBVEZs7B/s640/G0010076.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZmuuDh-U9PEk-_xytHTJDlkd594l6__39oZd6YcW-jFawICuCD_QwGn1VhrsNFisAN1ydpZKj1wZv0GJugL4VXZ-Sb5zqd94Em5CRi8HvpM_E1ZzavunPjtdGZAoKgUTd0MDJVI_D5Kw/s1600/G0010053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZmuuDh-U9PEk-_xytHTJDlkd594l6__39oZd6YcW-jFawICuCD_QwGn1VhrsNFisAN1ydpZKj1wZv0GJugL4VXZ-Sb5zqd94Em5CRi8HvpM_E1ZzavunPjtdGZAoKgUTd0MDJVI_D5Kw/s640/G0010053.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXm98NTjp6_vq1U-Hw-L91-kX-f3oUHbVNq04v6VYh-6vFaTa74q3fYTwW5nbkUM79ix2WvJ5ubaJ2RpSqwktSwY2lQw6Ux86BqdIYvJufjiOdmJYbo26y7fuJZxMfo_l4Pv3f5l5NDrcl/s1600/G0010153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXm98NTjp6_vq1U-Hw-L91-kX-f3oUHbVNq04v6VYh-6vFaTa74q3fYTwW5nbkUM79ix2WvJ5ubaJ2RpSqwktSwY2lQw6Ux86BqdIYvJufjiOdmJYbo26y7fuJZxMfo_l4Pv3f5l5NDrcl/s640/G0010153.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5VaPiLgg08LAuPU1pgMXD0KCAysmx5ZNSaWMqQff8YLPUpu1YgYJ6iJT5Dzmpwe7MX7Pctv6plvbMJMO4Bwk6bQaO5hDQzTknrggYWWwgwxDAVnQWhcRdFERHj7oC0Na5O_ywWgc4lyKb/s1600/G0010048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5VaPiLgg08LAuPU1pgMXD0KCAysmx5ZNSaWMqQff8YLPUpu1YgYJ6iJT5Dzmpwe7MX7Pctv6plvbMJMO4Bwk6bQaO5hDQzTknrggYWWwgwxDAVnQWhcRdFERHj7oC0Na5O_ywWgc4lyKb/s640/G0010048.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5o8-6V_TLqHoIGAPjN3naKOvxYM70xyYgk85_BFqZfzP8uahdY3ZpjNAnk68xzynyHZMVU2gdp73CxZKIDzxjdYODM1Z1EwF60k05p8ll6wjCUibUEy1kz2obiCmaVc4qHUB2xSIawXxn/s1600/G0010042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhg-2BitxFN-SIIu-j3tidpp-by1v3jXVQ8-GGx62fHix3LcYM-6UdZ8TCCHovDp0gAFoIsjJtc9VzS6PSQd93Gh1u6zncHn_Z2z6wDu2gaqGqTM71Lki6FIvDwXI-sxm3eAivqjEETEbf/s1600/G0010017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhg-2BitxFN-SIIu-j3tidpp-by1v3jXVQ8-GGx62fHix3LcYM-6UdZ8TCCHovDp0gAFoIsjJtc9VzS6PSQd93Gh1u6zncHn_Z2z6wDu2gaqGqTM71Lki6FIvDwXI-sxm3eAivqjEETEbf/s640/G0010017.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exiting "Hells Revenge"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Out in the middle of "Fins and Things" jeep trail I meet up with riders Joe, Randy and about another half dozen riders whose names I can't remember. I 'm invited to join the boys from Oklahoma on a ride out into the Soverign single track trails, I'd just been out there they day before punting the big Dr through some fairly gnarly and tight trails that had me back tracking out of there so the invitation of riding a light and nippy XR250 was too hard to pass up. It was a great ride and fun to be out with a group...and at the end of the day little did I know that I had just passed the test to sign up on team " Oky" to join Joe and Randy the next day to tackle the infamous "Five Miles of Hell" which is supposedly Utah's and possibly the US's toughest trail.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5o8-6V_TLqHoIGAPjN3naKOvxYM70xyYgk85_BFqZfzP8uahdY3ZpjNAnk68xzynyHZMVU2gdp73CxZKIDzxjdYODM1Z1EwF60k05p8ll6wjCUibUEy1kz2obiCmaVc4qHUB2xSIawXxn/s1600/G0010042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5o8-6V_TLqHoIGAPjN3naKOvxYM70xyYgk85_BFqZfzP8uahdY3ZpjNAnk68xzynyHZMVU2gdp73CxZKIDzxjdYODM1Z1EwF60k05p8ll6wjCUibUEy1kz2obiCmaVc4qHUB2xSIawXxn/s640/G0010042.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Second attempt on this little rock ledge on the Soverign Trail. The first had me upside down, wheels in the air and stuck under the bike with my knee pinched between the pannier frame and a rock. Took some painful leg twisting to get out of there, I felt like a cast sheep for a while!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn90Dj9rl3pH8dbOOXynjaskcPfREqeLiQM3g6q5y4EvBYtz2DsUKMqIlWi1gJRlS_mAaKHOreV-Oc0_XjWzD8qdX56ONCg6y2wuHmQNd8-m3qErftA_3LTyj2VbfrsJwe5Vdw91FNwdQy/s1600/GOPR0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn90Dj9rl3pH8dbOOXynjaskcPfREqeLiQM3g6q5y4EvBYtz2DsUKMqIlWi1gJRlS_mAaKHOreV-Oc0_XjWzD8qdX56ONCg6y2wuHmQNd8-m3qErftA_3LTyj2VbfrsJwe5Vdw91FNwdQy/s640/GOPR0002.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Funky Rocks out on the Soverign Trail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia20svm-0ildbMGpAVvSX1gXfeD44JZ6RO6qtYB0qm5wHslnXCiuyySRtD74a5YoZE6GHdOfj_7zJdHS1YJSJBlvfnvKS_VGlVJMpu6KH4dnc_SJ33wvRNdGXFYYZSJXSfTvvU732yikpS/s1600/DSCF5215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia20svm-0ildbMGpAVvSX1gXfeD44JZ6RO6qtYB0qm5wHslnXCiuyySRtD74a5YoZE6GHdOfj_7zJdHS1YJSJBlvfnvKS_VGlVJMpu6KH4dnc_SJ33wvRNdGXFYYZSJXSfTvvU732yikpS/s640/DSCF5215.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Oklahoma Boys</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-jH8WkIXDhIMJsEjXpW7Ku6In7IoBSjcIXbpMe3ya9Y-S7pRAWIWMDssDnc7ZdBYdZNiL53xQ3v260MnJj2Ec65tzM8nFHJ-7QwEPP9N1gXshVKvuTQFbjuarPn8hgAWTt8gZZjCbItC/s1600/DSCF5216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-jH8WkIXDhIMJsEjXpW7Ku6In7IoBSjcIXbpMe3ya9Y-S7pRAWIWMDssDnc7ZdBYdZNiL53xQ3v260MnJj2Ec65tzM8nFHJ-7QwEPP9N1gXshVKvuTQFbjuarPn8hgAWTt8gZZjCbItC/s640/DSCF5216.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying the unique rock landscapes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I first heard about the Five Miles of Hell trail back in Durango from Tim, he said it was the kind of ride you did once and would have no desire to go back, and that it would be just suicidal on a big DR650. I remember thinking way back then that this must be an interesting ride....and what do you know I now have a chance to check it out. I'm a little apprehensive and unsure about this one though, I'm only a couple weeks short of heading home, maybe I should just finish up while I'm ahead and still walking, after all I've allready had an awesome time in the area. "Oky Joe's" dead keen to have me along though, his group of around 7 or 8 riders has for some reason shrunk down to 2 for the trip out to Hell and he wants some extra mussel along. Well, what the hell, it can't be that bad, and I know I will regret not having I go, so the next day we load up and head off to the trail head at Hell.<br />
<br />
The ride turns out to be a lot of fun..... that is when you block out all the worries and just focus on the ride. You pick your way over rocks and sand set amongst a maze of mini canyon lands, and you have to have your eyes peeled to follow the white dotted lines marked out on the rocks. There is no track as such, the route simply takes you over and around the rock formations and down into the canyons. In places you have to traverse narrow ledges, turn on a dime and then launch up steep faces. The slick rock enables you to ride up stuff that you wouldn't normally shake a stick at!<br />
<br />
I enjoy tight technical mountain biking and I think this is helping me out on this ride. The level of fitness is demanding too, it's just relentlessly hard work as you continuously wrestle the bike around and up the natural obstacles. The challenge is such a buzz, and you know if you get it wrong in some of the more exposed sections you could go straight to...well... Hell. And a break down out here would be serious too, there would be only two options really, walk out and back with replacement parts or fly the bike out. To walk or tow a bike out of here would just not happen!!<br />
<br />
After about 3 hours we manhandle the bikes up an exceptionally difficult climb and having completed 2 miles of " 5 Miles of Hell" we opt to take the optional early exit. Like I said you need to be fit for this one. I didn't feel disappointed at all about leaving early, this has been some of the most ridiculous riding I have ever done and was surprised at what we had accomplished. The rest of Hell will keep for another day.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLgJ8QJo-lDO3g2jwUi3dxcb3R78NzgUjbsVXf6zmqbao9cTYBfmbd042AOACQR-LSjl57_L6ep7jkXJegh02tkqkSRsrbcWGuftqEtTvHusJ0CNECrpJV1K01XMUFX_1lVkG6S5YeQSKU/s1600/DSCF5228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLgJ8QJo-lDO3g2jwUi3dxcb3R78NzgUjbsVXf6zmqbao9cTYBfmbd042AOACQR-LSjl57_L6ep7jkXJegh02tkqkSRsrbcWGuftqEtTvHusJ0CNECrpJV1K01XMUFX_1lVkG6S5YeQSKU/s640/DSCF5228.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oky Joe and Randy take a break half way through 5 Miles of Hell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The ride at Hell was a great climax to the incredible riding here in Moab. And, my two weeks at Moab was a great way to end up my year of motorcycling. I leave town feeling that I could still spend plenty more time here, but with the differculty of some of the trails it's probably a good thing I'm leaving before I can't help myself but beat up the bike and my body more than I should!! If you enjoy taking anything with wheels off road you can't help but be amazed with the scenery and unique off roading opportunities here, it's that good. <br />
<br />
I have a night camping out in the canyon lands and then a couple of chilly days traversing the high mountains of New Mexico before making my way across to the plains of Oklahoma. Here I have planed to leave the bike at my friends place. I rode with John for a couple of weeks down in Colombia and he has kindly let me store the bike in his shed while I head home for 5 months of work. Dead flat agricultural plains are not what you would call great motorcycling but it's worthy time that adds to the overall experience that is America. <br />
<br />
The roads in eastern Oklahoma are flat, straight and deserted. I have it all to myself and without the usual curves and oncoming hazards to take my focus I spend my last couple of days riding reflecting back on the trip from it's early beginnings to now, some 12 months, 50 500km, and One thousand and Fifty hours of ride time later. I'm still trying to absorb it all, I feel like I've had about ten years worth of life experiences instead of one. So now I'm looking forward to seeing family and friends, not living out of a pack, having a decent wardrobe of clothes and just spending some time back in Beautiful Golden Bay. Tune in again in 5 months time for part two!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbpcWTEsBtOUxQJXojxLlyhd35n_FNw3dMCj4fMsROqZFm9Ijxb1UcZLcfT60vs0JKZ9QrKO-W4IFcuk8bEZtQVwxRJhSWvuMbkJK7cfGE0OXxBxUSLoDDcJNoVrXHqeonUhjaFGL8aDTj/s1600/DSCF5231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbpcWTEsBtOUxQJXojxLlyhd35n_FNw3dMCj4fMsROqZFm9Ijxb1UcZLcfT60vs0JKZ9QrKO-W4IFcuk8bEZtQVwxRJhSWvuMbkJK7cfGE0OXxBxUSLoDDcJNoVrXHqeonUhjaFGL8aDTj/s640/DSCF5231.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading for the Needles district of Canyon lands National Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeOT_QhhBbY1pq3LGd0qAHsFsJKdZ_LIhB8MAOAWLf0rmkhZITk6kuWJEiQcYpDDxKKiUVRLMg-5-s4B3td5t2tJTGcz_d7L3gwVvfmwFW3X09By_GLNY4mNoT4RA8BYT4tH5eHYJsc_T8/s1600/DSCF5234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeOT_QhhBbY1pq3LGd0qAHsFsJKdZ_LIhB8MAOAWLf0rmkhZITk6kuWJEiQcYpDDxKKiUVRLMg-5-s4B3td5t2tJTGcz_d7L3gwVvfmwFW3X09By_GLNY4mNoT4RA8BYT4tH5eHYJsc_T8/s640/DSCF5234.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6qwCEOheMQfuckV9A4MEnfiCgoStdkUNRuRIfraxQphGMyLrOjXJ9-YiVCXVW9stI11S6r3xmNEa6KeFx31_ESRHI5ZkvYS9Dqh6kAameLutd6X1zov-rCDz1ww2MEL1Tbpt5Dre7cnkl/s1600/DSCF5241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6qwCEOheMQfuckV9A4MEnfiCgoStdkUNRuRIfraxQphGMyLrOjXJ9-YiVCXVW9stI11S6r3xmNEa6KeFx31_ESRHI5ZkvYS9Dqh6kAameLutd6X1zov-rCDz1ww2MEL1Tbpt5Dre7cnkl/s640/DSCF5241.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Free camping just outside the National Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC6nyoQtzHSoMWYlwq8rsfAlqWpEsxbnG4a5369E2630zSiOovRi93ggJo5PdgzFEVfTFVW29_iTGy-LbFOq0Q8jxe1q8V54ZE4BmxxQimD57w-P8Vh1IArhK_Z7AtczxK9t7PoAOxoPEC/s1600/DSCF5246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC6nyoQtzHSoMWYlwq8rsfAlqWpEsxbnG4a5369E2630zSiOovRi93ggJo5PdgzFEVfTFVW29_iTGy-LbFOq0Q8jxe1q8V54ZE4BmxxQimD57w-P8Vh1IArhK_Z7AtczxK9t7PoAOxoPEC/s640/DSCF5246.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In New Mexico I ride through the Earth Ship community. These houses were popping up all over the desert and made from recycled tyres and bottles etc.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0zJmYxsvHUdHTSQ_AR_irV_w9FHE6Aqh3KFNbAQMOeO3oUeLqo98jnfMPc-sxZ2XUq8-NJ_5TcR_qgblPdP3kgeMr21msTs7g5wuaz-zSc-BZxAmq1SXY-LYyMQb-pI1dqGqSLl7NBqK/s1600/DSCF5206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qGF3TJPh-znAzEOU9IX8ngKQ-pvR_W2lIKcxEgpwKzzxXZxgoCZfT0lVsThNu9ROhfS1weCX2gDuhV4Ti1Xn-OFrHzox8USHkz8mRd61et-2IEbxn0r5T7F4oa-L6FL3jDB2yQxm0-sX/s1600/DSCF5248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qGF3TJPh-znAzEOU9IX8ngKQ-pvR_W2lIKcxEgpwKzzxXZxgoCZfT0lVsThNu9ROhfS1weCX2gDuhV4Ti1Xn-OFrHzox8USHkz8mRd61et-2IEbxn0r5T7F4oa-L6FL3jDB2yQxm0-sX/s400/DSCF5248.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxHSs5406fU34a_2JRPHXLvkan7ERbJsojboOXlRaNhV6u-mwQcQL8mS9kPuvHYyJSMZLqelY07UuFcIx5nDYrCiiDEfvrS3tZo5us2PTScPPdgGZopsFOFHY9Lc3J4lwudNwj9zQ2HT79/s1600/DSCF5249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxHSs5406fU34a_2JRPHXLvkan7ERbJsojboOXlRaNhV6u-mwQcQL8mS9kPuvHYyJSMZLqelY07UuFcIx5nDYrCiiDEfvrS3tZo5us2PTScPPdgGZopsFOFHY9Lc3J4lwudNwj9zQ2HT79/s640/DSCF5249.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last days on the road in Oklahoma</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCcTpuRHyDP4LRYM8eQFuRVha06oUb35SYrfDsObcX1GGA_YQmtB6nOSidqUTV1iHYj1_2lU5HJmZv7cje7uYLlSuvv3GApYdXjGS6Hbw1yoAwMP1_5JyTaEHR-Tgzvl8G3hLrVl-dinq2/s1600/DSCF5252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCcTpuRHyDP4LRYM8eQFuRVha06oUb35SYrfDsObcX1GGA_YQmtB6nOSidqUTV1iHYj1_2lU5HJmZv7cje7uYLlSuvv3GApYdXjGS6Hbw1yoAwMP1_5JyTaEHR-Tgzvl8G3hLrVl-dinq2/s640/DSCF5252.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After 5 months it was great to catch up with John again at his home town of Pryor, Oklahoma.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrp7gFThEKCkSveD9Xszm41DubERIJCGAUZKNSeCN_-Qa4GeJtE-WSYBuxFpM4JvgQkntfzm4maLHBWbsX5v90p5a9qsdn7l9Embz386XNJMoMPnWopiyLd7PCLo2l6xFlzRaiTTeJLqmW/s1600/DSCF5254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrp7gFThEKCkSveD9Xszm41DubERIJCGAUZKNSeCN_-Qa4GeJtE-WSYBuxFpM4JvgQkntfzm4maLHBWbsX5v90p5a9qsdn7l9Embz386XNJMoMPnWopiyLd7PCLo2l6xFlzRaiTTeJLqmW/s640/DSCF5254.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">God dam that's a big set of handle bars! Checking out famous Fort Worth stockyards in Texas.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0sC6YHorJKBZ4TVEAFHHbLgZyDgwFwU7Py2hWYzpaVFOfr7WvtttjNt9PSConosT9ngbtL7uqADE1fD-h4D7W55G2QWlV0S6vBqFhjTOhc2EDYXndwFRnw06veHfiy5zWIzwHEl2tsUni/s1600/DSCF5257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0sC6YHorJKBZ4TVEAFHHbLgZyDgwFwU7Py2hWYzpaVFOfr7WvtttjNt9PSConosT9ngbtL7uqADE1fD-h4D7W55G2QWlV0S6vBqFhjTOhc2EDYXndwFRnw06veHfiy5zWIzwHEl2tsUni/s640/DSCF5257.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bikes and action at the Dallas motorcycle show</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy1yog_3XrvpX_KiWXrfskoowChXXgRBwDJxN5nfTIMk5N3EbCAIN4HJP9grGKo0VQGgua19kZ2N6X-Fc96_N4yWD5Z32bWIeana6IcZfzdiDzpcStBpVApgODNyxcAOGFUysY9GTmpgri/s1600/DSCF5260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy1yog_3XrvpX_KiWXrfskoowChXXgRBwDJxN5nfTIMk5N3EbCAIN4HJP9grGKo0VQGgua19kZ2N6X-Fc96_N4yWD5Z32bWIeana6IcZfzdiDzpcStBpVApgODNyxcAOGFUysY9GTmpgri/s640/DSCF5260.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyfkDWuVdEr4j1QH0ug7SGliIUNg9E3pGO_yGJbHW-TrbIVkWTwovzFVXyvqwBKVb3aCsTgs3sGQZpzXzwniZQWyPJoW4TYeK1Jd-gON97rogVzxlR5lKqPhiTl_R1-B_0NX0sRHYPFwvE/s1600/DSCF5268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyfkDWuVdEr4j1QH0ug7SGliIUNg9E3pGO_yGJbHW-TrbIVkWTwovzFVXyvqwBKVb3aCsTgs3sGQZpzXzwniZQWyPJoW4TYeK1Jd-gON97rogVzxlR5lKqPhiTl_R1-B_0NX0sRHYPFwvE/s400/DSCF5268.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Omelet for breaky in a typical US diner, you don't go hungry here, the servings are generous!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP7DYw8FCg4dyV47k2EdFZvRH1d-kEGXIM-09kmEGe4TNhtFyNwK9eWcP4Bn-C4H8-LLJMgLQ2c0jhqj8ipeq1WcbsuRFx7BFAbceT-Pa2w4pFNTjX8qBn_4ySnIIBQktnxZ0dDGkjuJjv/s1600/DSCF5264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP7DYw8FCg4dyV47k2EdFZvRH1d-kEGXIM-09kmEGe4TNhtFyNwK9eWcP4Bn-C4H8-LLJMgLQ2c0jhqj8ipeq1WcbsuRFx7BFAbceT-Pa2w4pFNTjX8qBn_4ySnIIBQktnxZ0dDGkjuJjv/s640/DSCF5264.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cruising on the Amtrak train from Texas to LA just before flying home to NZ</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394193965421980981noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4310743008757337682.post-54002570754633739282012-10-18T11:56:00.000-07:002012-10-20T22:58:29.956-07:00United States of MotorcyclingWith all the media hype and violence surrounding the Us - Mexico border I must admit it was with relief that I had this border crossing over and done with. The crossing at Tecate was not as smooth as hoped though. It seemed as if the Mexicans didn't care if you were leaving their country, this border was all about whether the US would let you in through the massive security fence which stretched away in either direction from town. <br />
<br />
There was no Mexican Immigration to get our passports stamped out which is usual at all of the previous crossings, instead the US officers were already processing my entry visa and when I questioned where the Mexican Aduana was to retrieve my US $400 bond I was told not to worry about that just yet. So eventually I get my visa processed and while waiting over hear two armed officers talking about a video game that one played the night before where he had to shoot up a bunch of people, it just seemed a little in appropriate from some one who's profession envoles security and handling firearms!!<br />
<br />
So I get specific directions from the Us Customs officer on how to find the Mexican Aduana. I have been told I must leave the bike in the US and walk back across the border. I find the Aduana and the guy needs to see the bike but get this, he can't cross over the border to look at It, what the hell, this whole process is just backwards. I have no choice but to cross back over to the US get the bike and bring it back into Mexico!! I try walking directly back to the bike the wrong way and a US security officer comes out of nowhere and he's not too happy, "you can't do that, you have to go back through US immigration" for the second time, bloody hell.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, Patrick is having problems getting his bond back as the credit card he used to pay for it had to be cancelled when it was lost. So, after a stupid amount of time and several "loops" across the border on foot and then again with the bikes we were finally through.<br />
<br />
We called in at the Sidi boot Distributor in San Diego and I managed to get my beaten up boots replaced under warranty which cheered me up, thanks to Motonation. That was followed by a high speed freeway run into LA to Patrick's sister's apartment. Several days of City time and I was ready to get back to the Country. So after a couple of months with some company I was back on my own again. I have a couple of stops to make on the way out of LA. The GPS is a life safer as I am guided through what seemed like 70km of concrete jungle highways. I make Joshua Tree National park just on dusk for a nice camp.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIxpxgEulDj7P-lDgNP88-3mbbbdvXsljE-3E5jcfgKmDYBRtY3H0_ewG1K-Ykp9WWeYX_tRjMAC-D-a5VMm6FuHoE4mFni5e28PMQEo-5J7GyIHwaYdzOPBo5AJTzQrZ9cTKL4QBaInR8/s1600/DSCF4867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIxpxgEulDj7P-lDgNP88-3mbbbdvXsljE-3E5jcfgKmDYBRtY3H0_ewG1K-Ykp9WWeYX_tRjMAC-D-a5VMm6FuHoE4mFni5e28PMQEo-5J7GyIHwaYdzOPBo5AJTzQrZ9cTKL4QBaInR8/s640/DSCF4867.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Day two back on my own and I almost get stuck out in the desert! This trail near Joshua Tree National Park was steeper than it looks, and loose. I had to turn around and ride back up this after it become un-rideable. It took several attempts with the loose rocks, I dropped the bike a few times, and during one fall I ruptured my water bladder which I have mounted on the side of my tank. It's 40 degree C and I loose all my water, and I've almost broken my golden rule of off road riding, "never ride down something that you can't ride up" It was a close call.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicEEo_cZ4nN9t_2EPQi2wyoAEGpNU9agYBKID6lMFl0wNdNcMyy2b1i6dfC3lWm8Am-Y2baLBpsu1aH2oZ-qZelr9DI-3DqTd_8r_kf6ExYP7lzOoDDZV0DDm-_BCRyupAY4daehqgzREf/s1600/DSC00005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicEEo_cZ4nN9t_2EPQi2wyoAEGpNU9agYBKID6lMFl0wNdNcMyy2b1i6dfC3lWm8Am-Y2baLBpsu1aH2oZ-qZelr9DI-3DqTd_8r_kf6ExYP7lzOoDDZV0DDm-_BCRyupAY4daehqgzREf/s640/DSC00005.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0nQc6bosi5SAnOpFOXHgZr91Uh8HWAokTNANaQw-cpOGQ7JZ9S2PwSJ-j-xAurloCPqF_tvBYxqtdHx5FF3rX_cN1CLDOUEv2b_YGwaFzHC6gBHKXv01_L7XczTJQ5Mr8ZrGhkUS2qWka/s1600/DSCF4869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0nQc6bosi5SAnOpFOXHgZr91Uh8HWAokTNANaQw-cpOGQ7JZ9S2PwSJ-j-xAurloCPqF_tvBYxqtdHx5FF3rX_cN1CLDOUEv2b_YGwaFzHC6gBHKXv01_L7XczTJQ5Mr8ZrGhkUS2qWka/s640/DSCF4869.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0tYoQvtU304ZavF43esDB8pxhyphenhyphenNmvFCHGcNjDxq8D2do0uSkLpHcjL0oLeB6KvT6iGU521QGG5Nmj-AtDPni_Tfb0sCEXk10fq3gtcihwIfsTzC5rSJ7fRsU-mDpbJsLKDHnJXIyMeR6I/s1600/DSCF4861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0tYoQvtU304ZavF43esDB8pxhyphenhyphenNmvFCHGcNjDxq8D2do0uSkLpHcjL0oLeB6KvT6iGU521QGG5Nmj-AtDPni_Tfb0sCEXk10fq3gtcihwIfsTzC5rSJ7fRsU-mDpbJsLKDHnJXIyMeR6I/s400/DSCF4861.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The largest motorbike shop I've ever seen, lots of goodies here, Chaparral's Motor sports in San Bernardo, California.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYF4c6vXOhe_5yvqbzICOhz8hWz5cD6mbP6ldZ4hOGx8_pWAWHLZm0qQyX89ATjnbMGHBOe9WZTxYQ5W3ORbUlgyhDghzAhBolLZIWAnHIuA5Oy9Kb-lHSdrMzL58hP57suaMKTpgbQ4qw/s1600/DSCF4864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYF4c6vXOhe_5yvqbzICOhz8hWz5cD6mbP6ldZ4hOGx8_pWAWHLZm0qQyX89ATjnbMGHBOe9WZTxYQ5W3ORbUlgyhDghzAhBolLZIWAnHIuA5Oy9Kb-lHSdrMzL58hP57suaMKTpgbQ4qw/s400/DSCF4864.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm sure there's a TCK 80 front tyre with my name on it somewhere in here!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8dlJf-LSSpyhoGklH1xXZE0FsHRprox_86NCWLteOmZvczGqXAemuuxFEcl7Pf_YWKYspF6RvvNRq2P2s6Xn2dURW5t-9ePJKzdRmDIxSGyzSnwOmdlUo_mfRk1Ys-jNR6YVfaNSgNEvP/s1600/DSCF4872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8dlJf-LSSpyhoGklH1xXZE0FsHRprox_86NCWLteOmZvczGqXAemuuxFEcl7Pf_YWKYspF6RvvNRq2P2s6Xn2dURW5t-9ePJKzdRmDIxSGyzSnwOmdlUo_mfRk1Ys-jNR6YVfaNSgNEvP/s400/DSCF4872.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Time for some new rear wheel bearings, again!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdvO3Ift1oEU7xzzLJ387ovo019nwWaTUq5_TfLGrXdtuyVGDI_dE_G8JTd0Kn4ExTFhyphenhyphenAF5rkr9Dz5sjvVOSah0SBwo7ZDjNjprs85n7lmbYS8Zny0Y_ATN9Q52FYSquYAlnAsiAbjxfJ/s1600/DSCF4878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdvO3Ift1oEU7xzzLJ387ovo019nwWaTUq5_TfLGrXdtuyVGDI_dE_G8JTd0Kn4ExTFhyphenhyphenAF5rkr9Dz5sjvVOSah0SBwo7ZDjNjprs85n7lmbYS8Zny0Y_ATN9Q52FYSquYAlnAsiAbjxfJ/s400/DSCF4878.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">On the classic route 66</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgom7jQPOGejJMjtkxNte9tuxoYEruV6Wguw8jj09XOSq6DHcFpnt6c96Oft0QRA9GkOMoVRy4ClRbCrFSulcMiDpJc_P28LKcrCo-oard1K93rEEdCkJbrTtGPxwBpokpJmIF5iZPg0Xbh/s1600/DSCF4880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgom7jQPOGejJMjtkxNte9tuxoYEruV6Wguw8jj09XOSq6DHcFpnt6c96Oft0QRA9GkOMoVRy4ClRbCrFSulcMiDpJc_P28LKcrCo-oard1K93rEEdCkJbrTtGPxwBpokpJmIF5iZPg0Xbh/s640/DSCF4880.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">No shortage of signs here in the states</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj400xqjW23J9_YnyL1RisCQzpI86wxY0qQxA9Ot2GbOlvd6aqPtANFl-9xcIiJn-q-PgooSG8DTcUzFaXd6jcAZW-U_3XdRDlgeXHJ6qekZgBeDjVaIXbffPbCdb98uzurmIedyqHAjktA/s1600/DSCF4892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj400xqjW23J9_YnyL1RisCQzpI86wxY0qQxA9Ot2GbOlvd6aqPtANFl-9xcIiJn-q-PgooSG8DTcUzFaXd6jcAZW-U_3XdRDlgeXHJ6qekZgBeDjVaIXbffPbCdb98uzurmIedyqHAjktA/s640/DSCF4892.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">With Grand Canyon not far off route I decided to call in for a look and find a free bush camp</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNvVvjJ-fZCvErG07L-yOufeDJHlDN6FbLx-JpLxyLRIbsimzhhbOTbEvh0T0CoRWbmv-eVDr0XmV-bzjwAfURvQzO6vI5Sth7zndcWb9StdzXxIA8XoaWmXx6Vm8Q1NO6AKGbDloCN2x6/s1600/DSCF4899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNvVvjJ-fZCvErG07L-yOufeDJHlDN6FbLx-JpLxyLRIbsimzhhbOTbEvh0T0CoRWbmv-eVDr0XmV-bzjwAfURvQzO6vI5Sth7zndcWb9StdzXxIA8XoaWmXx6Vm8Q1NO6AKGbDloCN2x6/s400/DSCF4899.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCp8P15b-AaG-i5GLj89JmcCdzDwAQLHiS_hmKWSNke5FHtLwShVeaeoGH5HDB3E4KyRYHF4OiR5AyZ5vVoqyrVut1bIn1YC94lAThFPnNbuNXCWN_qhCvJT2XizlXnlxOMYC6Dm7mpMA/s1600/DSCF4903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCp8P15b-AaG-i5GLj89JmcCdzDwAQLHiS_hmKWSNke5FHtLwShVeaeoGH5HDB3E4KyRYHF4OiR5AyZ5vVoqyrVut1bIn1YC94lAThFPnNbuNXCWN_qhCvJT2XizlXnlxOMYC6Dm7mpMA/s640/DSCF4903.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Nice landscapes</span> <span style="font-size: small;">between Flagstaff and Durango</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBhtDbbigW6plNu8xXRdlfyihe-dj3FKACdofdacQ_60kK1N_gCbScvwvRH-207RF7xoz7I6RZHKnwYpC4sVBz9eD105Gt-KUvt9tqYKksoPWlKnroQYedaFviZiY95uVytaO5Gf-D2Jr9/s1600/DSCF4910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBhtDbbigW6plNu8xXRdlfyihe-dj3FKACdofdacQ_60kK1N_gCbScvwvRH-207RF7xoz7I6RZHKnwYpC4sVBz9eD105Gt-KUvt9tqYKksoPWlKnroQYedaFviZiY95uVytaO5Gf-D2Jr9/s640/DSCF4910.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Historic Durango - Silverton train</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3EWjJHnnukLQ2HadhmYQGzB4Q20t2WQBuaK0X9b9kb9fSB3qzaZEEN7_a7Sy9yyyJRbohWoRLnNzRnkZd-hY1JqZquo1pLsN4yZ_OWZ0cPgNalwVqRdNmEftGd2H7GzT7Mka41OIYRYc/s1600/DSCF4914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3EWjJHnnukLQ2HadhmYQGzB4Q20t2WQBuaK0X9b9kb9fSB3qzaZEEN7_a7Sy9yyyJRbohWoRLnNzRnkZd-hY1JqZquo1pLsN4yZ_OWZ0cPgNalwVqRdNmEftGd2H7GzT7Mka41OIYRYc/s400/DSCF4914.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After 11 months and 45 000km looking for the ultimate ride I may have found the place. Durango, Colorado! Durango and the surrounding towns of Siverton, Lake City, Quray and Telluride are stunningly situated in the San Juan Mountains and steeped in mining history. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I guess you could argue that the culture experience in South and Central America would be hard to beat, but as a Kiwi I find the American culture here just as interesting. The "saloons"and dinners where you get dished up a big feed of eggs and hash browns, the hot waitresses with their cute accents, the big old gas guzzling pick ups etc all adds up to creating a atmosphere that was a world through the TV as I grew up. These towns have a mix of old time miner types, hippie's and lot's of outdoor enhusist's making use of all the incredible outdoor recreation available. And the people are just really, really helpful and friendly.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Anybody keen on mountain biking would recognise the names Durango and Telluride, these place's are single track heaven. Being a keen mountain biker myself it would have been painfull to be here without a mountain bike...but hang on a minute, unbelievable a lot of the single track bike trails on forest lands are open to motorbikes. With the luggage removed the DR is transformed into a single track weapon, ......well actually it's a long way short really with the highway gearing and porkyness but it's surprising what I end up riding and it's some of the most fun I've ever had on a motorbike. Single track riding back in NZ in the forest is just not available.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There's so much riding that I start worrying about how I'm going to ride it all! I find myself riding technical gnarly piece's of trail on my big dual purpose bike just because you can!! I can't ride past a trail like that and not have a go!! My bash plate is paying for itself here.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And it's not just the techy single track that makes this place so great for motorcycling. The hills are just fill of old gold mining relics from a 100 or so years ago and what's been left behind is a incredible network of jeep trails up over high passes linking up all these sites. It's a superb combination of scenery and riding. It's a bit like the areas of central Otago, Qweenstown and Wanaka all rolled into one on a big scale, and I'm lucky enough to be experiencing some beautiful Autumn weather. For once I'm at a place at a good time of year!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's not all good however. My trusty bike is not so new anymore. She's starting to burn lots of oil on start up, I check my valve clearances and one exhaust is out of spec for the first time on the trip. I keep riding for a couple of weeks thinking I may just have worn valve stem seals which is not such a big deal. My bike is now notably way down on power which gets me worried and at the next opportunity I go to shop and get a leak down test done. The results are not good. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've been struggling to decide what to do about the bike for the last two weeks, should I just keep on riding, it's running OK after all, or should I open it up and prevent any possible further damage. It's a difficult decision. My undesirable pessimistic nature gets the better of me and assuming the worst after the leak down test I decide to go ahead and pull the engine to bits. So the good/bad news is the leak down test may have lead me astray, on first inspection the engine doesn't look too bad at all!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm now waiting on a new cam chain, piston ring set and valves. It's not all bad, Durango is a great place to hang out for a while and I should have a sweet engine for another 50 000km!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAS5aohiAnAhiZreYrhtVxtgg1evlnEMT8RBXq3X-DcdcWk39HeQYkS5nqp2usewMSrL4NSXuGZy0VwrMn956iieXmoYU42VTrVsfls4MwLs9_U-4jEOjN-gxAc08-xPatz84nHWugQFzL/s1600/DSCF4919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAS5aohiAnAhiZreYrhtVxtgg1evlnEMT8RBXq3X-DcdcWk39HeQYkS5nqp2usewMSrL4NSXuGZy0VwrMn956iieXmoYU42VTrVsfls4MwLs9_U-4jEOjN-gxAc08-xPatz84nHWugQFzL/s640/DSCF4919.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">First sample of single track. I have to look at the sign three times to convince myself that I'm not going to get shot for riding my motorcycle down this trail</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBL0b10bzH_cQU1c4j-ThjpT8w8T8LeM6VKXsQBtEbDNCX21Km46Q3uKPWYDPrgntWK58ZGqwfgWCWWhcY3exPtusIqpB00g2VwzNb4cipPwLUGvfcjpB_BNaparS1quOq_-MxRQNchR0/s1600/DSCF4935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBL0b10bzH_cQU1c4j-ThjpT8w8T8LeM6VKXsQBtEbDNCX21Km46Q3uKPWYDPrgntWK58ZGqwfgWCWWhcY3exPtusIqpB00g2VwzNb4cipPwLUGvfcjpB_BNaparS1quOq_-MxRQNchR0/s640/DSCF4935.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQDkkrG72LbhtzEdADpst-oFDjIihbJUt_ivjgI9Q4qdc6D84ihqj5YMsidWvHTtyw1H5iDXXpLTDKvA1KWWZV6MS4nDc66APuuxvD9P9XKINxUhBXVfs5zmykB4ET5HiJaieBcDaheOYV/s1600/DSCF4950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQDkkrG72LbhtzEdADpst-oFDjIihbJUt_ivjgI9Q4qdc6D84ihqj5YMsidWvHTtyw1H5iDXXpLTDKvA1KWWZV6MS4nDc66APuuxvD9P9XKINxUhBXVfs5zmykB4ET5HiJaieBcDaheOYV/s640/DSCF4950.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Not a place to go over the edge!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2EFvtqxej6zof6FQOYZxxTa3s9QPMhg1h74c9LKU_t5yjmMsaUG1G0nDnFLgRY9WEnuHyCOKrbwmL3oIyIap4KWcPBh6r_HKxWPaay9MU8PLw7i8lwVQlcXj06_PrHtlqZgOnOuOtuf3Z/s1600/DSCF4964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2EFvtqxej6zof6FQOYZxxTa3s9QPMhg1h74c9LKU_t5yjmMsaUG1G0nDnFLgRY9WEnuHyCOKrbwmL3oIyIap4KWcPBh6r_HKxWPaay9MU8PLw7i8lwVQlcXj06_PrHtlqZgOnOuOtuf3Z/s640/DSCF4964.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0OPsCB3r0otu3yPg_J-MTdP0w-ay9-0AnTPpWV6IOmCVCHW-2sNpVSzHysBxiyeOcRWyiCb8NkhRuCIWQmXCzAgmmfTzhviTQ4pH7U7_gsfNlFkwrbd-PBzMcrVFyTgy7m9owaJiyJR_4/s1600/DSCF4968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0OPsCB3r0otu3yPg_J-MTdP0w-ay9-0AnTPpWV6IOmCVCHW-2sNpVSzHysBxiyeOcRWyiCb8NkhRuCIWQmXCzAgmmfTzhviTQ4pH7U7_gsfNlFkwrbd-PBzMcrVFyTgy7m9owaJiyJR_4/s640/DSCF4968.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfDvzZOgzoM-DoKNx-IdF2G7xnAGNiv5cV-_uvFgs6vYlbNoJ0r5HumCbfLnbiCkrqztqkM1kIE23QXTXFt2itQ5HwupGCrMzJJBLikD2GNwDWms13K_G_6UHu1pH9zFNJf3qezb9-0ug/s1600/DSCF4970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfDvzZOgzoM-DoKNx-IdF2G7xnAGNiv5cV-_uvFgs6vYlbNoJ0r5HumCbfLnbiCkrqztqkM1kIE23QXTXFt2itQ5HwupGCrMzJJBLikD2GNwDWms13K_G_6UHu1pH9zFNJf3qezb9-0ug/s640/DSCF4970.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9GOte7pBZW_DbqBpicxHKQrm-YJpDx3yxw_SAoYJWAusOL6KYwBMpc6S1XHtKi6eIQ99bKlkQtdpzslSzGuotlMJPmIvrdBCJtl8fvAkK1o7rWrR_W-e4eLVHVvY-1mDfQaBVJJHYiF6w/s1600/DSCF4975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9GOte7pBZW_DbqBpicxHKQrm-YJpDx3yxw_SAoYJWAusOL6KYwBMpc6S1XHtKi6eIQ99bKlkQtdpzslSzGuotlMJPmIvrdBCJtl8fvAkK1o7rWrR_W-e4eLVHVvY-1mDfQaBVJJHYiF6w/s640/DSCF4975.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Autumn is a nice time of year to be in Durango </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEea7KsD6VqFSddmUhXKi0ZQhmqqgF2KGtZeZZQFBlymo0kosfvNmESmCGWW8sbVHJpLqRhAxufJDH3JvQwftClxi5gfdFa_dQqWq9Q3lniHD_KkQSOxeJtUinmufsTuSaUWZ_KJa4w6B9/s1600/DSCF4984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEea7KsD6VqFSddmUhXKi0ZQhmqqgF2KGtZeZZQFBlymo0kosfvNmESmCGWW8sbVHJpLqRhAxufJDH3JvQwftClxi5gfdFa_dQqWq9Q3lniHD_KkQSOxeJtUinmufsTuSaUWZ_KJa4w6B9/s640/DSCF4984.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tim and Randy riding Husaberg 570's take me on an awesome day out riding single track and jeep trails</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0aQ-lVhyi-UmHe0_WgbeyXSNlddxw3Mt0FT4tWUF6JrQzrspvQ6EbSPnsDoSCQN3B50dQ9JpryPSO3uDCDS4-eB2itXdNunW1QX99RTpmThi4R6HK4trI0OvngSDRg_70CETsTngEQcIF/s1600/DSCF4977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0aQ-lVhyi-UmHe0_WgbeyXSNlddxw3Mt0FT4tWUF6JrQzrspvQ6EbSPnsDoSCQN3B50dQ9JpryPSO3uDCDS4-eB2itXdNunW1QX99RTpmThi4R6HK4trI0OvngSDRg_70CETsTngEQcIF/s640/DSCF4977.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tim slicing it up</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnsGPx5rOl_UP-0wZQS7L7q5BEvZnoZOjVbGMbLsbuncUWF-6oe42oPDnrwY7_nER4JK1MtNVS_LyufE0Mg_Kqm6sb7k9C3F2yrUo0HDRDA6DNXELObi3nmKQDq434sy3uliRpEovxJO34/s1600/DSCF4981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnsGPx5rOl_UP-0wZQS7L7q5BEvZnoZOjVbGMbLsbuncUWF-6oe42oPDnrwY7_nER4JK1MtNVS_LyufE0Mg_Kqm6sb7k9C3F2yrUo0HDRDA6DNXELObi3nmKQDq434sy3uliRpEovxJO34/s640/DSCF4981.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A little trail maintenance on the way</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Mm1ijQpXHu7dBObyXoYBAdFAadoJ-KZWeYHu9CDvHs7gnFAaTKn6P3Fl6CrYjWhxJrAVNiQUVDzNT2hE6O39wq6JnqPWBeOoyTimf995qKkXVmkXObQn-XAUKE-tQ3PhJo_UHwz7saVg/s1600/DSCF4983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Mm1ijQpXHu7dBObyXoYBAdFAadoJ-KZWeYHu9CDvHs7gnFAaTKn6P3Fl6CrYjWhxJrAVNiQUVDzNT2hE6O39wq6JnqPWBeOoyTimf995qKkXVmkXObQn-XAUKE-tQ3PhJo_UHwz7saVg/s640/DSCF4983.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnSkhYtlnR_M25WhqXsDUPKJTbZ6bOxgbQO7RhldoWTvOqpJtsqw4fX2Bh6pSoT0DPxOvaZk3xv0cXKGDT38YtQyVYed4wiwAdONndYpwcdcILLkPr796qQJ2s8d8dNp-eeHMbEFOBGRih/s1600/DSCF4989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnSkhYtlnR_M25WhqXsDUPKJTbZ6bOxgbQO7RhldoWTvOqpJtsqw4fX2Bh6pSoT0DPxOvaZk3xv0cXKGDT38YtQyVYed4wiwAdONndYpwcdcILLkPr796qQJ2s8d8dNp-eeHMbEFOBGRih/s640/DSCF4989.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_1W-dlQzjhMGk91b2OIA9hRLdCc0lFg_o85AIbtADGB0u88lrdO5yozDXYA9AHsra_CW2Mk5oA8y7ESecKmc8UteuevDzVrNQfLmJQPeTlNtDA0zuzjU-wXRM1eTHhdHFgxvj4kqmSXBb/s1600/DSCF4992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_1W-dlQzjhMGk91b2OIA9hRLdCc0lFg_o85AIbtADGB0u88lrdO5yozDXYA9AHsra_CW2Mk5oA8y7ESecKmc8UteuevDzVrNQfLmJQPeTlNtDA0zuzjU-wXRM1eTHhdHFgxvj4kqmSXBb/s640/DSCF4992.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lunch break at Ricco</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq0JoaToh7_s9yzfVLJUlrRzTXqQiw6fOEhSAntNfs9JPFR9ew8gkIgtms37qMW29E3R8RIBu7bzOPPHNGtDr8yAGQ-O4OooHKHbqSP3vIMeKt4FXiAmqj-yvm_Qzn0lFkxeJNtvBza_IV/s1600/DSCF4994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq0JoaToh7_s9yzfVLJUlrRzTXqQiw6fOEhSAntNfs9JPFR9ew8gkIgtms37qMW29E3R8RIBu7bzOPPHNGtDr8yAGQ-O4OooHKHbqSP3vIMeKt4FXiAmqj-yvm_Qzn0lFkxeJNtvBza_IV/s640/DSCF4994.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Base camp, Junction Creek Durango. That's my camp companion Nick in the background. We hung out for a week and cooked up some good meals on the open fire and exchanged a few yarns. It was great to have some company in the evenings.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYaPLrKWJcg63sMdF92DOWKrBALSZHNK3J3yM5oeamQEL-66U1_gQdGIujfs9ygy6EtCN2Gw0M9hwsMIlqaUg2q6-tVsV4oO74NPdeoHIq6FUYk3zHjHtTjqs-YZX17JPP_SwUzUdNwv5/s1600/DSCF5001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYaPLrKWJcg63sMdF92DOWKrBALSZHNK3J3yM5oeamQEL-66U1_gQdGIujfs9ygy6EtCN2Gw0M9hwsMIlqaUg2q6-tVsV4oO74NPdeoHIq6FUYk3zHjHtTjqs-YZX17JPP_SwUzUdNwv5/s640/DSCF5001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tight single track and....</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTIjV4qq5rVEvmEWySM3Kt48RGEHpJdw1Tfx35H4EKvm_vIHViGn5i9kXXsA8tEVuU0PGHoSuFoIvEypa01GOq6ScUPp-o4kWFwEsoSHHh6n3jUHf6880-QUQf5dsmcahtqEPQTtavk9B-/s1600/DSCF5002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTIjV4qq5rVEvmEWySM3Kt48RGEHpJdw1Tfx35H4EKvm_vIHViGn5i9kXXsA8tEVuU0PGHoSuFoIvEypa01GOq6ScUPp-o4kWFwEsoSHHh6n3jUHf6880-QUQf5dsmcahtqEPQTtavk9B-/s640/DSCF5002.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Fast open quad bike trails, and....</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4naZz7GJnGPinNwDDMtg3Ux7P2xq3251NiY9w0lbjow-k8bBy2Q5fzN2QoYfPzmpg-27Sv_mEs4tYwnT5lAg7BqG9yxd9PG74kHDuKF9YJeDOnnXGycQRyhPj1_ekSF2VsVVSJ2l-oIE/s1600/DSCF5007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4naZz7GJnGPinNwDDMtg3Ux7P2xq3251NiY9w0lbjow-k8bBy2Q5fzN2QoYfPzmpg-27Sv_mEs4tYwnT5lAg7BqG9yxd9PG74kHDuKF9YJeDOnnXGycQRyhPj1_ekSF2VsVVSJ2l-oIE/s640/DSCF5007.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Amazing scenery</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkgLwSh-Ryeb7ICJnlyWbd3D5M44hoLM0TDKYaE5v4LcVzPtO0Udf6UD-KE6QwUfVs7DGKJUfR9oTgi1sPEfo-bSkpGZWf2aE2YMK4LGyKSdKmyKrGm9boB80M_DoHKV3ap6T-p0LzhrWz/s1600/DSCF5011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkgLwSh-Ryeb7ICJnlyWbd3D5M44hoLM0TDKYaE5v4LcVzPtO0Udf6UD-KE6QwUfVs7DGKJUfR9oTgi1sPEfo-bSkpGZWf2aE2YMK4LGyKSdKmyKrGm9boB80M_DoHKV3ap6T-p0LzhrWz/s640/DSCF5011.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Engineer Pass on the Alpine loop</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZai5shBjZVx3bwaE0VeSbnMbhA-zvECv7CUCWpc0Vy3JjpImjwSvzGyMK7F6vhmbrsI7BhFvmYTlK23ormkZHP8-_1xKKeThWRRgd4nITyPPqolraixpEutA_689o2LyuHKrJ16uAlwkQ/s1600/DSCF5012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZai5shBjZVx3bwaE0VeSbnMbhA-zvECv7CUCWpc0Vy3JjpImjwSvzGyMK7F6vhmbrsI7BhFvmYTlK23ormkZHP8-_1xKKeThWRRgd4nITyPPqolraixpEutA_689o2LyuHKrJ16uAlwkQ/s640/DSCF5012.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lo<span style="font-size: small;">ts of interesting mining relics</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFlmQxf3nvE4r0FUCH_ZEYhn3KONcDKvDVU18ueCrARxHMcscC9qNJUG7cJPVs3el0wk23_27mGe_cC8LCG5DOs4sZhQ0lsqacJATeML57MLhEEpdq3X2-sQMkR79rLDSS61SD2NN8D0yn/s1600/DSCF5016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFlmQxf3nvE4r0FUCH_ZEYhn3KONcDKvDVU18ueCrARxHMcscC9qNJUG7cJPVs3el0wk23_27mGe_cC8LCG5DOs4sZhQ0lsqacJATeML57MLhEEpdq3X2-sQMkR79rLDSS61SD2NN8D0yn/s640/DSCF5016.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjajw9wwgcfcotJrkHiYp_iR4tuEjR8wpADjRDdwnn_1Hi0rj9FDz8CfVmBrCIEQgh336VEd5YzXl8MaxiKLUuh_y1CrXRm3kh0tjdInYv7YKhdE_xlnNCHvsRK17tGrj5VUnaO6eZh52Nr/s1600/DSCF5019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjajw9wwgcfcotJrkHiYp_iR4tuEjR8wpADjRDdwnn_1Hi0rj9FDz8CfVmBrCIEQgh336VEd5YzXl8MaxiKLUuh_y1CrXRm3kh0tjdInYv7YKhdE_xlnNCHvsRK17tGrj5VUnaO6eZh52Nr/s640/DSCF5019.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Kj6gOsRRfi0FTk8iR1GB9SjwOvNgy8yhsY6iR6cP1QsQxlvSdeTyzVxAqglDJCly9DmQN7qTAp8GlbabBbD72OYYLEOvwOCAM7J0081Nbfj_UsihZ7nBmje0MSuS3zZBxpv0wrXLBKA0/s1600/DSCF5022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Kj6gOsRRfi0FTk8iR1GB9SjwOvNgy8yhsY6iR6cP1QsQxlvSdeTyzVxAqglDJCly9DmQN7qTAp8GlbabBbD72OYYLEOvwOCAM7J0081Nbfj_UsihZ7nBmje0MSuS3zZBxpv0wrXLBKA0/s640/DSCF5022.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">California pass at 12 000 ft and some hard as old timer hauled that boiler up here 100 years ago</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqLjZhqyAYpGYuztaaqQU2rxbkQAGwuvyo5t778E36FUCrlk7kWAat-QGiDLbKY4AyWy7eR7QGW1GK9Iaj8NdEW_5yytGq_7FI3ImX7p572MPiZD7BQmreQXOjbWZHMMdzOufY0YxSpyXO/s1600/DSCF5030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqLjZhqyAYpGYuztaaqQU2rxbkQAGwuvyo5t778E36FUCrlk7kWAat-QGiDLbKY4AyWy7eR7QGW1GK9Iaj8NdEW_5yytGq_7FI3ImX7p572MPiZD7BQmreQXOjbWZHMMdzOufY0YxSpyXO/s640/DSCF5030.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Beautiful colours on the passes</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQDoTbBsztrLWx5_6Q1GlSoE0umsbxdVYFfkjghsBW-4Ap_V2QpS4aRtw6Z3Rc_zxxwLE9qTv57fcLXl7S2JGINlRwA3H0EfmYeLoFk2ifwWS-2W0R9i_0weGcc35pwsHNptev4tDDWayi/s1600/DSCF5032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQDoTbBsztrLWx5_6Q1GlSoE0umsbxdVYFfkjghsBW-4Ap_V2QpS4aRtw6Z3Rc_zxxwLE9qTv57fcLXl7S2JGINlRwA3H0EfmYeLoFk2ifwWS-2W0R9i_0weGcc35pwsHNptev4tDDWayi/s640/DSCF5032.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The nicely set town of Quray</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqYctboJ2tCZJ4KSJQMr2xFmg58yY4OrF7DEGDP3ELksUW9RHyXe9SjuZNCLy6RAmxxyq7Dxr56vr7URX7Ys_52S1p6SdPiMYMdvsMoePV59EWEGoaeY_-_r_Z9EJm4vnX5a4t1JZEv38/s1600/DSCF5045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqYctboJ2tCZJ4KSJQMr2xFmg58yY4OrF7DEGDP3ELksUW9RHyXe9SjuZNCLy6RAmxxyq7Dxr56vr7URX7Ys_52S1p6SdPiMYMdvsMoePV59EWEGoaeY_-_r_Z9EJm4vnX5a4t1JZEv38/s640/DSCF5045.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Wouldn't mind a hut like this myself</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaWh7GbiiV-GZh9mNpj7-1Pv0qcqF7DLn85cIaeZvwH5cpebqbw6L5dRUo0jeNdM5SI08GHqj7TbkaLflwrGA9-8PKCeHssCldXha7ioLsNAqE9MhZfS58w6sGSuOpo0M2tMsVPVVNwX-i/s1600/DSCF5048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaWh7GbiiV-GZh9mNpj7-1Pv0qcqF7DLn85cIaeZvwH5cpebqbw6L5dRUo0jeNdM5SI08GHqj7TbkaLflwrGA9-8PKCeHssCldXha7ioLsNAqE9MhZfS58w6sGSuOpo0M2tMsVPVVNwX-i/s640/DSCF5048.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcVyP-B7cUJUcWfWE73w5r64t83du7p4H8QPIZHWxcx2Qhotg8VqTrY0MsmngKz2v_eMgmlRkSYfBedFZST6ZJFUhCVmHlIvvIP0cQtV_tXuY-YWlKLSdQOpyCIsgFlX_4WX02mPjL7or/s1600/DSCF5054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcVyP-B7cUJUcWfWE73w5r64t83du7p4H8QPIZHWxcx2Qhotg8VqTrY0MsmngKz2v_eMgmlRkSYfBedFZST6ZJFUhCVmHlIvvIP0cQtV_tXuY-YWlKLSdQOpyCIsgFlX_4WX02mPjL7or/s640/DSCF5054.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlhyphenhyphen_Ys-fvw6DuLNdY8HarOCSiMxlDGV0MjHb7JP9WOwgvM-QfQ2NmfUoCk0daz4nuaxcH6uHIfMEpHT5ZYBITuaeKqLhX995h39ir7oT4PASuq6_dhQ-ff45eJvjPvmdTHWtiEHQeBqAH/s1600/DSCF5065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlhyphenhyphen_Ys-fvw6DuLNdY8HarOCSiMxlDGV0MjHb7JP9WOwgvM-QfQ2NmfUoCk0daz4nuaxcH6uHIfMEpHT5ZYBITuaeKqLhX995h39ir7oT4PASuq6_dhQ-ff45eJvjPvmdTHWtiEHQeBqAH/s640/DSCF5065.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Oops, got it wrong on Black Bear Pass trying to ride up it the wrong way, it's steeper than it looks and at around 12 000ft both the bike and me are struggling for air!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszIOeTm5hAIQzHY6-QS03toUBTn8m6tLyTn6xOLg7cyy4vDfcNJC0RdGscMrQNM89c6ck5YZC6jvYxllXU9QSt1GRlR18v1BGz5VoIhjMhc0ustuwByTqWZU-ZTOVxoYhBtYbyzcSPSpi/s1600/DSCF5067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszIOeTm5hAIQzHY6-QS03toUBTn8m6tLyTn6xOLg7cyy4vDfcNJC0RdGscMrQNM89c6ck5YZC6jvYxllXU9QSt1GRlR18v1BGz5VoIhjMhc0ustuwByTqWZU-ZTOVxoYhBtYbyzcSPSpi/s640/DSCF5067.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">....and that's Telluride way down there in the background</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFCjMeDaBXwTjXnE5RIDEQZ-DgKxU5e_d88VahE26l7Ldq_zwuO50JBcWL9ZB3l6VL8Hx6dLwBbVn-aiNQ0-DAEI9CQ6nMp9Qsnz93UlJoLx09mSWA8ndTkHttkqc1fw9ezI62xJi18b9/s1600/DSCF5076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFCjMeDaBXwTjXnE5RIDEQZ-DgKxU5e_d88VahE26l7Ldq_zwuO50JBcWL9ZB3l6VL8Hx6dLwBbVn-aiNQ0-DAEI9CQ6nMp9Qsnz93UlJoLx09mSWA8ndTkHttkqc1fw9ezI62xJi18b9/s640/DSCF5076.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">After the struggle with "the Black Bear" I have a nice relaxing coffee in Telluride, that's the pass up there in the centre background.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMx94W0SkDo5gbuRbdJdwrJLLm-hShYvRf2hEXeleEuecDelx7VhB-OEFPceYVAdh0rggqvHylnFxlrIDFcTayNEqbwJVoPdoHo2XUl8pASWh86vkrb_h3-4nXFXy_HJxaW_0kYkP24Ol6/s1600/DSC00007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMx94W0SkDo5gbuRbdJdwrJLLm-hShYvRf2hEXeleEuecDelx7VhB-OEFPceYVAdh0rggqvHylnFxlrIDFcTayNEqbwJVoPdoHo2XUl8pASWh86vkrb_h3-4nXFXy_HJxaW_0kYkP24Ol6/s640/DSC00007.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Greg from Fun Centre Motorbike shop takes me out on nice evening ride near Durango</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOlPY3hkqbZ59Lo4Pgf7JImylq519rYQrnPVGtAut7RpX95hW8s9aar5vghREG-gv_iaXTzPoRuqHzI0-1t66AX-W-57bGJO7yf28WYRrw-Gel_UEIhjlUsAiikqRa5ipJTNF3SMHhAjje/s1600/DSCF5079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOlPY3hkqbZ59Lo4Pgf7JImylq519rYQrnPVGtAut7RpX95hW8s9aar5vghREG-gv_iaXTzPoRuqHzI0-1t66AX-W-57bGJO7yf28WYRrw-Gel_UEIhjlUsAiikqRa5ipJTNF3SMHhAjje/s640/DSCF5079.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm riding up over the top of Ophir Pass on my way back to Durango and meet Tess and Evan two up on there BMW 650. Before you know it I'm invited to stay at there house and end up staying a couple of nights, they feed me awesome Mexican food and I get to hear Evan have a jam session with a friend. Was a really enjoyable time, thanks a heap.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_TqRsRGt8l_XrPNmijWQ1syUwIqlS8C-ZY-H7APbbeMPWjcxP_y4ZmFguQbYEPGW4muvyJKBE0473CEwp4EmCf4gU2bS_03ljxdArjGV46afJFrYbqvqcEwep0ka8Dzz6Qvrk0U2FBDz/s1600/GOPR0329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_TqRsRGt8l_XrPNmijWQ1syUwIqlS8C-ZY-H7APbbeMPWjcxP_y4ZmFguQbYEPGW4muvyJKBE0473CEwp4EmCf4gU2bS_03ljxdArjGV46afJFrYbqvqcEwep0ka8Dzz6Qvrk0U2FBDz/s640/GOPR0329.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Things are getting serious, head and cylinder about to come off</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQVNtiaFyVjQlv3nY9aASdrU3MzzKavBh603zGIeaJFvzsBsZXo_cbn8nfXkHt07MK3qkSMjY-YOPoe2vIFbPNH-fN6Q5-7Ncpf444PGUkN9fNtvL9svEOOp6oLWm4U-w6vHcm4F_00tUq/s1600/DSCF5086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQVNtiaFyVjQlv3nY9aASdrU3MzzKavBh603zGIeaJFvzsBsZXo_cbn8nfXkHt07MK3qkSMjY-YOPoe2vIFbPNH-fN6Q5-7Ncpf444PGUkN9fNtvL9svEOOp6oLWm4U-w6vHcm4F_00tUq/s640/DSCF5086.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimuD-gQjqlS_d9gjGARx3_u5-NPTlOitTbYyPCFZrxrsKpvYTqnpw9LKQhr7KI9Ki78e7m44TOKeUfw9082Fvyx6Mlt1xkd2mH3dNung6jML4_txFsYkQrbDyFGcJldQUXlUhVx7Lri56x/s1600/G0020351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimuD-gQjqlS_d9gjGARx3_u5-NPTlOitTbYyPCFZrxrsKpvYTqnpw9LKQhr7KI9Ki78e7m44TOKeUfw9082Fvyx6Mlt1xkd2mH3dNung6jML4_txFsYkQrbDyFGcJldQUXlUhVx7Lri56x/s640/G0020351.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">hmm, what am I doing!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvWy4jhWtss2dXi0nqeJysl-aNjQfJ5-jw38mY0MoJDC539qzl795fEV2JxeLifNMysa8Uz_F7kp1haxiATxvUed1Jti1LE0qt0s7Pmkj8RCAzWB6CDxds6OtYvxdD0n0cetQNXwAp_6w/s1600/GOPR0356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvWy4jhWtss2dXi0nqeJysl-aNjQfJ5-jw38mY0MoJDC539qzl795fEV2JxeLifNMysa8Uz_F7kp1haxiATxvUed1Jti1LE0qt0s7Pmkj8RCAzWB6CDxds6OtYvxdD0n0cetQNXwAp_6w/s640/GOPR0356.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Quality control officer's, Fern and Zoe keeping a close watch</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Z3gFxQy6FDsP6U-JyeeshFcp9mj2E9S2awy4uJpfwKThpxQ2GOHmOXKCd1vldY11DropkJUIKC7AtBDI2YVceRnI2Z7HIzYjttVNwyMrO9YnkFbSpMZRFFfLbchXOafiabHE22jo3wFU/s1600/G0030373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Z3gFxQy6FDsP6U-JyeeshFcp9mj2E9S2awy4uJpfwKThpxQ2GOHmOXKCd1vldY11DropkJUIKC7AtBDI2YVceRnI2Z7HIzYjttVNwyMrO9YnkFbSpMZRFFfLbchXOafiabHE22jo3wFU/s640/G0030373.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Transportation for town and parts running</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrVUdDX0nokw_YHD8SdaqgYgjvWGl6BteXn0TlhGWZy9dANouyCBKhJJPiQTtE7xb1gUN-7O7FZQAB9HhwPSGvdLIIrDS45NyNG7J6ZEfxvEU1o01IU37G5N_0ZVI8UaFWUdgwOtHPkQOc/s1600/DSCF5095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrVUdDX0nokw_YHD8SdaqgYgjvWGl6BteXn0TlhGWZy9dANouyCBKhJJPiQTtE7xb1gUN-7O7FZQAB9HhwPSGvdLIIrDS45NyNG7J6ZEfxvEU1o01IU37G5N_0ZVI8UaFWUdgwOtHPkQOc/s640/DSCF5095.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">And this is Susan and Omar who have opened up there house, garage, and given me the pushy to get around town on while I do the work on my bike. Omar is a keen biker and owns 3 BMW boxers and a Yamaha WR 400 trail bike. You guys have just been Fantastic, it's so nice to have a place to get the bike sorted. That's us cleaning up a concrete floor that Omar intends to polish up in his new house.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394193965421980981noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4310743008757337682.post-64994742612621655122012-09-21T14:33:00.000-07:002012-09-22T13:46:10.230-07:00Mexico<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Leaving Belize city couldn't come soon enough. The fresh airflow of being on the move was a welcome relief as the temperatures sored and standing around loading the up the bike in moto kit become very unpleasant. The constant harassment from street people wanting to sell drugs was becoming annoying too and I was glad to be leaving without incident as at times my safety felt threatened. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
With the bike freshly serviced she seemed to be pulling faster than usual or maybe it was just that life back on Caye Corker Island with the constant beats of Bob Marley was such a slow and relaxed pace that anything was going to seem fast in comparison. I was now back on my own and heading for the Mexican border. My riding partners for the last month, Barton and Patrick had gone on ahead. Barton had to B line it home in a hurry to sort out a new housing project and Patrick was spending a week with his girlfriend before meeting up with me to take on Mexico.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I arrive at the Mexico border and am ready to had over a large deposit for the bike which has just become compulsory in order to temporary import a vehicle. Only problem is my crappy credit/cash travel card is not excepted, you can pay in cash but unbelievably Mexican peso's are not accepted and it has to be in US Dollars!! And there is NO bank! My only and last option is to go to a very dodgy Casino located near the border. I head up to the cashier and once again my useless credit card is not accepted and as I scrap together all my peso's I'm looking over my shoulder at the gambling machines and thinking oh shit that's about my next option. Turns out I have just enough to exchange for the 400US I need and head back to the customs officer. I ride into the first town in Mexico and head straight for an ATM machine.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih6Gn1jVvvWToeTfrVE0jbTPSRZ1f8A5Nqk5W5G5TtRkW6kt0fsgNZjt7Ub1HFZQtCAC1e3fPbTCU-RqtUTlYXnrcKByG8qIjybK0t-nz-Dfhx_Dzuf2PcL5vBBjgC_PilxAJxia-sD_4X/s1600/IMG_4431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih6Gn1jVvvWToeTfrVE0jbTPSRZ1f8A5Nqk5W5G5TtRkW6kt0fsgNZjt7Ub1HFZQtCAC1e3fPbTCU-RqtUTlYXnrcKByG8qIjybK0t-nz-Dfhx_Dzuf2PcL5vBBjgC_PilxAJxia-sD_4X/s400/IMG_4431.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barton, Me, and Patrick</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZtyir9AXf584zMS5y5OibKHTIu46mpuFdLN676t4guYTt7m5FXxLbUV39QLyp8pdKHndtxqrgf0P3giCUCk5oToIm1dH0UeyXhf7lA_dQfdltHqt_AdpsT-XkG5txG_KSGIOXcIJpf5cX/s1600/DSC00001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn0mhbe8ieI4ibQZuiZdQYVMQsk3FaVMJQjGaso78w-E-kt2nDPu4B7hwStLJhv323G8yzXIbb0qGPa0ZOEwB6-uOU9ww3m6rS3kIgbcwYGOsWVk_ueLSTp2nXEIllaE-DG3dDJVgAwV_F/s1600/mexico+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn0mhbe8ieI4ibQZuiZdQYVMQsk3FaVMJQjGaso78w-E-kt2nDPu4B7hwStLJhv323G8yzXIbb0qGPa0ZOEwB6-uOU9ww3m6rS3kIgbcwYGOsWVk_ueLSTp2nXEIllaE-DG3dDJVgAwV_F/s640/mexico+021.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Yucatan peninsula in south eastern Mexico is a vast limestone plateau containing thousands of underground waterways. In places sections have collapsed and are open to the surface allowing entry into these hidden swimming holes known locally as cenotes.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7X0Fa97iyDSS1JghoGbI-oBTDo3eeA2CBqg-bbBmTRFK8sGBfI7rUrV73eyNhKFPG4hSf94cPOF9JCRh_HAFOnT6dR-VAxxWR3sbXnaYYVYfv5xIadmE2MbS5-PfXcCagMhrq0tISAaD/s1600/mexico+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7X0Fa97iyDSS1JghoGbI-oBTDo3eeA2CBqg-bbBmTRFK8sGBfI7rUrV73eyNhKFPG4hSf94cPOF9JCRh_HAFOnT6dR-VAxxWR3sbXnaYYVYfv5xIadmE2MbS5-PfXcCagMhrq0tISAaD/s640/mexico+035.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaS5Emz5lb0Yq_UBHJvEi0AesjJkdwjv09G_aZ15YIhSHss1usXjF0G55CELln-nqrhRkex6eCBfVyv1rLHjnbFQgCoFZkBPfBJO53_EpsUKUx-eeCJwOlE2eJo_TuPIi3gvh_6ZohCl2E/s1600/mexico+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaS5Emz5lb0Yq_UBHJvEi0AesjJkdwjv09G_aZ15YIhSHss1usXjF0G55CELln-nqrhRkex6eCBfVyv1rLHjnbFQgCoFZkBPfBJO53_EpsUKUx-eeCJwOlE2eJo_TuPIi3gvh_6ZohCl2E/s640/mexico+045.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ32RSaofTsVm6GBWPJKggKxevhd7E2IjzcVoYRgNQqILx8iuua-zZovwShw_lz-tX-uV1BDIcDUxGfrMsNsqx6y9IYUMGZQS4p15EWD0hOarYizNx_tIuhbCOEkcCKfdl_9-La1OsQMfa/s1600/mexico+068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ32RSaofTsVm6GBWPJKggKxevhd7E2IjzcVoYRgNQqILx8iuua-zZovwShw_lz-tX-uV1BDIcDUxGfrMsNsqx6y9IYUMGZQS4p15EWD0hOarYizNx_tIuhbCOEkcCKfdl_9-La1OsQMfa/s640/mexico+068.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP6r7EYHHDuKl7MzhlBEPAyMFohjMgWKmQxau8ax7pU5PHKMufccCLh_szeIQ03R7mvaM3LyBSWB9nPf9p-iiLd-o6MkfnB0xmZdB940LnLkmit_4_QkzVDDtbFFPL0WoyHNOI2w8CTZXN/s1600/mexico+074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP6r7EYHHDuKl7MzhlBEPAyMFohjMgWKmQxau8ax7pU5PHKMufccCLh_szeIQ03R7mvaM3LyBSWB9nPf9p-iiLd-o6MkfnB0xmZdB940LnLkmit_4_QkzVDDtbFFPL0WoyHNOI2w8CTZXN/s400/mexico+074.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taco Time</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZtyir9AXf584zMS5y5OibKHTIu46mpuFdLN676t4guYTt7m5FXxLbUV39QLyp8pdKHndtxqrgf0P3giCUCk5oToIm1dH0UeyXhf7lA_dQfdltHqt_AdpsT-XkG5txG_KSGIOXcIJpf5cX/s1600/DSC00001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZtyir9AXf584zMS5y5OibKHTIu46mpuFdLN676t4guYTt7m5FXxLbUV39QLyp8pdKHndtxqrgf0P3giCUCk5oToIm1dH0UeyXhf7lA_dQfdltHqt_AdpsT-XkG5txG_KSGIOXcIJpf5cX/s640/DSC00001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southern Mexico was in places way greener than expected</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio8Lk2y8vO0bbDZ-g3LXiKG3VncDVRyvWPlW-HI9aSKmoGuIpPc0B5c7gastRSJSp1buttr-zey-I3Nc4CEZJudS9XRnMiMjLCnEgxx7dOZqbjrzy0f5CoS_JFZ6WPYYCNJWd_3HSANZYd/s1600/mexico+096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio8Lk2y8vO0bbDZ-g3LXiKG3VncDVRyvWPlW-HI9aSKmoGuIpPc0B5c7gastRSJSp1buttr-zey-I3Nc4CEZJudS9XRnMiMjLCnEgxx7dOZqbjrzy0f5CoS_JFZ6WPYYCNJWd_3HSANZYd/s400/mexico+096.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">.... and the Mexicans aren't to concerned about roadside mowing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX_46aDgl5ur_S3N__uKbDy3TgLqjEesyDSO6Rh1ZX2vT20kiXlpXmEn7e0xUCYJnf3ptJreuSKyV4Ao3qcVVhSmyhM44Zq24zEuID3og1Z0fyVD3XSzkwNL96L6zW-zF1XNMI8Jsg_2iT/s1600/DSCF4583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX_46aDgl5ur_S3N__uKbDy3TgLqjEesyDSO6Rh1ZX2vT20kiXlpXmEn7e0xUCYJnf3ptJreuSKyV4Ao3qcVVhSmyhM44Zq24zEuID3og1Z0fyVD3XSzkwNL96L6zW-zF1XNMI8Jsg_2iT/s640/DSCF4583.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Highway 200 on the remote west coast of Mexico was stunning. Beautiful deserted beaches and a massive swell coming in of the pacific made for dramatic scenery</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMnKlJ9U6O7Nm2kSnY1q0vv1jpf88af7_ASr0YgxJU3ZlMmjc2tbJGd5jBfag538BBnFiQ5xwPH__8ZYhfxDcJUs3DKhVmq1WVxyCkKhUwABpjcO4tcJtHx2cb4qozMuXC6ddZ6OQX1kv2/s1600/DSCF4599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMnKlJ9U6O7Nm2kSnY1q0vv1jpf88af7_ASr0YgxJU3ZlMmjc2tbJGd5jBfag538BBnFiQ5xwPH__8ZYhfxDcJUs3DKhVmq1WVxyCkKhUwABpjcO4tcJtHx2cb4qozMuXC6ddZ6OQX1kv2/s640/DSCF4599.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Highway 200, Pacific coast</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIUpqiZ5WCgOLsCyMq7qQN29s00mXBrP36_3lpFAjjtmEAk2h9hNTBZOcwQE2sNOwvBbt8cmN9Wm8aMLMej_TDHErxv1gFQ19oTt8yc1xK1G3GMucZZw0-FNLKxNzNlU0CrvGa1wIky5sA/s1600/mexico+102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIUpqiZ5WCgOLsCyMq7qQN29s00mXBrP36_3lpFAjjtmEAk2h9hNTBZOcwQE2sNOwvBbt8cmN9Wm8aMLMej_TDHErxv1gFQ19oTt8yc1xK1G3GMucZZw0-FNLKxNzNlU0CrvGa1wIky5sA/s640/mexico+102.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Calling in for lunch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj75Qronno-66vL7dSmkqscGTUlbT4ooGSrtawb9FFY8CoeK1BTVkxDfydJqv0UKTjMxQ3SezgguIh4jmGsC6M0rfOb4ZnAsGq3B3WKbDrWJugW2VLTEEBQlXOpyRpT_COb-wcu16hIlT1a/s1600/mexico+107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhXqqcedw-YtTkW2yCZxCsj1imYNDmqxciUFrLWGWy3KkI_RZ7-QJQqVlePSaPGnok7RX4E3-s7F6QvJBZpOZc98KbxEJZ4AOS4KQqhe48Glb4ectOdtp_vUtFFougpJJxQQtbrSKY_SF/s1600/IMG_1231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhXqqcedw-YtTkW2yCZxCsj1imYNDmqxciUFrLWGWy3KkI_RZ7-QJQqVlePSaPGnok7RX4E3-s7F6QvJBZpOZc98KbxEJZ4AOS4KQqhe48Glb4ectOdtp_vUtFFougpJJxQQtbrSKY_SF/s640/IMG_1231.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj75Qronno-66vL7dSmkqscGTUlbT4ooGSrtawb9FFY8CoeK1BTVkxDfydJqv0UKTjMxQ3SezgguIh4jmGsC6M0rfOb4ZnAsGq3B3WKbDrWJugW2VLTEEBQlXOpyRpT_COb-wcu16hIlT1a/s1600/mexico+107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj75Qronno-66vL7dSmkqscGTUlbT4ooGSrtawb9FFY8CoeK1BTVkxDfydJqv0UKTjMxQ3SezgguIh4jmGsC6M0rfOb4ZnAsGq3B3WKbDrWJugW2VLTEEBQlXOpyRpT_COb-wcu16hIlT1a/s640/mexico+107.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbTZXmNxmwJpmeYuQstMzZQ77DxhTAS0BuPM2x_yjq1Pfl5k3ca7daK9XLOlvj70tCarJ2Tx2tlIbPLvnNv9SGgafwoig-LCzLmFwTddidn5kesQYBWK9hfTHmxjnqwd1LRz6BCf8oy3et/s1600/mexico+170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbTZXmNxmwJpmeYuQstMzZQ77DxhTAS0BuPM2x_yjq1Pfl5k3ca7daK9XLOlvj70tCarJ2Tx2tlIbPLvnNv9SGgafwoig-LCzLmFwTddidn5kesQYBWK9hfTHmxjnqwd1LRz6BCf8oy3et/s640/mexico+170.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOBL-Yt9gli2a199pwzMwgsK8A3yu7Kjms9Thyplf7uahYRH3a9xY91-KBU7eQSoqVC48EGH0AO84HmoTKOammQroeTrtLw85oqLCKeej7Z4OtVCRxRS5dUzT46iRysFGBFsu-BETuA9ed/s1600/IMG_1327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOBL-Yt9gli2a199pwzMwgsK8A3yu7Kjms9Thyplf7uahYRH3a9xY91-KBU7eQSoqVC48EGH0AO84HmoTKOammQroeTrtLw85oqLCKeej7Z4OtVCRxRS5dUzT46iRysFGBFsu-BETuA9ed/s640/IMG_1327.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUBojbvjeE0LmBEBg-616noYwAsaxH_lgNJSv7ZK3ty2lQQh1uBZt6RtpIlyS05crZjhggKr4AueyFzM3mbMhUK3EQlfU3kshZUEwfzHBsWzRv8k5178xeWPRBs-5LLejKNYPmPyOpE1J5/s1600/IMG_1332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUBojbvjeE0LmBEBg-616noYwAsaxH_lgNJSv7ZK3ty2lQQh1uBZt6RtpIlyS05crZjhggKr4AueyFzM3mbMhUK3EQlfU3kshZUEwfzHBsWzRv8k5178xeWPRBs-5LLejKNYPmPyOpE1J5/s640/IMG_1332.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The coast was so beautiful it was hard to leave</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7af_hxU5i81wbN4dUtCEm02Gk4xjxfDSFV7g-Hog5H6AudyFv9Y65EQvstaTA7RQZBFYuAqf3MM15p6-YyUkPe_1H-wN_TL7xUDZxYmJgPvFw6fZN8vvDpmqtIH9ExNACRIdMA_6H31_6/s1600/IMG_1382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7af_hxU5i81wbN4dUtCEm02Gk4xjxfDSFV7g-Hog5H6AudyFv9Y65EQvstaTA7RQZBFYuAqf3MM15p6-YyUkPe_1H-wN_TL7xUDZxYmJgPvFw6fZN8vvDpmqtIH9ExNACRIdMA_6H31_6/s640/IMG_1382.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG34meNvz2yLUTiBBR2wLUgvXTXbEbG_Q5eTF9kTlO8pq4lcqBmX_5YvM8OVnhbp4Lg93gFWbzyyg4gmQ8LSjTbTU8pR-Qzk5pp2VTm_MadoGCbQBfsQHd-cSF4qyWkHc7fp5PJSlgW4wT/s1600/IMG_1388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG34meNvz2yLUTiBBR2wLUgvXTXbEbG_Q5eTF9kTlO8pq4lcqBmX_5YvM8OVnhbp4Lg93gFWbzyyg4gmQ8LSjTbTU8pR-Qzk5pp2VTm_MadoGCbQBfsQHd-cSF4qyWkHc7fp5PJSlgW4wT/s640/IMG_1388.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">coconut country</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiME1An3tG3DkE3tOtFm-uNs01f0_WVLSRKy9F-kI6EAL4AUjFjS3Boo5UmcK9ok9IjeFZFatZs0FFuv-er4ODapEpjoXNqc6bVdzmc_RpK4nJ06SpmErAq0s7nVmYV3AxUrtEOYe_2ryc3/s1600/IMG_5345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiME1An3tG3DkE3tOtFm-uNs01f0_WVLSRKy9F-kI6EAL4AUjFjS3Boo5UmcK9ok9IjeFZFatZs0FFuv-er4ODapEpjoXNqc6bVdzmc_RpK4nJ06SpmErAq0s7nVmYV3AxUrtEOYe_2ryc3/s640/IMG_5345.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
My front forks were well overdue for a service. Mexico is full of topes (speed bumps) and most tend to be very harsh. They don't use speed signs here, instead they construct these topes that will just destroy your vehicle if you hit it too fast!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaas98jYs8uAIupNsPaVMDyXPq8OlMaiu2Y8YnCMG2zbK4SgRb1NvpVCBBb30Y3aRRvVfr9hZ90uAp2FzBQMaE2LqSYNs_WcDReh1oNaUoxaW6zpg6gCvegFNE8PGKnwU6B-pAEJXiM1jv/s1600/IMG_1395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaas98jYs8uAIupNsPaVMDyXPq8OlMaiu2Y8YnCMG2zbK4SgRb1NvpVCBBb30Y3aRRvVfr9hZ90uAp2FzBQMaE2LqSYNs_WcDReh1oNaUoxaW6zpg6gCvegFNE8PGKnwU6B-pAEJXiM1jv/s640/IMG_1395.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical transportation in Mexico</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVtKuHrayjJ3sugZMaGzitKn8ISaW01WFi5FMEUDDdhMnMAWGnxQg8UFbFWKVQ0SrsF_l25x2d_M-qyDSWaaCniVwEiKZ-kQ9XOCNILWxgKHp8uZCjFYegvtMGNzWzS3WbBHpGIPM_tOfX/s1600/IMG_1427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVtKuHrayjJ3sugZMaGzitKn8ISaW01WFi5FMEUDDdhMnMAWGnxQg8UFbFWKVQ0SrsF_l25x2d_M-qyDSWaaCniVwEiKZ-kQ9XOCNILWxgKHp8uZCjFYegvtMGNzWzS3WbBHpGIPM_tOfX/s640/IMG_1427.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ended up riding lots of pavement in Mexico</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTD2oBpC1eh1VqfP4llukg6lnRhA3bf-FklaHH7K4EirKg-LOTGWMyRYNloxB9ZmhkLlVs5YTuMNvfWJDaCUvhlTc3hZEQrgWi8DHVkKI9ZhzgNe-UY-5iGFp9sbMHi3H8VkD5I1Lmk4i_/s1600/IMG_1431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTD2oBpC1eh1VqfP4llukg6lnRhA3bf-FklaHH7K4EirKg-LOTGWMyRYNloxB9ZmhkLlVs5YTuMNvfWJDaCUvhlTc3hZEQrgWi8DHVkKI9ZhzgNe-UY-5iGFp9sbMHi3H8VkD5I1Lmk4i_/s640/IMG_1431.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corn, Mexican style</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkl7PitZbujLCUMpyOOJ9AGXovzHrFTXHsCffjRjq_xTZnDYU99lQw9xe186Kg0AkRdyM-Oxrfzt7VQSvNUWwpFcnbN7uyMCuQs889e2aiEOYdJPLcKutcGRMLhtaky1OV61mtVqvj4W3_/s1600/DSCF4711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
I've had a pretty good run with law enforcement officers and I guess my good fortune was due to run out. Late in the day and heading for the Baja Ferry I'm pulled up by motorcycle cop number one. Fare enough I'm doing 60km in a 40km zone. Patrick and I pretend not to speak any Spanish and after 20 minutes or so of waiting for a "translator" we're let go. OK that was close.<br />
<br />
I ride up the road at a ridiculously slow pace obeying the speed signs and within 15min am waved down by officer number two standing by his patrol car. I'm pretty sure he was waiving me in but I carry on down the road. Sure enough the patrol car is on me with lights blazing and we pull up again and he's not too happy with me at all for not stopping! Supposedly I'm caught on the radar right on the transition of the speed zone and after several threats of a ticket and a lot of debating with little understanding these two officers give up as well, I'm sure these guys were definitely waiting for the bribe. That was even closer.<br />
<br />
The next run in is the following day when exiting the Baja Ferry we are asked to weigh our bikes and pay and additional fee just to exit the port. Due to the over night ferry and delays unloading I'm tired and loose my temper at weigh station and refuse to pay this unexpected fee. Eventually the port officials agree and we are told to go. We don't get far trying to exit the compound which is heavily guarded by military, this is Mexico after all. The guard asks for our exit reciept and of course we don't have one, I loose my patience in the heat, tell the officer to speak to the weigh station and ride off. I look in my mirror and see his arms waving and am expecting to be chased down by an army of military. <br />
<br />
We round the corner and sure enough there's a military officer with a rather large machine gun and he has his red flag out and we're directed to stop, don't think I try doing a runner on this guy! We have to go back and loop around the second time but thankfully are given the green light without any drama this time. It took about 2 hours just to get of the damn ferry, definitely not as easy as exiting a Cook Straight Ferry that's for real!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3O7k2uVQQhqPqC42Vad_L7eKqot70GyawhV8RHCGTGyKX-VuW4U2ORXGTP917M3pUQR5Fw2S7EQ62i80eNISoo45huGm993CxrmHf89oZq2xCTWtswZocoDsmRHBkufXE8HymM0joDuPU/s1600/IMG_1458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3O7k2uVQQhqPqC42Vad_L7eKqot70GyawhV8RHCGTGyKX-VuW4U2ORXGTP917M3pUQR5Fw2S7EQ62i80eNISoo45huGm993CxrmHf89oZq2xCTWtswZocoDsmRHBkufXE8HymM0joDuPU/s640/IMG_1458.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Officer number one</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_9ty2crEzERXcyjCHrBSSraaPXZTKLhlPHUFbu-Lh6EPlYzFYtAaW68Gw_rpMQEtsX54N1Pa2jrYJgpmVmfOLolvs-7oWSx5ltunFoJhlaR0OQ_qjUW06wkKzoVgOWoIxj7I9BIXhLYt8/s1600/IMG_1489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_9ty2crEzERXcyjCHrBSSraaPXZTKLhlPHUFbu-Lh6EPlYzFYtAaW68Gw_rpMQEtsX54N1Pa2jrYJgpmVmfOLolvs-7oWSx5ltunFoJhlaR0OQ_qjUW06wkKzoVgOWoIxj7I9BIXhLYt8/s640/IMG_1489.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying to exit the Baja ferry compound was not easy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCN0Vp1vgeFTrxmhWdB5xfWHb9FYF5UeVYZOh7q0HHuQQkxxCS9is_IsYuQuvu3QxSgPBdxvFh3ng1A4Pnui_uUCWPQlbwDQOcPXSyfVbT2HsPIJOO2oEx-lb5L69b_hi12ywDysEvQstq/s1600/DSCF4629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCN0Vp1vgeFTrxmhWdB5xfWHb9FYF5UeVYZOh7q0HHuQQkxxCS9is_IsYuQuvu3QxSgPBdxvFh3ng1A4Pnui_uUCWPQlbwDQOcPXSyfVbT2HsPIJOO2oEx-lb5L69b_hi12ywDysEvQstq/s640/DSCF4629.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lots of armed police out on the highways</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCWcPBRjzAPBf06C7OXkXh2Wk-lMDM_zVUPI7bst0a6z72Vr_OHgQR_wDFra244ogpuinyZ9Bmjg4Hlu7NY561qHFuiVjvA_mZxeGhmzNUiunpnK1zUxcYViZrHIJWlE5I5WTMJk30yZW/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCWcPBRjzAPBf06C7OXkXh2Wk-lMDM_zVUPI7bst0a6z72Vr_OHgQR_wDFra244ogpuinyZ9Bmjg4Hlu7NY561qHFuiVjvA_mZxeGhmzNUiunpnK1zUxcYViZrHIJWlE5I5WTMJk30yZW/s640/photo+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Run in number 3 with the police....well actually, this photo was from Hollywood in LA! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLhL9_ygTQAjq04jV3ijMmM9d4h4pO72DLhNrgJg3D0BoKkpnhwFyNdtmlFTp1I8zJTpobVbfFQTxWKX5iSwxPBXb_hKE1cef51lsv9eUi46EDP8_E1DBaBqN7z0uxbqD6AdWm3JsX4E1c/s1600/DSCF4670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLhL9_ygTQAjq04jV3ijMmM9d4h4pO72DLhNrgJg3D0BoKkpnhwFyNdtmlFTp1I8zJTpobVbfFQTxWKX5iSwxPBXb_hKE1cef51lsv9eUi46EDP8_E1DBaBqN7z0uxbqD6AdWm3JsX4E1c/s640/DSCF4670.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally, on the go in the Baja Peninsula</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlviPTVSfbUzBFGnZpUlzbhAjBL18AfP1Jfj6UxL373pWj8ER7T_uXBM9OhgXmZ7bPcyWu9P3uTu1gaWXcu73MVfbUlsMPx3UdCoWIlcRsNJf-stHkBPzH_3jt0Hv_FPhdwk8JeIeaZNwO/s1600/IMG_1508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlviPTVSfbUzBFGnZpUlzbhAjBL18AfP1Jfj6UxL373pWj8ER7T_uXBM9OhgXmZ7bPcyWu9P3uTu1gaWXcu73MVfbUlsMPx3UdCoWIlcRsNJf-stHkBPzH_3jt0Hv_FPhdwk8JeIeaZNwO/s640/IMG_1508.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Baja riding was superb</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPqMCY6PgoVsP_OPM7zcXFIOy5U0ohHnGXnQgXM-TkTzFNOPKVGNnRUemO3cRwECkoz9JqMwmFtJ9JvGOS-CQenx_QQR4vbxY1oTwUMaCw_EPVmvlHWoAsl_8Zuz35-LafSU6C5mpvvp9U/s1600/DSCF4689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPqMCY6PgoVsP_OPM7zcXFIOy5U0ohHnGXnQgXM-TkTzFNOPKVGNnRUemO3cRwECkoz9JqMwmFtJ9JvGOS-CQenx_QQR4vbxY1oTwUMaCw_EPVmvlHWoAsl_8Zuz35-LafSU6C5mpvvp9U/s640/DSCF4689.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLAaUx2uLfteXVdJdsyqqy-wvaRChRXET12BvllHemuppR0yZF5zojgNYYhWqCoHWDD1Y9ug0m321_7FPMpw-oC7k8356oZfRn-zPpo4Nzzxtbs-e909wIUMP0e_WJFwEYMVFUtJBY3FHW/s1600/DSCF4695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLAaUx2uLfteXVdJdsyqqy-wvaRChRXET12BvllHemuppR0yZF5zojgNYYhWqCoHWDD1Y9ug0m321_7FPMpw-oC7k8356oZfRn-zPpo4Nzzxtbs-e909wIUMP0e_WJFwEYMVFUtJBY3FHW/s640/DSCF4695.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We called in on these kids out in the Central Baja. They loved the bikes </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkl7PitZbujLCUMpyOOJ9AGXovzHrFTXHsCffjRjq_xTZnDYU99lQw9xe186Kg0AkRdyM-Oxrfzt7VQSvNUWwpFcnbN7uyMCuQs889e2aiEOYdJPLcKutcGRMLhtaky1OV61mtVqvj4W3_/s1600/DSCF4711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkl7PitZbujLCUMpyOOJ9AGXovzHrFTXHsCffjRjq_xTZnDYU99lQw9xe186Kg0AkRdyM-Oxrfzt7VQSvNUWwpFcnbN7uyMCuQs889e2aiEOYdJPLcKutcGRMLhtaky1OV61mtVqvj4W3_/s640/DSCF4711.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhjPSO1uNlzcsEt5irXD_bDaNdRytvRV-fGAtHbfY2dFPOItBBZXS2vMw8b90OA0vHCrY0ld5Oc_cpUIaVicjJGl-NnsCd0GBV9WX2XrB-oJpvU44GNnObBynTFOI4qOlfwnROZ728UHLW/s1600/IMG_1627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhjPSO1uNlzcsEt5irXD_bDaNdRytvRV-fGAtHbfY2dFPOItBBZXS2vMw8b90OA0vHCrY0ld5Oc_cpUIaVicjJGl-NnsCd0GBV9WX2XrB-oJpvU44GNnObBynTFOI4qOlfwnROZ728UHLW/s640/IMG_1627.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We rode a nice mix of road and off road sections on the Baja</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilEhIwu4AVjsPBaUFU9DqT_udCc4ydsY78Dx2jiPPcVb4F6YigDPSfa-Cf58L7NFPonN1ITZg70D2YqBswsQjc04QUtihqIicqaDG11Zzu51IlvSYOEszIa9QL3AIS3aHp7Ei_tmXuj8mf/s1600/DSCF4738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilEhIwu4AVjsPBaUFU9DqT_udCc4ydsY78Dx2jiPPcVb4F6YigDPSfa-Cf58L7NFPonN1ITZg70D2YqBswsQjc04QUtihqIicqaDG11Zzu51IlvSYOEszIa9QL3AIS3aHp7Ei_tmXuj8mf/s640/DSCF4738.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With temps soring it was hard not to stop and enjoy the water</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_Atu4KQij6CxmKQu1aa5Q6QgTHa-wM9xQCKtOXVGLSWcqFU9NhgqPLgAQA7K4AGgBnxCbXXDgc0ag3RQ8hRmI5wWlyNBQSyNq3q5FNVwameaGFeLtNeKcf_Jb_ul5Vt957NVe7VP7Gs-/s1600/IMG_1654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_Atu4KQij6CxmKQu1aa5Q6QgTHa-wM9xQCKtOXVGLSWcqFU9NhgqPLgAQA7K4AGgBnxCbXXDgc0ag3RQ8hRmI5wWlyNBQSyNq3q5FNVwameaGFeLtNeKcf_Jb_ul5Vt957NVe7VP7Gs-/s640/IMG_1654.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the off road sections took in parts of the famous Baja 1000 race coarse. It was awesome riding!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcegzTWEHOLF15zCHnWyQUxceVNx7_xOal9jl0pw985g6ob4dqopMhdJBpPplVesprYR68yX90CaHsG93i986B-i88A3dKWKSWwOXxnGSYKTYKFskRN6jzfyNtHLH71opwSh62L8cUP0gF/s1600/IMG_1686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcegzTWEHOLF15zCHnWyQUxceVNx7_xOal9jl0pw985g6ob4dqopMhdJBpPplVesprYR68yX90CaHsG93i986B-i88A3dKWKSWwOXxnGSYKTYKFskRN6jzfyNtHLH71opwSh62L8cUP0gF/s640/IMG_1686.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiME1An3tG3DkE3tOtFm-uNs01f0_WVLSRKy9F-kI6EAL4AUjFjS3Boo5UmcK9ok9IjeFZFatZs0FFuv-er4ODapEpjoXNqc6bVdzmc_RpK4nJ06SpmErAq0s7nVmYV3AxUrtEOYe_2ryc3/s1600/IMG_5345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7zd4PTik2n-ItEasFAzvxGRSUTlnfRpz3bE4lJrPXT9QTvZoHGHUtBlOIPbLoNLB6Zy2i3NUUSAyzbR0gnSYHwQjlfjO0u-nMRfHnHSIThTxLBOkrIhAWiHfZHm9d_vMtsphqvU3Hcz2/s1600/IMG_5445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7zd4PTik2n-ItEasFAzvxGRSUTlnfRpz3bE4lJrPXT9QTvZoHGHUtBlOIPbLoNLB6Zy2i3NUUSAyzbR0gnSYHwQjlfjO0u-nMRfHnHSIThTxLBOkrIhAWiHfZHm9d_vMtsphqvU3Hcz2/s640/IMG_5445.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rice and beans restaurant is one of the pit stops for the Baja 1000</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh005RjtmV3YMs_r_fVRAS1TvG8HNLVuK-mEUdYEawx4DoV6D-f3y5SvgfpvzugWAUZ6SrDRppEsVdeQS5e5sjQ6sllbNz299oOAxeVU8-7YVltGpdxpu0ZnoUSggAG6gH-OBwpje470MoV/s1600/DSCF4761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh005RjtmV3YMs_r_fVRAS1TvG8HNLVuK-mEUdYEawx4DoV6D-f3y5SvgfpvzugWAUZ6SrDRppEsVdeQS5e5sjQ6sllbNz299oOAxeVU8-7YVltGpdxpu0ZnoUSggAG6gH-OBwpje470MoV/s640/DSCF4761.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In places the sand was deep and difficult. This section was fast and fun.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDoUa8DzktpMvDTnHIcDhz6PTbwTNGA0N3miWk9sxcLVh4s1d1vX3I4C7oo-oFQUYM00W-7LtWFZc6Jcmxgq2c0wvZot_LSBc0tZuL69NhUP-SUMZNfjgCp-072DkBUVxfF-OPczdHHXqI/s1600/DSCF4819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDoUa8DzktpMvDTnHIcDhz6PTbwTNGA0N3miWk9sxcLVh4s1d1vX3I4C7oo-oFQUYM00W-7LtWFZc6Jcmxgq2c0wvZot_LSBc0tZuL69NhUP-SUMZNfjgCp-072DkBUVxfF-OPczdHHXqI/s400/DSCF4819.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM9Ax9iV5GrBOf5KZhHuyUD-08pqQFhdTMXjEtGtbS8NLzh6HKCe69wnTRdHM_BU3BYkBCSu_smxBcqV9VVv9_EIYQj0cRPDxkV46Yn5AIDIRKz-3N9vLG340uPa8uwCUjYtKEvcSwKEkG/s1600/IMG_1127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM9Ax9iV5GrBOf5KZhHuyUD-08pqQFhdTMXjEtGtbS8NLzh6HKCe69wnTRdHM_BU3BYkBCSu_smxBcqV9VVv9_EIYQj0cRPDxkV46Yn5AIDIRKz-3N9vLG340uPa8uwCUjYtKEvcSwKEkG/s640/IMG_1127.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It was a real pleasure to ride with Barton and Patrick through Central America and Mexico. Riding on your own is rewarding but it's always great to have good company. And of coarse there's many advantages to having a wing man on the road with you. The border crossings were easy with the three of us, extracting a heavy touring bike from a deep mud hole on your own is just not easy and it's nice to have someone to lift a bike off the top of you too when you're stuck under it, and flush bugs out of ears etc, etc!! A big thanks to Patrick and Barton and I look forward to seeing you guys up the road.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394193965421980981noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4310743008757337682.post-19667665518811478702012-08-20T17:15:00.001-07:002012-08-20T20:54:56.012-07:00Central America, mud, sweat, lightening strikes and brain eating bugs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After meeting Barton on the boat crossing from Colombia to Panama I decided to team up with him and his friend Patrick who was flying his bike down from Seattle to Panama City to join Barton on his ride back to the US. Patrick 's bike was delayed a few days so we had some extra time in Panama city. It's a modern city with a population of around half a million and a centre of international banking and trade and of coarse is also home of one of the greatest engineering projects, the Panama Canal.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Ships pay according to their weight, with the average fee around US$30,000 and highest being US$200,000. The Canal is not simply a channel cut from the pacific to the Atlantic at sea level but instead uses a massive man made lake created by the Gatun Dam that spans around half of the crossing. The lake is 20 meters above sea level and reduced the amount of work required to cut through the dividing range. A series of double locks on the Pacific and Atlantic sides of the lake raise and lower the ships between sea and lake level at an impressive rate. With each ship that passes through 52 million gallons of fresh water is released into the ocean. In 2014 a new series of locks 60% wider and 40% longer are due to be completed.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4LLhRcbvejPEaMrux1cfZ5_Yx4v1yKdZnwfohQF2BOebTLLO1uMvCLKqdp95_R1zoBfjdn2-BXrkYrMhdqTRnjrFOtHmkpesgLJ7g43koVlkjIbPdOcdaWAWaqidO_5UwwQCHrrL98tG/s1600/DSCF4129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4LLhRcbvejPEaMrux1cfZ5_Yx4v1yKdZnwfohQF2BOebTLLO1uMvCLKqdp95_R1zoBfjdn2-BXrkYrMhdqTRnjrFOtHmkpesgLJ7g43koVlkjIbPdOcdaWAWaqidO_5UwwQCHrrL98tG/s640/DSCF4129.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tall high rises of Panama city viewed from the old city centre of Casco Viego</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkh8IH5c5Io4vvRERvF5Ms_U7o93YM7xhlwKfwFpD2BVCBl-oQR9DmFqPTbnmF6pg1FdqEINDu87zkqO9vMb2i9RN7WtQI17CZJHs3Q-LrwXsSEZ_iyPPKkm9syZ9DTDDrn_2wSMsQwTac/s1600/DSCF4122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkh8IH5c5Io4vvRERvF5Ms_U7o93YM7xhlwKfwFpD2BVCBl-oQR9DmFqPTbnmF6pg1FdqEINDu87zkqO9vMb2i9RN7WtQI17CZJHs3Q-LrwXsSEZ_iyPPKkm9syZ9DTDDrn_2wSMsQwTac/s640/DSCF4122.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A large cargo ship at lake level is carefully positioned between the two gates at the Miraflores Locks where it is lowered 20 m down to sea level. The gate behind the ship is closed and the water released to the ocean lowering the ship in the process. The front gate is opened and the ship powers off at sea level!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJ0ENixJlcU0DCTepPYDGf4QGbXu3hXMR3ai3oK83Tr_Odba3j3jG7yFU90RAfDENqrvGrVgsZH_xGVO3Y8gwekdXwI_TdshLD5NZ-e9Tb8ZUs7JuzxHtsJafL1LH_QLvtNPrdRSNp_px/s1600/IMG_4272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJ0ENixJlcU0DCTepPYDGf4QGbXu3hXMR3ai3oK83Tr_Odba3j3jG7yFU90RAfDENqrvGrVgsZH_xGVO3Y8gwekdXwI_TdshLD5NZ-e9Tb8ZUs7JuzxHtsJafL1LH_QLvtNPrdRSNp_px/s640/IMG_4272.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys about to leave Panama City, Me, Barton and Patrick</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After studying the Panama map it was going to be difficult to link up back roads, there's lots of them but they all seem to head of perpendicular to the main road and have no exit. And after the delays in the city it was tempting to head up the highway and make up some time but we opted to head over to the Atlantic side of the canal which would be interesting in it's own right and then attempt to link up a possible small back road route north. Patrick and Barton had new knobbly tires and were keen to find some mud. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Four hours into the ride and we had found the mud. Too much mud to be precise. The dirt road had started out nice, rolling, flowing and fast but when we were directed down a clay track by some locals and arrived at the same time as a thunderstorm and also a herd of cattle coming from the opposite direction things got messy. Clay, water, and a hundred or so hooves made for one really cut up track. We slid our way down the trail a short distance and promptly sunk into the first bog hole on our fully laden bikes. On light unloaded enduro bikes the bogs would have been way more manageable but on our heavy bikes it was hard work. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We pushed on through a few more bogs and meet up with some locals on horses, it was clear that this was the only form of transportation using this track. I think they enjoyed watching us attempt this trail, they helped out extracting the bikes and continually offered us Vodka! I think the horses would have been having laugh too, they made light work of the mud. We asked the horseman about conditions up ahead, sounded like there may only be half a dozen or so more bogs, the trouble was we were now having difficulties negotiating the sections of trail between the bogs!! We took Barton's bike ( the lightest ) ahead up a climb and almost died in the near 40 degree heat and humidity. It seemed as if there was so much water in the air that there was no oxygen, it felt worse than being up at 5000m in the Andes! At this point we concluded that the sensible thing to do would be to head out and we still had a bit of work ahead of us just to get out!!</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLpwxXnfIctE5TNrRVrBSe-92ZDEAReW-F1qy-zKGl-AK73xH_1lZQe48xA3pnxRQS3gdCP12QXGC5Xkc83odfZeVQWU5B65tCHnhID2STCbZEZ5Sv5-sj3cvVT-WRtr0JqWkvnimYSdAF/s1600/IMG_4295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLpwxXnfIctE5TNrRVrBSe-92ZDEAReW-F1qy-zKGl-AK73xH_1lZQe48xA3pnxRQS3gdCP12QXGC5Xkc83odfZeVQWU5B65tCHnhID2STCbZEZ5Sv5-sj3cvVT-WRtr0JqWkvnimYSdAF/s640/IMG_4295.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early on in the mud, still relatively clean and smiling</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXQGt8OWtq_e8IbwEJ-BXfkZvVxfyLiA70AxKCRksBpyq09dL-8qxMw2zt0bZIz_5WkSspeJYzsE-uONoh47MCd04J8Q9izJC-LL1EgllTOaaa7IV-5PhkJKNgDqZ-U16AH65GTFSSTvdY/s1600/IMG_4298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXQGt8OWtq_e8IbwEJ-BXfkZvVxfyLiA70AxKCRksBpyq09dL-8qxMw2zt0bZIz_5WkSspeJYzsE-uONoh47MCd04J8Q9izJC-LL1EgllTOaaa7IV-5PhkJKNgDqZ-U16AH65GTFSSTvdY/s640/IMG_4298.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Barton's face say's it all, and that's me dying from exhaustion in the background. After several hours and less than 1 km at this point we decided to turn around</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFsEIN9l8kgIzKb9Qgk1E2fT9DJtY6K_JL55t4gCxkoPL9nTEK5gQ9Jq_EerI7DVdNXkMaU9e2cWc_GC2ox-vlOQ8s0Q2YpoIGd-3A7di3RHhu2oZRHC1KJyFKYqrq66775GiGfxyTj2S/s1600/IMG_4299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFsEIN9l8kgIzKb9Qgk1E2fT9DJtY6K_JL55t4gCxkoPL9nTEK5gQ9Jq_EerI7DVdNXkMaU9e2cWc_GC2ox-vlOQ8s0Q2YpoIGd-3A7di3RHhu2oZRHC1KJyFKYqrq66775GiGfxyTj2S/s400/IMG_4299.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkUBhp66cx_zexwym-EnfHoy7HDVaaeRIX7nYTg9uc2NC7HAAAquSagazCxc5Pir08yV4uI2StoLI86RssFlABe7enTGIp6121kjH2QxP_HxDj6k_BZx7GpY0MGkPmLEeR2WoIk2s50r-6/s1600/IMG_4313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkUBhp66cx_zexwym-EnfHoy7HDVaaeRIX7nYTg9uc2NC7HAAAquSagazCxc5Pir08yV4uI2StoLI86RssFlABe7enTGIp6121kjH2QxP_HxDj6k_BZx7GpY0MGkPmLEeR2WoIk2s50r-6/s640/IMG_4313.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_25HeLvGfQEYK7NPjMXBVD-XWsR-C1GRG0mzX7J1qRJCuR3Nw8BN3BwrAEnmHmaaSwIhpWVKRY-qaSbXhIlsrsNFLuYRVZLRXdTpLo_oDtIolMXFA1ytJNRUQMI5-C5KhqAS3Jw0nS5YZ/s1600/DSCF4161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_25HeLvGfQEYK7NPjMXBVD-XWsR-C1GRG0mzX7J1qRJCuR3Nw8BN3BwrAEnmHmaaSwIhpWVKRY-qaSbXhIlsrsNFLuYRVZLRXdTpLo_oDtIolMXFA1ytJNRUQMI5-C5KhqAS3Jw0nS5YZ/s640/DSCF4161.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Escaping the mud</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV0yGT3CJFCHChM9H2d0wnQTPmcAGg5SuQ-rd85n9KU0cataHMv6-gKcytcLdQvZs2JwoFuLH5ltsMdL0OVagsAYcn0R9LlF0QS_kW3R5g4ABpeu_yqI7d6hoS_1sFKU29DiCrecIF-MKe/s1600/DSCF4166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV0yGT3CJFCHChM9H2d0wnQTPmcAGg5SuQ-rd85n9KU0cataHMv6-gKcytcLdQvZs2JwoFuLH5ltsMdL0OVagsAYcn0R9LlF0QS_kW3R5g4ABpeu_yqI7d6hoS_1sFKU29DiCrecIF-MKe/s640/DSCF4166.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIRFtvEJWnNY5gnSX_w_mukSjf-6hxj8LAva5cLVyNdJHCmak3zd2wLaC0cSIcvgEWG2-5VIoLp4oJGMmk6rHfkb0Lb2NoIiHlZBnZKDOe1Z83KR9OwwFvFqD16vWGTN3HskLG0VsG2T7/s1600/Patrick+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIRFtvEJWnNY5gnSX_w_mukSjf-6hxj8LAva5cLVyNdJHCmak3zd2wLaC0cSIcvgEWG2-5VIoLp4oJGMmk6rHfkb0Lb2NoIiHlZBnZKDOe1Z83KR9OwwFvFqD16vWGTN3HskLG0VsG2T7/s640/Patrick+010.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">After several hours grovelling in the mud we accept an offer to stay at a nearby house.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzUiwuhYUvycnMVYhpinmFYNsNHSGkbUKSmVnzW2BV4VsO5P24fZGbydRowTU1b7FIHE__XrWfUetclVLsDISH7XFSdinKq3RJtq8oat82QN8KFU_Fk-KkCL5USWL43Iorqx3HBOP9yzA/s1600/Patrick+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzUiwuhYUvycnMVYhpinmFYNsNHSGkbUKSmVnzW2BV4VsO5P24fZGbydRowTU1b7FIHE__XrWfUetclVLsDISH7XFSdinKq3RJtq8oat82QN8KFU_Fk-KkCL5USWL43Iorqx3HBOP9yzA/s640/Patrick+011.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5vIqR4RKLiWRXXo7qzBPTkeZduteKlOlqvQiYWPbBZF8poynIxak2vfnySw0rHuL-f-JKbg-4t7bbfObkvbV4ChkJ65ciunmPJtmPQ_rKlBMXwCeZvusPeLAlNdp7qdEI3Y3vcvzf0qoB/s1600/Patrick+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5vIqR4RKLiWRXXo7qzBPTkeZduteKlOlqvQiYWPbBZF8poynIxak2vfnySw0rHuL-f-JKbg-4t7bbfObkvbV4ChkJ65ciunmPJtmPQ_rKlBMXwCeZvusPeLAlNdp7qdEI3Y3vcvzf0qoB/s640/Patrick+031.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Back on the Pavemento and heading for the Pacific coast of Panama</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb73xwonrSOR7kMV3_IoHHxt56tMMrgnzmW07Ppyror38RrOV5SWC7FmjjPSGB9EjVaW8i8BX7Q5biiKxbPrHLJZTBPVx2mIReEKtHZhTn6dZ5kaA1DXo4BW9mO25s8t10nK39ZeWaRZbB/s1600/IMG_4336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb73xwonrSOR7kMV3_IoHHxt56tMMrgnzmW07Ppyror38RrOV5SWC7FmjjPSGB9EjVaW8i8BX7Q5biiKxbPrHLJZTBPVx2mIReEKtHZhTn6dZ5kaA1DXo4BW9mO25s8t10nK39ZeWaRZbB/s640/IMG_4336.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_scmzU_LyEpIbjEukugJVVO4163gm_qfJWz_bPBD-gqSN4F1duIobd4a6GTmadntlNNKQv8Z5fZZs_NkuSITQMfC47U8gu9FaNlCOxpkYf3HnS_uzoB7wMsI_Eo35W7N4xectgOWR7j-F/s1600/DSCF4170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_scmzU_LyEpIbjEukugJVVO4163gm_qfJWz_bPBD-gqSN4F1duIobd4a6GTmadntlNNKQv8Z5fZZs_NkuSITQMfC47U8gu9FaNlCOxpkYf3HnS_uzoB7wMsI_Eo35W7N4xectgOWR7j-F/s640/DSCF4170.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pacific coast, Panama</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvHThXCYPrcvstYkXpGx1cJ2Q5CXSLuwYDP3camUaqOpd8-AmBb6O4RUnS1QwEUsYRD-cV2A8KpXVyWly3iFmPlXQ-Z60UQ7yNqbtMxyY3CokFW55YhSJ62Q382M_-iIaVnjW5nGEQR1ob/s1600/DSCF4179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvHThXCYPrcvstYkXpGx1cJ2Q5CXSLuwYDP3camUaqOpd8-AmBb6O4RUnS1QwEUsYRD-cV2A8KpXVyWly3iFmPlXQ-Z60UQ7yNqbtMxyY3CokFW55YhSJ62Q382M_-iIaVnjW5nGEQR1ob/s640/DSCF4179.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihPWtfhrd0GbbbH7Tn5EKwSt5ixoXJLBUE4ORFT4eKaiCApZBIgfwGLvy7n4yS214vlvzU4Oe3JuuDQDkUGN9OGiQRbfPeP5g05R2abk0dGI6lUpliJStZ07PiEjENxOqO_-e1KVPfvgAH/s1600/DSCF4172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihPWtfhrd0GbbbH7Tn5EKwSt5ixoXJLBUE4ORFT4eKaiCApZBIgfwGLvy7n4yS214vlvzU4Oe3JuuDQDkUGN9OGiQRbfPeP5g05R2abk0dGI6lUpliJStZ07PiEjENxOqO_-e1KVPfvgAH/s640/DSCF4172.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Border crossings tend to be rather unpleasant and frustrating experiences, lots of people and lots of waiting for inefficient systems and inefficient workers. With the bikes we have to apply for temporary vehicle importation which can take a while. Central America's many borders are known to be bad which is another good reason to avoid the Pan American Highway with it's crowded border crossings and seek out some out of the way crossings. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
To avoid the only road crossing from Costa Rica to Nicaragua on the Pan America at Penas Blancas we head for the small town of Los Chiles where there is another crossing, only thing is it doesn't have a road! Instead backpackers take small boats down a river to largo Nicaragua at San Carlos. After some Internet research it was unclear if we could do this crossing with bikes or not, we decided we had nothing to loose and were keen to stay off the Pan Am. On arrival at Los Chiles we had no problem with immigration and getting our passports stamped as expected. If there is no Aduana (customs) however we would be in trouble as we wouldn't be able to process the bikes.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We find the Aduana, problem is there's no one home. Turns out the officer is in town and will likely turn up at some stage during the day! Meanwhile we talk to the boat operators and get a boat sorted which can take the bikes. The Aduana officer arrives and processes our temp vehicle papers without any questions or blank looks, it's all working out.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJbEwhqrznCHUT0Z0RhS-W-_rfixrAHj2ll1mToA7xcFHonLN0598cyr5u5YtFJ7nFOmRL1J6lNKSviimJphtqBnLXi0LkkNdB_mZUG4kx4J-FmrcKMp4XLBp2EBAsQXr4CsMtILD_HBbz/s1600/IMG_4347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJbEwhqrznCHUT0Z0RhS-W-_rfixrAHj2ll1mToA7xcFHonLN0598cyr5u5YtFJ7nFOmRL1J6lNKSviimJphtqBnLXi0LkkNdB_mZUG4kx4J-FmrcKMp4XLBp2EBAsQXr4CsMtILD_HBbz/s640/IMG_4347.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Loading bikes at the Los Chiles boarder crossing</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjC0VChl5EE5Ek8hlJ1gRah-yJcvcYKkrd9BV9WUowzy28PNCBB_j-bVfWlwx7-AhL6hyphenhyphenoYVQdHHeg6Sil_TpB-00YuJTNidxWgluIijmcRej8r-ch2NttFy66J_THpRpJfogXatH4lFQ8/s1600/IMG_4354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjC0VChl5EE5Ek8hlJ1gRah-yJcvcYKkrd9BV9WUowzy28PNCBB_j-bVfWlwx7-AhL6hyphenhyphenoYVQdHHeg6Sil_TpB-00YuJTNidxWgluIijmcRej8r-ch2NttFy66J_THpRpJfogXatH4lFQ8/s640/IMG_4354.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0hXCO1kWeRMDipCaY79DZnw376bsFgZ5P3LdN8RfVci_gCzlNI1x6eAfQGHmgi4Vg8iFW7Kv697LIRWGMlUVAvgfO4GRZzgYPAd6apBle15_dBN16itXyUX4P9slU7EFgStA8n-KWCFIc/s1600/IMG_4359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0hXCO1kWeRMDipCaY79DZnw376bsFgZ5P3LdN8RfVci_gCzlNI1x6eAfQGHmgi4Vg8iFW7Kv697LIRWGMlUVAvgfO4GRZzgYPAd6apBle15_dBN16itXyUX4P9slU7EFgStA8n-KWCFIc/s640/IMG_4359.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The boys are happy, we have our bikes on board, paper work complete and about to cruise down river to Nicaragua</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNgAs4nmVPTn7Zi5DZIsqfUeKqKk0S25976PbL8-aSOvSCpl5x5gXOe9FTej8fM-oTFZtR9-tgcNjXdVq5evLVpyI58ur5-tAU7wjoQdjDIW-wjA8z4mrKjEeyrrw4SqoOqJJjY3M41o5C/s1600/IMG_4397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNgAs4nmVPTn7Zi5DZIsqfUeKqKk0S25976PbL8-aSOvSCpl5x5gXOe9FTej8fM-oTFZtR9-tgcNjXdVq5evLVpyI58ur5-tAU7wjoQdjDIW-wjA8z4mrKjEeyrrw4SqoOqJJjY3M41o5C/s640/IMG_4397.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Unloading at the other end was a little more challenging. No problems with the paperwork though</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtc-ZTvYa3EHnXfQHzmwfHq_965BAA6_yLEA3hGbj3rEhB_rPeO1PzSKG6W38trp1R1rs1zDYa1W6dIoVXWLEEkXfWvhU80Q_8XBrKPH6nSq4jhLasYv-6lGtC8RTtUW_VT7QevXXmy6fU/s1600/IMG_4395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtc-ZTvYa3EHnXfQHzmwfHq_965BAA6_yLEA3hGbj3rEhB_rPeO1PzSKG6W38trp1R1rs1zDYa1W6dIoVXWLEEkXfWvhU80Q_8XBrKPH6nSq4jhLasYv-6lGtC8RTtUW_VT7QevXXmy6fU/s640/IMG_4395.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgj7jKFqgnImfHcKHLC5i6vwyeVfRbLZz0cO4unpaj-s_jy0OC96dDzU_f78JcjfD8cBXZstF0f-xx_xU7yi7y38SP02O-V0CQNgDUZn31pqnCOoFybhclHWfOZcGS1hIRw8lpLoJOPjpx/s1600/IMG_4410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgj7jKFqgnImfHcKHLC5i6vwyeVfRbLZz0cO4unpaj-s_jy0OC96dDzU_f78JcjfD8cBXZstF0f-xx_xU7yi7y38SP02O-V0CQNgDUZn31pqnCOoFybhclHWfOZcGS1hIRw8lpLoJOPjpx/s400/IMG_4410.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I put my helmet on to shift the bike. A minute later it feels like something is in my ear, I put a finger in there, bad idea. What ever is in there is now in there deeper and begins chewing on my ear drum. It's becoming extremely painful and concerning. Patrick grabs his water bladder and we attempted flush this brain eating beast out before it's too late!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZBDUN9uKdL7jROcrdyUJSlG6O415qjN3zHQmZQ_vu8cagLzSY5e974aP4grH5gx_HQgDz8mgQjzJNUsRZ7w7Xh8BWyjtzdaps29C-uH-FE3xWE5l6zH3WzXy4oJd_o8eHej_N-m8YHQr/s1600/IMG_4407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZBDUN9uKdL7jROcrdyUJSlG6O415qjN3zHQmZQ_vu8cagLzSY5e974aP4grH5gx_HQgDz8mgQjzJNUsRZ7w7Xh8BWyjtzdaps29C-uH-FE3xWE5l6zH3WzXy4oJd_o8eHej_N-m8YHQr/s320/IMG_4407.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The brain eating bug</span> <br />
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
While riding the bike you are constantly on the lookout on the roadside for anything that might run out and hit you. Dogs are always coming at you, stray livestock and bad drivers on the wrong side of the road are all a common occurrence. You have to alert and expect the unexpected.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
During a particularly heavy down pour Barton and myself were not ready for what was about to hit us in Nicaragua. One hell of a big bang and a flash off to the right and before we new it we had just been hit by lightening. Both of us experienced electrical current through our arms and across the handle bars. Luckily it was no more severe than an electric fence, another one of my nine lives used up there I reckon!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Patrick got off lightly and was missed. However a couple of days later a spooked bull shot out onto the road in front of him and he bounced off it, the deflection in his travel causing him to put his leg out to keep the bike upright and in the process straining his knee badly. Could have been a lot worse too.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidocMjOFjvFquKzXtiSdwYxQhW8r3x3gnarW3cYijtkWmvWeRZRDganyZWRsuQfTvyQ9wpS1xxmzHEnrsQGdfpoLpp4X72NVFdPfZFxz7Xs6KyyQY0B3Lmb6n4iOeZfOsp50BoTIhxtLRK/s1600/DSCF4264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidocMjOFjvFquKzXtiSdwYxQhW8r3x3gnarW3cYijtkWmvWeRZRDganyZWRsuQfTvyQ9wpS1xxmzHEnrsQGdfpoLpp4X72NVFdPfZFxz7Xs6KyyQY0B3Lmb6n4iOeZfOsp50BoTIhxtLRK/s640/DSCF4264.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwoD3ZeQlIy4aoLDmvnKQ3RMFOTwNsexmnZ92qeocfjdo0sid2mEljuwgMAuEa_wJpbOK-WmbycYNKSdRC2d7SGMvuLc61i2sUl0jeBJq9ZyXaI-pQoXwyRGYFtHiFSrir04vuEB8Eud2l/s1600/DSCF4268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwoD3ZeQlIy4aoLDmvnKQ3RMFOTwNsexmnZ92qeocfjdo0sid2mEljuwgMAuEa_wJpbOK-WmbycYNKSdRC2d7SGMvuLc61i2sUl0jeBJq9ZyXaI-pQoXwyRGYFtHiFSrir04vuEB8Eud2l/s640/DSCF4268.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Farmers on the way to a road block protest to increase crop payouts</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguzGqat9P0YxC63juCq2IL-1QVIPCyMJgmfFxPZTJgyiL8l32bIyytwgHxeOnRw2vxtHAIqUKufgXn_EdO3tQoXMN-z-MVGfd_TuevLvalHSEALufwIwl-s6t2FGuc9HUKB-hZKTFrzc8R/s1600/DSCF4292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguzGqat9P0YxC63juCq2IL-1QVIPCyMJgmfFxPZTJgyiL8l32bIyytwgHxeOnRw2vxtHAIqUKufgXn_EdO3tQoXMN-z-MVGfd_TuevLvalHSEALufwIwl-s6t2FGuc9HUKB-hZKTFrzc8R/s640/DSCF4292.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Another protest, this time teachers in Honduras</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA0xBgfJyJJshRLfIGiehggdnNgVqZB3pPK5qX_9ZhLqjXTKupCU0ZQsA-Ce3yKBb6PtshDrFY9goVGwQooh2kdDICUiafNtOGMkofk-Y1nXMcYEfGQCSBWa4vOKMnp52iOUAN79KyP-y_/s1600/IMG_4468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA0xBgfJyJJshRLfIGiehggdnNgVqZB3pPK5qX_9ZhLqjXTKupCU0ZQsA-Ce3yKBb6PtshDrFY9goVGwQooh2kdDICUiafNtOGMkofk-Y1nXMcYEfGQCSBWa4vOKMnp52iOUAN79KyP-y_/s640/IMG_4468.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">On arrival at this river crossing the dirty water looks deep and we check out the foot bridge just up stream....</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVg9VhfLlJaHxBiRGp_firE1PdMApjxJc49w1fYbWnSs4eefDXqZT-qNl8zBvQKM-H1h9TyQadpgj0xg57iEmFCsAk_fEQf1p6-1SqsCxzlGfQmx-4ImfUF1DzQmSc7SlojVdsFUjf9ASU/s1600/IMG_4470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVg9VhfLlJaHxBiRGp_firE1PdMApjxJc49w1fYbWnSs4eefDXqZT-qNl8zBvQKM-H1h9TyQadpgj0xg57iEmFCsAk_fEQf1p6-1SqsCxzlGfQmx-4ImfUF1DzQmSc7SlojVdsFUjf9ASU/s640/IMG_4470.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Turns out the foot bridge is as dodgy as hell with many rotten deck boards. It would be do able if we shift some timbers around!.....</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS8e1o3u1Ba06JKx45JFBNAA9nQrrOBYMNDoxdrk9vFaj35brXeDcdFB87zmVK7vTXVbv408Z0HeNks7JLxNzjLoi__BJmi7dW-qaqdmeZGWG0T05nh1R3auIZkoXCDa4oHL8s3huF6kBL/s1600/IMG_4476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS8e1o3u1Ba06JKx45JFBNAA9nQrrOBYMNDoxdrk9vFaj35brXeDcdFB87zmVK7vTXVbv408Z0HeNks7JLxNzjLoi__BJmi7dW-qaqdmeZGWG0T05nh1R3auIZkoXCDa4oHL8s3huF6kBL/s640/IMG_4476.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">....So we check out ford and it's not so bad at all and a little less risky than the bridge</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfGLNBJLmIBNGybVhIuZA53ea4u-H7-FxCHyfvRXE9ECPZzgs87qOtyHzykRdH6vhMFRfpZDoZAGa7cRQjcS8jbWWW9j4N332urlgo7WYBShcXjTTMIxRcrc2O7CKk51qNZx9rp95wcuA1/s1600/IMG_4480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfGLNBJLmIBNGybVhIuZA53ea4u-H7-FxCHyfvRXE9ECPZzgs87qOtyHzykRdH6vhMFRfpZDoZAGa7cRQjcS8jbWWW9j4N332urlgo7WYBShcXjTTMIxRcrc2O7CKk51qNZx9rp95wcuA1/s640/IMG_4480.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We time our lunch break with another thunderstorm!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhw364evDpkPLFuAsIWnIBgYbaj5VddG16cZZTsqh3tqgifsMrEcwrWoDMFTT8WOSZUmh_6oxUkEaCPHV0P9YTLr2M69jAeZvvy0LTrNrBRL8QFgjwXKF7zC3iDZrATK3jqM3-YO9oK1fy/s1600/IMG_4479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhw364evDpkPLFuAsIWnIBgYbaj5VddG16cZZTsqh3tqgifsMrEcwrWoDMFTT8WOSZUmh_6oxUkEaCPHV0P9YTLr2M69jAeZvvy0LTrNrBRL8QFgjwXKF7zC3iDZrATK3jqM3-YO9oK1fy/s640/IMG_4479.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQrzAjYW5dbaXzB1hlepb0BajUuTLCtBwbmVYyUN2ydoUmOUgz3r6miZtqZeuUxbgktkFq5hmMiRb62mcbJ3R25OzOCyuPd3PC07QWv9CKZ86g127Ip_jGeItWXKAXhAK2q7_XpfiC5Et/s1600/IMG_4497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQrzAjYW5dbaXzB1hlepb0BajUuTLCtBwbmVYyUN2ydoUmOUgz3r6miZtqZeuUxbgktkFq5hmMiRb62mcbJ3R25OzOCyuPd3PC07QWv9CKZ86g127Ip_jGeItWXKAXhAK2q7_XpfiC5Et/s640/IMG_4497.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">And more water crossings</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipznER0T5xAUUYuY9toQxrfHgno4XKcl8ZWIBWEpNEapsoe9gatjQA2JxrHsmtysXcHZ62isH3yWpvSaTrZC0YCVs-SCfauikhQZcMttTeoQE0Rql_5qZkAb0pgH7Yfv_uc5m1WjUc-FUu/s1600/IMG_4492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipznER0T5xAUUYuY9toQxrfHgno4XKcl8ZWIBWEpNEapsoe9gatjQA2JxrHsmtysXcHZ62isH3yWpvSaTrZC0YCVs-SCfauikhQZcMttTeoQE0Rql_5qZkAb0pgH7Yfv_uc5m1WjUc-FUu/s640/IMG_4492.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We decide to ride this one</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwsXqeP0JZAjOhDCHIFGvbLaB_j9pJDs-Gte_a1RayVCLAfrajdALWtqT0iWOJIVfCRZ1CMt7vP3k8kGUEVkd2SWm-jEg70dFkC5JesP20BvPv-NCYRULTeVbE3GK-obdV81WV6L4-lpR/s1600/IMG_4447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwsXqeP0JZAjOhDCHIFGvbLaB_j9pJDs-Gte_a1RayVCLAfrajdALWtqT0iWOJIVfCRZ1CMt7vP3k8kGUEVkd2SWm-jEg70dFkC5JesP20BvPv-NCYRULTeVbE3GK-obdV81WV6L4-lpR/s640/IMG_4447.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">With all the thunderstorms, river crossings, combined with sweaty humid heat and never ending use our wet boots were becoming a breeding ground for all sorts of nasty smells. Than fans found in most hotel rooms become useful for drying.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95vvsLeISDyfQFaiojfcNHGtmd0SQC3qnLvwbhBLMrNkE0e9GzXmfQh76o6Kg18wHn6pdg7Pp0lqaO9D_yL1gGp_WeOrgg9SX4Z2CZUdzwWMI8cJY4N0H0mOt-7c8exFSb0quiwIU6ZLk/s1600/IMG_4495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95vvsLeISDyfQFaiojfcNHGtmd0SQC3qnLvwbhBLMrNkE0e9GzXmfQh76o6Kg18wHn6pdg7Pp0lqaO9D_yL1gGp_WeOrgg9SX4Z2CZUdzwWMI8cJY4N0H0mOt-7c8exFSb0quiwIU6ZLk/s640/IMG_4495.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYiLjxsku3VbiFcNKOK0bR4VzZOp-C_ePddkYpRyMCkO01-xpg3SC0Ev4sCOTe3iy-G6CYtBx9cAeeu2TlOJEs1VhsUKTVYGr56RRa1ll3LG46TLJiJVe9bf6Q0PRyIkfUb0_DURWbalul/s1600/DSCF4317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYiLjxsku3VbiFcNKOK0bR4VzZOp-C_ePddkYpRyMCkO01-xpg3SC0Ev4sCOTe3iy-G6CYtBx9cAeeu2TlOJEs1VhsUKTVYGr56RRa1ll3LG46TLJiJVe9bf6Q0PRyIkfUb0_DURWbalul/s640/DSCF4317.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Honduras turned out to be my favourite Central America country. People in the rural areas are very friendly and interested in seeing us, which is just as well as alot people carry guns in these parts!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh46IJjJrr_wTuv-x83M0aS1aASNKC0IX1jmDbhBlbCKJWLRZsPmc5IErIb0WQew3YnQf7kUtFGqnZOh1s5Wkko2ga4ubNJ4eixgDHnZWhIRWmq4PvXrod8OEQr4UlE5aKv5Oa_udMe1ENf/s1600/DSCF4310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh46IJjJrr_wTuv-x83M0aS1aASNKC0IX1jmDbhBlbCKJWLRZsPmc5IErIb0WQew3YnQf7kUtFGqnZOh1s5Wkko2ga4ubNJ4eixgDHnZWhIRWmq4PvXrod8OEQr4UlE5aKv5Oa_udMe1ENf/s640/DSCF4310.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Honduran Police are heavily armed. We passed many check points but had no problems.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiov6rtDA3g5Qdmx86U4DcDi-ad_obwYj0Hkw8ETg2j1uHrVWqSo-C8FETwZIytv_aL-i3qCVtVy3LCxZ7BGC3c_6i6H01jIWnDMCZRlPTi7j0aIxfd4DsaNUj_asKF0Ig48J4yutMGVk_u/s1600/honduras+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiov6rtDA3g5Qdmx86U4DcDi-ad_obwYj0Hkw8ETg2j1uHrVWqSo-C8FETwZIytv_aL-i3qCVtVy3LCxZ7BGC3c_6i6H01jIWnDMCZRlPTi7j0aIxfd4DsaNUj_asKF0Ig48J4yutMGVk_u/s640/honduras+008.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">....and don't even think about stealing gas in Honduras, you'll get your head blown off!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvyYdGUzqxO8TSBqHdTe853DUqgCwsfNv8DKPr0w6i6JPOcuSM2CY2D2HOh_WFOdjXCyd_qxb8gp2PXCGI_d7vqBREBGpOiHDI0O72_ZFme2U5gIkgXm5RGm9jo9xuQIE0f1d85JaLznOR/s1600/honduras+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvyYdGUzqxO8TSBqHdTe853DUqgCwsfNv8DKPr0w6i6JPOcuSM2CY2D2HOh_WFOdjXCyd_qxb8gp2PXCGI_d7vqBREBGpOiHDI0O72_ZFme2U5gIkgXm5RGm9jo9xuQIE0f1d85JaLznOR/s640/honduras+021.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Nice riding in Honduras</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJoWdXwAXe3mb3dDK6bPRqIGjkIqK-2h9ocvgUYzLq_XinCyIi9kFe4nMcc5bl1GoC9NIKr90KtyKYcPAEai-c8kiaALeBbsguirHFmnpGFEuhT-K0Ll28USPoURnIM4e29tRFGXtbQr0d/s1600/IMG_1011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJoWdXwAXe3mb3dDK6bPRqIGjkIqK-2h9ocvgUYzLq_XinCyIi9kFe4nMcc5bl1GoC9NIKr90KtyKYcPAEai-c8kiaALeBbsguirHFmnpGFEuhT-K0Ll28USPoURnIM4e29tRFGXtbQr0d/s640/IMG_1011.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> We stop off at a very small mountain town in Honduras. This place was just beautiful.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXfML7EPU-4RCi_VX-asde4UiXzosVP-7s_3OrQV80rP35CJALo14B74Emi1fG-TzDtcJo-Bw-1Nr1XascD4rXv6Ag4pLxsQHRv7nssP19kwPoKzeZ7PBs2PTVQo-aqBgzxyWlXylHhLBH/s1600/IMG_1001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXfML7EPU-4RCi_VX-asde4UiXzosVP-7s_3OrQV80rP35CJALo14B74Emi1fG-TzDtcJo-Bw-1Nr1XascD4rXv6Ag4pLxsQHRv7nssP19kwPoKzeZ7PBs2PTVQo-aqBgzxyWlXylHhLBH/s640/IMG_1001.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68uZ7XkTVmy0Y_0X2X4CI75JCNjlG60-7wecbDD0qDPmHIaKK7nDfyN_wnvZg6uQrLP9cUmoC8FoNE9OlhU3kPpjLnpEDr4Wfggl7KFst7ZrXE1Uaom3W0-PJNd4dJMN9HGV5GXuXTJiU/s1600/Honduras+to+Belize+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68uZ7XkTVmy0Y_0X2X4CI75JCNjlG60-7wecbDD0qDPmHIaKK7nDfyN_wnvZg6uQrLP9cUmoC8FoNE9OlhU3kPpjLnpEDr4Wfggl7KFst7ZrXE1Uaom3W0-PJNd4dJMN9HGV5GXuXTJiU/s640/Honduras+to+Belize+004.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Maintenance time in Belize City. Valve clearance checks, oil changes, new rear brake pads and I wire up a new GPS mount</span>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghzUZUbJ3iSQEeFXkDzJp5byttV1RUBbzWN_J6tOJyPV_jC6mY7BJ_f6aV-OftX75S_779BGosI3N9-tWnmp8u9LekU9KJCxKuNNU05v8tcLgRLcLuepvgYOtLQwCthwbPfSkasVpVRtZ1/s1600/Honduras+to+Belize+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghzUZUbJ3iSQEeFXkDzJp5byttV1RUBbzWN_J6tOJyPV_jC6mY7BJ_f6aV-OftX75S_779BGosI3N9-tWnmp8u9LekU9KJCxKuNNU05v8tcLgRLcLuepvgYOtLQwCthwbPfSkasVpVRtZ1/s640/Honduras+to+Belize+002.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Checking the valve clearance on the DR, 41 000 km on the clock and running sweet</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW_gTW4rUgX3Pexg3Vc3KZiYE8H0oZd5TIJiiZECFI1yRqkqeAj8LrDRsMY2TdgHe0goDAlJx__hycBWRXX7ZrvzlMY_ZnpjhbWN4F57aG1SKxxLPsyvwORF2icWSF-2fVONFltNAOxMGu/s1600/Honduras+to+Belize+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW_gTW4rUgX3Pexg3Vc3KZiYE8H0oZd5TIJiiZECFI1yRqkqeAj8LrDRsMY2TdgHe0goDAlJx__hycBWRXX7ZrvzlMY_ZnpjhbWN4F57aG1SKxxLPsyvwORF2icWSF-2fVONFltNAOxMGu/s640/Honduras+to+Belize+009.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The tropical island paradise of Caye Caulker. It's off the coast of Belize and is part of the second largest barrier reef in the world after the great barrier in Australia</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh7KoAPaNWnug74pPt2ijvmWRj8XUx_OUrxGzoJ06tFTzByegwvXVhJ7_5-QHlM1ApCO5oQKsjKtYzRTY3pd7j762RFdt06txb8DYsJJZsJiVFZpN84R7T4n6JqvhnfDRl1jEb2fWOEcZc/s1600/Honduras+to+Belize+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh7KoAPaNWnug74pPt2ijvmWRj8XUx_OUrxGzoJ06tFTzByegwvXVhJ7_5-QHlM1ApCO5oQKsjKtYzRTY3pd7j762RFdt06txb8DYsJJZsJiVFZpN84R7T4n6JqvhnfDRl1jEb2fWOEcZc/s640/Honduras+to+Belize+022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-8pDVE8tr5Ctz1wUeYxeu5ZxdhKK2lGgkQHY7UdNtq70Xz-p9cAgqgBCbsWmr-Fnkipz0ervhL_7j8S81IlnJf5JIo8lD4VBGPv3XgaZEeXh6DwXcSSoDG2eT59K8LL-snVtfe9gtfwZZ/s1600/Honduras+to+Belize+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-8pDVE8tr5Ctz1wUeYxeu5ZxdhKK2lGgkQHY7UdNtq70Xz-p9cAgqgBCbsWmr-Fnkipz0ervhL_7j8S81IlnJf5JIo8lD4VBGPv3XgaZEeXh6DwXcSSoDG2eT59K8LL-snVtfe9gtfwZZ/s640/Honduras+to+Belize+016.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Snorkeling trip at Caye Caulker, Belize. We turn up at the first sight and are greeted by swarm of sharks and sting rays. It took a bit of persuading to go overboard into the middle of this lot!</span> <span style="font-size: small;">They turned out to be a friendly bunch and it was incredible to be up close to them.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394193965421980981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4310743008757337682.post-15190020623965265142012-07-21T11:14:00.000-07:002012-07-21T22:59:57.419-07:00The Caribbean<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After a long break in Bucaramanga the time has come to move on. I've had a great time here but there's only so much time I can handle in a city and only so much beer consumption which is healthy for a diabetic!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Spending a decent amount of time in one place you really get to know the people and how they live, It's been a fantastic experience. During my stay here I've meet a bunch of great people and managed to get repairs to various bits and pieces which were suffering from wear and tear. Alex from Motopartes was great helping me out many times and guiding me around. I got my panniers fixed which required dis-assembling them and re-stitching and riveting. And I used his workshop to replace my rear wheel bearings and tyre which makes the job so much easier.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I don't think I would have spent so much time here if I didn't have such a great place to stay. A big thanks to Richi for opening up his place for me. I think I must have set a record for the longest stay without actually paragliding. I had a great time firstly with Robin, Lewis and Evan from Canada and then Henk and Patrick, plus a heap of other people that passed through during my stay. Patrick is also riding around on a Dr650. And then there was Sarita, a real lovely lady who managed the house and was pretty much my Colombian Mum for 6 weeks. And yes there was one more reason for staying as long as I did. Laura.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
This trip has been quite the ride in more ways than one, at times it's an emotional roller coaster with highs and lows as big as the Andes themselves. Riding on your own is extremely rewarding. You're a free person, just you and where ever you point the front wheel. Sometimes though it's a lonely road. The ride out of town was hard, it's my biggest low yet. The more time you spend in a place the more attached you get to it and the people that you meet. It's been a while but now it's just me, the bike and the road ahead again. I start talking to my bike, I apologise for riding her around in the congested city traffic for over a month, the combination of slow speeds and 35 degree heat producing some unhealthily high oil temperatures.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
I'm heading for Cartagena and a sail boat crossing to Panama. It Also marks an important stage of my travels, I'm about to leave the South American content which for the last 8 months or so has given me some of the best riding in the world. I'm feeling sad and on top of that it's uncomfortably hot on the boring highway that I'm riding, there's rubbish all over the roadsides and I get upset. How can we be so abusive to our environment. I question what I'm doing, how long can I ride my motorbike, how much damage am I doing consuming all this fuel and oil. Should I be on a push bike?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfqs9qNcwuTiFkr6XEa0C4Hy2yEW0_HWFBbD62eD9P-s3QjK5rw7tckrgnr-Nq-JvIbf7hyphenhyphenfgtGAsGai04F85JGnDwJVRFUBmCIlIe7NHM_w7ibTKvrz0ZVuf06pEKlceOl4jTADL8GJKQ/s1600/bucaramanga+to+cartagena+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfqs9qNcwuTiFkr6XEa0C4Hy2yEW0_HWFBbD62eD9P-s3QjK5rw7tckrgnr-Nq-JvIbf7hyphenhyphenfgtGAsGai04F85JGnDwJVRFUBmCIlIe7NHM_w7ibTKvrz0ZVuf06pEKlceOl4jTADL8GJKQ/s400/bucaramanga+to+cartagena+009.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
One day I'm riding into the city centre and meet Jose, the producer of a local motorcycle TV show, he invites me to his studio and I get myself on Colombian TV. </div>
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRBWVXl3PGMqlHeZPP0S27KLGTPkoxXCG9TLDEg4pgBUyxo50MeRskcn6PSDt_wdRnJiqcHr6M63T-jFI2pi_ZnoblUaf9Vl2VXMs42OA1XBPRSb5ZeFL9ATiK0SmXPcX_bI1_gZCq6uj-/s1600/bucaramanga+to+cartagena+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRBWVXl3PGMqlHeZPP0S27KLGTPkoxXCG9TLDEg4pgBUyxo50MeRskcn6PSDt_wdRnJiqcHr6M63T-jFI2pi_ZnoblUaf9Vl2VXMs42OA1XBPRSb5ZeFL9ATiK0SmXPcX_bI1_gZCq6uj-/s640/bucaramanga+to+cartagena+006.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbuL9ZUKBph8Qy_IgEdEWtaEoztKBBQR5NKQ3-l2pk17oHv8RNRnriv_CGX3SLEc2iYqbwv0TieAKjNJeKn63dUryo-8WucOjkjT48vyCGe-6lK2O4aDcQsz7uliocy3qiHj5YOBWtkYBa/s1600/bucaramanga+to+cartagena+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbuL9ZUKBph8Qy_IgEdEWtaEoztKBBQR5NKQ3-l2pk17oHv8RNRnriv_CGX3SLEc2iYqbwv0TieAKjNJeKn63dUryo-8WucOjkjT48vyCGe-6lK2O4aDcQsz7uliocy3qiHj5YOBWtkYBa/s640/bucaramanga+to+cartagena+013.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Almost done, new wheel bearings and tyre and looks like I've been swimming. It's hot here!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQIOyL6_p7U4-bRAcnLoqwY8TTaH9iMpz7tch9OwsxaiPc6uXc9ToNYURUWVtEObBKXnnzCEFsuNUatqJaOz8yxdSq6i5hIU8ntrRFpvfsD4dCWNsKkBJ3Umm80gnfSToWWsEGNS1PjeDx/s1600/bucaramanga+to+cartagena+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQIOyL6_p7U4-bRAcnLoqwY8TTaH9iMpz7tch9OwsxaiPc6uXc9ToNYURUWVtEObBKXnnzCEFsuNUatqJaOz8yxdSq6i5hIU8ntrRFpvfsD4dCWNsKkBJ3Umm80gnfSToWWsEGNS1PjeDx/s640/bucaramanga+to+cartagena+017.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Street side overhaul outside Alex's shop</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTpaIZd9Z_vM_shFv-5VKxXcpq3HwqRoxCEmi-qFvaR_8F-A_6ZAfmWhMYGA3AD3bWl0Hy_BVZ6Z2XdsQ9b9Vl6vxtAg5gPUi5BotVkh2bN9iZiwzJ1lcKaIegQdekUo65XT0q2RYVo9f/s1600/bucaramanga+to+cartagena+061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTpaIZd9Z_vM_shFv-5VKxXcpq3HwqRoxCEmi-qFvaR_8F-A_6ZAfmWhMYGA3AD3bWl0Hy_BVZ6Z2XdsQ9b9Vl6vxtAg5gPUi5BotVkh2bN9iZiwzJ1lcKaIegQdekUo65XT0q2RYVo9f/s640/bucaramanga+to+cartagena+061.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I've managed to get a booking on a preferred sail boat to Panama but it leaves several days after my 3 month visa expires so I have to make a visit to immigration and customs and get it extended. The guys at customs don't seem to have much to do and spend a while checking out the blog.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFXZNeeU9HIXt4EwhZA265iRLSrNUcE9Vvd7vYzepBEdBDXqaw7XRbst9YFk_yX6doJxKYg3CI6LnBDS_aq1Y3roodk7kqSXpyPoCLcfcWL1RkBjGlpOt52vkzQDLcIs7G1ol-6-DRhN4/s1600/bucaramanga+to+cartagena+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFXZNeeU9HIXt4EwhZA265iRLSrNUcE9Vvd7vYzepBEdBDXqaw7XRbst9YFk_yX6doJxKYg3CI6LnBDS_aq1Y3roodk7kqSXpyPoCLcfcWL1RkBjGlpOt52vkzQDLcIs7G1ol-6-DRhN4/s640/bucaramanga+to+cartagena+025.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bikers at the Flysite Hostel, Patrick, Lili & Richi, me and Clemente</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBqO8IO4VbYCEWyeJEPVjAoCWCrH_ofTQuSxZAqPLlib27NdHPxrWnuvXuwXPeMihScCwpUVgnoJfs7WSJCALrzjbuhr9r2Zp-pCLPLUC1v2LIa-xTCIVBKSw_Va8_kjdmFwREyggcdgfv/s1600/bucaramanga+to+cartagena+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBqO8IO4VbYCEWyeJEPVjAoCWCrH_ofTQuSxZAqPLlib27NdHPxrWnuvXuwXPeMihScCwpUVgnoJfs7WSJCALrzjbuhr9r2Zp-pCLPLUC1v2LIa-xTCIVBKSw_Va8_kjdmFwREyggcdgfv/s640/bucaramanga+to+cartagena+034.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Me and a bunch of Para glider pilots at the Fly site Hostel</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPk-QdBzNEkMncNQ6eDZV_ENN2dQtDT9qV56Fh1ui_WuYWrVGWVPmtRbJ1aO6_iGqKdcqL_KqLR-v4vCl3EBe3F-SqMS5wK69ugAh80fTg3-Od67s3rzosubUs65LFkmdRpeJ7DHfv4CH5/s1600/bucaramanga+to+cartagena+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPk-QdBzNEkMncNQ6eDZV_ENN2dQtDT9qV56Fh1ui_WuYWrVGWVPmtRbJ1aO6_iGqKdcqL_KqLR-v4vCl3EBe3F-SqMS5wK69ugAh80fTg3-Od67s3rzosubUs65LFkmdRpeJ7DHfv4CH5/s640/bucaramanga+to+cartagena+045.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Richi and Lili about to Leave on a year long trip around S. America</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnNpmftl4QCv4iL6AKaGKGKzruOhR6UZEyNxDxNbBED-19D0q4DCmwyT5ME6ke0NHRwaXk78kWGZMpgwQ49sIylSwHj328Lpc_DnpISHEnI00aMAjhHx7LV2VH6H6mwekR8TM_a5W4BMHV/s640/bucaramanga+to+cartagena+071.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Day of departure with my Colombian Mum, Sarita</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnVpnmEYyfyz0maIFUQoAUE1B9sd7ZM4h58tv0z0cx3Lm05yFKeom3HjYtQc5Ld5zLfNoaw0uCWbgk27MZENg0yiV_f1jRJxMQAc4WON7yk0hYVFqDF9ye-XZk0VlCTrAB3ZzwKmRuY1SD/s1600/bucaramanga+to+cartagena+069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnVpnmEYyfyz0maIFUQoAUE1B9sd7ZM4h58tv0z0cx3Lm05yFKeom3HjYtQc5Ld5zLfNoaw0uCWbgk27MZENg0yiV_f1jRJxMQAc4WON7yk0hYVFqDF9ye-XZk0VlCTrAB3ZzwKmRuY1SD/s400/bucaramanga+to+cartagena+069.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Me and Laura</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWm5qT3ddvzc1Q5o0bT8C-t0REzl4GIuzZxBfqY6M77hcBQxm5znUnElZQR_2-ZZGR8xxXIKowOzmniZZqxI0EVQxWD28eTqrEeRG0ZnqH7GUWDFHy1gpz61ssx6vLzPk71LNbV7-6iYq-/s1600/bucaramanga+to+cartagena+077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWm5qT3ddvzc1Q5o0bT8C-t0REzl4GIuzZxBfqY6M77hcBQxm5znUnElZQR_2-ZZGR8xxXIKowOzmniZZqxI0EVQxWD28eTqrEeRG0ZnqH7GUWDFHy1gpz61ssx6vLzPk71LNbV7-6iYq-/s640/bucaramanga+to+cartagena+077.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Colombia has an awesome selection of fruit</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWywBrgBkgGpkqtTM95OMgpa6GlewCzXCPlpR5pMlqUX04_m-OfKRUAzqcgewe5hws8_PnfIrsraKiUiPkbcQDmxRbUHFCzHkkj76gOAiT3s2azlLrRO7Zv670JwU7fa8aDLA4xg8u2N_T/s1600/bucaramanga+to+cartagena+078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWywBrgBkgGpkqtTM95OMgpa6GlewCzXCPlpR5pMlqUX04_m-OfKRUAzqcgewe5hws8_PnfIrsraKiUiPkbcQDmxRbUHFCzHkkj76gOAiT3s2azlLrRO7Zv670JwU7fa8aDLA4xg8u2N_T/s640/bucaramanga+to+cartagena+078.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">....And Venezuela has incredibly cheap gas at just a few cents a litre. Some of it is transported across the nearby border to Colombia and sold on the road side just like this.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I time my arrival in Cartagena with a massive thunderstorm which sees me riding around the streets in 2 feet of water. I have a couple of days here to explore the city which is Colombia's prettiest, a massive stone wall was constructed to protect this important port city and a lot of the original colonial buildings have been retained within the walls. The old town is now surrounded in tall sky scrappers.<br />
<br />
I meet up with Patrick again and also Barton. Barton is riding a Husaburg 570 enduro back home to Montana. He and two others have just set a new world record for the highest altitude riding of a motorbike down in Chile and got right up to 6300 meters. Afterwards rather than fly his bike home he decided to ride home. Impressive stuff. He's looking for a boat to Panama and I convince him to join me on my boat.<br />
<br />
The city is very touristy and the locals are not shy, during the day they're in your face continually trying to sell you something, at night it's the prostitutes.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6TZDyCt5HR5B78BgIoYkO5hC1uny0CEDfkQxjzClKfiRGMSbMBxa-BGKVk3XHJQxYzw9BedsDks-K7t8nZVP9cV7bXrKt3TCtE19xoXaGiTSCMlH1RMoP-Gav_sf9uUcWnhPiIXn04sBu/s1600/cartagena-stalhratte+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6TZDyCt5HR5B78BgIoYkO5hC1uny0CEDfkQxjzClKfiRGMSbMBxa-BGKVk3XHJQxYzw9BedsDks-K7t8nZVP9cV7bXrKt3TCtE19xoXaGiTSCMlH1RMoP-Gav_sf9uUcWnhPiIXn04sBu/s640/cartagena-stalhratte+001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Horse and cart in the old part of Cartagena</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE-ID8xx-MqKls9-_T3r_kTeZ_3slirm6MI9AVXHi_53IPf-00zLkams8ONyyfl_CuCLAFBEhfa7q0N4ky_pMN46XQUB9eFendJJksKZNb7IbksnojcJGMbX8x0a6PnUMqwRRMBdYiT4Kr/s1600/cartagena-stalhratte+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE-ID8xx-MqKls9-_T3r_kTeZ_3slirm6MI9AVXHi_53IPf-00zLkams8ONyyfl_CuCLAFBEhfa7q0N4ky_pMN46XQUB9eFendJJksKZNb7IbksnojcJGMbX8x0a6PnUMqwRRMBdYiT4Kr/s640/cartagena-stalhratte+006.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Maria, Patrick and Barton</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Although South America is connected to Central America by a narrow land strip there is no road. This is known as the Darien Gap, it's a swampy jungle land full of Drug traffickers and Guerrillas and although a few backpackers have footed it through here it's not a recommended place to go, some don't make it out!. There's really only two options for motorbikes, fly or use a number of sail boats that do the crossing over to Panama.<br />
<br />
The Stahlratte ( Steel Rat ) a German owned 2-mast-schooner is a well recommended boat for crossing with motorbikes. It's big at 40m in length and the crew are well used to handling bikes and organising the proper documentation. It's a boat with plenty of character, it's steel hull was built in the Netherlands in 1909 and was worked as a fishing boat for 80 years. In 1984 it was brought by the current owner where it helped with green peace and is now and used as a non profit sail training vessel and is currently based in the Caribbean Sea. <br />
<br />
For our trip we have 6 motorbikes on board, 16 passengers, and 3 crew. We load the bikes a couple of days before departing using a small inflatable dinghy to transport the bikes out to the boat a few hundred meters out in the harbour. It seems a little too small really but everything goes smoothly. I've dosed myself up on sea legs but am still uneasy about the crossing. The journey will take about 4 days, the first 2 being in open water which is known to be particularly rough and the remainder in the beautiful and sheltered San Blas Islands.<br />
<br />
Two hours into open water crossing and I'm not well, It's not real rough it's just my weak stomach. Looks like this is going to be a 30hr endurance event of survival for me! I manage to slowly eat some lunch and during the afternoon feel a lot better. We have full sails up and I'm enjoying the wildness of being on the open sea. Maybe I'm adjusting to the swells and this isn't going to be so bad after all?<br />
<br />
I'm not sure if it was the effect of darkness or the thought of more food but just as everyone else started consuming dinner my body decided it was time to expel lunch. I stayed up on deck for the entire night. As the winds dropped the engine was fired into life to give the sails a hand. The old 4 piston diesel chugged and shuddered the entire boat along and sounded like a steam engine. The noise and vibrations probably annoyed most of the passengers but I found the subtle changes in tone as we crested waves fascinating in a way that probably only someone who has just spent 8 months listening to a vibrating motorcycle could.<br />
<br />
I didn't sleep all night, but I was happy, I'm feeling better. In the darkness the sea seemed like a continuation of the starry night and it felt like we were pitching and rolling our way into space itself on some old fashioned space machine from a fantasy movie. The next day we arrived at the Paradise of the San Blas Islands just in time for an evening BBQ and then had the entire next day and night to just relax and enjoy before making the final few hours up to the tiny town of Carti were we unloaded and rode off into the Panamanian Jungle. Another unforgettable experience, bring on Central America!<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjheJmdlONKdcI5Y-UJtwWoXt9uA2-ZbCQxjexhdqNf54fXvj0Y64Rbna_TCHQwLAl1qY6uoBS170XjSuAXHOkWqA6iXv1tpCp0pD6fxeXPrwJ-No_Qi7S_SvGQ047_g6O2epeNU2QG_4F6/s1600/bucaramanga+to+cartagena+107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjheJmdlONKdcI5Y-UJtwWoXt9uA2-ZbCQxjexhdqNf54fXvj0Y64Rbna_TCHQwLAl1qY6uoBS170XjSuAXHOkWqA6iXv1tpCp0pD6fxeXPrwJ-No_Qi7S_SvGQ047_g6O2epeNU2QG_4F6/s640/bucaramanga+to+cartagena+107.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Last time on South American soil, Cartagena city in background</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr8ZEaQPq-Xfd8VfwxG74FGgT8rqSofbKHcbvfa-CAx7qD9MZ2kEhb5labnEsSADqLXn6EV_NmrI7oqeQC3pRr6Bzl0Owxx_B-uAtGnvQ59kpbVMF9N2hiwtzsJbqbfN91iKtrCh_CFuRh/s1600/cartagena+1+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr8ZEaQPq-Xfd8VfwxG74FGgT8rqSofbKHcbvfa-CAx7qD9MZ2kEhb5labnEsSADqLXn6EV_NmrI7oqeQC3pRr6Bzl0Owxx_B-uAtGnvQ59kpbVMF9N2hiwtzsJbqbfN91iKtrCh_CFuRh/s640/cartagena+1+010.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">That's a very big bike going into a very small boat!</span><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMR7SehDPh4sHX8Ti_YICKXHLGIYD_EhJ5LxEO0-euo96lTKHcyNcja16XdJL-H-4lDwwFkGFx4GeSxVY9zzMiocCOyjbhdgc-DAqJULpJsjfdsbiMkRSOUbD_xPDdLKCdpUJ5f-GIW_oZ/s1600/IMG_4070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMR7SehDPh4sHX8Ti_YICKXHLGIYD_EhJ5LxEO0-euo96lTKHcyNcja16XdJL-H-4lDwwFkGFx4GeSxVY9zzMiocCOyjbhdgc-DAqJULpJsjfdsbiMkRSOUbD_xPDdLKCdpUJ5f-GIW_oZ/s640/IMG_4070.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjZ603wHtvmK1vL2bZrtzHScZ3RP2bPnCfttP-9ojLt8JjJHW8G8400GWgInbuXPGO5KpJJDX3iRtGw0uPvj3UnxQPQNoQ-0wP7fP5SHR6huhCziAxZutrpEQ0wjm79MsZWsA8n2z4rCI/s1600/bucaramanga+to+cartagena+114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjZ603wHtvmK1vL2bZrtzHScZ3RP2bPnCfttP-9ojLt8JjJHW8G8400GWgInbuXPGO5KpJJDX3iRtGw0uPvj3UnxQPQNoQ-0wP7fP5SHR6huhCziAxZutrpEQ0wjm79MsZWsA8n2z4rCI/s640/bucaramanga+to+cartagena+114.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Crew members Nicole and Juan load the DR</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggN7U8aixph9DANOy1LxoMQfZlQSptrKieM1IlrEQD88vHc3k06GknHA92yUaldRioqjhgtNgMVP3KqgeAiBU9NyCul0YccHgvRCVewc9IdHjaE09oAVsxO3puBfBWw5siGsnLeeHnu5zq/s1600/cartagena+1+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggN7U8aixph9DANOy1LxoMQfZlQSptrKieM1IlrEQD88vHc3k06GknHA92yUaldRioqjhgtNgMVP3KqgeAiBU9NyCul0YccHgvRCVewc9IdHjaE09oAVsxO3puBfBWw5siGsnLeeHnu5zq/s640/cartagena+1+006.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The bikes getting winched on board the Salhratte</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoXlD5mFK7uyN-6loI6a998IZ_GEBUVZE346ie64JRvI_HyYc1Jhj1VYIPVszSTByWMqitZ-0jjK-WiCTGlK2Ov3k2K3uMf9CGerwzhZm8uUJbA_jNo-rWFcPFCW8uxCZicwX63Wv6nNk/s1600/IMG_4120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoXlD5mFK7uyN-6loI6a998IZ_GEBUVZE346ie64JRvI_HyYc1Jhj1VYIPVszSTByWMqitZ-0jjK-WiCTGlK2Ov3k2K3uMf9CGerwzhZm8uUJbA_jNo-rWFcPFCW8uxCZicwX63Wv6nNk/s640/IMG_4120.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-nr57KPS7Ve9c6meyBFv4YLm39jS0bsLX5u2Uk-RqA_VXWgRfUAzg6eVbRPz4AGsCysB7qeTmZ509GcEVw7veXZAkmucZS7r5MsZ6ixv-7zr2KJedWb-7c7EXlHcB6imWXAhAW19YWKZ/s1600/cartagena-stalhratte+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-nr57KPS7Ve9c6meyBFv4YLm39jS0bsLX5u2Uk-RqA_VXWgRfUAzg6eVbRPz4AGsCysB7qeTmZ509GcEVw7veXZAkmucZS7r5MsZ6ixv-7zr2KJedWb-7c7EXlHcB6imWXAhAW19YWKZ/s640/cartagena-stalhratte+012.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bikes on the deck with covers for salt water protection</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji02zjCYQ7kMKSyGGtMRtTMvNuOWQhmBCRySzPBTkucLq7rG-dUo53MZMSntj0w1f0jZ1acM4GwVfWevap6ztLD_LsyqBNfkqeeExFGrk9WWd2k9QjJoXeCXyuKBr5uGe4LGTfspILvCy8/s1600/cartagena-stalhratte+050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji02zjCYQ7kMKSyGGtMRtTMvNuOWQhmBCRySzPBTkucLq7rG-dUo53MZMSntj0w1f0jZ1acM4GwVfWevap6ztLD_LsyqBNfkqeeExFGrk9WWd2k9QjJoXeCXyuKBr5uGe4LGTfspILvCy8/s640/cartagena-stalhratte+050.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqjed4Jw5g1Zvumt5lQLAbiQteNuK1mw766aLwqOydsz-qcVvLfzgxt5d9ejDKe5V0EAF2R2SqbQK-_Pow8FoFFlakjZePD20M4FKOP-IW_qkJQwgCAHkaOEWWiuZ2INi9VKyvsl_xCy8h/s1600/cartagena-stalhratte+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqjed4Jw5g1Zvumt5lQLAbiQteNuK1mw766aLwqOydsz-qcVvLfzgxt5d9ejDKe5V0EAF2R2SqbQK-_Pow8FoFFlakjZePD20M4FKOP-IW_qkJQwgCAHkaOEWWiuZ2INi9VKyvsl_xCy8h/s640/cartagena-stalhratte+031.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Open Water, full sails</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEKbdRe31CymPVPdLMG3-O49ERk01nTsc8TY6tfR6uZmn7P1ktunSTFlzv-feaGKx3LwSyJXFLr64oCk4kV1RNSGrGFCIh1nYEFnRjDmdBEokDer4lvOvRVB2gJjviv0cnusGRXwXPlrZ/s1600/IMG_4142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEKbdRe31CymPVPdLMG3-O49ERk01nTsc8TY6tfR6uZmn7P1ktunSTFlzv-feaGKx3LwSyJXFLr64oCk4kV1RNSGrGFCIh1nYEFnRjDmdBEokDer4lvOvRVB2gJjviv0cnusGRXwXPlrZ/s400/IMG_4142.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAnZ0Em4D0NrTG1JQvSTee0BxWjnp8WMlpeyZHXR0bKDC60rKIxHCj9z2YRR2L88RFp-JDQ3m-mBfurA1FjGUCl9A2T3WgEcPor0Lq5unjym5_97zW2YTLiwQ7o6nfu2IyZgBXvdhdgWiW/s1600/cartagena-stalhratte+043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAnZ0Em4D0NrTG1JQvSTee0BxWjnp8WMlpeyZHXR0bKDC60rKIxHCj9z2YRR2L88RFp-JDQ3m-mBfurA1FjGUCl9A2T3WgEcPor0Lq5unjym5_97zW2YTLiwQ7o6nfu2IyZgBXvdhdgWiW/s640/cartagena-stalhratte+043.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPANuRNlUyW77VklFddMjMDYoeZ1xSNZr-ONAe0f6wLBoiyWoOyMatvObKwhG0RTmJ0I6KAfJhuPyOKwk-fRV9F8OqHKYTu8nIZ-UZuqWd57-5pQZWCy-5O1H5zMYu9k2ZWmXgcYqdezUv/s1600/cartagena-stalhratte+123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPANuRNlUyW77VklFddMjMDYoeZ1xSNZr-ONAe0f6wLBoiyWoOyMatvObKwhG0RTmJ0I6KAfJhuPyOKwk-fRV9F8OqHKYTu8nIZ-UZuqWd57-5pQZWCy-5O1H5zMYu9k2ZWmXgcYqdezUv/s640/cartagena-stalhratte+123.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Stalhratte anchored in the San Blas Islands</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcu4s6CCgumS-FN2DdRGSEI-vyUe_nuK7L8CLQZaCxmzn_xk_Ym7bemwStv26ZzOViqndOq5sslu4tFxwIY35jsHbnjCTBE2J1CtlqFcG9uwtRoBn3tLk3oisyIujPB6T2Tmg0rKAkZffp/s1600/IMG_4151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcu4s6CCgumS-FN2DdRGSEI-vyUe_nuK7L8CLQZaCxmzn_xk_Ym7bemwStv26ZzOViqndOq5sslu4tFxwIY35jsHbnjCTBE2J1CtlqFcG9uwtRoBn3tLk3oisyIujPB6T2Tmg0rKAkZffp/s640/IMG_4151.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Captain Ludwig goes over board in style on dropping anchor at San Blas. He did a fantastic job of running the ship and also kepted us well entertained with his sense of humour!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyxB9317bt321SlEpAcKeqixCvYI54dqFauEki3jMV52MstoyG3GvYvcxnMdrCMS5jBRJ4Tp98eHLWRNQ4wMX5Lz_kSPP305ApNXyUd0bBbB7cCJvgbFi16X3APPCLiV5gL1Q3bfrvSJfd/s1600/cartagena-stalhratte+079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyxB9317bt321SlEpAcKeqixCvYI54dqFauEki3jMV52MstoyG3GvYvcxnMdrCMS5jBRJ4Tp98eHLWRNQ4wMX5Lz_kSPP305ApNXyUd0bBbB7cCJvgbFi16X3APPCLiV5gL1Q3bfrvSJfd/s640/cartagena-stalhratte+079.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAib4BUwakRU1phyphenhyphenFvuZGq2RiYhSal663mUUcgnFhg52VasCn83Atb1tqBeYmTPr3b7-yjCTIgKuvzy5gnNnvsqfJO2SwXgVT7ZI6qSdnnQoLRqiHMPMogIGczW406MNfig1YD9R_MWrY6/s1600/cartagena-stalhratte+075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAib4BUwakRU1phyphenhyphenFvuZGq2RiYhSal663mUUcgnFhg52VasCn83Atb1tqBeYmTPr3b7-yjCTIgKuvzy5gnNnvsqfJO2SwXgVT7ZI6qSdnnQoLRqiHMPMogIGczW406MNfig1YD9R_MWrY6/s400/cartagena-stalhratte+075.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibNEM-zfpj-HFQTUfQ-L-W_hWMDanF7SjhebIsZYwgWvIR8JnoFWtMyt3S9nB29zTW8TPFMufga-w_TEH6xW4uyJKz831nuIBqSVmkseH5CJnx885W1bcI_vik9l6SW6FGzjxSQRnihixT/s1600/IMG_4153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibNEM-zfpj-HFQTUfQ-L-W_hWMDanF7SjhebIsZYwgWvIR8JnoFWtMyt3S9nB29zTW8TPFMufga-w_TEH6xW4uyJKz831nuIBqSVmkseH5CJnx885W1bcI_vik9l6SW6FGzjxSQRnihixT/s640/IMG_4153.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5c0zz9rqqScXlvBKpglR35n4EzzcdLDTjzgq6Vtw4Lhf03xcCj61Rrq5PvCb9pZcs4Fs7C68kuApjB3T-qQILcH8FSUfp6HGCgikCp3li1lkQoCZ-2lg8NX0hFbRj4UMoSQs8TUL83mUD/s1600/cartagena-stalhratte+119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5c0zz9rqqScXlvBKpglR35n4EzzcdLDTjzgq6Vtw4Lhf03xcCj61Rrq5PvCb9pZcs4Fs7C68kuApjB3T-qQILcH8FSUfp6HGCgikCp3li1lkQoCZ-2lg8NX0hFbRj4UMoSQs8TUL83mUD/s640/cartagena-stalhratte+119.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dug out canoes of the local Kuna people who inhabit the islands</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip3QBpiFj_SV0xOvbmW4U2zJ_YO0LR-2EKQejL-IYoc2BD4KmVTnSdfgFyfkBYHM2bakGouqSXHkW1wZ-FG5IXyxc-T07c8dKhG8BXmCAXDBJQWabSnpPEhtBlg7LP2yvElyfJvrIq2vZC/s1600/cartagena-stalhratte+088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip3QBpiFj_SV0xOvbmW4U2zJ_YO0LR-2EKQejL-IYoc2BD4KmVTnSdfgFyfkBYHM2bakGouqSXHkW1wZ-FG5IXyxc-T07c8dKhG8BXmCAXDBJQWabSnpPEhtBlg7LP2yvElyfJvrIq2vZC/s640/cartagena-stalhratte+088.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Barton and the Husaberg photo shoot!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7TE6jS5SW-Me4hlshqqkZBpEaak75egNzv6WSX6WjstD1xpHMfAjqlG44MaOv4fD5rW6uTVPpP98QBypxccqgSxq6FG6ANR8yTEa3acASrTOi6URmacRjVeQuUJVFUddOHykT_q5whAl7/s1600/cartagena-stalhratte+104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7TE6jS5SW-Me4hlshqqkZBpEaak75egNzv6WSX6WjstD1xpHMfAjqlG44MaOv4fD5rW6uTVPpP98QBypxccqgSxq6FG6ANR8yTEa3acASrTOi6URmacRjVeQuUJVFUddOHykT_q5whAl7/s640/cartagena-stalhratte+104.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Juan (left) and Captain Ludwig (right)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPv6S6hm3ZGva0fvqVyIWQJ0SRNqlz4uuGbm8vuzcUftkE5Fo02VCNGm-upcoCzO_FIwSY8tI5iFMLyiUviO0LfvZIL-UWSqr5CuS9iTiKhpxFi0WJmBCPb_MI0qxfdVXTulkt0Sbpe2i4/s1600/cartagena-stalhratte+135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPv6S6hm3ZGva0fvqVyIWQJ0SRNqlz4uuGbm8vuzcUftkE5Fo02VCNGm-upcoCzO_FIwSY8tI5iFMLyiUviO0LfvZIL-UWSqr5CuS9iTiKhpxFi0WJmBCPb_MI0qxfdVXTulkt0Sbpe2i4/s640/cartagena-stalhratte+135.JPG" width="596" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The mast swing was fun</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEnNlnzyViz62_HL78NaeOee5lxwn7nNFpJF97Qg7sc1H031_zWmP7z4mI5lWSOuGXJE6GAAdfV5aBXdW0X4xLFZqU6puPcf4g6on-nzgwhNnDzwy2sCTsw-R4w6W8WTH2JhcllDcrT2Qw/s1600/cartagena-stalhratte+139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEnNlnzyViz62_HL78NaeOee5lxwn7nNFpJF97Qg7sc1H031_zWmP7z4mI5lWSOuGXJE6GAAdfV5aBXdW0X4xLFZqU6puPcf4g6on-nzgwhNnDzwy2sCTsw-R4w6W8WTH2JhcllDcrT2Qw/s640/cartagena-stalhratte+139.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Last night on board the Salhratte</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPfVOAG7Z8t98yOmkPGC53-PEh5jhDeMIjzSiGp7aZ7n9iErZPKy3rEliforM376OtNq0WA6zhXKvU5uTEc2CLB57R7uWax6n_QJ1RNHrbTKsvXXYi464ZAJ_FaXjMgnWrngsEvoEcJr10/s1600/IMG_4197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPfVOAG7Z8t98yOmkPGC53-PEh5jhDeMIjzSiGp7aZ7n9iErZPKy3rEliforM376OtNq0WA6zhXKvU5uTEc2CLB57R7uWax6n_QJ1RNHrbTKsvXXYi464ZAJ_FaXjMgnWrngsEvoEcJr10/s640/IMG_4197.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pablo is enjoying a fast trip up to North America on a BMW 1200 GS, He enjoyed himself in the bar too!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmoIgz2EFTCNyCE-_3jDrmNPybSa1i-5O5PnYUWGdstLpNTR0Ce4DjNyM_srIUCIFLn3O61zEVOYyKYaDA2_2hVo88NjjatAtW8S_fKiEitsSfpjV5QOU7akYpUWMQUJopo6nmCgEfthUT/s1600/cartagena-stalhratte+171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmoIgz2EFTCNyCE-_3jDrmNPybSa1i-5O5PnYUWGdstLpNTR0Ce4DjNyM_srIUCIFLn3O61zEVOYyKYaDA2_2hVo88NjjatAtW8S_fKiEitsSfpjV5QOU7akYpUWMQUJopo6nmCgEfthUT/s640/cartagena-stalhratte+171.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Unloading in Carti, Panama</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEyKJLgrLcrnaap6Hramw4yKl0FjKddtQsLKnuuxQlq7VUKvOC7MztsT5HbAMEFR-hfj_UcP_q83UHDZDQEj0GK85wKtWPBmR1qW9f6aziTiVCI-zORu5d_rVH-d7YwSi_-8MnTIgP2GNh/s1600/cartagena-stalhratte+182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEyKJLgrLcrnaap6Hramw4yKl0FjKddtQsLKnuuxQlq7VUKvOC7MztsT5HbAMEFR-hfj_UcP_q83UHDZDQEj0GK85wKtWPBmR1qW9f6aziTiVCI-zORu5d_rVH-d7YwSi_-8MnTIgP2GNh/s640/cartagena-stalhratte+182.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394193965421980981noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4310743008757337682.post-51397571481741908102012-06-20T08:12:00.000-07:002012-06-23T07:35:54.834-07:00Time out in Bucaramanga<span lang="">Villa De Leyva is a town that has pretty much been preserved in it's original form containing a massive cobble stone main square and white colonial style buildings. I had a day checking it out with Noemi from Canada and Katherine from the UK, It's a popular Holiday destination for both tourists and locals alike but I must admit that it didn't do much for me, all the buildings the look the same and a baron environment with few trees.</span><br />
<span lang=""><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCojPIF1Z9E0V1hlyGLJ5Jlh2i4KG0QbT_TmpCe99SHu_AcxD47iD2H4lEHOK7Jd_ivA2GSNlldZJrsGgm2QxPqvjgxrYmPEMIwHYYeXbAe_zP12YbV7Y9QAt5aiTBT4dPoVWbOMq8mLLN/s1600/colombia+4+100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCojPIF1Z9E0V1hlyGLJ5Jlh2i4KG0QbT_TmpCe99SHu_AcxD47iD2H4lEHOK7Jd_ivA2GSNlldZJrsGgm2QxPqvjgxrYmPEMIwHYYeXbAe_zP12YbV7Y9QAt5aiTBT4dPoVWbOMq8mLLN/s400/colombia+4+100.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cobble stone streets in Villa De Leyva</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang=""><br />
The main roads in Colombia are congested with heavy traffic, lots of trucks and roads on hilly countryside allowing for few passing opportunities. Not much fun but fortunately I linked together some interesting back roads from Villa De Leyva to San Gil. The first section was for the most part just a farm track and bit of a bone shaker at that where the only traffic was some cattle and horsemen.<br />
<br />
According to the road men I talked to at the start it was going to take 3 hours just to make a short distance to the first town so I was pushing the bike hard, avoiding sharp edged rocks that would easily dent in a rim. My thoughts get into a rhythm that has become a daily occurrence as I analyse the track ahead, dodging this, dodging that, slow down for that, speed up for this, unconsciously absorbing and processing the sounds, vibrations and movements of the bike to keep her running smooth. And all at the same time taking in this foreign environment that's unfolding in front of me with an unknown certainty. Another day at the office!<br />
<br />
I've now done 30 000 km In South America and according to my vapour bike computer I've spent 660 hours of butt numbing time on board. You get to now your bike pretty well, familiar noises, vibrations, and when something changes you need to stop and check it out so to avoid an unwanted mechanical problem worsening out in the middle of nowhere. <br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span lang=""><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWN8Ji_ODEQ83v3liuf3jfGoAbo7JV67Ej5tTh1Bymo_PpW1Qsa31h9VKBz4TTWIBFLTsX0OyBVcHYoWHiWBotDreUfY1ra7RcQg7_e-UTrf3TNTGybWdD8YEhIm1q5HwBoY0JNOXabXfJ/s1600/DSCF3344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWN8Ji_ODEQ83v3liuf3jfGoAbo7JV67Ej5tTh1Bymo_PpW1Qsa31h9VKBz4TTWIBFLTsX0OyBVcHYoWHiWBotDreUfY1ra7RcQg7_e-UTrf3TNTGybWdD8YEhIm1q5HwBoY0JNOXabXfJ/s400/DSCF3344.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span lang="">
<br />
<br />
I arrive in the small town of Gambita 2 hours later, enjoy a coffee and some bread for lunch, try and explain to the curious crowds what the heck this strange gringo person is doing in town! An hour later and I find the main highway but ride straight across to the other side and onto another back road.<br />
<br />
It's another hot day and when I stumble upon a waterfall and swimming hole, I have to stop even though it's getting late in the afternoon and have a dip with some local teenagers. It's a beautiful spot. The track takes me through a bunch of Panella (sugar) farms and it's not obvious which is the main route, I come across a major junction and would have been stumped on which way to go, but there just happens to be a guy sitting there in the shade and I get a "small" amount of clarification on where I should be going. I'm heading along this track, it seems to be heading in the right direction but I'm not sure, but it doesn't matter, I just ride along, I somehow know that it will work out, and it does, I rejoin the main highway and traffic for the last hour into San Gil, another great day out.<br />
<br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEwqZ_J6nWYjA01xYCeXbTjdRpFVsliiFoY-O-7AzfUTIYdut8ZOj2-SJUYjdmIfVsWP8w0x9BlkRDxsIO0o6Erj0w3g0ErbTpQAUGxVDpVqQewDVil6QnZe3TL1R7ZOFe9PksXXxgYkwE/s1600/DSCF3349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEwqZ_J6nWYjA01xYCeXbTjdRpFVsliiFoY-O-7AzfUTIYdut8ZOj2-SJUYjdmIfVsWP8w0x9BlkRDxsIO0o6Erj0w3g0ErbTpQAUGxVDpVqQewDVil6QnZe3TL1R7ZOFe9PksXXxgYkwE/s640/DSCF3349.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<span lang=""><br />
<br />
San Gil is Colombia's adventure sport capital, with grade 5 rafting being the main attraction. I meet up with Noemi again at Macando hostel and we spend a day checking out the nearby town of Barichara which is another fine example of a town preserved in time with impressive stone buildings and roads. Next stop up the road is the considerable city of Bucaramanga and according to the map I can once again avoid the main road via several small towns and a dirt road. <br />
<br />
The trail takes me past some impressive waterfalls and then I ride into the the middle of a movie set which is being shot in the town of Galen. It's a pretty little town surrounded in mountains and a little out of the way. A short film is being made by students from the nearby University in Bucaramanga. I have some Tinto (strong black coffee) and some lunch, watch a bit of movie making and then prepare to exit to Bucaramanga. A local wants to buy me a beer, It's a nice sunny Saturday afternoon and it just happens to be my Birthday, what the heck, a beer turns into a few and that's the end of the riding for the day! Only 20 km today! It's difficult talking to the locals but the uni students speak English. I spend most of the afternoon chatting with the producer which in my now pleasantly drunken state conclude that she's so incredibly nice that she must be a birthday gift from the heavens and I can't help but instantly fall in love with her!!<br />
<br />
The following morning there is a big soccer match on, I decide to hang around and watch , it's just like a rugby game back in rural NZ but with music at full song for the entire game, the Colombians like there music and dance. The ride out of town is a little rough, but the bike performs faultlessly as usual and the only thing that's been broken at the end of the day is my heart!!<br />
</span><br />
<span lang=""></span><br />
<span lang=""></span><br />
<span lang=""></span><br />
<span lang=""></span><br />
<span lang=""><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Mlnyb3J6sTpx_EEzgPl5m42amSoffymk1-gwnsodMKLOSdY1LSkRn8lrEYR6PaLDI_oPVXWgSIg6pPZm5cHsPmrUqOAO6obM83A27BJX-QoPI9xCEK4MAj0N5Hpc5_jkU1rxMt2Xvt2W/s1600/DSCF3394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Mlnyb3J6sTpx_EEzgPl5m42amSoffymk1-gwnsodMKLOSdY1LSkRn8lrEYR6PaLDI_oPVXWgSIg6pPZm5cHsPmrUqOAO6obM83A27BJX-QoPI9xCEK4MAj0N5Hpc5_jkU1rxMt2Xvt2W/s640/DSCF3394.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The old town of Barichara</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimv93qPX5qDjvkjv4C6Q4siYHFezp-UDFqgOhh98yqWBdFUydjQ9IcnKOND3EdM-_K_Lxgzgig8CxbMzJwwmv7smVq-rNJEuWM6PVb6LagNA5Lkyciav5hHCm6fsX88XnxatfcOgtn8ztp/s1600/DSCF3373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimv93qPX5qDjvkjv4C6Q4siYHFezp-UDFqgOhh98yqWBdFUydjQ9IcnKOND3EdM-_K_Lxgzgig8CxbMzJwwmv7smVq-rNJEuWM6PVb6LagNA5Lkyciav5hHCm6fsX88XnxatfcOgtn8ztp/s640/DSCF3373.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Impressive stone work in Barichara</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMCkRKlJgPGsOu4pqv01bsL481wy01tgr54nX7bRLrBvIiaxXIjp918vGH8QhZ5xDyWLUJwvlRO8JNlNaVgz3mEMmUrlbdEAPohnq1Msfxz16wJ2ktYN109zWzfApXkRW_BklSauJ1uQr/s1600/DSCF3400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMCkRKlJgPGsOu4pqv01bsL481wy01tgr54nX7bRLrBvIiaxXIjp918vGH8QhZ5xDyWLUJwvlRO8JNlNaVgz3mEMmUrlbdEAPohnq1Msfxz16wJ2ktYN109zWzfApXkRW_BklSauJ1uQr/s640/DSCF3400.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3PD2hZhyDVkVMebWu2NkuDnfbMxZxO5o36VTMLevwaOoYdxYjeOBXF0HmVnvBajs0Etl2mAuzcOwZLjeheyBsDYufe3XBs_NqDx0t-1L4cc37mjMPxxdHsoaUAx0bzc5lyQJyDi0X3I3G/s1600/DSCF3414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3PD2hZhyDVkVMebWu2NkuDnfbMxZxO5o36VTMLevwaOoYdxYjeOBXF0HmVnvBajs0Etl2mAuzcOwZLjeheyBsDYufe3XBs_NqDx0t-1L4cc37mjMPxxdHsoaUAx0bzc5lyQJyDi0X3I3G/s640/DSCF3414.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Milk delivery downtown Galen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><br />
I head for Kasaguane Hostel which is owned by Richie who I met back in Medellin. Richie's passion is paragliding, he spent 10 years in North America flying before returning home and setting up a flying school here in Bucaramanga. I head up to the flying site to check out the paragliding and then spend the afternoon on a ride with Richie and his partner Lili. They are just about to set off on a year long motorbike trip around South America on a KLR 650. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmtdZyAFirMO7Kx-rqm-yhRS0CHLF9GiUFDoT5vZnygJsKokeZCrrnwFMsArgdcpey5rrg2X0DRK9OXdUt_CQ4FgkEc-3Pd-a04sd-R4-A7xRnQSVvotUbhISDy0zHqe4Kv6_et5K5AYrA/s1600/DSCF3428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmtdZyAFirMO7Kx-rqm-yhRS0CHLF9GiUFDoT5vZnygJsKokeZCrrnwFMsArgdcpey5rrg2X0DRK9OXdUt_CQ4FgkEc-3Pd-a04sd-R4-A7xRnQSVvotUbhISDy0zHqe4Kv6_et5K5AYrA/s400/DSCF3428.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day out with Richie and Lili</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span lang="">At the paragliding site Richie also has a small hostel for the trainee pilots, it´s a real nice location on the hill with great view's out over the city below. Its also a lot quieter up there away from the city and more like a house than a hostel, ...but with the one exception of a disco tech right next door that goes all night on the weekends! I move up to the Fly site Hostel and meet Lewis, Evan, and Robin from Nelson, Canada and also John from Wales. The guys have just started their 10 day flying coarse.</span><br />
<br />
<span lang="">After hearing a few stories and watching the boys having a lot of fun in the air I decide that while I´m there I have to have ago and book in for a tandem flight. It´s definitely a buzz being up in the air but unfortunately my weak stomach is just not up for it, I end up getting motion sick before even doing the optional aerobatics which is a shame! I will just have to stick to two wheels. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjVwiNtbxhOwcMNKRHLZvAzlfUj2FGXn4kXCl1AhR_ZdrFen1pkg1P_64eI6K9T04gKQYd5UTJRqURAtbJBloBt9wIDhqsJ45aBcBY5nxNomBXUUHVtM7IJYWZRiMbBNRRgJ6SNePnxUvX/s1600/DSCF3486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjVwiNtbxhOwcMNKRHLZvAzlfUj2FGXn4kXCl1AhR_ZdrFen1pkg1P_64eI6K9T04gKQYd5UTJRqURAtbJBloBt9wIDhqsJ45aBcBY5nxNomBXUUHVtM7IJYWZRiMbBNRRgJ6SNePnxUvX/s640/DSCF3486.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brothers, Lewis and Evan about to launch out above Bucaramanga City</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXdqDBOLm12e3zTWb2kUgKPZ0SD_mwuSo8DZ5J_KfMC9IN2X8VAhyZo2EHC63iKlj3XNRYbU1OLCa9-vr9Qa1ehSIxRO9JHTV0NcEgXTPM-ASlJAu3OUpfdX5qweb3QGYPP6aU55QnnM0X/s1600/DSCF3478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXdqDBOLm12e3zTWb2kUgKPZ0SD_mwuSo8DZ5J_KfMC9IN2X8VAhyZo2EHC63iKlj3XNRYbU1OLCa9-vr9Qa1ehSIxRO9JHTV0NcEgXTPM-ASlJAu3OUpfdX5qweb3QGYPP6aU55QnnM0X/s640/DSCF3478.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's me coming in for landing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang=""><br /></span><span lang="">I guess after 6 months on the go I´m definitely slowing down a bit and with the Fly site hostel feeling more like a house to ourselves than a hostel I´m happy to spend some time off the bike and hang with the Canadians for a while. I decide to try and improve my very limited Spanish with a week long coarse. The places I can get to and the people I meet on the motorbike would be so so much more rewarding for everyone if I could speak the language better. I spend two hours a day with my teacher Luz Dary and then study in my spare time. I have enough problems getting my head round English so for me this is really hard work. Luz does a terrific job of getting me motivated though, shows me some near by sites and basically goes out of her way to help. It's just typical of the people here, extremely helpful. Thanks for all your time Luz. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYBxVnpY1LKW42y26OJtfw80e0qkx1x10PvVAljS9-hy_0oPe9Z8WISlrPNbykT83YljxeaOQvAB2xvwXkptNwGmUWixgoBRKHe7SqkcO0H4sJXnoezpTvmJ2oWxBFGMHarPzH7jDcI2M/s1600/DSCF3491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYBxVnpY1LKW42y26OJtfw80e0qkx1x10PvVAljS9-hy_0oPe9Z8WISlrPNbykT83YljxeaOQvAB2xvwXkptNwGmUWixgoBRKHe7SqkcO0H4sJXnoezpTvmJ2oWxBFGMHarPzH7jDcI2M/s640/DSCF3491.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 650 gets plenty of attention at a moto shop in Bucaramanga</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDM6oqeW2DKHQpqQC94RcziHidY3lhx1V0PT16AQygJEkFNgND_CxYqyNBGy8XluY3bD243vEBNNyaUPUIbgjPwVfNryKeMO2ZGf_dKnNf5Z3lvsgMErVfMdIYUh3W-yon2SUyiXCkKDgg/s1600/DSCF3500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDM6oqeW2DKHQpqQC94RcziHidY3lhx1V0PT16AQygJEkFNgND_CxYqyNBGy8XluY3bD243vEBNNyaUPUIbgjPwVfNryKeMO2ZGf_dKnNf5Z3lvsgMErVfMdIYUh3W-yon2SUyiXCkKDgg/s640/DSCF3500.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Basic housing in Bucaramanga</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqycwjBdKW6l_k9VJcrBWvy2NeFocEDf-K2s9yEtP_4JJr0bkNmkoMnc5ItfzK0-0Nw3X8iGBdmu-mrt-sSYIOzWpDmXKyB0kleX7qSHbEKE65etUMNlqY3YDIK3e8xe_GLyyB_nYTyX2P/s1600/DSCF3723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqycwjBdKW6l_k9VJcrBWvy2NeFocEDf-K2s9yEtP_4JJr0bkNmkoMnc5ItfzK0-0Nw3X8iGBdmu-mrt-sSYIOzWpDmXKyB0kleX7qSHbEKE65etUMNlqY3YDIK3e8xe_GLyyB_nYTyX2P/s640/DSCF3723.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Veiw of Bucaramanga City from the hostel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span lang="">It´s now been a few weeks and I´m still here in</span><span lang=""> Bucaramanga</span><span lang="">. Unfortunately during one week I spent a lot of time at the hospital, on one day I even visited two hospitals. I guess this is what happens when you become friends with trainee paraglider pilots!! Motorcycling is as safe as houses in comparison! Robin broke his wrist on a hard landing and sadly Lewis broke his back on an even harder landing. </span><span lang="">Fortunately they managed to fuse his damaged vertebrae back together and to the adjacent ones without any permanent damage and he will have a full recovery and a bunch of steel in his back. It was a tough time for Lewis as the temporary loss of movement was pretty scary, it's another reminder how easily life can change.</span><br />
<br />
I see the beaten up Canadians off and then head out of town with a new appreciation of my mainly well functioning body, I'm on a week long loop ride to visit Cocuy National Park, Colombia's highest and most dramatic mountain range. The ride there takes a day longer than planned, I spend a day almost completing a circle and finishing up not far from where I started. The first delay is due to a washed out bridge and a bunch of freshly excavated ditches spanning full width of the road waiting for culverts. After walking the narrow temporary path I'm in two minds as to have a go at getting the bike across, I could easily damage the bike or loose it over the edge. Is it worth the risk? The option of returning back down the road would take a couple of hours. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-fpqYOIwBiwRB7kBQ_whKgmi8P_nLv2HeJtipKkkQAa21LoIw3BUar5EVM9etIrcZDpPdz9-pCQEwS_msiTg6uka_hpQEXwubwbLaVPwWeXzbEVPRD02A4XtWd8ipqc1Y3F4NTfHqOc0/s1600/DSCF3553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-fpqYOIwBiwRB7kBQ_whKgmi8P_nLv2HeJtipKkkQAa21LoIw3BUar5EVM9etIrcZDpPdz9-pCQEwS_msiTg6uka_hpQEXwubwbLaVPwWeXzbEVPRD02A4XtWd8ipqc1Y3F4NTfHqOc0/s400/DSCF3553.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Washed out bridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I walk back over all the obstacles spread out over a few hundred meters back to the construction workers on the other side. I run through the possibilities in my head, and piece together a route that traverses well above the road and dodges the worst sections. It could actually work, but I will need the help of the workers, on my own no way. I get back to the workers and I'm not surprised that they're keen as mustard to help so I quickly strip off all the luggage and we go for it, 20min and a bucket load of sweat later we're on the other side, no problems. I load the bike back up and while doing so entertain the workers with info on the bike and my trip. I ride off feeling elevated, the guys were just super friendly and helpful to me but at the same time they just loved helping out, loved my bike and loved having a stranger passing bye their backyard.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vVY1aivWZ3ylGBpPJc0OhLRY-CDtV7DT0PT6GC3JxdIy5KgD6RVglXniGe7W6OOqMelW27Umj6Z9tOpzLpl9DIirhLTJo3h-72L4bvnjLCsj9H4vnK3YMyNIcNgL8Lc8VNKYRg1ttaI8/s1600/DSCF3545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vVY1aivWZ3ylGBpPJc0OhLRY-CDtV7DT0PT6GC3JxdIy5KgD6RVglXniGe7W6OOqMelW27Umj6Z9tOpzLpl9DIirhLTJo3h-72L4bvnjLCsj9H4vnK3YMyNIcNgL8Lc8VNKYRg1ttaI8/s640/DSCF3545.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helpful construction workers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_UIpjvUPIhIV3GLYP1mg40vOLZTrUNgDm3dv4gmbhqiTgx_8vICxlIevD4H9b7F5uf6DDWo1bhDVGJuIJmk1CjKo1NZHGc_PUppcUm4FmNtxjkhBXn7-9AFDCOWNVKrWjy906sAs63Csy/s1600/DSCF3543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_UIpjvUPIhIV3GLYP1mg40vOLZTrUNgDm3dv4gmbhqiTgx_8vICxlIevD4H9b7F5uf6DDWo1bhDVGJuIJmk1CjKo1NZHGc_PUppcUm4FmNtxjkhBXn7-9AFDCOWNVKrWjy906sAs63Csy/s640/DSCF3543.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I get to the next town and my run of good luck comes to and end, the police inform me that the next section of road is not passable, even on the moto. I have to rejoin the main road not far off where I left it! It's not all bad though the riding is first rate. Another day and several mountain ranges later I finally make it to the town of El Cocuy on the edge of the park. The motorbike proves very handy as I spend the next two days riding up high to 4000m and accessing the park for a couple of day hikes. The first is a wash out with very cold rain but the second proves to be a brilliant day out. Firstly hiking up high to the snow line with brad and Sheena, and James and Laura, all from the us and also doing overland travel but with 4wds. Then, later riding up high on a ridge late in the evening light which was just stunning.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rDlA0dWow-CHLrAJlyIMybCqMxKrf12Q2HsP1ePEbrt6CI5WTHK4YMwHjG6H7SsMJyf63k5MLuNZILH0EZoYvOYRFmwNGdIe7FE-0oWmHCOFQD7RMTYfBo6Ddd4GKgE69uVWZKPtNWN1/s1600/DSCF3533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rDlA0dWow-CHLrAJlyIMybCqMxKrf12Q2HsP1ePEbrt6CI5WTHK4YMwHjG6H7SsMJyf63k5MLuNZILH0EZoYvOYRFmwNGdIe7FE-0oWmHCOFQD7RMTYfBo6Ddd4GKgE69uVWZKPtNWN1/s640/DSCF3533.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Police get round 2 up on the little 200</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggKkpwzwbOuiRi44FPm8GcZRYIIw7Nfh423_-ueTnOjSPP55OMtl_q7cUPBD-mdG7JApo8GD13ePAPcKrHQoo4UZmTxymFqqvkSgAlQ12rdubjVS8Jh1x75Jeo2DOUkHqcupyh5XnY4M6s/s1600/DSCF3536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggKkpwzwbOuiRi44FPm8GcZRYIIw7Nfh423_-ueTnOjSPP55OMtl_q7cUPBD-mdG7JApo8GD13ePAPcKrHQoo4UZmTxymFqqvkSgAlQ12rdubjVS8Jh1x75Jeo2DOUkHqcupyh5XnY4M6s/s640/DSCF3536.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmdAgDgUr7E8vsTuRx5ZU6VgPIAeiVLTlnJ8ppbkLPCTfGq6v46gEUF1Zn7dP_hgeDbPoXQlJ2QoSqVYd34nxTNbMj-c_h1npSRpdObV9bI964aPoB0hjgVNZ6UA8w_SGg3m7qYZXhQDTH/s1600/DSCF3592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmdAgDgUr7E8vsTuRx5ZU6VgPIAeiVLTlnJ8ppbkLPCTfGq6v46gEUF1Zn7dP_hgeDbPoXQlJ2QoSqVYd34nxTNbMj-c_h1npSRpdObV9bI964aPoB0hjgVNZ6UA8w_SGg3m7qYZXhQDTH/s400/DSCF3592.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">El Cocuy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONy1M38AeVQABuxSENrW70Rs_1Fmy1uKIyxkbgKWnsmhwC8zLoAM5Sa3OrFgB3Ic89zpniwSV9TFhqAMySgtg0D-5llb6tqmO5VqfTPS_pKcjLgs2a2HoUJpMs4kORsHFaLWfurzGiLLM/s1600/DSCF3588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONy1M38AeVQABuxSENrW70Rs_1Fmy1uKIyxkbgKWnsmhwC8zLoAM5Sa3OrFgB3Ic89zpniwSV9TFhqAMySgtg0D-5llb6tqmO5VqfTPS_pKcjLgs2a2HoUJpMs4kORsHFaLWfurzGiLLM/s640/DSCF3588.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhueNFm4n1Mn_-baUziJuHesLTIaGjeXJKVCkiCxsQO22BLvptak2_8Zwnp8vmlyF4JiKWiPqGK8V2M860E_T-6H0_YEYpndmRcYKwIy4Ivja_LRK5aUdcpoDNgkVptH-EmVw9aiKE_7hfx/s1600/cocuy1+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhueNFm4n1Mn_-baUziJuHesLTIaGjeXJKVCkiCxsQO22BLvptak2_8Zwnp8vmlyF4JiKWiPqGK8V2M860E_T-6H0_YEYpndmRcYKwIy4Ivja_LRK5aUdcpoDNgkVptH-EmVw9aiKE_7hfx/s640/cocuy1+004.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmGthgj9SonB0geva5BlezG1QG1I6XpMVzNAhhYHjKX7XEgNpSN92NfANOIqiTqd2VN9RZ60RqdoT0Wq1FTryP41vBS82BsXMfRkXntvWQljY3USSiGviBiV-FKaS6vLycHofdcTaTAVw/s1600/cocuy1+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmGthgj9SonB0geva5BlezG1QG1I6XpMVzNAhhYHjKX7XEgNpSN92NfANOIqiTqd2VN9RZ60RqdoT0Wq1FTryP41vBS82BsXMfRkXntvWQljY3USSiGviBiV-FKaS6vLycHofdcTaTAVw/s640/cocuy1+022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaV-7KeQdQrHnzGV0OkKNs6budbv_F5PH5zc3Pjjs1hScaUjZsmJ-bYmIPAooI-GIfW6e-TXdNeUwkNlbpt_VzCeDpUojTwkaY_Ot5FnFgx8Sf0180Y-rDvNfLgHmaPE_bLscUh1NYdiJR/s1600/cocuy1+043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaV-7KeQdQrHnzGV0OkKNs6budbv_F5PH5zc3Pjjs1hScaUjZsmJ-bYmIPAooI-GIfW6e-TXdNeUwkNlbpt_VzCeDpUojTwkaY_Ot5FnFgx8Sf0180Y-rDvNfLgHmaPE_bLscUh1NYdiJR/s640/cocuy1+043.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdN6sbXl0FIppoYUOtf_TdWaKIQzUWN1rPTNmgfJTfMuyxBHqlYL82sRZIC2Mw5AQyGq6WTMKMW0Ow0nACik1QesbbgJM_jcszQT-385yJJFzIBRtniD7L9QKPxEuQXs9mtg_Hl5zWTSs1/s1600/cocuy1+042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdN6sbXl0FIppoYUOtf_TdWaKIQzUWN1rPTNmgfJTfMuyxBHqlYL82sRZIC2Mw5AQyGq6WTMKMW0Ow0nACik1QesbbgJM_jcszQT-385yJJFzIBRtniD7L9QKPxEuQXs9mtg_Hl5zWTSs1/s640/cocuy1+042.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sheena and Brad beating the lack of oxygen at around 4500m</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_yIYT3k-bk3KCzeA_7z_00eBYCMyLaDz4hJlG6qLGWezcP6fKwClo7SQFII7e3rJvR-VN9e8TXznHn4y35zASOk567ENu3Yg_e6Qp45VjcvYnYzIqiazyWrIbew9Idfg4cdGAkiJu5ge/s1600/cocuy1+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_yIYT3k-bk3KCzeA_7z_00eBYCMyLaDz4hJlG6qLGWezcP6fKwClo7SQFII7e3rJvR-VN9e8TXznHn4y35zASOk567ENu3Yg_e6Qp45VjcvYnYzIqiazyWrIbew9Idfg4cdGAkiJu5ge/s640/cocuy1+006.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcuubAWzbRhccOuYwKV4zU3pQrW6ITQYFPiJkESrcEZNiW4Z20H8nP4nwSEx3ebY6b4a-Ny910PMj-STokii1tsty8AFnb1vUsh6mXzYosE0l0qgosKq55lEJELkMM0AQTTad9Z_2owOxc/s1600/cocuy1+065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcuubAWzbRhccOuYwKV4zU3pQrW6ITQYFPiJkESrcEZNiW4Z20H8nP4nwSEx3ebY6b4a-Ny910PMj-STokii1tsty8AFnb1vUsh6mXzYosE0l0qgosKq55lEJELkMM0AQTTad9Z_2owOxc/s640/cocuy1+065.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These guys were way more friendly than they look!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-BCfN5BjTtq_E2NQIPmBtf063rvnlWN1UEz2ZiOfrIpjWcOlMjVJ0HLpB9BOQ9BSiwEThkdq5GXelpviHwOMBRbyyf3iSwqzFJsMxqHgPJx8FVHcof3aFikCaiY4u9tlqMeMN3N5eL34/s1600/cocuy2+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-BCfN5BjTtq_E2NQIPmBtf063rvnlWN1UEz2ZiOfrIpjWcOlMjVJ0HLpB9BOQ9BSiwEThkdq5GXelpviHwOMBRbyyf3iSwqzFJsMxqHgPJx8FVHcof3aFikCaiY4u9tlqMeMN3N5eL34/s640/cocuy2+006.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1MJj0qKAJQlagO4C8UAw7KB-i7uGFZJ0_5DH6VewzarVcgY5shJfxDyfqlu0uZt7Mo_qQ8jN26A9OZCh9PIrjzmK6jiAhrHaWR-dH2w8sZR2hMTnzD95yR-SdIXAjjCrJa5dcZPF39XhO/s1600/cocuy2+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1MJj0qKAJQlagO4C8UAw7KB-i7uGFZJ0_5DH6VewzarVcgY5shJfxDyfqlu0uZt7Mo_qQ8jN26A9OZCh9PIrjzmK6jiAhrHaWR-dH2w8sZR2hMTnzD95yR-SdIXAjjCrJa5dcZPF39XhO/s640/cocuy2+015.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A walk in the mountains, a beautiful sun set and a motorbike to ride down on, what a day!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I head back to the city feeling content, some time hiking in the mountains was well overdue for me. I pick an alternative route back to Bucaramanga, I was hoping to make it in one big day of riding but the cold steady rain for the first few hours had me doubting if I would make the distance. I had most of my clothing on and along with my full rain suit I was surprisingly comfortable. By midday the sun was out and I was again riding on some neat little back roads, it was a great finish to my week out. After a 10 hr day on the road I arrive back at the hostel very happy if a tad tired. Hank, who is now at the hostel with me cooks up great feed and then drags me out to town for the night to check out another of Colombia's highlights, the chicas!!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHtkfY_G97NaN1YRFmJdIzXr1iWdrEGI2bMPDoibRBrRqtx42YKudERQvCutBHPRdcHyjSQ31wP-PfCoXNfP6EqB8oBhQDXTMgPYDMyMveK3832MBAM98jfLv1DLMk6vPyQ1lMUpVSWux/s1600/DSCF3686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHtkfY_G97NaN1YRFmJdIzXr1iWdrEGI2bMPDoibRBrRqtx42YKudERQvCutBHPRdcHyjSQ31wP-PfCoXNfP6EqB8oBhQDXTMgPYDMyMveK3832MBAM98jfLv1DLMk6vPyQ1lMUpVSWux/s640/DSCF3686.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I met this family on a farm out in the middle of nowhere</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQSMOZbFK8Jqza7wh358kDMCqk2PWLAAbUnMyOx_2zf6qiZeiBdR2K7AiRUA-d7priUyQeSf0PfZMd-Nm_LF7_5LTsDlmTH-wmXL5BhgiYb4R0EZgoR-R8BF_MBSNQh7APYRZgdwlhFw3U/s1600/DSCF3700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQSMOZbFK8Jqza7wh358kDMCqk2PWLAAbUnMyOx_2zf6qiZeiBdR2K7AiRUA-d7priUyQeSf0PfZMd-Nm_LF7_5LTsDlmTH-wmXL5BhgiYb4R0EZgoR-R8BF_MBSNQh7APYRZgdwlhFw3U/s400/DSCF3700.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downtown Onzaga on the way back to Bucaramanga</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwXevoWHi2DEsWgxXFtQ2LSbiaTWYDIHKrAkYpgpExEVHRVva7OpsnjZjHmPZYQP8SGOvwOqBYaLpxvyg0nn8h0s_VmN0kN8vHAcHJyxgSBvoLMRdWrq77XBkS96JxKY_E4bNZgtKfYPB/s1600/DSCF3708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwXevoWHi2DEsWgxXFtQ2LSbiaTWYDIHKrAkYpgpExEVHRVva7OpsnjZjHmPZYQP8SGOvwOqBYaLpxvyg0nn8h0s_VmN0kN8vHAcHJyxgSBvoLMRdWrq77XBkS96JxKY_E4bNZgtKfYPB/s640/DSCF3708.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0F_iJ5TOJC9DVX1iet0V86XtxSChNE1FbGA5blhj5PMlbGirEVHGpqczjy5s0KDqGsYXHE_fIY8QkgDhF_20wVJzoaWMpoG3firENigqxw7XBNGg9aJUqtWORH6VpL3XZnpwxVrSrQmZK/s1600/DSCF3709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0F_iJ5TOJC9DVX1iet0V86XtxSChNE1FbGA5blhj5PMlbGirEVHGpqczjy5s0KDqGsYXHE_fIY8QkgDhF_20wVJzoaWMpoG3firENigqxw7XBNGg9aJUqtWORH6VpL3XZnpwxVrSrQmZK/s400/DSCF3709.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bowling, Colombian styles!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1i_r-Zp796DSru6-x1E8W0-7NeEHQiPlNMeuJdQWZH5elROXnUuQxonLWOHOthLEC55peG2vsF4hU_-UUxebS6S0m_QJYrwqlt8dROiIOPt8wWaRzA-lmt9pshFt7NzJqZSKn1HWdGFqC/s1600/DSCF3716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1i_r-Zp796DSru6-x1E8W0-7NeEHQiPlNMeuJdQWZH5elROXnUuQxonLWOHOthLEC55peG2vsF4hU_-UUxebS6S0m_QJYrwqlt8dROiIOPt8wWaRzA-lmt9pshFt7NzJqZSKn1HWdGFqC/s640/DSCF3716.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Main highway back into Bucaramanga</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394193965421980981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4310743008757337682.post-17659529371569223442012-05-16T20:48:00.001-07:002012-05-17T16:48:52.682-07:00Colombia - part 2After 2 weeks at Casa Blanca hostel in Cali it was time to make some ground and head north. I had replaced all my spares and picked up a second hand rear tyre cheap so I had the bike sorted for a while.<br />
<br />
I was aiming for the tourist town of Salento in the heart of the coffee growing area of Colombia. Colombia is the worlds 3rd largest country for coffee production. Here I got to tour a small organic farm and see the process of beans harvested through to sampling a freshly ground brew. The area is also famous for is beautiful scenery and it's tall wax palm trees towering up out of the forests and paddocks.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaN5rgwFu1SHXa8U5NGu2vMmiiShlfbT_r5WaIIFnmc4D_CWpSFUuiWMzL7rO7Mkyh0sgV8JItoQwaPP1AwdW7RPBWC8Vz9N9-Z4wAmMfvrWkj7ZlbupyyM2kdV5R0HDrSHZDKSX_7aTky/s1600/cali+to+medellin+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaN5rgwFu1SHXa8U5NGu2vMmiiShlfbT_r5WaIIFnmc4D_CWpSFUuiWMzL7rO7Mkyh0sgV8JItoQwaPP1AwdW7RPBWC8Vz9N9-Z4wAmMfvrWkj7ZlbupyyM2kdV5R0HDrSHZDKSX_7aTky/s640/cali+to+medellin+006.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Wax Palm trees near Salento</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN9MfwAczz5Og4CCn6Uv7aI1N-wJB2SA92NpgqpPkzTy7QrWFc887VG9MGt9OBz-WEhHONoU5k-3n4HMPvyIIm3c6hmMF8l03O1zmdzBHSazi_1WPmtwZZDX5StP1EB5sUx39Cb4ngGknI/s1600/cali+to+medellin+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN9MfwAczz5Og4CCn6Uv7aI1N-wJB2SA92NpgqpPkzTy7QrWFc887VG9MGt9OBz-WEhHONoU5k-3n4HMPvyIIm3c6hmMF8l03O1zmdzBHSazi_1WPmtwZZDX5StP1EB5sUx39Cb4ngGknI/s400/cali+to+medellin+011.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't think this is up to DOC standards!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
In Salento I met up with Guy from the UK on a BMW 650 Twin. We did a day ride up through a bunch of muddy farm tracks in the hills surrounding Salento.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNAE6ZNK4HHpPGoZFEf5uuTuvrmPg2w0wUfj5nFjmQXx0CcPf97Nzdc2iW22BOJ0KQ9NX1sgsslavmvgPVkrCuelIda8UqvPXx1s-zqKZaouKO2EkXYNkAdjQ54P4oj3untSbfAETu8QMv/s1600/cali+to+medellin+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNAE6ZNK4HHpPGoZFEf5uuTuvrmPg2w0wUfj5nFjmQXx0CcPf97Nzdc2iW22BOJ0KQ9NX1sgsslavmvgPVkrCuelIda8UqvPXx1s-zqKZaouKO2EkXYNkAdjQ54P4oj3untSbfAETu8QMv/s640/cali+to+medellin+034.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day ride with Guy<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjozw1IQrRKg1qxmeMvNAtVCdhoqJ26Mz6C_GvAYmfe9GMOQmBv9TZyzEd9LEcp-kidNt1lfib8Z4Wj9pxKcUmsJiyEteI7X2OfeLVGchc38ex4KeM60xuYQ8bRcLh0PC6bPBM8gjm_g6Vo/s1600/DSC01123%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjozw1IQrRKg1qxmeMvNAtVCdhoqJ26Mz6C_GvAYmfe9GMOQmBv9TZyzEd9LEcp-kidNt1lfib8Z4Wj9pxKcUmsJiyEteI7X2OfeLVGchc38ex4KeM60xuYQ8bRcLh0PC6bPBM8gjm_g6Vo/s640/DSC01123%5B1%5D.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgunc3DY2SukjOa6wnPcWdQQL2p-fStOI7L6748eTIgqqChnX-yZ9YvA0CAt0diEotSMpcNKWJGc8VsOQndesFW1ePfmuXLGV_6Z5MImSuP3iQhELq9N3PEAVYiqWk_gYJ1zjiYhFP_nGyA/s1600/cali+to+medellin+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgunc3DY2SukjOa6wnPcWdQQL2p-fStOI7L6748eTIgqqChnX-yZ9YvA0CAt0diEotSMpcNKWJGc8VsOQndesFW1ePfmuXLGV_6Z5MImSuP3iQhELq9N3PEAVYiqWk_gYJ1zjiYhFP_nGyA/s640/cali+to+medellin+039.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_WUnsyOGGrzemKa3_TYQg2dCEBvYAAXFUCZMvgUXn5-aPPa1Oi305uj75shFhUrhXfx5aAzxLmNhXnSVOPHmYyaNkZsJbYmteaw_77fDR-JYqdmS69YZnZhHFHFOeDeqiHx_LPJnmvpU/s1600/DSC01143%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_WUnsyOGGrzemKa3_TYQg2dCEBvYAAXFUCZMvgUXn5-aPPa1Oi305uj75shFhUrhXfx5aAzxLmNhXnSVOPHmYyaNkZsJbYmteaw_77fDR-JYqdmS69YZnZhHFHFOeDeqiHx_LPJnmvpU/s320/DSC01143%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-C-9GGtTpdY4i36oojGSCbg55xCep1soHZU1DzdRRYOmBVJ5I0u4uasdWTc-7EOAiIfgEDiOBbtH8Oj6Yg7cSepusoGzJlJKRMCaj1fKoD_xuZTbjFLaWtqbtjtImU_KrLU6zE4idmeR/s1600/cali+to+medellin+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-C-9GGtTpdY4i36oojGSCbg55xCep1soHZU1DzdRRYOmBVJ5I0u4uasdWTc-7EOAiIfgEDiOBbtH8Oj6Yg7cSepusoGzJlJKRMCaj1fKoD_xuZTbjFLaWtqbtjtImU_KrLU6zE4idmeR/s640/cali+to+medellin+040.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Out in the middle of nowhere you find churches like this</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The next few days I rode with Guy to the city of Medellin via a series of back roads and small towns perched up high on ridges and surrounded by coffee farms and lush green hill sides. This was some pretty cool riding, the scenery was fantastic, the roads narrow and winding and the towns busy with interesting people. We attempted to get up close to an active volcano but got washed out not by ash but by a thunderstorm that had the track transformed into a river and created an impassable mudslide.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAXnkdYI4m8ERtf1nS6UgooP4Rx1gg-uMiO81KCDWxsZf1gkKUtBdr-HLxLnRs0Of9ah9IooSi5TWamvr280tTC9v8etIWkiZhx4Jxqxr4MLLxT95ZiVD3VieYe22Cq9f_8rZ6coTmoyve/s1600/cali+to+medellin+056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAXnkdYI4m8ERtf1nS6UgooP4Rx1gg-uMiO81KCDWxsZf1gkKUtBdr-HLxLnRs0Of9ah9IooSi5TWamvr280tTC9v8etIWkiZhx4Jxqxr4MLLxT95ZiVD3VieYe22Cq9f_8rZ6coTmoyve/s640/cali+to+medellin+056.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOTS0kNM8BXa1hkI_VG-Ft5heD4E_auuHDePzwSVp5BM1l_Q_2kZFJbK57a5FQogqZgfOmGtDnfO6tPl_RRe1oTML6txS0b-sQ1pYM7_JH32yEtISurfSRuSRqW-cuiY30BGkpz-2u9NFR/s1600/cali+to+medellin+072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOTS0kNM8BXa1hkI_VG-Ft5heD4E_auuHDePzwSVp5BM1l_Q_2kZFJbK57a5FQogqZgfOmGtDnfO6tPl_RRe1oTML6txS0b-sQ1pYM7_JH32yEtISurfSRuSRqW-cuiY30BGkpz-2u9NFR/s400/cali+to+medellin+072.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coffee seedlings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQv1T_DTxhqWOmJOerjngrElkngMiX8_M2x_YOtyiUXDuX6R95tlVXXOOFJ15DHwQDmAE5Ne1oaeSYwM3e9ob1GMw0dcDba9wLDCNJiXLRAdNAf23aTyO0rsgVIRh2BbTWqJBZYckgAbq/s1600/cali+to+medellin+086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQv1T_DTxhqWOmJOerjngrElkngMiX8_M2x_YOtyiUXDuX6R95tlVXXOOFJ15DHwQDmAE5Ne1oaeSYwM3e9ob1GMw0dcDba9wLDCNJiXLRAdNAf23aTyO0rsgVIRh2BbTWqJBZYckgAbq/s640/cali+to+medellin+086.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coffee bushes growing amongst Plantans ( Banana's)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmQyEIm_6ZZwSDDr6hRgadgYj21zFl2xcSVQ0pLfT7fH8uXrj2BkTfCO8G2pPok3-gJ-UEcHuyVEQd4cDQQPYbwRY6_zrJFv2fO5j-n8_LOi0j0TQv-Rc6ttXzjjOV_DCf47TV-rGEceU/s1600/cali+to+medellin+076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmQyEIm_6ZZwSDDr6hRgadgYj21zFl2xcSVQ0pLfT7fH8uXrj2BkTfCO8G2pPok3-gJ-UEcHuyVEQd4cDQQPYbwRY6_zrJFv2fO5j-n8_LOi0j0TQv-Rc6ttXzjjOV_DCf47TV-rGEceU/s640/cali+to+medellin+076.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from our hotel in the mountain town of Salamina</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm-SF2c-YizK9ZvjOtdC2OdwqZlmh5x2nYTI0-q6OQjl4PK6iN-zOjIjF65qNjPLScl3CmRJSzLBaFGi4a99IxjG146iSGgQqh81ixBzSR2moSo5QAEEvT80-9PLzQK34FcwN5jXOIhJpL/s1600/cali+to+medellin+079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm-SF2c-YizK9ZvjOtdC2OdwqZlmh5x2nYTI0-q6OQjl4PK6iN-zOjIjF65qNjPLScl3CmRJSzLBaFGi4a99IxjG146iSGgQqh81ixBzSR2moSo5QAEEvT80-9PLzQK34FcwN5jXOIhJpL/s640/cali+to+medellin+079.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guy talking with friendly farmer about to take his sack of coffee beans to town market</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQuJbK-o720201fHJD_uczVBBN-OqyGltQXjkOnO2Gw_chFwpiZkZMT-Vkr-jKjlu-zMPXg6nDaq-1AcTwAC_CCJDEDfdduZkxDo8gOb5SqB-JFkN1gvTQMWXjgaDqwNLqBowz-2Sw4CQ/s1600/cali+to+medellin+083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQuJbK-o720201fHJD_uczVBBN-OqyGltQXjkOnO2Gw_chFwpiZkZMT-Vkr-jKjlu-zMPXg6nDaq-1AcTwAC_CCJDEDfdduZkxDo8gOb5SqB-JFkN1gvTQMWXjgaDqwNLqBowz-2Sw4CQ/s640/cali+to+medellin+083.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch stop in Aguadas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Only 20 years ago Medellin was the worlds most murderous city and the centre of Colombia's drug trade. Car bombs and Gun welding motorbike riding hit men working for drug lord Pablo Escobar causing many deaths. Escobar was gunned down and killed in 1993. Now days the city is famous for it's beautiful women, and yes the women are gorgeous, helped by the fact that plastic surgery is cheap and common here.<br />
<br />
My first day in the city and I'm off on a ride with Guy and a few other riders organised by Mike from Motolombia bike tours and also the owner of Casa Blanca hostel down in Cali. Mike and Thomas the owner of the local Kawasaki shop took us on a great loop around the hills surrounding the city. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAD0f0qfqRY0MhM4jdBV_pUqRhY2e1ezB6IxjCu8veImXwQYFsVXQRSnU_1BwAURqjnZkc1rLThGWv6tVww6ZinoPCla3ZP4Fa8HYYMMGsJj1kWOuk2ikv_arSTapSp_sF4oCPcTEuZEpH/s1600/colombia+4+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAD0f0qfqRY0MhM4jdBV_pUqRhY2e1ezB6IxjCu8veImXwQYFsVXQRSnU_1BwAURqjnZkc1rLThGWv6tVww6ZinoPCla3ZP4Fa8HYYMMGsJj1kWOuk2ikv_arSTapSp_sF4oCPcTEuZEpH/s640/colombia+4+005.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day ride lead by Mike from Motolombia bike tours</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After the ride we went and checked out a large motorbike expo which was conveniently on the week end that we arrived. Colombians like there bikes and there is a lot of money here, at the expo we got to see the latest in bikes and performance accessories. I'm sure there must have been some plastic surgery representatives somewhere too judging by the amount of breast enhancing accessories on display as well!!<br />
<br />
Before leaving the city I caught up with Alen whom I met way back down in Lima a couple of months earlier. Alen gave me a tour around town, it was interesting to here about the changes that have happened in the city over the recent years.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWChSh6iPPy_KFY7S3ILGxQ25pMTu9ZcFVxXDQ-ftBMPZyR7fJcAod3hgcgrcyUhkjgrhzTwbabI8YLWgTF2pXYuw1Yge95jzyYjILhrdw2-kuLRmpXHQE8G74Qev6kBS6fsHMPfeCc9h/s1600/colombia+4+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWChSh6iPPy_KFY7S3ILGxQ25pMTu9ZcFVxXDQ-ftBMPZyR7fJcAod3hgcgrcyUhkjgrhzTwbabI8YLWgTF2pXYuw1Yge95jzyYjILhrdw2-kuLRmpXHQE8G74Qev6kBS6fsHMPfeCc9h/s400/colombia+4+012.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKzpVyaYQpmtll9BA_ZHwXxKw9bITE70apkLnDSkY5iJhRNWCN79tAh_HsSmKVOs8Iwg7FAIJEHErsNSV7bE2VpbjqeJufGNty4qyUgRgV1z_3fSiEd042MM-Kb62uXzm7ZndhtQIRwXw/s1600/colombia+4+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKzpVyaYQpmtll9BA_ZHwXxKw9bITE70apkLnDSkY5iJhRNWCN79tAh_HsSmKVOs8Iwg7FAIJEHErsNSV7bE2VpbjqeJufGNty4qyUgRgV1z_3fSiEd042MM-Kb62uXzm7ZndhtQIRwXw/s400/colombia+4+010.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ducati Display</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbA-XKlgWtl8spK0ROTJEV49MDAv8YNJl660lzZoH8SJXMjnGFt2UaDk61cWEe3hQ1i4T5GqqSMOREUd4B0uncQfyB9GFXnOYtzpWynDEjAmGmhiMBgMD7UXpD6p2JBgJP4_s2YD16olpa/s1600/colombia+4+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbA-XKlgWtl8spK0ROTJEV49MDAv8YNJl660lzZoH8SJXMjnGFt2UaDk61cWEe3hQ1i4T5GqqSMOREUd4B0uncQfyB9GFXnOYtzpWynDEjAmGmhiMBgMD7UXpD6p2JBgJP4_s2YD16olpa/s640/colombia+4+034.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big crowds at the Medellin motorbike expo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDJ0CXIxgHTiTZjxpgghWgv-Pf33O1cr2juftQfEmMFfO_pcm_hFizkPzFSx9h249SerYWVnqRjZPkO95meLxAqxxkpjZ8_t1aimxzTj1caOUI3lj0tTo9enLFlM-PdGUZ0yB1pB_yU3Sn/s1600/colombia+4+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDJ0CXIxgHTiTZjxpgghWgv-Pf33O1cr2juftQfEmMFfO_pcm_hFizkPzFSx9h249SerYWVnqRjZPkO95meLxAqxxkpjZ8_t1aimxzTj1caOUI3lj0tTo9enLFlM-PdGUZ0yB1pB_yU3Sn/s640/colombia+4+037.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgozfEwckSekob3_6GgTMDHGgAIihd7d1cF5hPz1fe_SlmxkQWl6SvBPLMjTD-4KV2VJ3a3XRLHl8Ux5uOn_Kih2rTzfz7q_qUKCFh9o5jyyInt38qwpF2m0k_GIvV332kOB0hJmlWPSWXf/s1600/colombia+4+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgozfEwckSekob3_6GgTMDHGgAIihd7d1cF5hPz1fe_SlmxkQWl6SvBPLMjTD-4KV2VJ3a3XRLHl8Ux5uOn_Kih2rTzfz7q_qUKCFh9o5jyyInt38qwpF2m0k_GIvV332kOB0hJmlWPSWXf/s640/colombia+4+041.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brightly coloured Streets in the town of Guatape</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_qGw6MPWeqKgt2IcSaBa5goRCS36pyxS9Jv3Wu93w1kAiFBHEPYwehtrBjM4MZDio6y5UVQhgoT7mF1mvGNT23ipKbAbXniU1ESMr6m7l6moYTAgc4ESna-gYPSTtbj3T3S3fR9bIrkx/s1600/colombia+4+042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_qGw6MPWeqKgt2IcSaBa5goRCS36pyxS9Jv3Wu93w1kAiFBHEPYwehtrBjM4MZDio6y5UVQhgoT7mF1mvGNT23ipKbAbXniU1ESMr6m7l6moYTAgc4ESna-gYPSTtbj3T3S3fR9bIrkx/s640/colombia+4+042.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every town in South America has a central plaza and church</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
My route from Medellin east to Villa de Leya took in a bunch of small towns and rough roads, I averaged less than 100 km a day for 4 days due to damaged roads, nice towns and people that were just too nice to ride on through in a hurry.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi09Zg2n2onGk9xxhG4tQTotyWQn9VsLPMiU0mxOrn9pARsc-vPlYhif4xbZyWq2eT2pB_z5h2nbGH7-cLRCuWPeGMlY8hsT8yCUU_q5ae-1ePNXbI0RR9yf8PrwVczNRlVWr1sbo3GE20q/s1600/colombia+4+049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi09Zg2n2onGk9xxhG4tQTotyWQn9VsLPMiU0mxOrn9pARsc-vPlYhif4xbZyWq2eT2pB_z5h2nbGH7-cLRCuWPeGMlY8hsT8yCUU_q5ae-1ePNXbI0RR9yf8PrwVczNRlVWr1sbo3GE20q/s400/colombia+4+049.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj673i4iHAE4eioGFAD_t6S9ymphEOsq-NBnz7c4WSPBVDnmHrtVi63wpm_v2DmntnQwrsFLjpTxpn06NU6C6EM7gq6vH0clCrw-1z5PYHQSALfPjWOBeNg_MTIc-Efii6tGuCrsCWZMizN/s1600/colombia+4+052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj673i4iHAE4eioGFAD_t6S9ymphEOsq-NBnz7c4WSPBVDnmHrtVi63wpm_v2DmntnQwrsFLjpTxpn06NU6C6EM7gq6vH0clCrw-1z5PYHQSALfPjWOBeNg_MTIc-Efii6tGuCrsCWZMizN/s640/colombia+4+052.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elizabeth and David took me down to the local swimming hole</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivDr8HDTUp0BhBrtLmUxO2pvUToTh_jWc5U0k2XKSl5L6wmBLTjMVQf1f3DkBxMj4s80CLomLbGyM_JQP5DFFIyQy-uSNSx4w6is5BPIfi8iGat8mG1DxNlAHawZheUAc5yerYd_wXVjSI/s1600/colombia+4+056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivDr8HDTUp0BhBrtLmUxO2pvUToTh_jWc5U0k2XKSl5L6wmBLTjMVQf1f3DkBxMj4s80CLomLbGyM_JQP5DFFIyQy-uSNSx4w6is5BPIfi8iGat8mG1DxNlAHawZheUAc5yerYd_wXVjSI/s640/colombia+4+056.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drug lord Pablo Escobar's first smuggling plane at his old property</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-sy_Ug799NXAr-8CrQlth336_5-9_bfZg2EJV_IKGE-xPkqsKB5UaO93uf9j8RgjrpmdiNWCZO8S3LFUVbwEx1duaSH9dqLxtR-EJ8_pjfUzUHCNuCxhnOcFPcKVy8Pbjl0rRPCmqLoq/s1600/colombia+4+063.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-sy_Ug799NXAr-8CrQlth336_5-9_bfZg2EJV_IKGE-xPkqsKB5UaO93uf9j8RgjrpmdiNWCZO8S3LFUVbwEx1duaSH9dqLxtR-EJ8_pjfUzUHCNuCxhnOcFPcKVy8Pbjl0rRPCmqLoq/s640/colombia+4+063.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqFYw7Ykp_Puc7yJDJIDRRek8DZd2gcze4ewnzU7LU_7GKcFJQNBZaRVcN6pDH6hOW4fQgohLS3qOP0WoIVc6SFt6I4uyUYbtolGAVdAihxC-JtCqUzzFK2yORTYXlUDE3e7K_ba2PY1E2/s1600/colombia+4+066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqFYw7Ykp_Puc7yJDJIDRRek8DZd2gcze4ewnzU7LU_7GKcFJQNBZaRVcN6pDH6hOW4fQgohLS3qOP0WoIVc6SFt6I4uyUYbtolGAVdAihxC-JtCqUzzFK2yORTYXlUDE3e7K_ba2PY1E2/s640/colombia+4+066.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4H_o_mcxeNP8GuT6klfApScHCQ0K5kc9ga6hpEmHoVoEp7LemmMOqieao_tAhCzSNRcBOZbTB3nvN0zG2xHG3EXhdw74cA5VBvBHADl5GK4KjqmEbLn0qM7vippkcE2qgU0UowBLNRWIP/s1600/colombia+4+070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4H_o_mcxeNP8GuT6klfApScHCQ0K5kc9ga6hpEmHoVoEp7LemmMOqieao_tAhCzSNRcBOZbTB3nvN0zG2xHG3EXhdw74cA5VBvBHADl5GK4KjqmEbLn0qM7vippkcE2qgU0UowBLNRWIP/s640/colombia+4+070.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flood Damage just before the town of Otanche</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0y0oKJ8dU-cAZBr1MQbQDb2ijLDmgZwVBHzNqgb47u4um9lGjcsUF8wBvbhNthpgDGiDIK_3b6Y7pj97rl1EULd7rwo7GDnZIzlBWnHU9Oz9woX0gZ_v-J63yvBJU-AV_C-uvSG2NJwd/s1600/colombia+4+073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0y0oKJ8dU-cAZBr1MQbQDb2ijLDmgZwVBHzNqgb47u4um9lGjcsUF8wBvbhNthpgDGiDIK_3b6Y7pj97rl1EULd7rwo7GDnZIzlBWnHU9Oz9woX0gZ_v-J63yvBJU-AV_C-uvSG2NJwd/s640/colombia+4+073.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Otanche</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I arrived at the town of Otanche for lunch and was soon told that the main road out of town was cut off by a large slip, could be a few days before it would be cleared. Ok, this place is interesting and I don't mind spending the afternoon wondering around. I bump into some very friendly locals at the coffee shop that speak some English and I end up spending the rest of the evening having a few beers with them. Really nice people and I wish I had more time to hang out in places like this. Turns out that there is a "ultra carratera" another road that could be possible.<br />
<br />
Next morning armed with a hand drawn map from the hotel staff I head off in search of the alternative road. I'm at the right town were the road turns off but can't find it, I ask at a cafe for directions, turns out one of the guys is heading my way, I wait a while and then get guided by Andreas and his mate on a little Suzuki 200. He takes me so far to the town of Muzo and then suggests I follow the bus out. I 'm a bit reluctant to follow the bus but am soon clad I did as there are many junctions with no signs and the Toyota landcruiser "bus" is getting along fairly smartly down the rough road.<br />
<br />
Towards the end of the day I'm following along behind the landcruiser surrounded in beautiful countryside and reflect on what has been an awesome day. Due to the damaged main road I have been guided along this fantastic network of roads perfect for motorcycling deep in heartland Colombia passing by small towns that I would have otherwise missed.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfzmyq5fkVHiZNRta6OuojNHwID_ixWOLg3jd0Axn7wc1Io-a0hd3jLyI0BbLVjzoZg1JRE7I3mCgrRpQT1PyEJMhRjxpQD2wUlUclhDgXEoUgP3WmzHKsADXSuFgp6bcfIgBLxUCIYHY5/s1600/colombia+4+075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfzmyq5fkVHiZNRta6OuojNHwID_ixWOLg3jd0Axn7wc1Io-a0hd3jLyI0BbLVjzoZg1JRE7I3mCgrRpQT1PyEJMhRjxpQD2wUlUclhDgXEoUgP3WmzHKsADXSuFgp6bcfIgBLxUCIYHY5/s400/colombia+4+075.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">another town, another impressive church</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ooMBbh11CSpFURQURwtpNFL9hbAoVPZJ0QfLYq_xtL-hfb_WyLIEgbkKJ2EUMt4Fn903mN7w_S-AdLGLgc2tfYEWwNvb67-7yDK-MlBX4TCPVwIKsB-FZXMUovyMbWoaMiJulfwtg8oK/s1600/colombia+4+083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ooMBbh11CSpFURQURwtpNFL9hbAoVPZJ0QfLYq_xtL-hfb_WyLIEgbkKJ2EUMt4Fn903mN7w_S-AdLGLgc2tfYEWwNvb67-7yDK-MlBX4TCPVwIKsB-FZXMUovyMbWoaMiJulfwtg8oK/s640/colombia+4+083.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is near the start of the alternative road, looks like it´s going to be an interesting ride! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkT1MUNK-heEPgW3dgANMVyTf7OKWL0WEa6Cbpx4yzginNyf6c9aiFCYSJf1rpihH9bur_v6Mr6KciwPZkV3oCVopswqvl8RxpsxIytIum02DKYhkqEb_jN2W5z-UQnWoAdGCZUGN3LcbG/s1600/colombia+4+088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkT1MUNK-heEPgW3dgANMVyTf7OKWL0WEa6Cbpx4yzginNyf6c9aiFCYSJf1rpihH9bur_v6Mr6KciwPZkV3oCVopswqvl8RxpsxIytIum02DKYhkqEb_jN2W5z-UQnWoAdGCZUGN3LcbG/s640/colombia+4+088.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Guide Andreas ( left) and his mate</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCpl8nwU3WpQ_0SAbpL9GtSnxbqAekn85FB0e3y-0SGzfbPDaxT5CQbXno1CLsKvRDwnvpbMOYQBTY1yYvdaZ58Xx91ZmgZrJhXPrF3eWKuZQrfRRM9KLA0WbKLCEK2OCkbQuIoXW4FE_N/s1600/colombia+4+093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCpl8nwU3WpQ_0SAbpL9GtSnxbqAekn85FB0e3y-0SGzfbPDaxT5CQbXno1CLsKvRDwnvpbMOYQBTY1yYvdaZ58Xx91ZmgZrJhXPrF3eWKuZQrfRRM9KLA0WbKLCEK2OCkbQuIoXW4FE_N/s400/colombia+4+093.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Landcruiser guide vehicle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAEGFWXeQh8cUJL5wmpdSKyzCqTnbYgk_me6ETZMyx5FyEBEOA6FvBGTX9_Y-GxM5BhyphenhyphenfCnOS6bPzYa6h2DvB6ABQbBDjcOQbkn2IV6up9sBZprQ5BFN3yqouG5P_hcuR8IY0kzdl4t9wG/s1600/colombia+4+098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAEGFWXeQh8cUJL5wmpdSKyzCqTnbYgk_me6ETZMyx5FyEBEOA6FvBGTX9_Y-GxM5BhyphenhyphenfCnOS6bPzYa6h2DvB6ABQbBDjcOQbkn2IV6up9sBZprQ5BFN3yqouG5P_hcuR8IY0kzdl4t9wG/s400/colombia+4+098.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After 4 days I finally make Villa de Leya </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394193965421980981noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4310743008757337682.post-283669495361346262012-04-28T13:54:00.000-07:002012-04-28T13:54:15.403-07:00Colombia<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<div align="left">
While hanging out at Casa Blanca hostel I met up with fellow bike tourer John from Oklahoma. John is riding the American Continent's on his BMW 650, he rides for 6 months and then returns home to work for 6. Together we did a day ride in the hills surrounding Cali, attended a BMW open day where we got to test ride the latest bikes and then did a 3 day trip out to the Pacific cost at Buenaventura. Was a fun week all up. After a month or so on my own it was nice to have some company again.</div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjoKPh_m4UScQ_-rC7bVpYnVRaLbzxeNhLzEIWpP7x0u36s2O8m4jLRWuL_wa1KBhAaml5i8q3uebksYcxMZMBZSXcAqYTW7gS3J7rUdsQIjxkjeKxZuDR05TVvc4ZOz4y5kOzrm37pRK8/s1600/Colombia+2+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjoKPh_m4UScQ_-rC7bVpYnVRaLbzxeNhLzEIWpP7x0u36s2O8m4jLRWuL_wa1KBhAaml5i8q3uebksYcxMZMBZSXcAqYTW7gS3J7rUdsQIjxkjeKxZuDR05TVvc4ZOz4y5kOzrm37pRK8/s400/Colombia+2+012.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day out with "Oklahoma John"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD7Vjmhrxa0rKVoU3-Vk1MejaKWY_x6Qxc7H3Vt2y4YhN-wcDyF0CpQTB6Ih9N4Wjuc7rM5-OQVKuNywG4bi4S-9C1IYDyUd12sdV6YKc0VBF0Vyxa9WwzLzRVkrrL8A3v-4_aggxSfdWL/s1600/Colombia+2+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD7Vjmhrxa0rKVoU3-Vk1MejaKWY_x6Qxc7H3Vt2y4YhN-wcDyF0CpQTB6Ih9N4Wjuc7rM5-OQVKuNywG4bi4S-9C1IYDyUd12sdV6YKc0VBF0Vyxa9WwzLzRVkrrL8A3v-4_aggxSfdWL/s640/Colombia+2+009.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 650's in a tea plantation near Cali</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBWWb8XTrQHsId0RHbSXNCeKwB8hyO8xW6jxFSS6fEh9dfGxPxVquE9KFj2nL-Lb3hfI9T6rfFKVUng3LNXHtWDeFKJgkvhlX_NuFXC2rAqndZAHEdjJq3fCheUFve9tI2li_8fp2Tu3MK/s1600/Colombia+2+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBWWb8XTrQHsId0RHbSXNCeKwB8hyO8xW6jxFSS6fEh9dfGxPxVquE9KFj2nL-Lb3hfI9T6rfFKVUng3LNXHtWDeFKJgkvhlX_NuFXC2rAqndZAHEdjJq3fCheUFve9tI2li_8fp2Tu3MK/s640/Colombia+2+016.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Test riding the new BMW 800 GS</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On our way out to Buenaventura we stopped off for the night at San Cipriano. There is no road and a rail trolley driven by a motorbike was an interesting trip down the line and into town. The climate here in Colombia at sea level is obviously a tad warm so swimming in the nearby river and some cold beers went down a treat.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdcp0TLYS098fvZNjlaNCKT9X5t4SU5IJBwAQVanDJRBvMcg6XhII9Gmmgs2RklnsdGoOR7wkppbEIp6i4JwQvP07JivJK1dGSjp7O-rVxCbOk8QaoXmyH9z1u4s9uIGomqm0JnRs4pbCl/s1600/colombia+3+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdcp0TLYS098fvZNjlaNCKT9X5t4SU5IJBwAQVanDJRBvMcg6XhII9Gmmgs2RklnsdGoOR7wkppbEIp6i4JwQvP07JivJK1dGSjp7O-rVxCbOk8QaoXmyH9z1u4s9uIGomqm0JnRs4pbCl/s640/colombia+3+003.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Motorbike powered transportation down the railway line</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ8YgvGT9BFvfCwTuKFrRo23BVavPloF_X5hKFtzwllXu2GG039fnydWzBKsiH92rdtCPSj4g8-51n7H6sf_DP1Dc5NNbPKaFps114AOwTWMYVL8Fr0ZbTKTYiFr9KHXPvagKr2495vEBY/s1600/colombia+3+032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ8YgvGT9BFvfCwTuKFrRo23BVavPloF_X5hKFtzwllXu2GG039fnydWzBKsiH92rdtCPSj4g8-51n7H6sf_DP1Dc5NNbPKaFps114AOwTWMYVL8Fr0ZbTKTYiFr9KHXPvagKr2495vEBY/s640/colombia+3+032.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the line to San Cipriano</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZBVrTSgVOJzjjBWgXZ65LftqesbvxGeNTaKIIXwZDs8T_JiFBwB3eMktCG_CYndcyYBQ3cJEhTnYlVC4pGmDE3i3nHgeQXKb0gc7TMhwxHNfwEc2cczbRf8W2mEIfJSDGapsCVhdKS9Kf/s1600/colombia+4+171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZBVrTSgVOJzjjBWgXZ65LftqesbvxGeNTaKIIXwZDs8T_JiFBwB3eMktCG_CYndcyYBQ3cJEhTnYlVC4pGmDE3i3nHgeQXKb0gc7TMhwxHNfwEc2cczbRf8W2mEIfJSDGapsCVhdKS9Kf/s640/colombia+4+171.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
On the return to Cali we took the "old road" which has been made redundant due to the construction of a new highway. It's only used by a few locals, and at one point was drug running route. The military know have control over this area and it's one of the best rides I've done to date.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj__9XigrDtAMdehLU28zH6KhEEs0QOdYcn_wbUpHzq9QZKUPkzuvn6hnx-AGQNq07vcp6_Bgs-tHwmiC62cNZrqdC2vgD_JuGJqPY3vVTrEVMk5BzAIKV-ZdeLTCVssASh3lBBJIGPBh9p/s1600/colombia+3+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj__9XigrDtAMdehLU28zH6KhEEs0QOdYcn_wbUpHzq9QZKUPkzuvn6hnx-AGQNq07vcp6_Bgs-tHwmiC62cNZrqdC2vgD_JuGJqPY3vVTrEVMk5BzAIKV-ZdeLTCVssASh3lBBJIGPBh9p/s640/colombia+3+038.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the Old Road</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbCzfU2ov4SSVjjDpjms6SAsQMElgfC48HdBW-Xx0Fu_k3Exipaoa3gi3XKvpVhGyniEe9_PZvft1o34V_kzrfBGGkseF8PZmYjPCflYmmUTfeWpx7ckmvCIP7Gb3pKz9c4J1XBnY82o5s/s1600/colombia+3+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbCzfU2ov4SSVjjDpjms6SAsQMElgfC48HdBW-Xx0Fu_k3Exipaoa3gi3XKvpVhGyniEe9_PZvft1o34V_kzrfBGGkseF8PZmYjPCflYmmUTfeWpx7ckmvCIP7Gb3pKz9c4J1XBnY82o5s/s640/colombia+3+041.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4P3b5y3VW4mcIeb263zLf34u6StJ-KTI53v3O2TiNyJvCVLeyEc2gp1yT_yHmGboBVXLEi9OzqHm-YreJGnjiEdYQGjgWoUqzwBesWwJoG6X-BhcLfAKV1FoSs55NOozNFiigDh1GWRHg/s1600/colombia+3+046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4P3b5y3VW4mcIeb263zLf34u6StJ-KTI53v3O2TiNyJvCVLeyEc2gp1yT_yHmGboBVXLEi9OzqHm-YreJGnjiEdYQGjgWoUqzwBesWwJoG6X-BhcLfAKV1FoSs55NOozNFiigDh1GWRHg/s640/colombia+3+046.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks to these guys we had a great ride</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiS3aw-j8zLh2s-M-cQWYUPttLInnype6JQh9wiQHwIZo9EnFROmv5JrGbe5fMyWEk9wG4Awkmgry9mUdCfrRJo-tPndOH0LLW_1TZeUIUDohoYtiyljj1glAE0vrsyK66UIRnlH9qR89r/s1600/colombia+4+242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiS3aw-j8zLh2s-M-cQWYUPttLInnype6JQh9wiQHwIZo9EnFROmv5JrGbe5fMyWEk9wG4Awkmgry9mUdCfrRJo-tPndOH0LLW_1TZeUIUDohoYtiyljj1glAE0vrsyK66UIRnlH9qR89r/s640/colombia+4+242.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A necessary cool off</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXV9-Q_kMZelva5myiqWP_CrVeqyi4rx9CN88IzoakgEh17g451NF49qPyprTT1y2LexjHAABUzXQLWXIUFUtVhQeEfrKVnDyIoLkmRT3uFfkjzKbEwASIBd1P70YEMVqzUQ20A_zI1K1S/s1600/colombia+3+050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXV9-Q_kMZelva5myiqWP_CrVeqyi4rx9CN88IzoakgEh17g451NF49qPyprTT1y2LexjHAABUzXQLWXIUFUtVhQeEfrKVnDyIoLkmRT3uFfkjzKbEwASIBd1P70YEMVqzUQ20A_zI1K1S/s640/colombia+3+050.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another section on the old road from Buenaventura to Cali</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWk3sNoNILVnsGYhfd0bu6TjbPFF1mu8SidH1u5zmlWLwRLbsShxBKc6g_bomREvENWOUbJz2nR9Vlyl_8QsfwJPVaTgwq4fOJ1S_2qH9fUJFehnLWo9H-A73Q7K7Y0h_NlV4CiBdNjhm/s1600/colombia+4+247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWk3sNoNILVnsGYhfd0bu6TjbPFF1mu8SidH1u5zmlWLwRLbsShxBKc6g_bomREvENWOUbJz2nR9Vlyl_8QsfwJPVaTgwq4fOJ1S_2qH9fUJFehnLWo9H-A73Q7K7Y0h_NlV4CiBdNjhm/s640/colombia+4+247.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It doesn't get much better than this!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXebK7bve9tB7tFebQVjK5wEvOCSv92fKOpboyJKnLegK6C9vfhKFKc6vFZWQM6idjETr3AXBTBrHsMExg6FHl7S9H6gHf71aZB9y1eGnSQDruL8gj6aAvModeufXQ7a5x-jQdKHRboCex/s1600/colombia+3+052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXebK7bve9tB7tFebQVjK5wEvOCSv92fKOpboyJKnLegK6C9vfhKFKc6vFZWQM6idjETr3AXBTBrHsMExg6FHl7S9H6gHf71aZB9y1eGnSQDruL8gj6aAvModeufXQ7a5x-jQdKHRboCex/s640/colombia+3+052.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And a overgrown concrete section in the middle of the jungle, nice.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijzyeEsgCxTVz-dLfR3SRUQttzQkqzqsobJz9dFOueX5v7V2qvQ7kVYmUFX9LC2n13X6PU0k1L-XqkQ4v4xYqyb2-e1Qh_Ckx1KyCYovsKiKkptj_BzyEoTEIBBkpu67Rs3c4V9y2VPaj/s1600/colombia+4+269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijzyeEsgCxTVz-dLfR3SRUQttzQkqzqsobJz9dFOueX5v7V2qvQ7kVYmUFX9LC2n13X6PU0k1L-XqkQ4v4xYqyb2-e1Qh_Ckx1KyCYovsKiKkptj_BzyEoTEIBBkpu67Rs3c4V9y2VPaj/s640/colombia+4+269.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John getting a shower</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMzkfU3rLk1WiAGvkQF0qE5zseIEC703NV46Tsq0kBGwqNDO4T8I3-OHb6WgyXbgYchs7KtggOFOmpnTsGJEggf8efttq7U1k6D-UMgOTt8k6pr_JGU7HxpBHN11qoVXUZhOMlvLu03ymL/s1600/flooding+in+Cali+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMzkfU3rLk1WiAGvkQF0qE5zseIEC703NV46Tsq0kBGwqNDO4T8I3-OHb6WgyXbgYchs7KtggOFOmpnTsGJEggf8efttq7U1k6D-UMgOTt8k6pr_JGU7HxpBHN11qoVXUZhOMlvLu03ymL/s640/flooding+in+Cali+007.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Afternoon thunderstorm back at the Hostel in Cali. Have I mentioned it's rained pretty much everyday in Ecudaor & Colombia!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394193965421980981noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4310743008757337682.post-8266465234285172402012-04-18T17:31:00.000-07:002012-05-18T14:38:50.676-07:00Border Blues<span lang="">Quito turned out to be quite expensive for me. The Dr was in need of chain and sprockets and after 5 months I was in need of diabetic supplies. For the bike I had a choice of cheap Chinese or over priced genuine Suzuki, nothing in between. The Suzuki parts really are expensive here but I think I would regret a Chinese chain when it starts to disintegrate somewhere out in the middle of no where, I know the Suzuki is a good chain.<br />
<br />
Without the government subsidy I get back in NZ keeping myself up and running well is not too cheap either. Insulin is not bad but the test strips that I use for monitoring my sugar levels cost over a dollar a shot and with around 1200 finger pricking tests a year, well it soon adds up! Could be worse I guess, at least there is availability of what I need, wouldn't be possible to make this trip if there wasn't. <br />
<br />
Court and Sylviar from</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.freedombikerental.com"><u><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span lang="">www.freedombikerental.com</span></span></span></u><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"></span></span></a><span lang=""> in Quito where unbelievably helpful, guiding me through the city to the Suzuki shop and then helping out with the fitting of the new parts. They also gave me a few ideas on a good route to try out up the road towards Colombia, top blokes, thanks again for all your help.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJW6I3VsF38ne62naIDmGOoCx2Zq5kJUYOl5nYvisHzb5B7bzS96yiD8Yte4HxecJ3qbVcdyy67_hmnX-dpCcIf6pwVlbpOPgstt-BBSBHxy6ZZnhUT-cnU-K0Nmh9NLJk15nIDMNl62yr/s1600/Quito+to+Colombia+border+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJW6I3VsF38ne62naIDmGOoCx2Zq5kJUYOl5nYvisHzb5B7bzS96yiD8Yte4HxecJ3qbVcdyy67_hmnX-dpCcIf6pwVlbpOPgstt-BBSBHxy6ZZnhUT-cnU-K0Nmh9NLJk15nIDMNl62yr/s400/Quito+to+Colombia+border+001.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Court from freedom Bike Rental in Qutio</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
First stop up the road was the equator where I parked up the bike and didn't need the side stand- it just stood up on it's own, no just joking! But I did watch some water spin down a sink hole clockwise and then anti clockwise directions only meters either side of the gps'ed equator line.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh47M7hcN2dLc5UGWnXFHa44aBHBedoAqqrGjkc6-Q5Z25promg70l3t6DOyaTqVRsk4FsamvNU3wbo_GMbbhqy9yWzygfSBVK6dRHRh60x-p2hOyLTiTlT5F7-hY9XZiOZGIj_-VA6d4Bf/s1600/Quito+to+Colombia+border+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh47M7hcN2dLc5UGWnXFHa44aBHBedoAqqrGjkc6-Q5Z25promg70l3t6DOyaTqVRsk4FsamvNU3wbo_GMbbhqy9yWzygfSBVK6dRHRh60x-p2hOyLTiTlT5F7-hY9XZiOZGIj_-VA6d4Bf/s400/Quito+to+Colombia+border+008.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Up near the Colombian Border I took the loop recommended by Court at Freedom Bikes which had me traversing some really interesting country and had more than the usual rubber necking from the locals, every single person in every small village having a real good look at me as I rode through, very few gringos through here I concluded. It was an enjoyable ride which sadly due to some issues at the border later that day was not to be the most memorable part of the day.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSIjmFNHsHe2FTnj3KeJ5CEijhD9zTfUKX1O5GoK7IFqVmr5zXtSzLe2OGOl32-y3q9vTQSmWprBEV0Tr9jTmGuVpxXBLgffye9mPwn0fueZABGUSGs6vRahRNz-QzpoezTtqAHpo6-ULX/s1600/Quito+to+Colombia+border+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSIjmFNHsHe2FTnj3KeJ5CEijhD9zTfUKX1O5GoK7IFqVmr5zXtSzLe2OGOl32-y3q9vTQSmWprBEV0Tr9jTmGuVpxXBLgffye9mPwn0fueZABGUSGs6vRahRNz-QzpoezTtqAHpo6-ULX/s640/Quito+to+Colombia+border+019.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaIxkQX4LTkFcjrRZHO1azDDmMuQ3WyopkNiY1YznsrMq1Yp-unRy00s4fKjl3u14u2HvQFAc_zRdnA5LpZVDdxy4JqWPs5VyQRhvwCwA0_6l5znNtCeW2YpO4vIq-ilt336kMk8cr-CsR/s1600/Quito+to+Colombia+border+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaIxkQX4LTkFcjrRZHO1azDDmMuQ3WyopkNiY1YznsrMq1Yp-unRy00s4fKjl3u14u2HvQFAc_zRdnA5LpZVDdxy4JqWPs5VyQRhvwCwA0_6l5znNtCeW2YpO4vIq-ilt336kMk8cr-CsR/s640/Quito+to+Colombia+border+026.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVFAtnyms2cn2FRHbjD4qGdNZVIUD4Au0BUIwSfi9gc77geoWH5mEbwUZieYAfcWUVJHUZIrebb5p6ZX3IF1zOFZkzllK8IWu7PYLLYZAev0_CeHvm-VCmiIbKIMY6WY_sjTPijb81qeKc/s1600/Quito+to+Colombia+border+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVFAtnyms2cn2FRHbjD4qGdNZVIUD4Au0BUIwSfi9gc77geoWH5mEbwUZieYAfcWUVJHUZIrebb5p6ZX3IF1zOFZkzllK8IWu7PYLLYZAev0_CeHvm-VCmiIbKIMY6WY_sjTPijb81qeKc/s640/Quito+to+Colombia+border+033.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xE-4klS9HF515eTyVdaXdz-sXp_BmEaGlyQPgIJh0dRR3g1BmnskcGzZ4ncTxVXGEPuxYVuKPmtNGTINN2HaDSv8g4euHBdJ7DbeTc367TrdI_OKlYEmE0jhLR8mc2tS0oFeVPxC_EYl/s1600/Quito+to+Colombia+border+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xE-4klS9HF515eTyVdaXdz-sXp_BmEaGlyQPgIJh0dRR3g1BmnskcGzZ4ncTxVXGEPuxYVuKPmtNGTINN2HaDSv8g4euHBdJ7DbeTc367TrdI_OKlYEmE0jhLR8mc2tS0oFeVPxC_EYl/s640/Quito+to+Colombia+border+031.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"panela" production on the roadside, made from sugar cane, I think it's like caramel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtrWmpv3SDZ9-rEYkDlhjTv_9g_I4gWfz0-tXYdM-fHTzXC2egLcmziudQ49-9od7Q5jasnnxH2W1datB4TPGBF3Q9lIjvhnSiYnTLlHmid_dq8yYO-nhIkW4UZdd-ntYPyqI2fbLp7L2/s1600/Quito+to+Colombia+border+052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtrWmpv3SDZ9-rEYkDlhjTv_9g_I4gWfz0-tXYdM-fHTzXC2egLcmziudQ49-9od7Q5jasnnxH2W1datB4TPGBF3Q9lIjvhnSiYnTLlHmid_dq8yYO-nhIkW4UZdd-ntYPyqI2fbLp7L2/s320/Quito+to+Colombia+border+052.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_3cURJ9mfxiG-nvN00RRMHdYmrmlep6na6EwoImZ5LvK1xCXfrItP3y5bgxdir0q-3KI2aeC2NsAscDPfeCRvjVWf4SPcsmW_Ahr4vBlC6buYLpVaSMMYS7ekjCaspEpcWiEXiCl9r9-h/s1600/Quito+to+Colombia+border+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_3cURJ9mfxiG-nvN00RRMHdYmrmlep6na6EwoImZ5LvK1xCXfrItP3y5bgxdir0q-3KI2aeC2NsAscDPfeCRvjVWf4SPcsmW_Ahr4vBlC6buYLpVaSMMYS7ekjCaspEpcWiEXiCl9r9-h/s640/Quito+to+Colombia+border+045.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Interesting flax like trees called Frailejon up at 4000m</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
After lunch at Tulcan I headed just up the road for the border at 1.30, thought that should be plenty of time to get processed and probably just stay at the border town of Ipiales in Colombia. Wrong, didn't even get past the first stage! Not much of a queue but problem getting stamped out. I had to wait in a room, the guy said no problem, well why am I sitting here for over an hour then? Eventually a guy helped translate, apparently I was not processed in right, that f...... useless immigration officer back at Zumba! I guess that is a risk of using very small border crossings. Anyway he said a officer would be bringing a different stamp that I needed, would be here in an hour, yeah right I thought but waited it out and got very pissed off. In the meantime got the bike signed out to save time later and sure enough it's now about 5pm and don't wont to be riding around or looking for hostel in the dark, bugger this I head back to Tulcan which is just 4 km back up the road. Fortunately found an ok hostel with private room for 8 us, bit of a walk for parking though but just clad to have a place sorted. back to the border tomorrow, hopefully better luck.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJpNdyUnxOHQvuexzuqqDV-bHmv1_AlDwrt1DHLgoys5dxho-4AWctPprbHMnqOL6qBg17r0mZIimgC2H5YiOBVx1fQ2Bg0TFcxMZKmvgAdK75Nk-kkgaM69fpAk8ipC0TNkycfqNpWoQ8/s1600/Quito+to+Colombia+border+059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJpNdyUnxOHQvuexzuqqDV-bHmv1_AlDwrt1DHLgoys5dxho-4AWctPprbHMnqOL6qBg17r0mZIimgC2H5YiOBVx1fQ2Bg0TFcxMZKmvgAdK75Nk-kkgaM69fpAk8ipC0TNkycfqNpWoQ8/s400/Quito+to+Colombia+border+059.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frustrating times at the border</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Back in customs around 8am, same shit, just wait a while they said. Couple of hours later and I'm getting really pissed off. A guy just hanging around speaks a little English said he is friends with one of the immigration officers, next thing an officer comes out to the bike and we go around the back of the building to a empty room, officer looks at passport and goes back into the main building with it, shit this is dodgy I think, am I going to get my passport back? <br />
<br />
Mean while the helper dude tells me to wait outside and then said he wants 100 us dollars. I tell him no f...ing way, go and get my passport back I said. I go into the immigration room against the helper dudes whishes, the officer is on the computer. He comes out, and luckily he hands my passport back to me, he shows me the stamp and said it's all good. I hope so and leave. Looking back on the whole ordeal I'm sure the custom officers where just trying to delay me and get me annoyed so that eventually I would offer them a bribe.<br />
<br />
In contrast Colombian customs very fast and helpful, no queue and I'm on my way. Meanwhile the helper dude came over the bridge and wanted to know if all ok and then showed me the customs place to get the bike sorted. He still wants some money of course, he now wants 5 bucks, he was helpful so I give him about 2.50, it's all I have in small change. I thank him and leave. What a drama!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikrECD6IlnPKKs5Cqu9co_dm9UVBfPeSlL0RMmBC7tww1Ka6cjqzeq4gJ0KiB7Z4zh4h1i7hIn_oo6j32BC0Z95HhE_xdBaqgLU74dwJz_JyY0WbDe8IXJkn4n5h_f1rzrkWtYgvDIk7Vt/s1600/20120415-305_0415-IMG_4461%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikrECD6IlnPKKs5Cqu9co_dm9UVBfPeSlL0RMmBC7tww1Ka6cjqzeq4gJ0KiB7Z4zh4h1i7hIn_oo6j32BC0Z95HhE_xdBaqgLU74dwJz_JyY0WbDe8IXJkn4n5h_f1rzrkWtYgvDIk7Vt/s640/20120415-305_0415-IMG_4461%5B1%5D.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yeah, no more corruption would be good!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The first few days in Colombia and I just ride up the Pan American highway, firstly to Pasto and Popayan and then on to Cali. The scenery is nice with the road winding it's way through the hilly country side, lots of traffic though so it's slow going, bit of a change from the back roads of Peru where I generally had the them to myself. And theres lots of heavily armed military around, they seem very friendly lots of thumbs up and big smiles as I ride past.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQj0jA5H7bDFPzFsqiKPDaIc0WHRqdubzoe6QJQ_YM_WnbuEkKVzrPWWIacKJZhAzbo-mWVsQs8iwjBBNAKxQWSt0Gx8NDkUlOMvrVT-L3zaUjqCjlz1C5plN7c_e3KtgnkFyIP2msakz/s1600/colombia+1+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQj0jA5H7bDFPzFsqiKPDaIc0WHRqdubzoe6QJQ_YM_WnbuEkKVzrPWWIacKJZhAzbo-mWVsQs8iwjBBNAKxQWSt0Gx8NDkUlOMvrVT-L3zaUjqCjlz1C5plN7c_e3KtgnkFyIP2msakz/s640/colombia+1+011.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pan American Highway, Popayan to Cali</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBtGFYT4_LDF3HlbbdmlEFMSlPA5aeWsfs4nEW3cz9xy0hkSsmXcHSrQY56581ZCwRRwpdSYUOXm13So22qierOCXbOCP5Fr-TEqOoFRACSE6tgfdBkFEQcvNbBihPZ4RdmAD1Q9K58Vi/s1600/colombia+1+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBtGFYT4_LDF3HlbbdmlEFMSlPA5aeWsfs4nEW3cz9xy0hkSsmXcHSrQY56581ZCwRRwpdSYUOXm13So22qierOCXbOCP5Fr-TEqOoFRACSE6tgfdBkFEQcvNbBihPZ4RdmAD1Q9K58Vi/s640/colombia+1+025.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoMxI96Jqu8Q6-iAShKEdlUISs1rDwaE2zpuyJu4Bl48wjaxhJ-bCxabrZsSFU3Y5b-ZejbGA2DEgVOapWR_btyNbj1MJ0128pWvB2f_eo7tQ_-5bbbq9MjmR0PIBXLUa759PQqAKCDnsp/s1600/colombia+1+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoMxI96Jqu8Q6-iAShKEdlUISs1rDwaE2zpuyJu4Bl48wjaxhJ-bCxabrZsSFU3Y5b-ZejbGA2DEgVOapWR_btyNbj1MJ0128pWvB2f_eo7tQ_-5bbbq9MjmR0PIBXLUa759PQqAKCDnsp/s400/colombia+1+023.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm heading North and David is heading South, he is 10 months into his 3 year RTW trip. <br />
We exchange maps and route information over a drink and then hit the road. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Cali is one of the larger cities in Colombia, I head straight for Casa Blanca Hostel which is run by Mike and Diana who also have a motorbike rental Business. The Hostel is the place to stay if you are travelling by bike. I order more bike parts here (prices are better than in Quito), get my bike trousers patched up, make a replacement number plate ( I lost a number of the end of the original) got everything sorted and didn't have to travel further than a couple of blocks from the hostel, great.Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394193965421980981noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4310743008757337682.post-48095340132493932282012-04-08T15:13:00.000-07:002012-04-19T08:42:17.967-07:00Enter Ecuador<span lang="">My last day in Peru and managed to get pulled up at police check and officer was straight into a bribe, he said i didn't have my lights on which is impossible on the DR unless the bulb is blown, 100 soles or ticket he said. After showing him my light he persisted, I insisted on a ticket. He soon gave up. Bit lucky as was speeding a bit and I didn't even have to produce my false insurance. <br /><br />
</span><br />
<span lang=""></span><br />
<span lang=""></span><br />
<span lang=""><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgffHGB59lm2tPw-KKcPZUhkKqrt3NBHsMXJOQnsMVON7s1lUhyphenhyphenNMQuvYJjWZN7k8wrPVAo8Ueqn7yQTbplcrEMO3eHRpbsOjp_Tae5Ll0RUVORGi3732BPk3YdY7goMNN2BnB1ug9QStmm/s1600/Amazon+to+Ecuador+127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgffHGB59lm2tPw-KKcPZUhkKqrt3NBHsMXJOQnsMVON7s1lUhyphenhyphenNMQuvYJjWZN7k8wrPVAo8Ueqn7yQTbplcrEMO3eHRpbsOjp_Tae5Ll0RUVORGi3732BPk3YdY7goMNN2BnB1ug9QStmm/s640/Amazon+to+Ecuador+127.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rice fields in northern Peru</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJm_29e4as4TmHbMjbnmLQkcZRD8cYjiZLLN-SHkOHIIRWMWm_6MiSwIpFHOinhc_zcYEuELWlHjbiiU7iKYNJ_Cz_5t_MlMoe2pL6GnO8NzfIynQSAhgjeONlIJ-T7bYxrUi11Bb21d3P/s1600/Amazon+to+Ecuador+113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJm_29e4as4TmHbMjbnmLQkcZRD8cYjiZLLN-SHkOHIIRWMWm_6MiSwIpFHOinhc_zcYEuELWlHjbiiU7iKYNJ_Cz_5t_MlMoe2pL6GnO8NzfIynQSAhgjeONlIJ-T7bYxrUi11Bb21d3P/s400/Amazon+to+Ecuador+113.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rice harvester</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGmNvVFjo0UZifEH6yyG-jT8YUJoGr3hRn4MbSvqaMpKMYTOmUhXuCJQbpL1vvhXGG-tV6Eb3ZCcHekDReu4HWyIaLhNi255Y3bt4fSvqmOWY6nUhxbgYkCRLlowb-aZ6otv-NqlvEugw2/s1600/Amazon+to+Ecuador+122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGmNvVFjo0UZifEH6yyG-jT8YUJoGr3hRn4MbSvqaMpKMYTOmUhXuCJQbpL1vvhXGG-tV6Eb3ZCcHekDReu4HWyIaLhNi255Y3bt4fSvqmOWY6nUhxbgYkCRLlowb-aZ6otv-NqlvEugw2/s400/Amazon+to+Ecuador+122.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loading by hand</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgghdO_CBExlUIsnpvh55MrZ6Q8CD9sfPz3UuD4RtrPPoK1eO12K9LBajpqirbH98IfpYOqI6R89OHZ9dxIujO2ZLhykhyj3tBhkcky8L__owSaossyBiel6BeQu-Ej8BZa5X7s4YNURAT/s1600/Amazon+to+Ecuador+121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgghdO_CBExlUIsnpvh55MrZ6Q8CD9sfPz3UuD4RtrPPoK1eO12K9LBajpqirbH98IfpYOqI6R89OHZ9dxIujO2ZLhykhyj3tBhkcky8L__owSaossyBiel6BeQu-Ej8BZa5X7s4YNURAT/s400/Amazon+to+Ecuador+121.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These boys are strong, that sack is bloody heavy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I had no queue at the border but still managed to spend about 3 hours there! Firstly the Peruvian immigration man was at lunch, then the customs guy's computer didn't want to work. Eventually rode over the bridge and into Ecuador. Ecuador immigration no problem, only had difficultly trying to explain my occupation which they all seem to want. Customs guy then went to unlock the gate, seemed to take him an age just to retrieve the key and then the bloody thing wouldn't work. Judging by the grass on the bridge and the seized up lock not many people on this border route. I later asked how many people a day on this crossing, he said 5. <br />
<br />
He tried to break the chain but seemed to be hopeless, eventually another guy who was also waiting to go through broke it for him. So with the bike now parked up outside the custom office the officer preceded to produce my temp vehicle import. Once again it seemed to take an age just to print off an A4 page of paper with the bike info, eventually I was away. I was in a cruisy mood today just plodding along not feeling the best so wasn' too pissed at the length of time this had taken just sitting around, I knew Zumba was not far up the road and would easily make it by nightfall.<br />
<br />
5 min up the road and I was really pissed though, swearing in my helmet out load at the useless official, it had just started to dump down heavy, the dirt road was turning slick, if the guy could do his job properly I would have made Zumba before the down pour nice and dry. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl6mCQcJ1jpOKVZu0YNtXRcOoASbPqoJoUgfkUd_YZubqiJ-YPAuNH0dJnHaW4vEbFsoFFQHO-xJ3WycEcsH-VKFuAdIBpV1nvY3Y_UCX5M7Za_4zcci9XANZ23g1zDSS_NxMaDj9VoVkB/s1600/Amazon+to+Ecuador+137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl6mCQcJ1jpOKVZu0YNtXRcOoASbPqoJoUgfkUd_YZubqiJ-YPAuNH0dJnHaW4vEbFsoFFQHO-xJ3WycEcsH-VKFuAdIBpV1nvY3Y_UCX5M7Za_4zcci9XANZ23g1zDSS_NxMaDj9VoVkB/s640/Amazon+to+Ecuador+137.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Challenging conditions on the road to the boader</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Hoping to make some good ground today, riding started out on nice dirt road and then I guess it had to happen at some point ,just a matter of time before I come across a washed out piece of road with all the rain. Delayed about 2 hours. Could have possibly got through, just a couple of soft sections of mud, slop that would have had the bike up to the engine cases probably. Chain and sprockets on the way out didn't want to grind then up any faster in the grit and then the digger turned up so waited it out. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh28Dg_3yHUNBN3lfS-g6A95IzxoRu1pytC1WhGU3XXF9CRyGbPe7rnKZjj73Pmh4UD9g4wgH3qUyuI0UgsDcoq0QwHJ44PC-OQaEQuPcpvehmRrnpy3vDNdRNHW6E-y6Ugpr6Uu82OgxA/s1600/Amazon+to+Ecuador+143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh28Dg_3yHUNBN3lfS-g6A95IzxoRu1pytC1WhGU3XXF9CRyGbPe7rnKZjj73Pmh4UD9g4wgH3qUyuI0UgsDcoq0QwHJ44PC-OQaEQuPcpvehmRrnpy3vDNdRNHW6E-y6Ugpr6Uu82OgxA/s640/Amazon+to+Ecuador+143.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Held up by a slip</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR1qbowf2AVsAcxgYrVEMhGzvKnuajWxf2hyFzPvAx1tLvGZJPtXbE93I1Daarse3c7HuWFmZT71zquE_YVbZTpCkWnSmZC2hLEHKxCpoW-atVKy-LZDYjEkVrpwBVKC9sRMohyphenhyphenIiTeJMU/s1600/Amazon+to+Ecuador+144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR1qbowf2AVsAcxgYrVEMhGzvKnuajWxf2hyFzPvAx1tLvGZJPtXbE93I1Daarse3c7HuWFmZT71zquE_YVbZTpCkWnSmZC2hLEHKxCpoW-atVKy-LZDYjEkVrpwBVKC9sRMohyphenhyphenIiTeJMU/s400/Amazon+to+Ecuador+144.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blood sugar testing friendly dump truck drivers </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
More small towns and no signage, had to rely on some directions from locals several times and one guy sent me down the wrong road. Eventually made Saraguro on a fairly new concrete highway which seemed to be breaking up faster than it was being built. The next day was just a short ride up to the pretty city of Cuenca where I spent the afternoon checking out the town and managed to get some insurance for the bike, just $5.80 us for 2 months.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLUE_vdqBf7Rg1fiq80W_BcVlPDIRjg7A-SSXqaKTqL2qFU6ncydgg4XYiuRm-pgNsLQmdTJUmO6edwutgOEbjs-9VTnumfh6bmKavifIDwcIpquQLN7qKWq2VdzxeKBhck8Fqg7TYDz73/s1600/Amazon+to+Ecuador+147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLUE_vdqBf7Rg1fiq80W_BcVlPDIRjg7A-SSXqaKTqL2qFU6ncydgg4XYiuRm-pgNsLQmdTJUmO6edwutgOEbjs-9VTnumfh6bmKavifIDwcIpquQLN7qKWq2VdzxeKBhck8Fqg7TYDz73/s640/Amazon+to+Ecuador+147.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roadside snack Ecuador backroad</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
From the city of Cuenca I planned to head north up the spine of the Andes, check out volcan Chimborazo, Ecuador's highest point at 6310 meters and then head for the coast and see some beaches. Early on in the day I thought this was a mistake, I was riding in white out conditions, it was terribly slow going, uncomfortable cold in the mist and what the countryside was like was anybodies guess. My eyes were straining to make out the road in front, it's not a nice feeling motoring along without the usual sense of space, this was no fun at all. It seemed to go on for ages as I traversed the mountain side deep in the middle of a cloud that just wouldn't end.<br />
<br />
Thankfully It cleared and I got some views of the patchwork cultivated hills up high and luckily Chimborazo itself come into view piecing up above the cloud. I then descended down towards the flat lands and across to the coast. The decent was once again in the cloud and it just went down and down until I was in the tropics and surrounded in Banana's! It was now uncomfortably too hot and humid, and after a night well off the gringo trail near the flooded town of Babahoyo I just kept riding until I reached the coast and found a backpackers in the small town of Aympe.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAZBOuZE9TqgyKdvVd92P49Ow7DmfZ4eJmsb4N-ZV9j7CjDn-m8TQzseZuQ7DXQwApynKyH-8fErWf1XkjyezZAo83CuXxN6Z2TjRBc2WdSPtPRjHunnSeae6NYKHDYHB2p4F-PAX0HYRj/s1600/Ecuador+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAZBOuZE9TqgyKdvVd92P49Ow7DmfZ4eJmsb4N-ZV9j7CjDn-m8TQzseZuQ7DXQwApynKyH-8fErWf1XkjyezZAo83CuXxN6Z2TjRBc2WdSPtPRjHunnSeae6NYKHDYHB2p4F-PAX0HYRj/s400/Ecuador+001.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Highlands Ecuador</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinxRD11SsccIMOUrCgeTAcUQQi5v9fvQmNIPXixkbhi4_OirfiobyClfAggpQSVlZzY-KQns35lakfVsb3cVlfMbet6eU9sCxPEijj9XKuur9PYFhilLaTyNDCvD37kqoz9ptQ0RouccyL/s1600/Ecuador+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinxRD11SsccIMOUrCgeTAcUQQi5v9fvQmNIPXixkbhi4_OirfiobyClfAggpQSVlZzY-KQns35lakfVsb3cVlfMbet6eU9sCxPEijj9XKuur9PYFhilLaTyNDCvD37kqoz9ptQ0RouccyL/s400/Ecuador+005.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Mt Chimborazo, 6300m</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIyF7SwP679hmiBX15SJSfRFo1vvBMNhbSNEmHLTRTjXLsaLIwreSxVmFF1DNKyW-5ShFZXTfsLuHiaR5EzE7T7mKSNcVuryqfZ1t-u91y-XveG1DYxPeWsmRkG0wIPeu8Bmd5sw8rzkhG/s1600/Ecuador+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIyF7SwP679hmiBX15SJSfRFo1vvBMNhbSNEmHLTRTjXLsaLIwreSxVmFF1DNKyW-5ShFZXTfsLuHiaR5EzE7T7mKSNcVuryqfZ1t-u91y-XveG1DYxPeWsmRkG0wIPeu8Bmd5sw8rzkhG/s640/Ecuador+010.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Market in Babahoyo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_Lr8icRrxPEjKovs0W_dFPSviTGBsKUsOFFinjQO2QrRipZ-3USN3uhQZ4UNgfQClTylJTpY2Nsk0fPzy4iMrQwITWJlMtBdON3PMDLcAvvDurw-Ew0DFe7FYxGfx1yn1_mOIiFAsKkK/s1600/Ecuador+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_Lr8icRrxPEjKovs0W_dFPSviTGBsKUsOFFinjQO2QrRipZ-3USN3uhQZ4UNgfQClTylJTpY2Nsk0fPzy4iMrQwITWJlMtBdON3PMDLcAvvDurw-Ew0DFe7FYxGfx1yn1_mOIiFAsKkK/s640/Ecuador+011.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Protesters and road block of burning tyres, not sure what it was all about, didn't hang round to find out.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdzQpR0D2p7AqgGck-wFhiTE2voQ4gEDuFkj1XAywS3X9jSh0ByS5YV6eKVy7klSVH__fpDov-RgZlV5LxKjWMNvZ23ev8FyfJzSEqEJ-9mWjG0fohc3ekUMv_msVvUBX7F5jjECVk4yB/s1600/Ecuador+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdzQpR0D2p7AqgGck-wFhiTE2voQ4gEDuFkj1XAywS3X9jSh0ByS5YV6eKVy7klSVH__fpDov-RgZlV5LxKjWMNvZ23ev8FyfJzSEqEJ-9mWjG0fohc3ekUMv_msVvUBX7F5jjECVk4yB/s400/Ecuador+014.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the middle of a massive Dole Banana plantation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0RUFKAQD3nDoCLzfPVDashrn5a0fpeCYt-o2OWy5gIZsTygX7-r1GuPTr3K4tTkX9XoMsV5Yapb5KCMQlBOrUsYKhCU5g4EatrcRam9dPinzDBq3HbhPy4SaZ_JHHJ1FEc0oZs7uYYej1/s1600/Ecuador+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0RUFKAQD3nDoCLzfPVDashrn5a0fpeCYt-o2OWy5gIZsTygX7-r1GuPTr3K4tTkX9XoMsV5Yapb5KCMQlBOrUsYKhCU5g4EatrcRam9dPinzDBq3HbhPy4SaZ_JHHJ1FEc0oZs7uYYej1/s400/Ecuador+026.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Locals</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh3qx5SmWbjY4VilnVbytTNj-g0e9khEbrhxs9o6e1LonK_MN9D9n6AsdAh2yc2RX-wCLeVuPM4UAuKuF3kTlJQVmpZZ_tAzmdiCwfwIyR7hWmk4FnHCVAh0e1p-L6WQbbZaADLedkX88Q/s1600/Ecuador+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh3qx5SmWbjY4VilnVbytTNj-g0e9khEbrhxs9o6e1LonK_MN9D9n6AsdAh2yc2RX-wCLeVuPM4UAuKuF3kTlJQVmpZZ_tAzmdiCwfwIyR7hWmk4FnHCVAh0e1p-L6WQbbZaADLedkX88Q/s640/Ecuador+025.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pacific coast near Peurto Lopez<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Riding back across the flat lands, the heat and lack of signage was annoying me, I'd just ridden around in circles in the city traffic of Porteviejo, qued up for an hour just to get some cash from an atm and was heading down a road unsure if I was on the right track thanks again to more lack of road signs. Have I mentioned that theirs bugger all roadside signs around here!! Now I was loosing time and my plan of reaching the foothills and escaping the heat was looking doubtful. I parked up on the roadside ( in an area clear of any grass and Boa's, I'd just seen a few as road kill!) for a snack and a friendly local pulls up along side and offers me some accommodation at his place just up the road a while. It doesn't take me long to say yeah, that would be great thanks.<br />
<br />
Barac, originally from Ecuador worked in the US for a few years and along with his wife Laurie from the US and there children Caleb and Becky returned to Ecuador, brought some land where they grow all sorts of fruits and veges and live sustainably from there 20 hectare farm. Barac and Caleb repair motorcycles from his garage at his home. They welcomed me into there home, fed me delicious food, helped me with directions up the road wished me well for the rest of my journey. Lots of thanks to Barac, Laurie, Caleb, and Becky. It was a real pleasure to meet you guys.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy5OFo_PPgLlWXm_dS0OtEPpMOo_OfT3JQrGojhHw8ihhOxdrd5cNvkJrQ1-F2t3ivSDhAM34wxux6FHF-9q_ziDs0ILV9PE6-ejInmz2CXIqN_hYYLk-boO0YRbnbbV2IY-EEuic-skOR/s1600/Ecuador+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy5OFo_PPgLlWXm_dS0OtEPpMOo_OfT3JQrGojhHw8ihhOxdrd5cNvkJrQ1-F2t3ivSDhAM34wxux6FHF-9q_ziDs0ILV9PE6-ejInmz2CXIqN_hYYLk-boO0YRbnbbV2IY-EEuic-skOR/s400/Ecuador+037.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caleb, Joe, Lauire, Becky and Barac</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgafYIf-kWpDs5OFwsJI_PKvS_rnP50L_mbg1Bk4alKJYtUKtuIwidd0NtCOvdB58qlzSnINHTD9l4v6eRsL5eydZLjFIFLqR2ILUN_0Y3bfCk-t5RoYJ2Zpl5_wUrmbFXZbSt2SWFIU9Ps/s1600/Ecuador+032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgafYIf-kWpDs5OFwsJI_PKvS_rnP50L_mbg1Bk4alKJYtUKtuIwidd0NtCOvdB58qlzSnINHTD9l4v6eRsL5eydZLjFIFLqR2ILUN_0Y3bfCk-t5RoYJ2Zpl5_wUrmbFXZbSt2SWFIU9Ps/s640/Ecuador+032.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soya beans growing at Barac and Laurie's property</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
It was then up the road to the Eco hostel of Secret Garden in the peaceful countryside surrounding volcan Cotopaxi. Here I planned a days break before the unpleasant task of doing battle with another big city, Quito where I need to buy new chain and sprockets for the DR.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRtbBKJYovulA7S6_DV3PEjFFtEFypTPsqd74BLvQPSAxHfjPQ-Q93kjNYt7Q5vGBh35tgsYim_lCkUheU6ePxkbGmjqU9_z8RKdnVOIKq_eVPmV7h8nCMhl6g87kgvrMtjA2XRbdEOn31/s1600/Ecuador+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRtbBKJYovulA7S6_DV3PEjFFtEFypTPsqd74BLvQPSAxHfjPQ-Q93kjNYt7Q5vGBh35tgsYim_lCkUheU6ePxkbGmjqU9_z8RKdnVOIKq_eVPmV7h8nCMhl6g87kgvrMtjA2XRbdEOn31/s400/Ecuador+040.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eco Hostal Secret Garden in Cotopaxi<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaBd2-KgOlXxMuOFALlJsTB7FhmGMPyMaAy1GnhfEVylMCc69_BgFmGv-H2XSbt3aopKyOKvcvDV7k15-aT_KX7LBo9fjIXg2gV9-wElWz8BYz2FRzBGch32rpG9jAFk3LDA3oCtinsV2d/s1600/Ecuador+047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaBd2-KgOlXxMuOFALlJsTB7FhmGMPyMaAy1GnhfEVylMCc69_BgFmGv-H2XSbt3aopKyOKvcvDV7k15-aT_KX7LBo9fjIXg2gV9-wElWz8BYz2FRzBGch32rpG9jAFk3LDA3oCtinsV2d/s400/Ecuador+047.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stone road to Cotopaxi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiArDThKNsKAE_RVnwaDzecO-Yl0O_F7ChwNNBhF11STZRboPZ_gAR3htx98wzhSdwJSvgoXCA4L6HbNkqKooHxnPwCvY3SPHAcAUbB5iaGVTGDG1fX9PfVFq_3NbIQROHew9GYqLb7Uq6m/s1600/Ecuador+055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiArDThKNsKAE_RVnwaDzecO-Yl0O_F7ChwNNBhF11STZRboPZ_gAR3htx98wzhSdwJSvgoXCA4L6HbNkqKooHxnPwCvY3SPHAcAUbB5iaGVTGDG1fX9PfVFq_3NbIQROHew9GYqLb7Uq6m/s640/Ecuador+055.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quito City looking from Secret Garden Hostal, Quito</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394193965421980981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4310743008757337682.post-65685781757033217172012-04-08T12:05:00.000-07:002012-04-10T19:04:08.326-07:00North Bound<span lang="">Both Rob and myself pulled out of our hostel in Lima together, however I was travelling just around the block to a less expensive backpacker's and Rob had the big blast down the Pan American highway and on home to NZ. It was an unusual feeling as Rob veered right and I went straight on knowing that would be the last we would see each other for quite a while. We'd been on the road for almost 4 months together and covered close to 20 000km over some pretty amazing countryside. It was going to be a different trip from now on. <br />
<br />
After purchasing new tyres and oil in Lima and a few days rest I was ready to hit the road. At the hostel I had bumped into the "fuel this mule" guys, Brad and Ash from Australia and Adam from Vancouver who were riding their motorbikes from Vancouver to Buenos Aires. Was good to get some info on what lay ahead for me as I headed north and also enjoy a few beers with some fellow bikers from down under.<br />
<br />
</span><br />
<span lang=""></span><br />
<br />
<span lang=""></span><br />
<span lang=""></span><br />
<span lang=""><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyNhABjVkAo1M7VMFflrkO52dBySGTMa_NfNtWuqSBKKA6yWcyp8EYRv3bTZB9_WadSy7eMF868GFnnNhvsV-JuVg3E_5UMGZx_AFHzvfvke_HP8RvLT3JAs3-CwxoxeCRbaBpTi6Mgyh4/s1600/Lima+to+Tarapoto+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyNhABjVkAo1M7VMFflrkO52dBySGTMa_NfNtWuqSBKKA6yWcyp8EYRv3bTZB9_WadSy7eMF868GFnnNhvsV-JuVg3E_5UMGZx_AFHzvfvke_HP8RvLT3JAs3-CwxoxeCRbaBpTi6Mgyh4/s640/Lima+to+Tarapoto+003.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fuel this Mule boys about to leave Lima</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRKwSMC9W40hnoT4cWGbdRkMnpDkv4hDgu4GN_MdP5_rWeemlGbFy6MnL8EiKZ0HcDWvzaX95TyFtG4VesZw1IEC60VLDFh-xSymt7nQSP2VUGb_x-w9BFhNl52YDTL5C22C3uGHBziMtt/s1600/Lima+to+Tarapoto+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRKwSMC9W40hnoT4cWGbdRkMnpDkv4hDgu4GN_MdP5_rWeemlGbFy6MnL8EiKZ0HcDWvzaX95TyFtG4VesZw1IEC60VLDFh-xSymt7nQSP2VUGb_x-w9BFhNl52YDTL5C22C3uGHBziMtt/s400/Lima+to+Tarapoto+002.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice parking at hostel Pariwana in Lima</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Heading back up to Huaraz to enjoy the stunning mountain scenery the day didn't get of to a great start. Two wrong turns on the motorway leaving the city took a while to correct in the horrible city traffic and the second put me into a police check point where for the first time on this trip I was asked for insurance. After pretending to not understand what the officer was wanting he eventually gave up and off I went. <br />
<br />
I didn't get away with it second time round though. Further up the highway I knew there would be plenty of patrol cars on the road from our previous run in on the way into Lima so I was riding particularly carefully. Still, the gringo (foreigner)on the bike was good enough reason for me to be pulled over and again I was asked for insurance. These guys were more persistent and with the threat of having my bike confiscated after almost an hour parked up on the road side I paid a bribe of 50 dollars and was finally on my way. With insurance expensive for foreigners ( 400 us dollars for one full year the only option) most motorbike travellers don't worry about it in Peru and the police know it so it's a money making scam for the corrupt coppers in Peru. With all the delays I arrived in Huaraz just before dark and once again in the cold afternoon rain.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhde34vcGMfuAXOSIuRAkNTXye8VQ7Ge9mVV850cQ2Upzun33IPFTm_zkbkCPswA9C08f8jpx5zqSFqkHl8UoO4Jhea7UVAmBd4BUPcSM05w4z7C2JdJi5P8c765_z-JwvdYXV9egNhTLQS/s1600/Lima+to+Tarapoto+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhde34vcGMfuAXOSIuRAkNTXye8VQ7Ge9mVV850cQ2Upzun33IPFTm_zkbkCPswA9C08f8jpx5zqSFqkHl8UoO4Jhea7UVAmBd4BUPcSM05w4z7C2JdJi5P8c765_z-JwvdYXV9egNhTLQS/s400/Lima+to+Tarapoto+007.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pork for lunch in Huaraz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUF8Gp9JB-XXabqIjhFsmJnt0gqf_yMY6QR2EuKxm9ueBmu6w4g5mXlAjwdJir4QyJC0zsPazk455jra3nRsXF466t6FZGWeeeOLGIS7J-xrL6ZDa6P4_7CPNj_Fv7f11iezDNAbgCvLde/s1600/Lima+to+Tarapoto+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUF8Gp9JB-XXabqIjhFsmJnt0gqf_yMY6QR2EuKxm9ueBmu6w4g5mXlAjwdJir4QyJC0zsPazk455jra3nRsXF466t6FZGWeeeOLGIS7J-xrL6ZDa6P4_7CPNj_Fv7f11iezDNAbgCvLde/s400/Lima+to+Tarapoto+009.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....or chicken</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQIDXPMPWA4ujdx0W8k9ZU9jTPrHH0L0mO5HIxIx3KiYulbGL30c3mvJiWFmvPvn3BeYmcUkNjM6bZZgU1rC81-_1lG9bwS6gRootPnzYPFko-dbP6X4l9MV0bJvhBSOztfY5b_DZgIoT/s1600/Lima+to+Tarapoto+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQIDXPMPWA4ujdx0W8k9ZU9jTPrHH0L0mO5HIxIx3KiYulbGL30c3mvJiWFmvPvn3BeYmcUkNjM6bZZgU1rC81-_1lG9bwS6gRootPnzYPFko-dbP6X4l9MV0bJvhBSOztfY5b_DZgIoT/s640/Lima+to+Tarapoto+010.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day trip up onto the Cordillera Nergo range<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX-MsIKkqr0bdQzqlmk9hfmd441OeipTvsGVqUMo7HXFUO-tWvWW_OnVPTnWVu0K6rCRet8TjNIGaSqXAWh9kd5d7GNfap6ajPnYDAzwEKcBmlfh2ZJTZzwy2FHmElt1Hm4Vl0fxVOiosY/s1600/Lima+to+Tarapoto+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX-MsIKkqr0bdQzqlmk9hfmd441OeipTvsGVqUMo7HXFUO-tWvWW_OnVPTnWVu0K6rCRet8TjNIGaSqXAWh9kd5d7GNfap6ajPnYDAzwEKcBmlfh2ZJTZzwy2FHmElt1Hm4Vl0fxVOiosY/s640/Lima+to+Tarapoto+012.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Up on the ridge at 4500m</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After several more days in Huaraz, a couple of day rides and replacing my worn rear wheel bearings it was hard to pull myself away. I was planning on doing a walk in the stunning Cordillera Blanca mountains and hadn't, or maybe it was because of the hostel owner's very sexy daughter! I convinced myself that I'd probably already seen more of the mountains on the motorbike than I would on a walk and I knew that if I was to see any more of the later it would be trouble so headed off down the unbelievable Canyon del Pato for a second time. Didn't get far before having to repair flat tyre.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxxeSIcr0J63nuZqEbQz6hnXB2g7TsfXQM8S-QpbVK8DPaxTBd4noAKE5mgvuvwsXv91LB6p53bMzdjhX8-GvBD6fBZGJZz_bCvC4NDA4cqBEzfWsnHsIruUFdJZXWn88aM4B1N2f13k4d/s1600/Lima+to+Tarapoto+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxxeSIcr0J63nuZqEbQz6hnXB2g7TsfXQM8S-QpbVK8DPaxTBd4noAKE5mgvuvwsXv91LB6p53bMzdjhX8-GvBD6fBZGJZz_bCvC4NDA4cqBEzfWsnHsIruUFdJZXWn88aM4B1N2f13k4d/s640/Lima+to+Tarapoto+015.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A big climb coming up?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicPluslQpK-pRAKzKQuKsE4ZzrFZpmY5WOXRJDW0OulpX_6lQwzSpOCS47HW3ODSo8flYa2tWVRkRK6pHpUex5zlnz5HLc-V_FkseYCNHRVTyWSXexSNGUhnaB_MzMNDmEOkHD1ePgQI8b/s1600/Lima+to+Tarapoto+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicPluslQpK-pRAKzKQuKsE4ZzrFZpmY5WOXRJDW0OulpX_6lQwzSpOCS47HW3ODSo8flYa2tWVRkRK6pHpUex5zlnz5HLc-V_FkseYCNHRVTyWSXexSNGUhnaB_MzMNDmEOkHD1ePgQI8b/s640/Lima+to+Tarapoto+017.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riding up high in the clouds</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
More stunning roads, up and down to Mollopata, slow going though and difficult to navigate- no signs and villages not on the map. Only got half as far as hoped. Not much traffic on these narrow roads which is just as well, vehicles and gas is just too expensive for most of the people in these areas and most traffic was of the 4 hoof variety. Problem is when you do meet a vehicle it's often half a village all at once in a large bus or on the back of a truck so some major diversion is required. They don't seem to concerned about taking rather large vehicles along very small rough roads in these parts!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1DaAvfbauUY8Uin-LrVUZiQmb5tXfs9WT_LKstTXsoVW0NOPaloIZbpyPpdYuLQrBO-yH_QwzVYLmUa2zJWx9n8-BECLuEwPJqCt-AikPADCeovKMkSVAAa-wZwGVLjKfME4exqWkgBcY/s1600/Lima+to+Tarapoto+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1DaAvfbauUY8Uin-LrVUZiQmb5tXfs9WT_LKstTXsoVW0NOPaloIZbpyPpdYuLQrBO-yH_QwzVYLmUa2zJWx9n8-BECLuEwPJqCt-AikPADCeovKMkSVAAa-wZwGVLjKfME4exqWkgBcY/s640/Lima+to+Tarapoto+030.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riding through one of the many small villages up high in Peruvian mountains</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdhSx7eCmX36TySN6TRjEPro02FMYN32Oqqv9-aUqc1M_VK8dTor7ZvUmaVIccfHe_8SNEAkdVaCB1P47-nExU9Xm4qE2bo4-2qCc-0wqgbBH1of4MyEMAkWE4THBhK7FpqTm-8EF2egZR/s1600/Lima+to+Tarapoto+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdhSx7eCmX36TySN6TRjEPro02FMYN32Oqqv9-aUqc1M_VK8dTor7ZvUmaVIccfHe_8SNEAkdVaCB1P47-nExU9Xm4qE2bo4-2qCc-0wqgbBH1of4MyEMAkWE4THBhK7FpqTm-8EF2egZR/s640/Lima+to+Tarapoto+035.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not a place to ride off the edge!<br />
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggur0Nf0xFpwpx1UroZFz9sx48wciXC56aDpM51UK9IUpEXEIURrpf6XuxHvwAqcg1J4nOSaQfr4HxCUlvX5NTO7dV5pHPm8eYww1VFOJhkm7MnaKbwvBWM7-8jF4dd1SmHwO9aOSu_zP-/s1600/Lima+to+Tarapoto+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggur0Nf0xFpwpx1UroZFz9sx48wciXC56aDpM51UK9IUpEXEIURrpf6XuxHvwAqcg1J4nOSaQfr4HxCUlvX5NTO7dV5pHPm8eYww1VFOJhkm7MnaKbwvBWM7-8jF4dd1SmHwO9aOSu_zP-/s640/Lima+to+Tarapoto+037.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dodgy Bridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTpo9nV0CHTs6ueAojSiTrVN0AJgpVfuY_bLl70UrQ3j8MELJ5Ruwl0lGRmuA46u-1MuR9PR-V62d0d2L-aH0hPFMJi7u7OFTeO7EkHAnOLWhG441JC4mMXv3OJNVxNVdk_sWIDhU_ez-h/s1600/Lima+to+Tarapoto+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTpo9nV0CHTs6ueAojSiTrVN0AJgpVfuY_bLl70UrQ3j8MELJ5Ruwl0lGRmuA46u-1MuR9PR-V62d0d2L-aH0hPFMJi7u7OFTeO7EkHAnOLWhG441JC4mMXv3OJNVxNVdk_sWIDhU_ez-h/s640/Lima+to+Tarapoto+040.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friendly Locals at Mollopata helping out with Directions</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnyZEcK2UNfkSWomi67JE9MxKfX7uywgdJUB9qXlBnXG5yw2RS24WtQcxkm3HWcD0ZH98M53iG7jhO22mDmYOuseDWVtJp0frlfqp0CbHyQZGDwZ7-7AijWwFKya3ZlBXu44rPeCt9KIwc/s1600/Lima+to+Tarapoto+068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnyZEcK2UNfkSWomi67JE9MxKfX7uywgdJUB9qXlBnXG5yw2RS24WtQcxkm3HWcD0ZH98M53iG7jhO22mDmYOuseDWVtJp0frlfqp0CbHyQZGDwZ7-7AijWwFKya3ZlBXu44rPeCt9KIwc/s640/Lima+to+Tarapoto+068.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rare vehicle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Enjoyed the mornings ride, bit hard to relax in the afternoon-concerned about fuel range, not knowing exactly where I was and lack of distance covered. Good day though, stopped early in afternoon as was a bit knacked and the town of Huamachuco seemed nice.<br />
<br />
Stopped and talked to lady drying out some grain of some sort (Trigo I think?), she gave me some to eat, very friendly. Passed through area where clay was being using to make roofing tiles. Rode around Cajamarca for a bit, quiet large city and then headed for Celedin. Overshot turn off and asked some people for directions, ended up getting offered some lunch too, more friendly people. Major road up grade going on here, will be a different ride in soon. Hostel a bit shabby but bike parked outside door and bed ok so that's all that really matters, 20 soles so cheap enough.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbzacDWkGoNaQu14HVnz_eLUWZhgY9c16flbSguyLCxDPsd_H9593Jy55OU6d2qlPFHjEauw_LLmIZtVHmXSd7wAZmVMDqEyQUJXdqGhDMSY__PhtigTnTaUZoa0RVz4oVCLHkZZSlTH2F/s1600/Lima+to+Tarapoto+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbzacDWkGoNaQu14HVnz_eLUWZhgY9c16flbSguyLCxDPsd_H9593Jy55OU6d2qlPFHjEauw_LLmIZtVHmXSd7wAZmVMDqEyQUJXdqGhDMSY__PhtigTnTaUZoa0RVz4oVCLHkZZSlTH2F/s640/Lima+to+Tarapoto+045.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying out some local grub</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2vzUkK08TX3lQE2P5TRa5XwCrjf-RkpVQ5Unzq91wKf702_WzzQ7d8TJ7qPot7kiPfzu9VKK5btziGfuMbRE4RWaG9BJyUd1iJrmOb0v-zDXVi5OFW6WH1c6ZpdwjLNn8MgrkDmeUmhHR/s1600/Lima+to+Tarapoto+052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2vzUkK08TX3lQE2P5TRa5XwCrjf-RkpVQ5Unzq91wKf702_WzzQ7d8TJ7qPot7kiPfzu9VKK5btziGfuMbRE4RWaG9BJyUd1iJrmOb0v-zDXVi5OFW6WH1c6ZpdwjLNn8MgrkDmeUmhHR/s400/Lima+to+Tarapoto+052.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manufacturing clay roofing tiles</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Found a fantastic narrow winding road from Celedin to Cachapoyas. Descended 30 km down into valley and then took 60km continuous climb all up to 3600m ( 2700m up), really nice riding, massive hills with lots of agriculture and people living up high in places, very green. Not much traffic either, passed a few dairy farms, biggest herd looked to be about a dozen cows and they use old fashioned milk cans to collect. This morning in town (Celedin) an old guy and his wife were selling leche (milk) on the corner, they just scooped it out of a big bucket and into plastic bags. Leche, leche, come and get your leche we was chanting out, pretty interesting stuff, bit of a time warp back a few years. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaHw1Xzksepq6ekbA6P6qKqR2WqQ-CIV5iHdCgsgdZhEwoOvrZ9b_bASMeoyEeqSKI1TB2bGWbdTIDnSn7bPYjMtQXW4u_8i4mxGPxKyVwNq5ONS0gi7pOpElVtfYDOlN3tf5uiZ05EZA/s1600/Lima+to+Tarapoto+053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaHw1Xzksepq6ekbA6P6qKqR2WqQ-CIV5iHdCgsgdZhEwoOvrZ9b_bASMeoyEeqSKI1TB2bGWbdTIDnSn7bPYjMtQXW4u_8i4mxGPxKyVwNq5ONS0gi7pOpElVtfYDOlN3tf5uiZ05EZA/s400/Lima+to+Tarapoto+053.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old style milk collection</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Arrived at Kelup ruins a couple hours before dark, just started raining so sorted out some accommodation in a very small village (Maria) up high in the hills and then shot off up the road a bit further to check it out. Got real pissed off as they sold me an entry ticket and then after a grunt up the hill the fortified ruin entry's were locked so have to go back manana.<br />
<br />
Went back up to the ruins, very quite, was the only one up there. This is the most extensive ruins after Machu Picchu. I've shifted a few rocks around in my time and it can be very satisfying work but the shear scale of rock work here is just mind blowing stuff. Huge rock walls surround the ruins to provide a inpenertrable wall of protection from enemies.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4F1tVDvkvatTZ8COCi1NqxCd8LyxPAJKkfuF3WwHtp0O7cGpQRV2SptdgrPvg3PGil733noV9i5krQFeh_GEKvwx0Mp32zrYjWuRV3M4D7APqBSFMXWOz6U4WlZqaLQJIvhGNmTIVnzgF/s1600/Lima+to+Tarapoto+078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4F1tVDvkvatTZ8COCi1NqxCd8LyxPAJKkfuF3WwHtp0O7cGpQRV2SptdgrPvg3PGil733noV9i5krQFeh_GEKvwx0Mp32zrYjWuRV3M4D7APqBSFMXWOz6U4WlZqaLQJIvhGNmTIVnzgF/s640/Lima+to+Tarapoto+078.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rock walls at Kullep ruins</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwFQQgNI_e3Nlkjfmt8Yq5r-voor7tnmQLX4pplbTLyyXQEXqh2z6zog2VeTbZmF5_J8CwZvCKAwUv9po7pqEMLZPCq4UwVt15Y7QGzhoNIn_YggoIdFP_VSbNtYXJxYwybgWp-yCgmSz-/s1600/Lima+to+Tarapoto+106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwFQQgNI_e3Nlkjfmt8Yq5r-voor7tnmQLX4pplbTLyyXQEXqh2z6zog2VeTbZmF5_J8CwZvCKAwUv9po7pqEMLZPCq4UwVt15Y7QGzhoNIn_YggoIdFP_VSbNtYXJxYwybgWp-yCgmSz-/s320/Lima+to+Tarapoto+106.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not much happening in the sleepy town of Maria</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Had lunch back in Maria then got the shits, had to do a quick exit off the moto and it was raining too. Altitude and and exercise I think. Absolutely pissed down on way into Chachapoyas, took shelter in small town then carried on. Stayed in hotel on main plaza, rode moto through restaurant and out the back.<br />
<br />
Decided it would be worthwhile to do a side trip and walk up to Gocta Falls. This place has just been opened up to tourism as little as about 6 years ago. It's indisputably the 3rd highest falls in the world, disputed I think because of it's two drops the first about 200m and the second about 570m. Pretty impressive all the same. Afternoon ride to Pedro Ruiz, had a game of courtyard soccer with the staff from the hostel, very enjoyable but may be a bit sore tomorrow, lots of exercise today!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYlAf_awLAq76Z4C2A6tF826saGTJcynu21CzdZGFfH6GBpucV50ww7sxiRsw5KZxrep1APju_iH6vGwwuN_94Vmcpy3fRpTcNL8pVfFyCUm-wi2NM213-mF2-qy2n9CWjEhEhiRbZWRJG/s1600/Lima+to+Tarapoto+116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYlAf_awLAq76Z4C2A6tF826saGTJcynu21CzdZGFfH6GBpucV50ww7sxiRsw5KZxrep1APju_iH6vGwwuN_94Vmcpy3fRpTcNL8pVfFyCUm-wi2NM213-mF2-qy2n9CWjEhEhiRbZWRJG/s640/Lima+to+Tarapoto+116.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gocta Falls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I'd been considering a trip down into the amazon basin for a while and even though I was falling behind in my rough schedule I decided that I had to check it out. The road down off the Andes and out through Tarapoto ending at Yurimaguas on the edge of the mighty Haullaga River which is one of several major tributaries of the Amazon seemed like a good route. There has been some problems, (ie rode blocks and machine gun glad robbers) on this road in the past and Tarapoto is a little close to a large drug area so I spent a lot of time talking to locals about this one, everyone said no problem at all, just don't do it in the night.<br />
<br />
I arrived in Tarapoto in good time and did not feel out of place down here on the moto as the whole town pretty much gets around on them, although I still got the usual stares as I guess my moto is a little larger. The main plaza in town was completely surrounded in motos, hundreds of them, and lots of scantly clad Beautiful jungle girls riding them too, not a bad place I thought! On arrival at the Misti Hostel the very helpful Roxanne was in no time on the phone to her friend Miguel who manages a guiding business. So the next day it was out into the true flat vastness of the jungle where I was greeted by Miguel in Yurimaguas and he tailored up a two day canoe trip in the Pacaya Samiria Reserve. <br />
</span><br />
<br />
<span lang="">
</span><br />
<span lang=""></span><br />
<span lang=""></span><br />
<span lang=""></span><br />
<span lang=""><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGRkO4LIaldNuMJAoi6kBPbLQNr3jNpsU-qfyBz9FWX80vIon1AVSh_cB2PCA5-mcS3c6YeDii6tM0XQ1BKhfwVpdHjHkh_7H4mral6OucZI6dbFYedJ8nY26yRlsNG1jdjNJDPdT1O3n/s1600/Lima+to+Tarapoto+124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGRkO4LIaldNuMJAoi6kBPbLQNr3jNpsU-qfyBz9FWX80vIon1AVSh_cB2PCA5-mcS3c6YeDii6tM0XQ1BKhfwVpdHjHkh_7H4mral6OucZI6dbFYedJ8nY26yRlsNG1jdjNJDPdT1O3n/s640/Lima+to+Tarapoto+124.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tarapoto, moto's as far as the eye can see in that direction....<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ_ktQ_ZTGmLpAu-sxQoxUz5HRgCvE-ipEXVt69h_EVStqav8BpLgeD888_27WbVg32KO8R2cl5lRs3sCx0TlzOdd2OpZSRbo-8nHyKOzXJ8n5qkzHMiYFKaI_ecnCAiHvNQArCoVbUcUj/s1600/Lima+to+Tarapoto+128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ_ktQ_ZTGmLpAu-sxQoxUz5HRgCvE-ipEXVt69h_EVStqav8BpLgeD888_27WbVg32KO8R2cl5lRs3sCx0TlzOdd2OpZSRbo-8nHyKOzXJ8n5qkzHMiYFKaI_ecnCAiHvNQArCoVbUcUj/s640/Lima+to+Tarapoto+128.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">... and this direction too</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZeIO7y-QP_YqmIhH4iwuQVofeC0ihqBbIlSyh94jSkzZ9E5Z9MeyU6f3_8NkHx3gcGG7X1mi6Gv4mSORdJkWGiBacvlk-RDiuUdxbTwLgl9kuL94LyJFgoC_PdzH9X-J3bwU9la5yPKpq/s1600/Lima+to+Tarapoto+130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZeIO7y-QP_YqmIhH4iwuQVofeC0ihqBbIlSyh94jSkzZ9E5Z9MeyU6f3_8NkHx3gcGG7X1mi6Gv4mSORdJkWGiBacvlk-RDiuUdxbTwLgl9kuL94LyJFgoC_PdzH9X-J3bwU9la5yPKpq/s400/Lima+to+Tarapoto+130.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tarapoto Traffic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
To get to the reserve I had to travel down river for 4 hours by water taxi that was essentially just a stretched out dinghy with two big out boards on back each with it's own 44 gallon drum style fuel tank supplying enough fuel to keep the motors pinned for 4 straight hours. Although long the trip was interesting, the massive river being a major transport corridor and centre of activity for the locals. <br />
<br />
At the end of the boat trip I was met by my guide Welington and we were off in a genuine dug out wooden canoe into the reserve. Massive Blue butterflies, lots of birds, fish and monkeys all made for a enjoyable paddle down to our accommodation for the night which was a hut perched up on poles above the flooded forest floor. In the early hours of the nest day ( 2am ) we set of back up the series of river channels, in the dark we got to see owls, snakes and fresh water cocs and Welington impressed with his navigation skills as he accurately pointed us back through the flooded jungle under torchlight. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizeritNp1lwGnaM5OWCLGD_tt8rVGqG7uLlRANdD7odGVaHK9uPUzmy54MbppofYwm7Rz3T-jY6k09jBAdAk98p0KCAvrnxLvDjS_KWojq9DaiBHI6lA8d1C1JLIhxWPT_-d41hjmo1qkz/s1600/Amazon+to+Ecuador+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizeritNp1lwGnaM5OWCLGD_tt8rVGqG7uLlRANdD7odGVaHK9uPUzmy54MbppofYwm7Rz3T-jY6k09jBAdAk98p0KCAvrnxLvDjS_KWojq9DaiBHI6lA8d1C1JLIhxWPT_-d41hjmo1qkz/s640/Amazon+to+Ecuador+012.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">umm... one too many bananas on board?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1HDsihm3eQvLJ2yeHCjcBDOuV3-tjfm3SO05x3N4YyaE9cqsx71O05scIIQAIETWFlkBI5iXrJqIMeYVk2FQwJVB3DEvfPxg_jvFduuCgFLwi3EPf-Hg2ECRP6uS1RfT5nYkiJcxj7Gqz/s1600/Amazon+to+Ecuador+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1HDsihm3eQvLJ2yeHCjcBDOuV3-tjfm3SO05x3N4YyaE9cqsx71O05scIIQAIETWFlkBI5iXrJqIMeYVk2FQwJVB3DEvfPxg_jvFduuCgFLwi3EPf-Hg2ECRP6uS1RfT5nYkiJcxj7Gqz/s400/Amazon+to+Ecuador+007.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">everyone carries one of these around down here</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDFCJxGPZnhOVRtKRMY8cvI4rpmKboZoaIc1rn-bgvBOcTcqUfKEZsB6nZr1kITvCyIHlmhwcEA9IX4mGkULSNVQVSOrmUrrFuRl_wNmtc8wdDsjIbgm9FwEwdaH4s6czKf9XoyCdly0Ei/s1600/Amazon+to+Ecuador+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDFCJxGPZnhOVRtKRMY8cvI4rpmKboZoaIc1rn-bgvBOcTcqUfKEZsB6nZr1kITvCyIHlmhwcEA9IX4mGkULSNVQVSOrmUrrFuRl_wNmtc8wdDsjIbgm9FwEwdaH4s6czKf9XoyCdly0Ei/s640/Amazon+to+Ecuador+014.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5 hours flat out down the Haullenga River</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJahs5BLxS3OFK-TZ5HvBsAQyg17o9NJh2aJ3fxICPeTlWBQFRe5Nrd6F0Jz1iXECnYy7tdvaDr3RZPYj09anX-YElybzOLsJTUWoNU4XwOWAQjArIhc4iSPxcTW3W96MrMgmLBWUaFXDu/s1600/Amazon+to+Ecuador+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJahs5BLxS3OFK-TZ5HvBsAQyg17o9NJh2aJ3fxICPeTlWBQFRe5Nrd6F0Jz1iXECnYy7tdvaDr3RZPYj09anX-YElybzOLsJTUWoNU4XwOWAQjArIhc4iSPxcTW3W96MrMgmLBWUaFXDu/s400/Amazon+to+Ecuador+019.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikv2tSvHAVYh7arBwicLr9Wff5bPddgLQYxfYKjgoBcZTB5dMjKsYhuPPTrvilxyd4GKyXBca_jQu__w9UzS5RzqxcXEsu9EYL7xRN8qjL0ogf2kmAlvewbPoX8ioD6GK6p_ik4CuN68WS/s1600/Amazon+to+Ecuador+065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikv2tSvHAVYh7arBwicLr9Wff5bPddgLQYxfYKjgoBcZTB5dMjKsYhuPPTrvilxyd4GKyXBca_jQu__w9UzS5RzqxcXEsu9EYL7xRN8qjL0ogf2kmAlvewbPoX8ioD6GK6p_ik4CuN68WS/s400/Amazon+to+Ecuador+065.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My excellent river guide Welington</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlmcwXNQkjpqFTpz_CGhMgm53ZLVuCk-I2eE8rxpUM7FFGg94Kkgx0dyYlREy2v3RBdrc-Ri54codP-XurCrVifLm1gYHkQeRfPBzz_0JGOK_4cJLxS8HkK-so1YLeMzRgwpPflrCKn8Hj/s1600/Amazon+to+Ecuador+054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlmcwXNQkjpqFTpz_CGhMgm53ZLVuCk-I2eE8rxpUM7FFGg94Kkgx0dyYlREy2v3RBdrc-Ri54codP-XurCrVifLm1gYHkQeRfPBzz_0JGOK_4cJLxS8HkK-so1YLeMzRgwpPflrCKn8Hj/s640/Amazon+to+Ecuador+054.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welington and our trusty canoe, only needed bailing every 10min! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb3bwyLakq9rc-1theQPMIcdQDb-fFCt9v6TsH2ZgS_YCRd4gvjkLlkWMlm_ba-kHdMhdLN__kV_00uS5GQzR4XDs9nNRm3spBzKLSALVfazIM3DC8MdZo1acuifFucLDmZH4YXUr8Liz1/s1600/Amazon+to+Ecuador+049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb3bwyLakq9rc-1theQPMIcdQDb-fFCt9v6TsH2ZgS_YCRd4gvjkLlkWMlm_ba-kHdMhdLN__kV_00uS5GQzR4XDs9nNRm3spBzKLSALVfazIM3DC8MdZo1acuifFucLDmZH4YXUr8Liz1/s400/Amazon+to+Ecuador+049.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Accomadation for the night</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzYD419aoZuhiBHlIkgNSCaZMALUA9dptM_o7YPF7dPcq4NPrMKXWfwuOpjm9UwBVv8eEHYqm4LdsxiRUdDWLK1SRCEHGrVjwMeBddZWlsNA6tRSR1Y6Kpp_J2Bz648Cj3kmEh-MrF-o_o/s1600/Amazon+to+Ecuador+079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzYD419aoZuhiBHlIkgNSCaZMALUA9dptM_o7YPF7dPcq4NPrMKXWfwuOpjm9UwBVv8eEHYqm4LdsxiRUdDWLK1SRCEHGrVjwMeBddZWlsNA6tRSR1Y6Kpp_J2Bz648Cj3kmEh-MrF-o_o/s640/Amazon+to+Ecuador+079.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While waiting for the return boat I went for a walk around town... </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="height: 362px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; width: 662px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3UAY0oVumTwjsJyi6I8cGChZ4km02NcFldFIz2JYN1FNne3mKq8Rh0qTQ2a5FI1AIvM_jcu4zsFgJIIj0yiAhyogQN-KhyphenhyphenPunt-z5PQLUBbsIhu7foq1YWsRe9TUdRkAS8G4MaQs7cmLR/s1600/Amazon+to+Ecuador+076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3UAY0oVumTwjsJyi6I8cGChZ4km02NcFldFIz2JYN1FNne3mKq8Rh0qTQ2a5FI1AIvM_jcu4zsFgJIIj0yiAhyogQN-KhyphenhyphenPunt-z5PQLUBbsIhu7foq1YWsRe9TUdRkAS8G4MaQs7cmLR/s400/Amazon+to+Ecuador+076.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....and found these characters, I'm pretty sure they where telling me that I needn't go to the jungle to see monkeys!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPpCiehNnGKYi6JZZoaJyyuzPIc8jHm3xvgSk6RoeAXZH_gDXnqe_X0XovxwT_1K6jEJt7FG_fjZPVtp-C_CIh17qG9BZQtt2XuOfJE0UE0NESOGucoeYlxarYgtUxuPGRl8xyjxoA4si/s1600/Amazon+to+Ecuador+103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPpCiehNnGKYi6JZZoaJyyuzPIc8jHm3xvgSk6RoeAXZH_gDXnqe_X0XovxwT_1K6jEJt7FG_fjZPVtp-C_CIh17qG9BZQtt2XuOfJE0UE0NESOGucoeYlxarYgtUxuPGRl8xyjxoA4si/s640/Amazon+to+Ecuador+103.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The very friendly staff at Hotel Rio Haullaga</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;">I would like to thank Welington, Miguel and the staff from Hotel Rio Haullaga for a great experience, highly recommended <a href="http://www.peruselva.com/"><span style="font-size: small;">www.peruselva.com</span></a><span style="font-size: small;">. Having just seen an area about the size of a pin hole on my map I found it hard to comprehend the size of this jungle flatland, it's huge. The next few days were spent back tracking up to Pedro Ruiz, more courtyard soccer with the staff, checked the valve clearance's on the bike and then gunned it for the Ecuador boarder near Zumba</span></span><br />
</span>Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394193965421980981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4310743008757337682.post-8647207206448630802012-03-23T19:45:00.001-07:002012-03-23T20:01:53.131-07:00Lima-Peru to Valparaiso-Chile.Joe and I have gone different directions. I had to get back down to Valparaiso in Chile (3000km) to ship my bike home and Joe is heading north up to Ecuador,Colombia,Panama and onto the United States and maybe Canada.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8txk5MLIkeDnmVOQQzzFYaalxH7dbfUjTvaN0JuheYMMWqnIIWMzbrH-X3x-2no42TYHBAcnfAvAAW8Xtdq8rpSSJLc-Bq2ehAkIJ0vSXua4ZVrHH1f9QremyXbaR_B19n8aYOX42VCl/s1600/Chimbote+Peru+to+Valparasio-Chile+044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8txk5MLIkeDnmVOQQzzFYaalxH7dbfUjTvaN0JuheYMMWqnIIWMzbrH-X3x-2no42TYHBAcnfAvAAW8Xtdq8rpSSJLc-Bq2ehAkIJ0vSXua4ZVrHH1f9QremyXbaR_B19n8aYOX42VCl/s640/Chimbote+Peru+to+Valparasio-Chile+044.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Photo of Nazca lines from a tower about 20 minutes north of Nazca township.<br />
<br />
I was slow getting started but managed to get away late in the morning. I'd only gone a few kms when I was pulled over again by the Police for riding in the bus lane. The Police women must have felt sorry for me and again I managed to avoid getting a ticket and I got directions onto the Pan Americana Highway south only 200 metres further along, then hopefully from here on I shouldn't have too many problems for the rest of the ride. I had no map. Keep the coast on your right, how could you go wrong ?.I ran into the owner of a hostel at the viewing tower north of Nazca and went straight to his hostel.Too easy.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNYApcMqX0DyyNSCo7xKiWQF2C2VIi8NwBxvKGadDJnEwHMzlfEq3Cuk1LhFxpCG17-znz_IxiY0UVmU4DwMWLmVwH4ioXq_qqN5jgKybm6EaG2l7PNQaVv1cDqQZnvicQ6P6QaCYu92nX/s1600/Chimbote+Peru+to+Valparasio-Chile+054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNYApcMqX0DyyNSCo7xKiWQF2C2VIi8NwBxvKGadDJnEwHMzlfEq3Cuk1LhFxpCG17-znz_IxiY0UVmU4DwMWLmVwH4ioXq_qqN5jgKybm6EaG2l7PNQaVv1cDqQZnvicQ6P6QaCYu92nX/s640/Chimbote+Peru+to+Valparasio-Chile+054.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>The terrain was dry all along the coast.<br />
<br />
I had a long day getting myself to Arequipa ,the temperatures in the desert were mild and it was pleasant riding .Till I started to climb up to 2200 metres when it started to get cold. Unfortunately I arrived when it was getting late in the day and traffic was building up. I had done some homework on the Internet the night before riding into Arequipa & had drawn myself a rough map, however, my map was too rough. Once again I stopped and got directions from the local Police.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3CNQgruBwwzASdiYmaoZq1E5Pm065YlcYy2_NTojbn7Z978LEn8FMx4ge5NVBYUyz24dg4dpK-w9XNbjjYlm1Ku1M2ibY3MBLBrdYEHpd-X44G-L2QquHfhLVcLkSN5n-wrR33BtcblA/s1600/Chimbote+Peru+to+Valparasio-Chile+061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3CNQgruBwwzASdiYmaoZq1E5Pm065YlcYy2_NTojbn7Z978LEn8FMx4ge5NVBYUyz24dg4dpK-w9XNbjjYlm1Ku1M2ibY3MBLBrdYEHpd-X44G-L2QquHfhLVcLkSN5n-wrR33BtcblA/s640/Chimbote+Peru+to+Valparasio-Chile+061.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></div>Leaving Arequipa<br />
<br />
Arequipa is a tourist destination in Peru and has some nice volcanoes covered in snow..No time to look around. Onto Arica a mining city right by the beach, this was going to be a shorter day distance wise but I had a border crossing which I was expecting to take me two hours.I managed the border crossing with out too many hassles. Again I spoke to some Police when I got into Arica central city and one of them spoke pretty good English and put me onto a cheap hostel .. Busy city. No gringos around.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgBIcw38YD7kyfX-8KlV4EwlwDgL4Q4bgZEUmImP_3asPTWiJo2sVTaM_25EFdvRwqcfnOp36tXwLUn9GUGyLDKNgmJ_ZH63-SMV-GnXkb28PxzZCzqQNhaqvlg31yR3mqwdBDXbL-fC2E/s1600/Chimbote+Peru+to+Valparasio-Chile+067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgBIcw38YD7kyfX-8KlV4EwlwDgL4Q4bgZEUmImP_3asPTWiJo2sVTaM_25EFdvRwqcfnOp36tXwLUn9GUGyLDKNgmJ_ZH63-SMV-GnXkb28PxzZCzqQNhaqvlg31yR3mqwdBDXbL-fC2E/s640/Chimbote+Peru+to+Valparasio-Chile+067.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> Tacna 30 km north of Chilean border. Another dry city.<br />
<br />
I had contacted Juan and Louisa a lovely Chilean couple I met in Change at the motorcycle rally in November to see if I could stay with them. So after eight busy days I was looking forward to having a day off at their home in Iquique.<br />
<br />
I phoned Juan when I arrived in the city and he rode from his home and met me on his BMW. Lousia had prepared a beautiful meal for lunch. Later that evening more of their family arrived for tea. We had a barbecue tea. Fantastic people and I hope they come to New Zealand some day so I can host them. Whilst there I experienced an earthquake. I started heading for the door. Much to the amusement of the ladies in the family who experience tremors all the time. I think my stay in Christchurch after the 22nd February has made me a nervous.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nSlQU9XuJsjwaJea_RTswUaNTAvpAko4hNYgW8HFFI1fyv1Uuw558DtqJAiKE9l1fMzveBRbQLDUT_KayXkKfogLrnYYkANuWJyyozEDqnCmYxqhQNpJCvfzcmNuOHa4lFYovlim2qC8/s1600/Chimbote+Peru+to+Valparasio-Chile+074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nSlQU9XuJsjwaJea_RTswUaNTAvpAko4hNYgW8HFFI1fyv1Uuw558DtqJAiKE9l1fMzveBRbQLDUT_KayXkKfogLrnYYkANuWJyyozEDqnCmYxqhQNpJCvfzcmNuOHa4lFYovlim2qC8/s640/Chimbote+Peru+to+Valparasio-Chile+074.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Juan, Luaisa and Valley.<br />
<br />
The next day I had a guided tour of Iquique with Valley. Iquique is another mining city built up against a hill with nice beaches.A nice place to stop for a few days.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzbyvz59meS9rNp11RfgmLNonr7_j0bukCu1a3LkJB-0H10xYHfsrDNsf8eBvLA0JWtm8FqCuey_QGkxmhCHibmVyge1IhyRB244Cl-phz8GnA3CrvkEcevZW78IXZNa-rwjoU9BM5HL41/s1600/Chimbote+Peru+to+Valparasio-Chile+070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzbyvz59meS9rNp11RfgmLNonr7_j0bukCu1a3LkJB-0H10xYHfsrDNsf8eBvLA0JWtm8FqCuey_QGkxmhCHibmVyge1IhyRB244Cl-phz8GnA3CrvkEcevZW78IXZNa-rwjoU9BM5HL41/s640/Chimbote+Peru+to+Valparasio-Chile+070.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1lABrxCf6LqOJ1mqEwImdScZUAi5FUru-HXDUxj_De8-UeNtTq6egZTFe0gEsGRbpfpwGJxxelTNTmENQPbhNhcTamZdShdNf2KGW-eXmSvrBj_LTZyiTV6WQsBU4Kv7PxJDCLpByRjkp/s1600/IMG_1765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1lABrxCf6LqOJ1mqEwImdScZUAi5FUru-HXDUxj_De8-UeNtTq6egZTFe0gEsGRbpfpwGJxxelTNTmENQPbhNhcTamZdShdNf2KGW-eXmSvrBj_LTZyiTV6WQsBU4Kv7PxJDCLpByRjkp/s640/IMG_1765.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>Iquique - east view to desert & west to the sea<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9Q-k9bZvaGX83arlirDrKYACoj7zQlv-16HkW21Xy4IoQfG6mcJtq5Yxz5pM1K8xIKfAAi2t4YewXYBDHSes_JRI65zXVYFcfloNh2GWrx2peG95XJ7LIYw-7GHwp-enF5CWMXprUAxH/s1600/Chimbote+Peru+to+Valparasio-Chile+083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9Q-k9bZvaGX83arlirDrKYACoj7zQlv-16HkW21Xy4IoQfG6mcJtq5Yxz5pM1K8xIKfAAi2t4YewXYBDHSes_JRI65zXVYFcfloNh2GWrx2peG95XJ7LIYw-7GHwp-enF5CWMXprUAxH/s640/Chimbote+Peru+to+Valparasio-Chile+083.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>A replica of a Chilean ship that was sunk off Iquique in war of the Pacific between Chile and Peru in 1880 something.<br />
It was sad to leave but I headed off to Antofagasta travelling right beside the sea for much of the distance.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQNNHl7nfEnTUbqqgCw9bAWkr2V06JHXcUD_8Zv6TyGc-rRK3Xg-oSTHio3rw4PKtkDQ5WjW7JXgkZUqCa3TiDzCsdlveyVb-B1t3Q02nbkaP84jFtLv6pl92HIAnc7SfKYYlBwS0UTVTr/s1600/Chimbote+Peru+to+Valparasio-Chile+112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQNNHl7nfEnTUbqqgCw9bAWkr2V06JHXcUD_8Zv6TyGc-rRK3Xg-oSTHio3rw4PKtkDQ5WjW7JXgkZUqCa3TiDzCsdlveyVb-B1t3Q02nbkaP84jFtLv6pl92HIAnc7SfKYYlBwS0UTVTr/s640/Chimbote+Peru+to+Valparasio-Chile+112.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Leaving Antofagasta next morning for Copiapo. Another long day 580km. We had stayed in Copiapo two months before so it was back to the the same place to stay - much easier this time. Next day it was two hours of cool damn fog until 11 in the morning when the sun came out.<br />
<br />
Back to La Sarena to Torino motos who had given me the wrong oil filter and front sprocket and managed to catch them before they closed , then back to the same hostel. The hostel is owned by Hugh an employee at the motorcycle shop. The hostel this time was much quieter. The backpacker season having cooled off. This time as I headed south out of La Sarena I had the cool mist till 1pm when before I could take some clothing off as I rode to Valparaiso .<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_rno_Deb-aHN2B-L2eD0Ua9CzjisgRIxb7WptG2iAOL4TBRSDuhZTCZrTQ_zRYFahY__8HOJ9nWxUHup3KQ3GglvFPEkmzkRqFGaK7ycQaQ0a0rl7wXzEw0EVumvOB9P3SJbjFPzBiOZ/s1600/IMG_1810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_rno_Deb-aHN2B-L2eD0Ua9CzjisgRIxb7WptG2iAOL4TBRSDuhZTCZrTQ_zRYFahY__8HOJ9nWxUHup3KQ3GglvFPEkmzkRqFGaK7ycQaQ0a0rl7wXzEw0EVumvOB9P3SJbjFPzBiOZ/s640/IMG_1810.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Chilean national MX champs race just north Valparaiso<br />
<br />
The next day I caught up with the shipping agent in Valparaiso and organised for the shipping of my bike back to New Zealand. Getting everything organised to travel was much easier this time because I had the bike to get around and I knew my way around Valparaiso.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6tBZr0SMO-NMeficF-Ku4i3SS9X_BStF5gOqcrPFiODQBYqYZsodMqQMmH5sBCNUHkygzev6D9NU0i5xqgFkVxWlUoa3kDK4ISpSCHdeh6z80WHV8ECV5CeL8AA6EwSwXfiRNBaIBNrGZ/s1600/IMG_1833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6tBZr0SMO-NMeficF-Ku4i3SS9X_BStF5gOqcrPFiODQBYqYZsodMqQMmH5sBCNUHkygzev6D9NU0i5xqgFkVxWlUoa3kDK4ISpSCHdeh6z80WHV8ECV5CeL8AA6EwSwXfiRNBaIBNrGZ/s640/IMG_1833.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCq9GUlhaHcUrGJV0_xA7mR6Z2sZeBvntvN1PaYp_e8GpYjuzDdlIpWFAdGAqHVrr6qjMdh4QyINX3v0mO5YYmNS6tVVjd1A8thBB26yZy0UKWDzUMBQfmz2sM43A4EqzCLFSM4RiX76Km/s1600/IMG_1841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCq9GUlhaHcUrGJV0_xA7mR6Z2sZeBvntvN1PaYp_e8GpYjuzDdlIpWFAdGAqHVrr6qjMdh4QyINX3v0mO5YYmNS6tVVjd1A8thBB26yZy0UKWDzUMBQfmz2sM43A4EqzCLFSM4RiX76Km/s640/IMG_1841.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Tear gas on the street of Valparaiso. Police chasing student demonstrators. From window of hostel.<br />
<br />
The last two days I spent updating blog and wandering around the streets of Valparaiso.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgt2mx0Hji9vUSzGiF3OhsNHC8-JuHAWCJKnsZKkPMNfJtrHLRV53CsZiaRG6g-A5rvInvkYAAPQPxlV2Bnw-G5yx3DR5uaXbQAiIWXcTDW-3ylLcicmT3UmyaucqM8FK5OSD6V_J51LH/s1600/IMG_1845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgt2mx0Hji9vUSzGiF3OhsNHC8-JuHAWCJKnsZKkPMNfJtrHLRV53CsZiaRG6g-A5rvInvkYAAPQPxlV2Bnw-G5yx3DR5uaXbQAiIWXcTDW-3ylLcicmT3UmyaucqM8FK5OSD6V_J51LH/s640/IMG_1845.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>Market in streets of Valparaiso.<br />
<br />
Now I'm back in New Zealand, & have been back at work for 5 days, I have a mountain of E-mails to catch up on and will start dreaming of my next adventure....I will always remember the hospitality & friendliness of the South Americans. Thinking back, some of the worst days of the trip especially the long days on dirt roads were the most memorable & challenging. Fellow motorcyclists that we met along the way were great company & we shared invaluable information on routes, hostels & places to eat. To everybody that made this trip so enjoyable, a big thank you.Motor Cycle Adventures: Golden Bay to Cape Hornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16601201946993138906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4310743008757337682.post-86660982838384820832012-03-14T17:50:00.000-07:002012-03-14T17:50:46.585-07:00Lima.Have you got a gun ?Joe and I met a Peruvian guy at breakfast who said we should contact his friend in Lima who was a motorcycle enthusiast for help finding parts and motorcycle shops.A good start to the day.We made our way down to Lima. The coast was dry and the scenery nothing to get excited about I ended getting a head of Joe and I was stopped by the Police for allegedly speeding. I stopped and had a wee chat and they let me go.No fine. So I stopped at a Police checkpoint just a few hundred metres on and spoke to the Police there and waited for Joe.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB5T_569avvgcBvVYxFpfNDCINVRq4UThIlqbUVIKRa43mWhm4_d3hL1MlTvR0UI3vGeLdzksmMhVjLV5nUSelKvxJk09rpJpjJ5i4PNrvEpGoO5_BHLf4O0CK-cjdjRIH1ik0ooSISaX-/s1600/Chimbote+Peru+to+Valparasio-Chile+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB5T_569avvgcBvVYxFpfNDCINVRq4UThIlqbUVIKRa43mWhm4_d3hL1MlTvR0UI3vGeLdzksmMhVjLV5nUSelKvxJk09rpJpjJ5i4PNrvEpGoO5_BHLf4O0CK-cjdjRIH1ik0ooSISaX-/s640/Chimbote+Peru+to+Valparasio-Chile+016.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Mean while Joe managed to have his Peru map blow away and then had to go back and retrieve what he could. He started to worry that he had passed me so he chased a another motorcyclist down and they told him I was up the road.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdu39fkNaIc9I0zLb7aoRre5SYPkrJa32-NRzk0TuYBYjmVoNfZimuWd7ZXTV-Kyme1q2usUyd-EbAR0MBQi4bMuvXxeX0EpOpL6CM_lcogZ7_9LJ2hLRzffwkvoQD_Pq0kfNWaIGT8Z9b/s1600/Chimbote+Peru+to+Valparasio-Chile+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdu39fkNaIc9I0zLb7aoRre5SYPkrJa32-NRzk0TuYBYjmVoNfZimuWd7ZXTV-Kyme1q2usUyd-EbAR0MBQi4bMuvXxeX0EpOpL6CM_lcogZ7_9LJ2hLRzffwkvoQD_Pq0kfNWaIGT8Z9b/s640/Chimbote+Peru+to+Valparasio-Chile+017.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Sugar cane.<br />
<br />
We stopped in a city which I wouldn't recommend called Barranca and sat beside a drunk in the restaurant who had a stall outside quite entertaining.<br />
<br />
We headed onto Lima and decided we would pass three slow moving trucks but to do that we had to cross double solid yellow lines.They were going so slow and you could see up the hill for miles. So we passed them. The next thing we were being pulled over by a Police vehicle.<br />
Two Police got out and started to speak to us in Spanish. I told them that I couldn't understand anything they said in English. We gave them our licences which was a mistake. I told them to write the ticket out it wasn't a problem.<br />
They were demanding we return with them to the local Police station I refused. Having done some reading on the Adventure motorcycle websites I knew they were going to demand we pay a bribe at the station, the boss would be there and they would refuse to give us back our drivers licence tell we payed.<br />
We had a stand off and I told to keep the drivers licence and we were going. In the end I was poked in the chest a few times and told off and they gave the drivers licence back we left and paid nothing.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxnjkedgxrRIbzRufXj6lUu7lFtnKoFuuxm-wBYD3FwlTdveZHZf0RxpkPph3fOgtifYSQwYbFV-B3wb3WmNdwr_w2fCtZjbWmzx356ufvDato36VKgYaVklNjivQgXrGWjDWRQ9xumwL3/s1600/Chimbote+Peru+to+Valparasio-Chile+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxnjkedgxrRIbzRufXj6lUu7lFtnKoFuuxm-wBYD3FwlTdveZHZf0RxpkPph3fOgtifYSQwYbFV-B3wb3WmNdwr_w2fCtZjbWmzx356ufvDato36VKgYaVklNjivQgXrGWjDWRQ9xumwL3/s640/Chimbote+Peru+to+Valparasio-Chile+028.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> Our journey into Lima couldn't have been timed much worse we arrived just after 5pm. Joe had made notes which he had in his tank bag. The part of the map we needed was floating around 250 km further south somewhere on the side of the road. My front steering head bearing was starting to go and my steering had become very stiff and locking up. Combined with three and four lane traffic and poorly sign posted roads the pressure was building. Lima drivers also like to cut across lanes in front of you. But they will warn you with a toot that they are close. I had two vehicles so close to me that if I had moved closer to them they would have been touching my pannier bags . So we had Joe in front as we got closer to the turn off on the motorway looking at signs ,traffic, his notes and trying not to leave me behind. We pulled off near where we thought we should be.<br />
<br />
We waved a passing motorcyclist over and Larco was able to lead us in the right direction. We pulled in the Plaza in Milflores and a women who spoke very good English wanted to know if we had a gun. Just as well we didn't because I felt like shooting some of the crazy Lima drivers.<br />
I was exhausted.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEm2_ylyPKEWhe0A4L516tlOTmKE34TOhEDmxMEygDZIfQHFIcAZ8jngHpYTrjMHexqZ4QF5zEyPQ8Jw4Sdaeo5f1aZMUnjbXri8FBjzs2nkNTxPUaJL1qIf5pPN3f1Fvf9lfvHRdLDy2/s1600/Chimbote+Peru+to+Valparasio-Chile+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEm2_ylyPKEWhe0A4L516tlOTmKE34TOhEDmxMEygDZIfQHFIcAZ8jngHpYTrjMHexqZ4QF5zEyPQ8Jw4Sdaeo5f1aZMUnjbXri8FBjzs2nkNTxPUaJL1qIf5pPN3f1Fvf9lfvHRdLDy2/s640/Chimbote+Peru+to+Valparasio-Chile+031.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>This women thought we should be carrying a gun with us.<br />
<br />
After trying a number of hostels we found a small hotel for a reasonable price with parking. Downtown Milfores is expensive compared to the rest of Lima.<br />
<br />
The next day we contact Edwin a local man who has a Kia dealership not far far away. He has done quite a bit of motrcycle touring and and was very helpful he took us to a local Suzuki dealer and we were both able to buy new front tyres. We came to his dealership and used his workshop and cleaning bay to clean the bikes change the tyres and oil on my bike.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHOH0xyfdwKVbyPZy6d6yBXnT_bQJ5Kha4eaWBl3lWOpyKWZ0N3fO2HaBikIrK-uIskYnPULXexNZSmIGpqKCCBiydtytwM_hoxcT-pzwRcd3bVJf2gxRSvgS9cHUfAsXDeJyXNuxS901/s1600/Chimbote+Peru+to+Valparasio-Chile+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHOH0xyfdwKVbyPZy6d6yBXnT_bQJ5Kha4eaWBl3lWOpyKWZ0N3fO2HaBikIrK-uIskYnPULXexNZSmIGpqKCCBiydtytwM_hoxcT-pzwRcd3bVJf2gxRSvgS9cHUfAsXDeJyXNuxS901/s640/Chimbote+Peru+to+Valparasio-Chile+036.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOOM7vfGiU3tNKg9Tcg_z3H81D6jlfuIq87m2id719qtRLJ0o_5yjdldMRX7cdduE5-sK0x8lxxW15ypDOZwmP17SspaYlKtb450SFE9cptSqPM9PE4kRv047nosLAZoj6W4Q7JN7V7J3H/s1600/Chimbote+Peru+to+Valparasio-Chile+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOOM7vfGiU3tNKg9Tcg_z3H81D6jlfuIq87m2id719qtRLJ0o_5yjdldMRX7cdduE5-sK0x8lxxW15ypDOZwmP17SspaYlKtb450SFE9cptSqPM9PE4kRv047nosLAZoj6W4Q7JN7V7J3H/s320/Chimbote+Peru+to+Valparasio-Chile+037.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> We went out for tea that night and had a few beers . Our last night together. I was a bit slow getting going the next day. It was sad to be separating but I have to get back to New Zealand to my long suffering wife and work. .<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Motor Cycle Adventures: Golden Bay to Cape Hornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16601201946993138906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4310743008757337682.post-48690896633226583242012-03-14T15:50:00.000-07:002012-03-14T15:50:34.943-07:00Canon del Pato -Chimbote.Pacific oceanFrom Caraz we headed north into the Canon del Pato. This route was unexpected surprise for me. For about 15 kilometres the gravel road ran through a very steep narrow canyon with 40 tunnels for vehicles.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiouyjdpW5wy12tLXmtTDpeSJO7r9DE_GX6tuKKPmHlz6578GYZRIdhUqKvhaZkP2wwv69_RxyL_zMSd49VHV8ie5nYQQ3vrg1qZuJpe_r1AzArqAg57O8qXJPbZGQa9-2TKEsI-R1b3Q6j/s1600/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiouyjdpW5wy12tLXmtTDpeSJO7r9DE_GX6tuKKPmHlz6578GYZRIdhUqKvhaZkP2wwv69_RxyL_zMSd49VHV8ie5nYQQ3vrg1qZuJpe_r1AzArqAg57O8qXJPbZGQa9-2TKEsI-R1b3Q6j/s640/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+140.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>Twenty five km from Caraz the road turned to gravel. Joe and I stopped many times to take photographs and some video footage.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaU6R8Mfe79W0UcdJi0J0HDeX7hCcrKmXfTYoDV3-RToNSEQiDx3LHyImJSgV8Rd7IkY9z3pA-vCVjPb7VerSHFOLZRAPrPWIFspoW43Srz7YpH36dBuENVS5YAjkcwYDyL9tt9UxCRcRw/s1600/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaU6R8Mfe79W0UcdJi0J0HDeX7hCcrKmXfTYoDV3-RToNSEQiDx3LHyImJSgV8Rd7IkY9z3pA-vCVjPb7VerSHFOLZRAPrPWIFspoW43Srz7YpH36dBuENVS5YAjkcwYDyL9tt9UxCRcRw/s640/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+146.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwI1MNwWk_AhxB6Yb4Hq1Sn0oZKCUwjn5gYLUnPC_Q1MhfBXR85eOR2trNl2-9Tm2qJbJv_ikTToq8QA20LZYDjd4JZLogDG7yG8rgZlL6UfAhZyOOz23x8bh81HdZ1n8dg1ePHqp9FZuE/s1600/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwI1MNwWk_AhxB6Yb4Hq1Sn0oZKCUwjn5gYLUnPC_Q1MhfBXR85eOR2trNl2-9Tm2qJbJv_ikTToq8QA20LZYDjd4JZLogDG7yG8rgZlL6UfAhZyOOz23x8bh81HdZ1n8dg1ePHqp9FZuE/s640/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+151.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihaYYcsXNLEtuCvTZQ0HJS-ROKJ5A0bcJ6ThW-_BglGzhn1yDQM9-pqEfxCbCzxso-7s1PDIUiAn2D0jkVoeRY8dK7pXg7RRJ3qanaeozBgURVYcvvD3c1-90nVoP2fENuRIHuSofpH-B9/s1600/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihaYYcsXNLEtuCvTZQ0HJS-ROKJ5A0bcJ6ThW-_BglGzhn1yDQM9-pqEfxCbCzxso-7s1PDIUiAn2D0jkVoeRY8dK7pXg7RRJ3qanaeozBgURVYcvvD3c1-90nVoP2fENuRIHuSofpH-B9/s640/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+156.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>We stopped in Huallanca a hydro electric service town and had a drink. Suddenly after quite a few weeks we had lost some altitude and it was hot and sunny again, we could get rid of some clothing.<br />
The ride out was interesting with more canyon to negotiate with dust now and rough roads with roads that hadn't seen a grader for a while. Large gravel aggregate made concentration a must.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaU6R8Mfe79W0UcdJi0J0HDeX7hCcrKmXfTYoDV3-RToNSEQiDx3LHyImJSgV8Rd7IkY9z3pA-vCVjPb7VerSHFOLZRAPrPWIFspoW43Srz7YpH36dBuENVS5YAjkcwYDyL9tt9UxCRcRw/s1600/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaU6R8Mfe79W0UcdJi0J0HDeX7hCcrKmXfTYoDV3-RToNSEQiDx3LHyImJSgV8Rd7IkY9z3pA-vCVjPb7VerSHFOLZRAPrPWIFspoW43Srz7YpH36dBuENVS5YAjkcwYDyL9tt9UxCRcRw/s640/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+146.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimpm3vrYiB1pQwGlTNT6UKC70P8XiH4JFWpVwhAOYStL4GZM73S4y5C8M_NIj-gKEzIF689XlSaac4tRY6PZ8URRj1v9lwbhRfxffO0KUmWASiIE-bd2otNebhtTp7L5mdIsWFkVLcnpAW/s1600/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimpm3vrYiB1pQwGlTNT6UKC70P8XiH4JFWpVwhAOYStL4GZM73S4y5C8M_NIj-gKEzIF689XlSaac4tRY6PZ8URRj1v9lwbhRfxffO0KUmWASiIE-bd2otNebhtTp7L5mdIsWFkVLcnpAW/s640/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+159.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> The hydo trucks all had these mesh cages over them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJdQEzrbUkVzx0ZPkP68L31woh4pRjS2SapI-dgm4U8j_sGbXFHmVQUNnMldTk71DTs9JmZKZNiFn7F9o16Iw4J56AMtjjGbkYts9mDF0ltrrG_N-nkCj6qaXOwEFBEGnjKEIxaRa40l1w/s1600/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJdQEzrbUkVzx0ZPkP68L31woh4pRjS2SapI-dgm4U8j_sGbXFHmVQUNnMldTk71DTs9JmZKZNiFn7F9o16Iw4J56AMtjjGbkYts9mDF0ltrrG_N-nkCj6qaXOwEFBEGnjKEIxaRa40l1w/s640/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+160.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>As we headed west down to Chimbote and the Pacific ocean I hit a rock that threw my rear wheel sideways what seemed like a foot whilst I travelling at 80km/h another close call. Not many people living in this area dry and arid.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3eWQUimExpxt5SWkC27t4v0anf8eu4O4YPxKOH78qjNZwctcrazRNJQNFqrMbw2uk7UrHNu5apSeCh3f4IXaAnobYjmTuLdUqgOX31jIwzGftTk_H5mEG3gfUHH5C_89CILsmCVI5ZOg/s1600/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3eWQUimExpxt5SWkC27t4v0anf8eu4O4YPxKOH78qjNZwctcrazRNJQNFqrMbw2uk7UrHNu5apSeCh3f4IXaAnobYjmTuLdUqgOX31jIwzGftTk_H5mEG3gfUHH5C_89CILsmCVI5ZOg/s640/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+164.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0xXo2nJ0v8q473tbMVwwx81NxsZCb1W-awhoAKl_J6M-e1-A69joj4_rfpwt0woq_GRzrV7YRiziSSw1_Ob4-zESLNPdoDnoTDqRIy1Oqb1S-6G_T-2Zes-C3t_7JGdYDovZcfGDLBUcK/s1600/Chimbote+Peru+to+Valparasio-Chile+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0xXo2nJ0v8q473tbMVwwx81NxsZCb1W-awhoAKl_J6M-e1-A69joj4_rfpwt0woq_GRzrV7YRiziSSw1_Ob4-zESLNPdoDnoTDqRIy1Oqb1S-6G_T-2Zes-C3t_7JGdYDovZcfGDLBUcK/s640/Chimbote+Peru+to+Valparasio-Chile+007.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-TWGhLKkYjr8CsnB-Eca7A_E0EuS92RKlSeGHHV-fRcr9vOZwNET27FhzRudVYKjoEZpTU4EMCcjrSVXlGjrToJqTUpZ-eIPhXDDxCLNaBzWJgHvfqZ-WxqKuNUmbZu_lob1Re-nO9u5p/s1600/Chimbote+Peru+to+Valparasio-Chile+008.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-TWGhLKkYjr8CsnB-Eca7A_E0EuS92RKlSeGHHV-fRcr9vOZwNET27FhzRudVYKjoEZpTU4EMCcjrSVXlGjrToJqTUpZ-eIPhXDDxCLNaBzWJgHvfqZ-WxqKuNUmbZu_lob1Re-nO9u5p/s320/Chimbote+Peru+to+Valparasio-Chile+008.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>We got about 80km from Chimbote the road returned to tar seal and land was being irrigated with crops of cotton and berries. Chimbote was a busy city with traffic honking on there horns and trying to run pedestrians over. The smell of the fish plants was strong and many fishing boats were moored in the sheltered bay at Chimbote, We found a hotel that had seen better days. It had hot water and wifi of sorts.Joe got a haircut for three dollars NZ. I was starting to lose the plot with Peruvian drivers who never give way to you on pedestrian crossings.Motor Cycle Adventures: Golden Bay to Cape Hornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16601201946993138906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4310743008757337682.post-54515401461684305022012-03-14T14:31:00.002-07:002012-03-14T14:48:39.186-07:00Huaraz -Quebrada Ulta and Laguna LlanganucoHuaraz : 3090 metres above sea level. It is the main city in the Callejon de Huaylas with a population of over 120,000. Huaraz is the centre for high altitude sports and outdoor activities.The city was completely destroyed by an earthquake in May 1970.Within its duration of 45 seconds virtually every structure in Huaraz's city centre was destroyed. Within a few minutes the north of the city was obliterated by an avalanche of icy mud carrying boulders and other debris. As many as 20,000 people were killed.<br />
The city is 420m north of Lima. There are many stores offering trekking or guided climbing trips.The central part of Huaraz is nothing to write home about. But further north in the town you have views of the mountains which are spectacular.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhShO7mt_5Iz-XuijIgoRLQq8kJ-HTklzDC0pif0Ft-EpicIlKuXGzbd1uF3JdQQEiDAugLpJmc40fZrmXyZuCadWF-BOJqIxZf7VGSDMllKZKccDwKtP_gTZqV-4CV8ZJ0h3Y4o69zD1MP/s1600/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhShO7mt_5Iz-XuijIgoRLQq8kJ-HTklzDC0pif0Ft-EpicIlKuXGzbd1uF3JdQQEiDAugLpJmc40fZrmXyZuCadWF-BOJqIxZf7VGSDMllKZKccDwKtP_gTZqV-4CV8ZJ0h3Y4o69zD1MP/s640/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+076.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>We decided to ride up a valley just south of the city after a couple of false starts we found the right road. Roads are not marked very well and asking people doesn't always help.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSN_H4WJu1gBUzj0qriFbMIJ9IdPmebGXM1YSGQ1v23Kx08VzR6n-MonstSfW18nUlhLQHTl1oupfWcaDRDqDLG6dDO7ZXiYkpbiHwPnhVll1pqBNP_HQ46CLgtTHwWJP-xboYGjlBQVYx/s1600/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSN_H4WJu1gBUzj0qriFbMIJ9IdPmebGXM1YSGQ1v23Kx08VzR6n-MonstSfW18nUlhLQHTl1oupfWcaDRDqDLG6dDO7ZXiYkpbiHwPnhVll1pqBNP_HQ46CLgtTHwWJP-xboYGjlBQVYx/s640/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+053.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Donkeys being used to transport bags of cement to a building site.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcO7LN2YsxLgmg1A1BkpzSV-jck27N85vRfNsH60_KPrgm38A7smx7Ph5iT4__1L2CY-X0EchI-ez4Vfncu2AWwh6UXaZwGo3-tBhQVSJ_e-nblDi9zcntcUrSSEMAkMNjlA4HyxKZzmZ/s1600/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcO7LN2YsxLgmg1A1BkpzSV-jck27N85vRfNsH60_KPrgm38A7smx7Ph5iT4__1L2CY-X0EchI-ez4Vfncu2AWwh6UXaZwGo3-tBhQVSJ_e-nblDi9zcntcUrSSEMAkMNjlA4HyxKZzmZ/s640/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+060.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Quebrada Rajucolta valley south of of Huaraz. Not sure if the hut is for people or stock. Further up the valley a padlocked gate stopped our progress.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_kTAbr4jpcD3A_Sh6KKON7o_ockSkw7bARLSosJe07NeOhZy1U7_nUfj6skq6vTXoeNHN1WaKu6Nt_JQHhXCMkBk2gX6t5NHRCD052-hIGsH35ch7ufu-SMA77JyRhLZee05Uis8TI7Fu/s1600/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_kTAbr4jpcD3A_Sh6KKON7o_ockSkw7bARLSosJe07NeOhZy1U7_nUfj6skq6vTXoeNHN1WaKu6Nt_JQHhXCMkBk2gX6t5NHRCD052-hIGsH35ch7ufu-SMA77JyRhLZee05Uis8TI7Fu/s640/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+059.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Bugger. Locked gate 7 km walk up to terminal lake.<br />
<br />
After another day of catching up on chores. We decided to head north of Huaraz to a town called Carhuaz we then headed east up the Quedbrada Ulta valley and another high altitude pass. After going through some major road reconstruction we came onto a nice knew tar sealed road with no traffic on it. The government is obviously intending to make this a major tourist route in the future.<br />
But for the moment we had one of the most assume sealed and gravel high altitude routes pretty much to our selves.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnIXagxo2BXsChYViLcP-HNfCzRP4Ia1__heSERs0BkTLzbJDQRf44jdHDxP5aJMy3KZdTZXcevq4_9ZRfJrRRt3mNhordStKfndUTDkDktwWsKoGvMrPEU76Vch_O55wLkbBLs2qVVM1a/s1600/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnIXagxo2BXsChYViLcP-HNfCzRP4Ia1__heSERs0BkTLzbJDQRf44jdHDxP5aJMy3KZdTZXcevq4_9ZRfJrRRt3mNhordStKfndUTDkDktwWsKoGvMrPEU76Vch_O55wLkbBLs2qVVM1a/s640/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+079.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Huascaran 6768 metres ?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio_zq2qvTICdIWGRTuIygWPSiO7bp9cGyvTxwyEzaSjw4DGD1nOQiQe0nl4FTzU7CIJOWMLvzZwu76PyNOL2bDRpdzz0PTScgURfD1_ecGQcOFtLZc4YumElHnYDiSxf75_uOagoP5_bYL/s1600/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio_zq2qvTICdIWGRTuIygWPSiO7bp9cGyvTxwyEzaSjw4DGD1nOQiQe0nl4FTzU7CIJOWMLvzZwu76PyNOL2bDRpdzz0PTScgURfD1_ecGQcOFtLZc4YumElHnYDiSxf75_uOagoP5_bYL/s640/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+094.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwoG6k47lzX-bnbVC-MjhPYIcybVFXxrptxibyihw92I6y-cItLGlCWYiUvTPu8XftRMm0CESsO3j-k3PtT9VA2pk5yjUs2qWMZlXPi949w4q9Ghh_oH9xpkYiK_B7FWWoQVst67FpZTuY/s1600/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwoG6k47lzX-bnbVC-MjhPYIcybVFXxrptxibyihw92I6y-cItLGlCWYiUvTPu8XftRMm0CESsO3j-k3PtT9VA2pk5yjUs2qWMZlXPi949w4q9Ghh_oH9xpkYiK_B7FWWoQVst67FpZTuY/s640/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+090.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNins2hteW2PdqJuuR2V7Dh-zc8mhoALre73VqQ-pAtX3VcTlNUE27e5dz9BEsvAxFexXXIBhBGj-PpUOvA2d58Z2i3OPvMLsUsxJ1uzSiWS4he3PuP9nznKmsLWq3361Gj42p1x8R0Wak/s1600/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNins2hteW2PdqJuuR2V7Dh-zc8mhoALre73VqQ-pAtX3VcTlNUE27e5dz9BEsvAxFexXXIBhBGj-PpUOvA2d58Z2i3OPvMLsUsxJ1uzSiWS4he3PuP9nznKmsLWq3361Gj42p1x8R0Wak/s640/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+098.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0VBb1TElzPoiTSzg5yMslv061a5-9MZ1p9PnV5bSi2jxTEE2BBs9eFQtFTOCrXsUNux7y4vWukGSeZ_WRVPAsPow32LngReBaXP6OLOSgZO9WyWLFtjOC1zXxDsmSPYWXKi8wGHqpOw4R/s1600/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0VBb1TElzPoiTSzg5yMslv061a5-9MZ1p9PnV5bSi2jxTEE2BBs9eFQtFTOCrXsUNux7y4vWukGSeZ_WRVPAsPow32LngReBaXP6OLOSgZO9WyWLFtjOC1zXxDsmSPYWXKi8wGHqpOw4R/s640/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+102.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Punta Olimpica 4890 metres. Getting slippery and narrow on the top.The highest point on our adventure so far.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8mF8X5cjbRFlKUzd4NzyGgLKeMwNBfii4Z-Z8hc9Spd5IY3Igso2EvMVHBBjhqXSpL5kMvZqX2xdEIQxRzh7AuYNXd9Cft43w3DV3FcaXL6ImcmoNyetPS_BFKYLj8-HdxrKEI61UzQFO/s1600/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8mF8X5cjbRFlKUzd4NzyGgLKeMwNBfii4Z-Z8hc9Spd5IY3Igso2EvMVHBBjhqXSpL5kMvZqX2xdEIQxRzh7AuYNXd9Cft43w3DV3FcaXL6ImcmoNyetPS_BFKYLj8-HdxrKEI61UzQFO/s640/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+104.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>Looking back up to Punta Olimpica<br />
<br />
We stopped for lunch at Chacas. No tourists in this little town. People were steering at us like we had two heads. Off the tourist route now. Joe did a great job of navigating us over to Yanama on unmarked roads with our map which is okay if you are on the main roads.But scale not great. Route started to get pretty bad but then came right.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3mk4p7oC2REGS1mWUqVPCLutFHV1alsx6acSEtXzqgzkTTGt0Y9ISN5kqCJG6r1FrKtH_AnJ4t49R_4s4hDIyPEKUPRRaMHi6PcoZ2b8RxlPzKmOalxDpf9ahs0Ekaa3OmSOEaoeZPvl/s1600/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3mk4p7oC2REGS1mWUqVPCLutFHV1alsx6acSEtXzqgzkTTGt0Y9ISN5kqCJG6r1FrKtH_AnJ4t49R_4s4hDIyPEKUPRRaMHi6PcoZ2b8RxlPzKmOalxDpf9ahs0Ekaa3OmSOEaoeZPvl/s400/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+108.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The road got worse. These guys were going the same way as us.Okay on the bikes .Joe pushing. They wouldn't have got much further . Road got muddier and steeper.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0cztgV19U8CGcY0XD_7XgwAmOPCmYt5aZaUI-rO5Q432uv-G28QvEzjb_feGh1_LYKZhUvOBTM0LEHhwz3cQsHCe0rA-bzc0Sa2BvIofDxrZ5E4cNIQiF8CT7vUSV6TJSCoO_XAQoaudI/s1600/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0cztgV19U8CGcY0XD_7XgwAmOPCmYt5aZaUI-rO5Q432uv-G28QvEzjb_feGh1_LYKZhUvOBTM0LEHhwz3cQsHCe0rA-bzc0Sa2BvIofDxrZ5E4cNIQiF8CT7vUSV6TJSCoO_XAQoaudI/s640/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+114.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>Heading west again and up to Portachuelo 4767 metres.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1YlTXC8o_1xEBPQ5VVTHYxq51I7DLFCLM0DT81dFvO8ZnspbNz4hEXb9v26JU4tjBpP6PRApxzUUUxeeIGRmWqkEOC7VaMLeGXVm_qDYQ_dVVDJBjiXa5wdmF0hr36cBp2NFjgVF2b7Dz/s1600/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1YlTXC8o_1xEBPQ5VVTHYxq51I7DLFCLM0DT81dFvO8ZnspbNz4hEXb9v26JU4tjBpP6PRApxzUUUxeeIGRmWqkEOC7VaMLeGXVm_qDYQ_dVVDJBjiXa5wdmF0hr36cBp2NFjgVF2b7Dz/s640/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+121.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>Portachuelo paso 4767 metres<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqAUn7B5WZqR3MdjDXM9ohjF9Flkc66TAJdUnDLbAHKC5cNvsWWee9UrAB-Q4DXh95BnCbZ9PwQPjlmKoWKS-Hlhh5IlVa4n11aJwxckFVK0bQj-PRd63qCAis9LH_CrAIA_cwZePtuhef/s1600/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqAUn7B5WZqR3MdjDXM9ohjF9Flkc66TAJdUnDLbAHKC5cNvsWWee9UrAB-Q4DXh95BnCbZ9PwQPjlmKoWKS-Hlhh5IlVa4n11aJwxckFVK0bQj-PRd63qCAis9LH_CrAIA_cwZePtuhef/s640/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+118.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>This road dropped over 2000 metres in a series switch backs. Very steep not a great place to go to sleep.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8K7hOv2Krg-RoEjb2HnNQ4b2f0yrd8xQkagnAPUGUVHoXZZBmyKKg-ukU-VW7xcT8yYf91oCoaGUResHkBixcNYJYzJfbUvzsF_bCB1W4THxOGveOj9aNukNU4LDeeoZBr8iuangv0fIS/s1600/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8K7hOv2Krg-RoEjb2HnNQ4b2f0yrd8xQkagnAPUGUVHoXZZBmyKKg-ukU-VW7xcT8yYf91oCoaGUResHkBixcNYJYzJfbUvzsF_bCB1W4THxOGveOj9aNukNU4LDeeoZBr8iuangv0fIS/s640/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+124.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>A few crosses on one of the corners.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQs2yEeXt1W7_-FyMesmqYEf0NAcWBXBXTkyXLtszFrjsUGuds7KlR5-eOmsfvWLD0YMSIxz02WM_Ff712aufzGLbIgF-tknw-64o6t9tnJXhyMCdgfeZef-USd-uu5-vs06yUD7WjOXh/s1600/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQs2yEeXt1W7_-FyMesmqYEf0NAcWBXBXTkyXLtszFrjsUGuds7KlR5-eOmsfvWLD0YMSIxz02WM_Ff712aufzGLbIgF-tknw-64o6t9tnJXhyMCdgfeZef-USd-uu5-vs06yUD7WjOXh/s640/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+129.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Laguna Llanganuco heading down to Yungay.<br />
<br />
Yuncay is another town that was obliterated by a huge avalanche of water in recent times resulting in many deaths<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrb0rR1uRYlZFiltftgE2aJK1xIVQDeJK_REThvSHn3nYwGsQFRJnbjIhG0_44zOc-EMke3ujiXGaf2rJvEySy6bKR0ZjSNdc75BikvtC7E9kNhUPuf1KBY0hLcoJQ8qVNOOlNAHQNnT8_/s1600/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrb0rR1uRYlZFiltftgE2aJK1xIVQDeJK_REThvSHn3nYwGsQFRJnbjIhG0_44zOc-EMke3ujiXGaf2rJvEySy6bKR0ZjSNdc75BikvtC7E9kNhUPuf1KBY0hLcoJQ8qVNOOlNAHQNnT8_/s640/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+137.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
Took the advice of the Lonely Planet guide book and decided to stay in Caraz. Nice town. We were allowed to park bikes inside hostel. A long day, great riding.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Motor Cycle Adventures: Golden Bay to Cape Hornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16601201946993138906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4310743008757337682.post-68782267371137453372012-03-14T12:21:00.001-07:002012-03-14T12:28:18.598-07:00Huancayo to HuarazWe spent 3 or 4 days resting at the La Casa Buela hostel in Huancayo getting the blog updated cleaning bikes and riding gear.I changed my rear tyre which had lasted since Punta Arenas-. The owner of the hostel is married to a New Zealander and his grown children living in New Zealand. We had to move on and headed toward to Huaraz and the Cordillera Blanca mountains and many snow capped peaks over 5000 metres.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifPTr5QUXiiroXm6xo-XxIlkMCeXXZOfmDxIBk5fN1ARhdHqxtyC539lTTa7_DOMggdSqh6DeCp0dtDhqcm1LNnV7YW44KXScnsJSjNH3JiOid9V4n58TIVV3ah7pM7UmeNAPxw3y2vtX6/s1600/huancuyo+to+Huarez+665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifPTr5QUXiiroXm6xo-XxIlkMCeXXZOfmDxIBk5fN1ARhdHqxtyC539lTTa7_DOMggdSqh6DeCp0dtDhqcm1LNnV7YW44KXScnsJSjNH3JiOid9V4n58TIVV3ah7pM7UmeNAPxw3y2vtX6/s640/huancuyo+to+Huarez+665.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Lunch stop and this guy was having a sheep head soup.Not for me thanks.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1cfaZ5T7kUOown9ok7JXvVRTxlWdsbK2iel988AT564smPcW35ERU46Pi_asiy8dcw8g_5qYvqA452b5I7jl4nYwYUgeQv4Mn__JBhTx0FTsvsHQ1r4bWC8dgDb4fO6uNSq8mKGvz4yK/s1600/huancuyo+to+Huarez+666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1cfaZ5T7kUOown9ok7JXvVRTxlWdsbK2iel988AT564smPcW35ERU46Pi_asiy8dcw8g_5qYvqA452b5I7jl4nYwYUgeQv4Mn__JBhTx0FTsvsHQ1r4bWC8dgDb4fO6uNSq8mKGvz4yK/s640/huancuyo+to+Huarez+666.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Buying lunch for the restaurant and haggling over price.<br />
<br />
The day was all tar seal and we headed through La Oroyo a mining town which had the unenviable reputation as one of the most polluted places in the world.Stayed the night in Huancho in a hotel.<br />
<br />
The next we had the goal of getting to Huaraz before dark.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx6_RwohAQIfAn-IN47qy_VGJRPCROJSN6imgIi5w-MzqXaDameJi_OvFwWnvvuPxtsBYcdla3zd0ysAMaYZhNhf-MeLKYGK89IQjjM51qPHgz87qqZDJqmVHzMRjLA_-xPGjD4RJtWy-M/s1600/huancuyo+to+Huarez+677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx6_RwohAQIfAn-IN47qy_VGJRPCROJSN6imgIi5w-MzqXaDameJi_OvFwWnvvuPxtsBYcdla3zd0ysAMaYZhNhf-MeLKYGK89IQjjM51qPHgz87qqZDJqmVHzMRjLA_-xPGjD4RJtWy-M/s640/huancuyo+to+Huarez+677.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Another sheep getting tranported about.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghFWBFFezTJz_dPv-HGvGUcsZMEwgbvMrsE8kesSHF2QzV8UXqCuar3FuaT5NEGIYzsFOti0bdUJXHxAqQ1bHJAHML3NgDBFub4oRSMJq7icgH6hB2bgPJQpsKmHzh7vvuTUgJRcAq8JRA/s1600/huancuyo+to+Huarez+681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghFWBFFezTJz_dPv-HGvGUcsZMEwgbvMrsE8kesSHF2QzV8UXqCuar3FuaT5NEGIYzsFOti0bdUJXHxAqQ1bHJAHML3NgDBFub4oRSMJq7icgH6hB2bgPJQpsKmHzh7vvuTUgJRcAq8JRA/s640/huancuyo+to+Huarez+681.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>Cleaning dishes at road edge.<br />
<br />
We decided go via a gravel road over a high pass and dropping down into the Rio Santa valley, but we had a few hiccups the day started to close in on us because of the gravel roads and slow speed we were travelling at and we had to make a decision . Ride over a high pass on a route that could turn horrible or take the tar seal and play it safe. We decided to to take the gravel route which looked more direct.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-MpMH1nOvbPl59cAw7PMEUPP5cs91NvOcecWLKQ_NrGTh_1MaOgrFLhDCmO1IFYLFL5VouXZ3q0i_ZSIL5BM1RiwXXtEYQTsTW1I7ktrlfPwwNOrS_yqVY-t5JjGVaKgcNQ2qs956FcJY/s1600/huancuyo+to+Huarez+706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-MpMH1nOvbPl59cAw7PMEUPP5cs91NvOcecWLKQ_NrGTh_1MaOgrFLhDCmO1IFYLFL5VouXZ3q0i_ZSIL5BM1RiwXXtEYQTsTW1I7ktrlfPwwNOrS_yqVY-t5JjGVaKgcNQ2qs956FcJY/s640/huancuyo+to+Huarez+706.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaQTHzXu1ouhHHlK6QnFiJhFL9fZeU9lWoa0yixAV8AU76ryKG7luffYGO_tNcOlZ55YxsCvKp9XoyxkSqi_6qs9d5M-o4q3xbWZPOTqw5OBx7EDkV2kD1Z4Dk9nu2hAEsjEUrCZzqjmSj/s1600/huancuyo+to+Huarez+708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaQTHzXu1ouhHHlK6QnFiJhFL9fZeU9lWoa0yixAV8AU76ryKG7luffYGO_tNcOlZ55YxsCvKp9XoyxkSqi_6qs9d5M-o4q3xbWZPOTqw5OBx7EDkV2kD1Z4Dk9nu2hAEsjEUrCZzqjmSj/s640/huancuyo+to+Huarez+708.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Its getting late its snowing,its cold the road is getting slippery. Bald tyre. We are at 4300 metres and only 15 km into route.We decided to turn around.Now its getting even later. My googles completely fog up at one point so quickly that I have to stop quickly before I ride over edge. Heart rate goes up abit.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGfiG5w2JC4nDsJaLXOIAdz-WRh4WNg_RYYL-j65rUdeRkVmgx5vIu5RQYT9olt04JJh8GEfajZZEy6SNQ-Hab3JerZMr1Q5iAdevCsmd1YlwsqPKX3TVbnW1fqboK6WqG_FTe2aJmM2mE/s1600/huancuyo+to+Huarez+709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGfiG5w2JC4nDsJaLXOIAdz-WRh4WNg_RYYL-j65rUdeRkVmgx5vIu5RQYT9olt04JJh8GEfajZZEy6SNQ-Hab3JerZMr1Q5iAdevCsmd1YlwsqPKX3TVbnW1fqboK6WqG_FTe2aJmM2mE/s640/huancuyo+to+Huarez+709.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Wet and getting cold.<br />
<br />
We start to go faster to get to Huaraz before it gets dark. I end up riding in the dark for about 30 minutes. Its something I try to avoid because of chances of having an accident increase .I end hitting a rock I didn't see, then just miss a dog. Also stopped by the Police at a check point again no problems though. Find a cheap prison type hostel.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47m4FqhzpbgQqtvAJDhNT6Bu4oi17dGo0QD-yBaN3RaPPczEMtQUgkCl_o5YlyOg2QQ7hZvmodYoMMEnkZ6rF2tOreWW4-Cbljjnooli8ntda2v47b1Cgvk5yH86g7EOtLdtJLp5I0ZcG/s1600/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47m4FqhzpbgQqtvAJDhNT6Bu4oi17dGo0QD-yBaN3RaPPczEMtQUgkCl_o5YlyOg2QQ7hZvmodYoMMEnkZ6rF2tOreWW4-Cbljjnooli8ntda2v47b1Cgvk5yH86g7EOtLdtJLp5I0ZcG/s640/Huaraz+to+Canon+del+Pato+068.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>Motor Cycle Adventures: Golden Bay to Cape Hornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16601201946993138906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4310743008757337682.post-818466194240952422012-02-24T10:19:00.002-08:002012-02-24T12:00:55.995-08:00Wet season in Peru<span lang="">After a rest day in Cusco and more cold rainy weather it was hard to get enthusiastic about setting off. We where about to head right along Andean high lands on a route dotted with small towns connected by dirt roads and more than likely centred right in the wettest part of the country in the middle of the wet season. This was going to be interesting.<br />
<br />
<br />
</span><br />
<span lang=""></span><br />
<span lang=""></span><br />
<span lang=""><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMJ0l85-U-UEcPQZkQga6aA2qrAG9YqIuY9c1Xapki7RM5cGVlzHUKDNc9ErtEmVo4zgANL9UR8LEDMXtmXyQcDMLhrzckN8sJIN3OghCksU-_dVipaRxAOkGJjiZcDbeTSiiYfr7_E1c/s1600/122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMJ0l85-U-UEcPQZkQga6aA2qrAG9YqIuY9c1Xapki7RM5cGVlzHUKDNc9ErtEmVo4zgANL9UR8LEDMXtmXyQcDMLhrzckN8sJIN3OghCksU-_dVipaRxAOkGJjiZcDbeTSiiYfr7_E1c/s640/122.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of Water about</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
Them there hills are big mothers. After lunch in Abancay we left the pavement and wound our way into the network of dirt roads. After 30km and about an 3/4 hour Abancay was still just over there, what the heck, had we been travelling in circles? well this hill was so damn big that it had taken all of that time just to climb up out of the valley.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFDkNMNGyTUMotUMndjPfNiBErrcZ8my4n849GwZvTtQ0XP5dJTplGpSmdPTRwCaWN_8QiO5wlZIFaFDDIw25yWwdkjYhTqg5lB_ZMQa9FXmTQTdVFSmwX6BiXVxy50PQoLmPErBYecFK/s1600/124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFDkNMNGyTUMotUMndjPfNiBErrcZ8my4n849GwZvTtQ0XP5dJTplGpSmdPTRwCaWN_8QiO5wlZIFaFDDIw25yWwdkjYhTqg5lB_ZMQa9FXmTQTdVFSmwX6BiXVxy50PQoLmPErBYecFK/s640/124.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the big climbs</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ9Kgl4hg2Z8Tgg6-_cRnOyx2lhjb2_-A8UhEnxMl5op5waJODCZeS2I9_LxAojB_3H4yl7Th3kjz0-W7ngePBJGCnnFXCtrBJfWlXGtJi-6I8_kYtxjqYs1DkjDbn7EpLZlrRKhRevPiC/s1600/123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ9Kgl4hg2Z8Tgg6-_cRnOyx2lhjb2_-A8UhEnxMl5op5waJODCZeS2I9_LxAojB_3H4yl7Th3kjz0-W7ngePBJGCnnFXCtrBJfWlXGtJi-6I8_kYtxjqYs1DkjDbn7EpLZlrRKhRevPiC/s640/123.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohYfq8JYd2J5IuEtACTCem5muFsIQSQLTIxaKYDdmbNul3Z1AOIC5dnBiY8KjZcZIrasF_t8g8aDkEtS8xRi2bJiv_g-HI37gEFXAhfBIe5m1m5fMf7ms8n8tnvdd5SBu_XHfzMokWtsL/s1600/126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohYfq8JYd2J5IuEtACTCem5muFsIQSQLTIxaKYDdmbNul3Z1AOIC5dnBiY8KjZcZIrasF_t8g8aDkEtS8xRi2bJiv_g-HI37gEFXAhfBIe5m1m5fMf7ms8n8tnvdd5SBu_XHfzMokWtsL/s640/126.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crops growing up high on the hills</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
Without an accurate map it was with relieve that at the end of the day a decent size town called Andahuaylas emerged out of the mist. It was obvious that not to many tourist make it through these parts, we got many hola's and waves as we rode around town looking for some accommodation. The next day it was more up and down. Down in the valleys it was tropical and hot, up on the tops it was snowy and cold. Luckily for most of the day it was clear and sunny and we got big views as we traversed big ridges on not so big roads containing rather big buses. Care was required to avoid a head on. The bus drivers over here are nuts. The road just kept on going and this was bloody awesome stuff. We were still up high when the heaven's opened up and it was a cold and wet end to the day as we ascended into Ayaucho.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZsJjZzOZ9d4t-WSAHNUd3FXlT0z4hcPTWKqweqNwpWU3zPGNKKp_1GK5sH3Mrg0VhsWWWgXsn18kK96P1FbA5HiPPrXb78ocTIa3IwD3wCkwd-Xm-Ju6HjX2b3QmBKuc1E2ir5iFi1JD/s1600/128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZsJjZzOZ9d4t-WSAHNUd3FXlT0z4hcPTWKqweqNwpWU3zPGNKKp_1GK5sH3Mrg0VhsWWWgXsn18kK96P1FbA5HiPPrXb78ocTIa3IwD3wCkwd-Xm-Ju6HjX2b3QmBKuc1E2ir5iFi1JD/s640/128.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Break time in Uripa</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_G5mGPOlUSU9jtE1jXHHEHc5inVH4r7ovSyfVkY2GKS6shyG7U8-jknJZMbkMl47Wk_9i_RM4RlIlGuXQPSw88igzVEZ6ePEctlOrE8ZW0fdlhuWjXvwDYRB2WyZMAsXnepWykTKksQOZ/s1600/131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_G5mGPOlUSU9jtE1jXHHEHc5inVH4r7ovSyfVkY2GKS6shyG7U8-jknJZMbkMl47Wk_9i_RM4RlIlGuXQPSw88igzVEZ6ePEctlOrE8ZW0fdlhuWjXvwDYRB2WyZMAsXnepWykTKksQOZ/s640/131.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Removing thermal liners down in the tropics</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg95pSeL-ocvYjmmOXXoZx_JUgqC9bKgKo38V-xsC0QCdZXJ2y2XIMy4Ze4TuYNR_FtDFhpcZfDhvCriIWOedNcuwBxiY5HCXI4jCzcliKRKtKuM6hos85rmhDvvUtq5YTR4MSPmBEstVpo/s1600/139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg95pSeL-ocvYjmmOXXoZx_JUgqC9bKgKo38V-xsC0QCdZXJ2y2XIMy4Ze4TuYNR_FtDFhpcZfDhvCriIWOedNcuwBxiY5HCXI4jCzcliKRKtKuM6hos85rmhDvvUtq5YTR4MSPmBEstVpo/s640/139.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJW2ZLEH24rMLes0kU8mh2BOnJuZOVCavoRqwdQa6xb431-SxEYbPlu_39N2LsERMwb3lumvyXDLMl3Dq2lUjeQeysSUqpb4r_DRwTabYjLTCj3uvSIqwi0DWLp60ghLYpIhFy73qOSs5d/s1600/148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJW2ZLEH24rMLes0kU8mh2BOnJuZOVCavoRqwdQa6xb431-SxEYbPlu_39N2LsERMwb3lumvyXDLMl3Dq2lUjeQeysSUqpb4r_DRwTabYjLTCj3uvSIqwi0DWLp60ghLYpIhFy73qOSs5d/s640/148.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">carnival activites</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihg-X3bnxrDhNI7fHt7XCYv2XjRT9cgO81Q3vMxc43iw2Dfz9Ey4s-vBgwqNqjTax_xj-BLFnIRyiRqUV3xYc0NINCn8pFE9XwLLEhTLZFAdMlyO3Z3mxwywvTeRUeDHuS_jTwNWUn_6oi/s1600/140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihg-X3bnxrDhNI7fHt7XCYv2XjRT9cgO81Q3vMxc43iw2Dfz9Ey4s-vBgwqNqjTax_xj-BLFnIRyiRqUV3xYc0NINCn8pFE9XwLLEhTLZFAdMlyO3Z3mxwywvTeRUeDHuS_jTwNWUn_6oi/s640/140.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>In Ayaucho we got to enjoy the carnival. Lots of locals dressed up, dancing and singing. Quite a different experience for us than maybe 10 -20 years ago when this area was apparently the centre of terrorism in Peru and off limits to tourists. Up until now we had managed to skirt around the many slips and deberi on the road created by all the rain. The days ride started off well as we attempted to make Huancayo, the largest highlands city in Peru. Before long though we were off down a muddy slippery track that didn't really resemble a road as marked on the map. We consulted a few locals and yes this was the road, well what do you reckon? <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCR78IB0H87yim-HFPrHiCJco7pTAHyAFIQ8IOzLfFOVPR-r8CC9c4RA56pdlS7a4C1RyyOw-PZCn2_0q3Bx0Rbu1iUBJVHUZUoh-r04O1e-xGJwaZXVWL4haoBEz3qIR1a_gR82FksQnl/s1600/Cusco+to+Huancayo+-Peru+050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCR78IB0H87yim-HFPrHiCJco7pTAHyAFIQ8IOzLfFOVPR-r8CC9c4RA56pdlS7a4C1RyyOw-PZCn2_0q3Bx0Rbu1iUBJVHUZUoh-r04O1e-xGJwaZXVWL4haoBEz3qIR1a_gR82FksQnl/s640/Cusco+to+Huancayo+-Peru+050.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
After some indecision we slid our way down the trail and and into the unknown. The road improved a bit , the sun was shining, the scenery was great and the riding was sweet, but if it rained we would be in the shit, slippery red mud to be precise. At the next town a conversation of sorts revelled that the road ahead was "no possible" but then it was, no it wasn't, what the hell, is the road possible or not? On edge about what may lay ahead it was difficult not to get frustrated and angry that our simple questions could not be answered. I thanked the locals, had a laugh with them about my bad language skills and headed off up the road with the understanding that there would be a river about 5 km up which may be impassible.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUNr8pPx4oOps5XGM8I4XTHVuMgyod_mchA76UjGEgd4bIbo2ylWGAkJEfvZFdXQL1e6uqz1b92RzC3gmjmrn49iTm3LIuoMSTRul6awsINZqFjChR_Bm-hhaWHGXR0CqtTUoggJvuOzxc/s1600/Cusco+to+Huancayo+-Peru+058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUNr8pPx4oOps5XGM8I4XTHVuMgyod_mchA76UjGEgd4bIbo2ylWGAkJEfvZFdXQL1e6uqz1b92RzC3gmjmrn49iTm3LIuoMSTRul6awsINZqFjChR_Bm-hhaWHGXR0CqtTUoggJvuOzxc/s640/Cusco+to+Huancayo+-Peru+058.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
The rio was up and the road badly scoured out but we walked the moto's through without any problems. The problem was just up the road a few more km where a mud slide had engulfed the road for more than a few hundred meters. The bikes powered through until they sunk up to the axles in wet concrete like slop. We pushed em through, us suffering from exhaustion and the motorbikes suffering also, the stony slop binding up in the drive chain, the clutches struggling with the load. That was no fun, damn hard on the bikes too but we were through.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9LluUcVLHqlcJpgYqInt_yCOb_W7LkPFMuYsdz0FvSd6v2lBN_tWfuw_G6yeGj5hhlBW5nan7pjv7EpICS8aSXIlLhN2pKEK43Os9qnMLJ41vIiLlFyXU8ItOa23keW5FioRq2mPYXRDV/s1600/159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9LluUcVLHqlcJpgYqInt_yCOb_W7LkPFMuYsdz0FvSd6v2lBN_tWfuw_G6yeGj5hhlBW5nan7pjv7EpICS8aSXIlLhN2pKEK43Os9qnMLJ41vIiLlFyXU8ItOa23keW5FioRq2mPYXRDV/s640/159.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Muddy flood waters</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6u873Ou8qgL4Q40KBA4IhBC94q5DKTJl9o7qBORqRWzCf1ofp50NUgP0m0MvZYmI1CgjPVdHB4tb40Eg_pdPLf2MZo7uTd5ek9SPjkFUbkTLVu_0al7hF4X90LWptd9wEyIIiGin2qlij/s1600/168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6u873Ou8qgL4Q40KBA4IhBC94q5DKTJl9o7qBORqRWzCf1ofp50NUgP0m0MvZYmI1CgjPVdHB4tb40Eg_pdPLf2MZo7uTd5ek9SPjkFUbkTLVu_0al7hF4X90LWptd9wEyIIiGin2qlij/s640/168.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Didn't see the wet concrete sign!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
Not far up the road was the next mud slide, bloody hell this is going to grind our bikes to bits- and us too. However, a loader was on the other side busy clearing this one and while waiting we got to chat with the friendly locals who were stranded by the damaged road. The delay was annoying but it was nice to actually spend a bit of time with the interesting people of these parts as apposed to just whizzing by on the bikes and wondering what the heck they get up to. I had the map out and was surrounded by the curious crowd, apparently it would be no problemo through to Huancayo, but I wasn't holding my breath. We carried on along side the muddy flooded river, the road pinched between it and the steep hill sides, in places it was narrow and chiseled into sheer vertical cliffs. The scenery, the dodgy road, the massive flooded river, the unpredictability was all shaping up into an eventful day out. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWBU90TpqGvca129ff9L98vTfepFKxHpwSbvmPuiu_lx6KnL23512b2mrGM8dGUsX0D1fy0VoosWixXsbJnXIj6zW6j_9bxWSMw-zTwHlSE2yhLwZ0Vw4BM2-cndWJz6uXYozTW6Yw98ZD/s1600/170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWBU90TpqGvca129ff9L98vTfepFKxHpwSbvmPuiu_lx6KnL23512b2mrGM8dGUsX0D1fy0VoosWixXsbJnXIj6zW6j_9bxWSMw-zTwHlSE2yhLwZ0Vw4BM2-cndWJz6uXYozTW6Yw98ZD/s640/170.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging with the locals</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5qp_MxRyhE_yLQhmz2jxheUnQYnVMHgKHyGnBaHSW5qQmofVhe1LBjswKz-sW8ojWyIgBQtDmJ2lyw2ZN7CLam_l7YC5uVs5AzzDsKX2nIhIRkp4vK5XQmxrjhkpz4Hvo0OEipKZ-2XIU/s1600/172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5qp_MxRyhE_yLQhmz2jxheUnQYnVMHgKHyGnBaHSW5qQmofVhe1LBjswKz-sW8ojWyIgBQtDmJ2lyw2ZN7CLam_l7YC5uVs5AzzDsKX2nIhIRkp4vK5XQmxrjhkpz4Hvo0OEipKZ-2XIU/s640/172.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perfect road conditions, for trail bikes!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
On arrival at the next town we were waved down, "not possible to carry on, the road ahead taken out by the rains and no one working on it " we were told. The seamingly easy task of getting the right information on the road ahead was again proving frustrating. Just as we were about to consider the unpleasant idea of turning around and back tracking for a hole day it seemed that there was an alternative road not marked on our map that was ok . Why didn't you tell us that in the first place? Where was this road and was it actually ok? After several minutes of hair pulling we left in search of our last hope still unsure of what we would find. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTyVRJHqDiJXsBuYm3lzgV4drBGnM94Io5KQ_sRvpRpR_cDx7BQCZOrafOYPjIAFTXaceKceFaqY5psuiXWF2Icplpe2NEiYGC1sqibEGt3B1inD9FLAj4wTQ7rRUYM_2J3Ujy_aKBPvd7/s1600/Cusco+to+Huancayo+-Peru+071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTyVRJHqDiJXsBuYm3lzgV4drBGnM94Io5KQ_sRvpRpR_cDx7BQCZOrafOYPjIAFTXaceKceFaqY5psuiXWF2Icplpe2NEiYGC1sqibEGt3B1inD9FLAj4wTQ7rRUYM_2J3Ujy_aKBPvd7/s640/Cusco+to+Huancayo+-Peru+071.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
As it turned out we found a beautiful little road that had us zig zagging our way up and onto the ridge well above the valley. We were now traversing along the top of a mountain ridge with 360 degree view's, mountains everywhere in the distance. It was late in the day, we were gunning it along this ridge top road, the late light and misty cloud way up high around 4000m adding another dimension to the day. Our luck had turned good, the road out of the slip infested valley was a beauty and clear of any flood damage, and we found some accommodation in the town of Pampas just on dark and with the rain setting in. What a day.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_HRafHXnEN1AblYNPyE_zp4ucwgyHC_mlQPSALNUIt_nkiuy2ZMHMxgEDfFDhyLMpmjm14gFiG9s9arHc42LgPMqeJPsJM45_SK58V1t1vFhlaZ3MUWkPIMIonVTpDq_6Irwkw-C2NpYk/s1600/178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_HRafHXnEN1AblYNPyE_zp4ucwgyHC_mlQPSALNUIt_nkiuy2ZMHMxgEDfFDhyLMpmjm14gFiG9s9arHc42LgPMqeJPsJM45_SK58V1t1vFhlaZ3MUWkPIMIonVTpDq_6Irwkw-C2NpYk/s640/178.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adobe buildings high up on the ridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiN8vkBCSxGWw1sYJAgvmmukpK2yV2aYUnADAQH2cg6fUuSiYOMXGejT5DDL4ATDGO1jMhDW7D2WIZjI3tO87mWn67PIGAotftDzV8xbdXay9Awib86mJC3dv1WnHxerWbYHMAD0kT25jo/s1600/180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiN8vkBCSxGWw1sYJAgvmmukpK2yV2aYUnADAQH2cg6fUuSiYOMXGejT5DDL4ATDGO1jMhDW7D2WIZjI3tO87mWn67PIGAotftDzV8xbdXay9Awib86mJC3dv1WnHxerWbYHMAD0kT25jo/s640/180.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views up on the ridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
The next morning after the previous days big adventures, Rob needed pancakes for Breaky. After several attempts to order some with mixed results Rob decided that we had to go out back to the kitchen and show the friendly family run restaurant how to make pancakes. It was an eye opener back there, we mixed up our pancakes while right across the table some chicken soup was being prepared, nothing was left to waste as feet were chopped up and bit's went flying, luckily not into our pancake mix!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx06uFdXMWpaNf6_vE0kL0xabP8QyrpkKMJrSE2KNf5MOo-vb79pU515rKp4LMZawlN12cwlov58Y5_R6yWQZQgVF3QfbZzpKOOW2J5hRNti9AC1TKGQFadQmJ8tr_47HoFT0twsQHhhT0/s1600/190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx06uFdXMWpaNf6_vE0kL0xabP8QyrpkKMJrSE2KNf5MOo-vb79pU515rKp4LMZawlN12cwlov58Y5_R6yWQZQgVF3QfbZzpKOOW2J5hRNti9AC1TKGQFadQmJ8tr_47HoFT0twsQHhhT0/s640/190.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fueled up on pancakes and ready to roll</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRzHBkZ42HRRJ3cNzA-92v47ylTDiFNOIMa0R_-yUz8xvGqOpPLIbDbH-fHFfq3IaCgmzmffFrIxKrS5WvzewL8I-yD84ykSP_4cOYPXZuFLBxtKrMF_LFo7GHCp6Dz-InIDgd_cfU4uxx/s1600/Cusco+to+Huancayo+-Peru+083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRzHBkZ42HRRJ3cNzA-92v47ylTDiFNOIMa0R_-yUz8xvGqOpPLIbDbH-fHFfq3IaCgmzmffFrIxKrS5WvzewL8I-yD84ykSP_4cOYPXZuFLBxtKrMF_LFo7GHCp6Dz-InIDgd_cfU4uxx/s640/Cusco+to+Huancayo+-Peru+083.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRKcPRtPJpZ2RqzQ-HhWG-2vT0kBLBPIl92Y9nyxIuvCpppeKO0JJxb5H3ScpolX8Rg1eFHJO3xMJOXF-Ug9STbEC9U9nVpo4X-rdBxAOjw2VuIfo6Myk9oWfqQDxlA1di_9eqx842Jj-Z/s1600/Cusco+to+Huancayo+-Peru+090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRKcPRtPJpZ2RqzQ-HhWG-2vT0kBLBPIl92Y9nyxIuvCpppeKO0JJxb5H3ScpolX8Rg1eFHJO3xMJOXF-Ug9STbEC9U9nVpo4X-rdBxAOjw2VuIfo6Myk9oWfqQDxlA1di_9eqx842Jj-Z/s640/Cusco+to+Huancayo+-Peru+090.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center"></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH2h5pURBueBZ8fvYcu48rZxIJJh1wR2oFkqsrN4aQIamT_eqwSoCjd9zhd3GsQH8fwbUqx_a0lv0AhoN_lJBdRkwVU4jE-HurM2Ag9QaVcF0N-77ZcHebbnzBRer1-otXL1yak7BX_ESW/s1600/194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH2h5pURBueBZ8fvYcu48rZxIJJh1wR2oFkqsrN4aQIamT_eqwSoCjd9zhd3GsQH8fwbUqx_a0lv0AhoN_lJBdRkwVU4jE-HurM2Ag9QaVcF0N-77ZcHebbnzBRer1-otXL1yak7BX_ESW/s640/194.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time for a new tyre at La Casa BuelaHostel- Huancayo,Peru.</td></tr>
</tbody></table></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394193965421980981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4310743008757337682.post-90859854205424935452012-02-18T19:48:00.002-08:002012-02-18T19:58:08.890-08:00Cusco to Mitchu PitchuWe spent the second and third days in Cusco on guided bus tours firstly around the city then on the second day we had a full day tour to the Sacred valley and viewed a number of Inca sites that were impressive because of the time and labour and thought that went into building these giant structures.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ3r6MgKcewxnj82_jOhhFrH7brox0-55V0uA9echj_RGrJERoXeLnhbdRolO2o2hFnK3eQC_fHBdgSa4AJjzCg1xvq2WcAxdidO5hzkhGj4YDpX0N83Xt7Dx8iGU3kVyU1nC0DZaMUCQZ/s1600/Chivay+to+Cusco+048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ3r6MgKcewxnj82_jOhhFrH7brox0-55V0uA9echj_RGrJERoXeLnhbdRolO2o2hFnK3eQC_fHBdgSa4AJjzCg1xvq2WcAxdidO5hzkhGj4YDpX0N83Xt7Dx8iGU3kVyU1nC0DZaMUCQZ/s400/Chivay+to+Cusco+048.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>Pisaq. Incas grew potatoes and maize here.<br />
<br />
We ended being taken to a more markets than we would have liked.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhow36DZi1zMfvBhqoO0Y2tzpjCU3NG8GW3UcL3jPxkIFgg-1luiKF_3vrSjVD7ExZGTU6SGmwr5G4bN884uNtu7L_6biEw0HCsPaDAAVZwg4AzRoMv7SPFX6dWots3RFMBTfOMV6AXIbzj/s1600/Chivay+to+Cusco+068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhow36DZi1zMfvBhqoO0Y2tzpjCU3NG8GW3UcL3jPxkIFgg-1luiKF_3vrSjVD7ExZGTU6SGmwr5G4bN884uNtu7L_6biEw0HCsPaDAAVZwg4AzRoMv7SPFX6dWots3RFMBTfOMV6AXIbzj/s400/Chivay+to+Cusco+068.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>Ollantaytambo<br />
<br />
The following day we had a day of cleaning bikes and doing some maintenance. I decided to change my front sprocket on the Tenere but as usual things didn't go to plan I had problems undoing the nut holding the sprocket on. But we got there. We have become regulars at Paddy's bar where the food is real good and reasonably cheap in the plaza De Armas. .<br />
<br />
We left Cusco and headed for the alternative route to Mitchu Pitchu most people travel up and over the hill out of Cusco to a town called Ollantaytambo by bus then catch a train that takes about two hours to get a small tourist town at the foot of Mitchu Pitchu called Aquas Calientas(sp).<br />
Our route went past Ollantaytambo which is at about 2300m. We then went up and over pass that got to over 4300m. The road was tar sealed and had numerous switch backs. We descended to Santa Maria at approximately 1250m. Where things felt much warmer and we had to strip off all our thermal gear. The hill was long and took us over one and half hours. We lost count of the number of corners.<br />
<br />
The intention was to ride from Santa Maria onto Santa Tersea this road was gravel and following a narrow steep road that wound along side of the hill up above a swollen Rio Urumamba. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4NDtHk2eBzPwBKhIt8koiYyoBk2QbBRDxre0wG79nkC_jAdBobVb7KU3vaGKgl2xAR2yx4NmTzE5e6boNOv-cbW-yJCJ7bovnd8bSrXjR8k1J_JbFaFDryhcOW7vVrRT0BbIMkGluQdtR/s1600/Cusco+&++Mitchu+Pitchu+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4NDtHk2eBzPwBKhIt8koiYyoBk2QbBRDxre0wG79nkC_jAdBobVb7KU3vaGKgl2xAR2yx4NmTzE5e6boNOv-cbW-yJCJ7bovnd8bSrXjR8k1J_JbFaFDryhcOW7vVrRT0BbIMkGluQdtR/s400/Cusco+&++Mitchu+Pitchu+039.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0NW7hyphenhyphenX4K50iy6KRatI7MaXzSxAx4tEQhWedss3z_ppH3XOIKRpYuD2CEFF80f1LEQyJogiFp1yKjyJohBTCE4NHvzSm0MwOoqwWBRIEbY_NZD0nIxIA2nXwI1dawbtsgIykOdnq9KBs/s1600/Cusco+&++Mitchu+Pitchu+043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0NW7hyphenhyphenX4K50iy6KRatI7MaXzSxAx4tEQhWedss3z_ppH3XOIKRpYuD2CEFF80f1LEQyJogiFp1yKjyJohBTCE4NHvzSm0MwOoqwWBRIEbY_NZD0nIxIA2nXwI1dawbtsgIykOdnq9KBs/s320/Cusco+&++Mitchu+Pitchu+043.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> This slip just about stopped us. We checked it out. On the left was porridge foot thick mud. I gunned the Tenere into the bog and about 8 metres into I hit a large rock. The bike stopped dead the back wheel came off the ground and I nearly went over the handle bars. The sudden stop also loosened my handle bars. It took us a few minutes to pull the bike of the porridge. Very amusing for the local youths who thought we were crazy. We tried again and managed after a couple of goes to get the bike up and over on the left side of the slip.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>We got another 3-4 kms along the road and were stopped by 300 metre land slide that had completely taken the road in two places. We back tracked back for 6 km's over the first slip and found a nice hostel right on dark called Yellow River that was a ecolodge down by the roaring river. The hostel was surrounded by tropical fruit trees and was like an oasis to us. The owners Andrew and Titaca were overseas but her parents Olga and Angel looked after .The power was out but they managed to cook a nice meal for us.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiym4oA_iu_8EV-XrGygFnQ3ql4bN-blesaLshmr57AOC0Oz1AiHQKpork3c8mBh6Z9pba4PAyY7TPFDFj4GskJEwNNC2ozlRMrYHrKivqYUp755Ri9Y6t_3OsqUmgZFAsb-rIZCyYd2AXU/s1600/Cusco+&++Mitchu+Pitchu+151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiym4oA_iu_8EV-XrGygFnQ3ql4bN-blesaLshmr57AOC0Oz1AiHQKpork3c8mBh6Z9pba4PAyY7TPFDFj4GskJEwNNC2ozlRMrYHrKivqYUp755Ri9Y6t_3OsqUmgZFAsb-rIZCyYd2AXU/s400/Cusco+&++Mitchu+Pitchu+151.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>The next day we walked for nearly two hours toward Santa Teresa then shared a taxi to Hydro another very small settlement where we had to walk to Aquas Calientes another two hours.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The next day we left yellow river and started walking to Santa Tersea. We walked over the slips and met a taxi at the other side and shared a ride to Hydro another village where the train track starts and take passengers to Aquas Calientes.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrOpJppe6Q6fR4wyS08rmMF530K69lrPROBahuP3lIVvTSZo0jGZJNCQY9pqHkMioy1onfc7c1RXpYFBavWfFdRalQE-k0oZpy8C3jJucDElzlGGL97sOfmsQXyc_XpOxEqQQ7KeEvL-3/s1600/Cusco+&++Mitchu+Pitchu+068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrOpJppe6Q6fR4wyS08rmMF530K69lrPROBahuP3lIVvTSZo0jGZJNCQY9pqHkMioy1onfc7c1RXpYFBavWfFdRalQE-k0oZpy8C3jJucDElzlGGL97sOfmsQXyc_XpOxEqQQ7KeEvL-3/s400/Cusco+&++Mitchu+Pitchu+068.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Notice the water come out of the mountain. part of the hydro power scheme we presumed.<br />
<br />
The walk up the railway line was pleasant the gradient was good, the flooded boiling river was right beside us. We could have caught the train but it didn't leave tell 4.30 and we had heard the walk was pleasant.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYGiK4X9qofM_A5HDzpGxEadqEsRkHNgDWsZN17oOT3wtH7knhqXe9T6vr54paLb8_6ZF-s_VmVqNBihs_TVpHUmxrnZmoG9SThINjJyv_JxZ_-6FnZ3BLSb9wRGmuAa5N3X05nMOqjAv/s1600/Cusco+&++Mitchu+Pitchu+076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYGiK4X9qofM_A5HDzpGxEadqEsRkHNgDWsZN17oOT3wtH7knhqXe9T6vr54paLb8_6ZF-s_VmVqNBihs_TVpHUmxrnZmoG9SThINjJyv_JxZ_-6FnZ3BLSb9wRGmuAa5N3X05nMOqjAv/s400/Cusco+&++Mitchu+Pitchu+076.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The view looking up valley near Hydro</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhG1kX4Kb6UpbwrnmEKzs5Zi4t6NDXWRAp68L8r8gX0Mv93NNrLZsaK3-EoXpWnMg7a7NH2ftJKejJjIPyxHYBV1nlhqvr0znKkkDhX6R6czxx9FDtbPJgRp9SD6Xf6XbestCVIov7cmmi/s1600/Cusco+&++Mitchu+Pitchu+146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhG1kX4Kb6UpbwrnmEKzs5Zi4t6NDXWRAp68L8r8gX0Mv93NNrLZsaK3-EoXpWnMg7a7NH2ftJKejJjIPyxHYBV1nlhqvr0znKkkDhX6R6czxx9FDtbPJgRp9SD6Xf6XbestCVIov7cmmi/s640/Cusco+&++Mitchu+Pitchu+146.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">View from our hostel of the flooding. The roar was deafening. You could here the boulders rolling around on the river bed. On the other side of the hotel was the railway line. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>We shot up to Mitchu Pitchu that afternoon with Chris from England and shared the cost of private guide. We had some drizzle but we still had good views. MP was cool but after having seeing so many photos and reading about it neither of us felt that excited about it. We were more impressed with the location and how inaccessible the area is.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9QGZtIJdXOq3VUAvGMVf49ZlvMwwZeXSIVZLPnG95lsaGQgpG2iBgx81UYddxGWSRYhgPV17Yy8K7jVdDSiRaWb4DnGKaPvWEeO_IG_tTxPZAwje41AX96B5FitoNpZvE2SvfV2IDVN2/s1600/Cusco+&++Mitchu+Pitchu+114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9QGZtIJdXOq3VUAvGMVf49ZlvMwwZeXSIVZLPnG95lsaGQgpG2iBgx81UYddxGWSRYhgPV17Yy8K7jVdDSiRaWb4DnGKaPvWEeO_IG_tTxPZAwje41AX96B5FitoNpZvE2SvfV2IDVN2/s640/Cusco+&++Mitchu+Pitchu+114.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The next day Joe and I spent more time walking than I would have liked and I had blisters by the time we walked into the Yellow river lodge again late in the afternoon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0yY3HJuU95Bcf800EuvBenBJLxSei-H5qQHorgHgZUrY8ww0E9gJfZb8a382x5gzP2rGWwuxQSgju9NE51SkQkfuBDRhNwsbtavSW1MsXwbM44FKop5djsAPPprTRdAbYSGhuh0rJWko/s1600/Cusco+&++Mitchu+Pitchu+149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0yY3HJuU95Bcf800EuvBenBJLxSei-H5qQHorgHgZUrY8ww0E9gJfZb8a382x5gzP2rGWwuxQSgju9NE51SkQkfuBDRhNwsbtavSW1MsXwbM44FKop5djsAPPprTRdAbYSGhuh0rJWko/s640/Cusco+&++Mitchu+Pitchu+149.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A digger had arrived to clear the the huge slip we couldn't get by on our bikes.The workmen are looking for falling boulders.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> We had another pleasant meal with candles again. The trip out from the Yellow house was uneventful. Joe had Olga on the back of his bike for half the the distance. It also rained and was coldd going back over the pass again. Pleased to get back to our hostel in Cusco. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Motor Cycle Adventures: Golden Bay to Cape Hornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16601201946993138906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4310743008757337682.post-73995144619363605892012-02-13T20:11:00.001-08:002012-02-13T20:11:37.327-08:00Peru <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRbMJsFMrjAolepIwsZYEJZAN6BBQia1XJX9nrCCOaq3wwVvlIRnKS5AuGgB0Q9KKeJdFOB5ezEurSnwEDz_GMy_fZBjNuKqbteWcZh0znbbi5ZUHCzZK3QoNC5Bpw0cxkObVZRTnLpLM/s1600/DSCF2112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRbMJsFMrjAolepIwsZYEJZAN6BBQia1XJX9nrCCOaq3wwVvlIRnKS5AuGgB0Q9KKeJdFOB5ezEurSnwEDz_GMy_fZBjNuKqbteWcZh0znbbi5ZUHCzZK3QoNC5Bpw0cxkObVZRTnLpLM/s400/DSCF2112.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our accomadation in Chivay</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<span lang="">Our first day in Peru involved riding on the edge of Lake Titicaca up at 3800m. After a night in Puno we navigated our way to Chivay. The Peruvians aren't to good at using road signs also and we once again diced our way through traffic in the smoggy city of Juliaca and after several partly understood directions from locals we were clad to find our way out of the rat race. Before arriving in Chivay the usual afternoon thunderstorm arrived just as we headed up over 4000m and into the snow. Fortunately we were out of the cold and down in Chivay in quick time.<br /><br /><br /><br />Chivay is at the head of the Canyon de Colca which along with it's northern neighbour Catahuasi are the deepest in the world. Our plan was to head down the canyon in the morning and then make tracks towards Cusco via a series of back roads. The ride down the valley was some of the best scenery so far, lots of little villages and farming activities on the steeply terraced slopes. We took in the views of the canyon as it rapidly dropped away further down valley and then began our return to Chivay. During our morning down valley a slip come down over the road so a detour up the other side of the valley was necessary. This road was very narrow and obviously saw little traffic and the muddy surface was causing all sorts of troubles for all the tourist buses that were also directed along the detour. Not to difficult on the motos though and we raced past all the stuck buses and on through some very sleepy little towns.</span></div>
<br />
<span lang=""> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOeVhjnKB1by1DdlUF725kfP2pkaTLuS56PH64htEPNHDPHmHfW0KU0GF_heZJzXdpvcUwnibYkk77AM_RYIZS_kaeMZj7-IG78Rw_OnRJf0FwK1xSGJCfD15awyo1Y1PCIsOR0cpLk5Ck/s1600/DSCF2120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOeVhjnKB1by1DdlUF725kfP2pkaTLuS56PH64htEPNHDPHmHfW0KU0GF_heZJzXdpvcUwnibYkk77AM_RYIZS_kaeMZj7-IG78Rw_OnRJf0FwK1xSGJCfD15awyo1Y1PCIsOR0cpLk5Ck/s400/DSCF2120.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /> </div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiLL4dC6cuAY5SeWgcrV5w1_mPHHpYqKV_RKYvzqM7QtQfuM04jmu3UBuNXljiCPmffZTBbF0puSB7YbMsCJn_xRsdb4FvXxg-B4G60o_bRUabs6xWnNaUkGfFHvkFXeUOga_5cn_RDeVo/s1600/DSCF2114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiLL4dC6cuAY5SeWgcrV5w1_mPHHpYqKV_RKYvzqM7QtQfuM04jmu3UBuNXljiCPmffZTBbF0puSB7YbMsCJn_xRsdb4FvXxg-B4G60o_bRUabs6xWnNaUkGfFHvkFXeUOga_5cn_RDeVo/s400/DSCF2114.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canyon del Colca</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmWoAnq-dZcb92hr5fr8S3T6JoGS9Kg3VsQ-J5kK1eBF0OkS6AN_mcuMdlkJjStjN3XyplUngzJN8acG9lIoPIwggnb9PBkw_Evg_muuVv6SZQimNvd6LEcpqJWXxmAiW5RizO4NU2F8RY/s1600/DSCF2130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmWoAnq-dZcb92hr5fr8S3T6JoGS9Kg3VsQ-J5kK1eBF0OkS6AN_mcuMdlkJjStjN3XyplUngzJN8acG9lIoPIwggnb9PBkw_Evg_muuVv6SZQimNvd6LEcpqJWXxmAiW5RizO4NU2F8RY/s400/DSCF2130.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lady selling goods in the canyon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Unbelievably we bumped into the German bikers who we rode with back during our first few days in Bolivia. We had lunch together and exchanged stories before they headed south and we decided to delay our departure north to the following day as the afternoon thunderstorms had arrived early and we knew our planned route involved high passes and vast distances. Instead we fulled in the afternoon with some bike maintenance, I changed the engine oil and filter on the DR while Rob spent a couple of hours masterfully reshaping his spare rear brake pads to fit. Yes, once again he was given more incorrect parts for the Tenere! <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtfPh9naE7lsuFRC2IgjurXxbOVseUida9u9yO0a-617rucsxhUxohfMZo7zp4YDxHUViZXwnKtnA0IM-dLj4OpxJmjjaf8mGNquptzYtH54IrCMNrcuJQS9yFdjtASYkiQ5eissMYRZ3u/s1600/DSCF2133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtfPh9naE7lsuFRC2IgjurXxbOVseUida9u9yO0a-617rucsxhUxohfMZo7zp4YDxHUViZXwnKtnA0IM-dLj4OpxJmjjaf8mGNquptzYtH54IrCMNrcuJQS9yFdjtASYkiQ5eissMYRZ3u/s400/DSCF2133.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Germans departing Chivay</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Just as hoped we set off in the morning under clear skies. We were soon climbing up high on a narrow dirt road and before long were up in the snow. The road was a slushy mess and dodging masses of put holes in about 40m of visibility in the mist was going to take several hours at our average speed, not the most fun riding. We stopped briefly up on the mountain top when we spotted a hut and a mob? of Llama's. A lady approached us out of the mist all dressed up in traditional kit, she seemed interested in what we were up to or did see just want some money like the many other people? We had a brief chat, nice lady, she was running around the farm barefoot in the snow, they must breed em tough in these parts I thought as we carried on along the road of pot holes. <br /> <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QGN1VS0UCVhdNE9QRocrJB_F6Dg8zx-nPfNWRB9iGAnS4qndt9NpX09avFQpRteu7i1-d_ieHGBdzhzxSpCR9XzwrWE2uv8-66Cc00GHZGNVVstEKRoP7Sh0JJkK618vg2ZpnvrV4pHc/s1600/DSCF2145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QGN1VS0UCVhdNE9QRocrJB_F6Dg8zx-nPfNWRB9iGAnS4qndt9NpX09avFQpRteu7i1-d_ieHGBdzhzxSpCR9XzwrWE2uv8-66Cc00GHZGNVVstEKRoP7Sh0JJkK618vg2ZpnvrV4pHc/s400/DSCF2145.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow up on the tops</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /> <br />Where the hell are we? what the hell is along the road in front of us? impassable snow, washed out roads or swollen river crossings? And when is the daily thunderstorm going to arrive? Up high in the mountains in the mist this was what was running through my head and as it turned out these thoughts were a regular occurrence through out the day. We summited the pass and straight away the skies cleared offering views of the surrounding mountain tops, the road improved and it was a different ride, this is more like it!<br />The roads on the map seemed to be making sense and we were making good ground, we might make it out of here yet!<br />
<br />"Up here on the left there should be a junction were we make a left turn" I thought. "Yes, there it is but what the F, that looks like a goat trail! Check the map again, yep road heading off in that direction looks right, it does have a sign at least but the towns don't match the ones on the map! Well it's heading in the right direction must be right." <br /><br />So we headed off on the road indicated on the map but in reality we rode over a broken up coarse way across the river round large bog holes and up a track that resembled a creek bed more than a road. We were heading up over another pass and had around 70km to the next town. The riding was fun but I couldn't stop thinking, were the hell, what the hell again.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4Yv8GCTLuI_lvIEhy0oNAWv01nZsVuQr4Eld_riZ4OakkwA3NSVxCE8pT5T1RB8_d2_aOHIKEgJ76aQ-yJVh-N_y9-QwwWOt3928kQ_T8qvOFqEp_Xuxzf7Tm-lmhnVLXLiO11q8KVHT/s1600/DSCF2154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4Yv8GCTLuI_lvIEhy0oNAWv01nZsVuQr4Eld_riZ4OakkwA3NSVxCE8pT5T1RB8_d2_aOHIKEgJ76aQ-yJVh-N_y9-QwwWOt3928kQ_T8qvOFqEp_Xuxzf7Tm-lmhnVLXLiO11q8KVHT/s640/DSCF2154.JPG" width="640" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one of the creek crossings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijssRgSZ508mH-SlfITgOUPK0WFGRnq0YAFqR7LzZLVAqg9EiFH05EMy6RP6zgu7kSvfVdoYU5GM-zTN7VXklEmTTMgrsfoN9P_1gJVOA2Sk8wKYqdgYzAQgL-kY3tM9D2l7icRgF6Z055/s1600/DSCF2151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijssRgSZ508mH-SlfITgOUPK0WFGRnq0YAFqR7LzZLVAqg9EiFH05EMy6RP6zgu7kSvfVdoYU5GM-zTN7VXklEmTTMgrsfoN9P_1gJVOA2Sk8wKYqdgYzAQgL-kY3tM9D2l7icRgF6Z055/s400/DSCF2151.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">washed out causeway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT9Rl5OAmfze9ZL8s2c9yt7QsEXvD3B90PUVpGbKwDWPi7p0VoDv6a2wbY6dXVQHOwCcEoxkJKWnihaKMinEw-ySFy8KTRQAXsqEdhltKopxh3AVAiLp00Y7Q8Hv7HA2yjiwpdhXGum-iS/s1600/DSCF2157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT9Rl5OAmfze9ZL8s2c9yt7QsEXvD3B90PUVpGbKwDWPi7p0VoDv6a2wbY6dXVQHOwCcEoxkJKWnihaKMinEw-ySFy8KTRQAXsqEdhltKopxh3AVAiLp00Y7Q8Hv7HA2yjiwpdhXGum-iS/s640/DSCF2157.JPG" width="640" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interesting rock formations on way to Yauri</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br /><span lang="">We crested the pass and all of a sudden we were actually on a road again and immediately the pace picked up and we cruised down valley past interesting rock formations and apart from a couple of mishaps in a creek crossing and a difficult river crossing it was an enjoyable ride out to the town of Yauri for lunch. From Yauri it was all main roads and fast going, we decided to push on to Cusco and arrived just on dark. It was a big day out and definitely one of our more adventurous days on the bikes.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394193965421980981noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4310743008757337682.post-5895749854093383742012-02-12T10:17:00.000-08:002012-02-12T10:25:08.515-08:00Lap Paz to Cusco<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJNS4lwab0AdxfYjf4SjfOFDxkQDt2mxcT9WZn0K7KEC7ojHUGkwFG6zfiJENOFZwwb84DuR09VGHP-Jg1rITtWjTcGRbZ276lr8DIq7OPVBn611kl2F8CWx6WLku_67IoOhcIdM95FLVG/s1600/LaPaz+165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJNS4lwab0AdxfYjf4SjfOFDxkQDt2mxcT9WZn0K7KEC7ojHUGkwFG6zfiJENOFZwwb84DuR09VGHP-Jg1rITtWjTcGRbZ276lr8DIq7OPVBn611kl2F8CWx6WLku_67IoOhcIdM95FLVG/s320/LaPaz+165.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> The country side was wet from the the storm the night before. We stopped as we left Orou and took this photo of the miners statue. This statue was the only redeeming feature of this city.<br />
<br />
The roads were flattish as we headed along the Altiplano we had buses passing us then they would stop at the next small town then pass us again. The country side had small settlements dotted off to the side of the road. I got the impression people were just getting by.<br />
<br />
As we got closer to LaPaz we came onto major new road being built beside the current road.A fleet of 40-50 brand new 6 wheel tip Mack trucks were lined up. The only other brand of truck we had seen in Bolivia tell then were Volvo's. The closer we got to Lapaz the worse the road got. There were depressions in the road 20-30cm deep which meant you couldn't easily change your position within the lane.<br />
<br />
The volume of traffic about 20 km south of LaPaz started to back up and we got stuck behind buses and trucks emitting toxic diesel fumes. As we came toward the top of the LaPaz basin we had to deal with four lanes of taxi vans (Collectivos) piling up in front of us.The Police seem to control numbers of Collectives on the road by making them fill up with passengers b4 moving on.<br />
<br />
We stopped at the top of the basin over looking LaPaz and tried to figure out where the hotel was we had been recommended to us.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1GDyRGfCMr-8A8BpEkU0VXVc1n3_H8vtWN_GZay9qOBP8TlJsmt-U1alUbxcFlBQHKkbb9H87zwaVFozRNR0CgZXnJcgseATNU_YCUNCfWkzfVa9pcBFg-TKZmW2iVVN1ot_WNgwPZyV/s1600/LaPaz+170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1GDyRGfCMr-8A8BpEkU0VXVc1n3_H8vtWN_GZay9qOBP8TlJsmt-U1alUbxcFlBQHKkbb9H87zwaVFozRNR0CgZXnJcgseATNU_YCUNCfWkzfVa9pcBFg-TKZmW2iVVN1ot_WNgwPZyV/s320/LaPaz+170.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> The trip down the hill into LaPaz went well and we got our hotel with out too much back tracking.<br />
<br />
We walked into the centre of the city which was only 8 minutes away. The hotel had good wifi and we managed to get the price down a little.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKd7iUgOKcykpeC4IepwOk_8wMX-kaBDv2XxKOKxwint5sxU55L8IEwyuCRv2IcgEDlwIHubeAYO6jGAzTC9fytjwtLg4F7ixtMjw3xj53OOYnSuwUhCzotWwkSCwjEhdtTr2ndpY-q12a/s1600/LaPaz+172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKd7iUgOKcykpeC4IepwOk_8wMX-kaBDv2XxKOKxwint5sxU55L8IEwyuCRv2IcgEDlwIHubeAYO6jGAzTC9fytjwtLg4F7ixtMjw3xj53OOYnSuwUhCzotWwkSCwjEhdtTr2ndpY-q12a/s320/LaPaz+172.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>We came across some Bolivian people in traditional dress singing as we made our way down to San Francisco plaza.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAN9HtOuxjlL69D1chJE2GdseoxVSa0EGLhOchIXPw9Vbc5abpNoI_vW1eo5b3uFv0dxqMt4ASse1Fe5ZwKjI1GZowheFomXvje_JqYG5HdaCC5jovoSc1HUvoYCAeRAjuHnUd7mNL94Ds/s1600/LaPaz+180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAN9HtOuxjlL69D1chJE2GdseoxVSa0EGLhOchIXPw9Vbc5abpNoI_vW1eo5b3uFv0dxqMt4ASse1Fe5ZwKjI1GZowheFomXvje_JqYG5HdaCC5jovoSc1HUvoYCAeRAjuHnUd7mNL94Ds/s320/LaPaz+180.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Around the Plaza San Francisco area there many shops selling tourist trips onto the Worlds most dangerous highway and trekking trips and Alpaca clothing.<br />
<br />
The next day we got going early and headed up and out of LaPaz to do the worlds most dangerous highway on our motorcycles. The signage is non existent and you have to do some route planning before you even start your journey. We climbed up to 4200 metres and we were into a cold damp cloud with minimal visibility. Fortunately we came across a guided mountain bike group and we knew we were going in the right direction.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuhrTXRQPF26R5WCUkaxrQ5qM_XQcW73pkQUOtjqS-VYpwO-ef3u9Ehm6bOklOmPd3bnTMTXV67uCyR11kwYEaUUP8ziJHzyee7c6cppNb03NyKSQ6OsiviLaAy3CloZX2OckNEB2nEOdW/s1600/LaPaz+189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuhrTXRQPF26R5WCUkaxrQ5qM_XQcW73pkQUOtjqS-VYpwO-ef3u9Ehm6bOklOmPd3bnTMTXV67uCyR11kwYEaUUP8ziJHzyee7c6cppNb03NyKSQ6OsiviLaAy3CloZX2OckNEB2nEOdW/s320/LaPaz+189.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The mtb were taking off on there first stage which was on tar seal and cold mist, which wouldn't have been that much fun. Fortunately after dropping 400 metres in height the cloud and mist cleared.<br />
<br />
We managed to find the start of the gravel road which wasn't well sign posted.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPWxh8CXMPx0KPIPDzUGCmAPh8Z_kLk9dpQv2k3YEFO3VZuf_-QTkh176XoSHyoMaSXwzpBjYkeIw5dmBU41CdV2YSATDStxYdxaFeiJ37rqkRgrgPZWE8UVFz6JtYP4ugF8GA-kFhSkgn/s1600/LaPaz+195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPWxh8CXMPx0KPIPDzUGCmAPh8Z_kLk9dpQv2k3YEFO3VZuf_-QTkh176XoSHyoMaSXwzpBjYkeIw5dmBU41CdV2YSATDStxYdxaFeiJ37rqkRgrgPZWE8UVFz6JtYP4ugF8GA-kFhSkgn/s400/LaPaz+195.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
We came across a mountain bike group and were told about all the fatal deaths on the road in one incident a bus had gone over the cliff killing 100 people. We both rode carefully. We met one vehicle coming up the hill, The road is only used by adventurous tourists and mtb companies. The new road was completed in 2007 and took 20 years to build. The mtb trip is a 64 km of descent.15 mtb have died on the trip.<br />
<br />
We dropped down to nearly 2000 metres and with all our insulated clothing on I was keen to get out of the tropical rain forest climate of Coroico. The tar seal trip back to LaPaz is a motorcyclist dream with nice pavement great views and lots of nice sweeping bends and switch backs.<br />
<br />
Joe took a side trip down South Yungas road which is probably more dangerous with traffic still using it. He arrived back late after having to get extra petrol from a local.<br />
<br />
The trip out of LaPaz caused us a head ache we had to pick up our laundry, we ended up getting a bit lost and rode through the street market following a delivery truck.We had people jammed up beside us and could barely move, some women whacked me with her fist we eventually got to the laundry. Leaving the city, we had a few problems the Bolivians don't believe in any road signs.We eventually got going and headed for Copacabana at the south end of Lake Titicaca. The usual afternoon rain came.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfkZ6vjt58agCdrTIKTma_71q0WtQ_qQ-jucq1jhZbat5qADOCGfvd1kZJ-jTVZwvjVO6nEM6DqSpSeJqSa44h-0sa9cF8iHUVB4denJGHDGT8aHIC4_j95n10039gk24fcvxejSTVaVq/s1600/Cococabana-Bolvia+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfkZ6vjt58agCdrTIKTma_71q0WtQ_qQ-jucq1jhZbat5qADOCGfvd1kZJ-jTVZwvjVO6nEM6DqSpSeJqSa44h-0sa9cF8iHUVB4denJGHDGT8aHIC4_j95n10039gk24fcvxejSTVaVq/s320/Cococabana-Bolvia+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We had to get a small wooden barge across a small peninsular at San Pablo the barge was twisting and had a fair amount of water sitting in the bottom of it. The area reminds me of Akaroa in NZ with steep treeless hills running down to the water.<br />
<br />
We rolled into Copacabana and booked into the first hotel we found.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUnFwYBxvcymrwAzka4LzZhfU5F7QtDub3icoK3Cbvtby901FceRC2Bj62oRfNf26upTTpJFNrF6nI_WsgZry6PBiCSUFpEpk_VgLs21TxqzKhCmJC7o9dvbbPCFGKcqYvxmJPwdu3mYLx/s1600/Cococabana-Bolvia+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUnFwYBxvcymrwAzka4LzZhfU5F7QtDub3icoK3Cbvtby901FceRC2Bj62oRfNf26upTTpJFNrF6nI_WsgZry6PBiCSUFpEpk_VgLs21TxqzKhCmJC7o9dvbbPCFGKcqYvxmJPwdu3mYLx/s320/Cococabana-Bolvia+014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We had a room with a view over the the lake which was nice. Lots of boats were tied up and looked to be used to ferry people across to Isla del Sol the Inca creation site and birth place of the sun in Inca mythology. There many back packers staying in this small town making the journey across to the island.<br />
The hotel was cheap and we felt like Kings with such great views.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-RBhxYNVGv8KWlODFsJWb2PSla5845K6YidbZuJBLPOzHoXt0DYda__grUAKyKv0C6j0hp0HC1vkTbjamTGUoibWFN2yM8ldPtFYUD49QEy9ceO3HEYYVQgMjKeswm3fYf868mm-OiIU-/s1600/Cococabana-Bolvia+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-RBhxYNVGv8KWlODFsJWb2PSla5845K6YidbZuJBLPOzHoXt0DYda__grUAKyKv0C6j0hp0HC1vkTbjamTGUoibWFN2yM8ldPtFYUD49QEy9ceO3HEYYVQgMjKeswm3fYf868mm-OiIU-/s320/Cococabana-Bolvia+023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We climbed to the top of the hill to take this photo. It was only a short climb but when your already at 3800 metres you start understand about the benefits of altitude training.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-CpCNQAL868mO_hd3p3apiQ48BW_sxziHEyiOcDoHX82S0xLYYt6yM06tLiXsr6ljuazeyvK7YRUl-KYvHE9EFCD3js0h-v9oxgo8D9fRfZ8SWNiE2VWMIAGOREwsQABGGJy3dhO-qE3R/s1600/Cococabana-Bolvia+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-CpCNQAL868mO_hd3p3apiQ48BW_sxziHEyiOcDoHX82S0xLYYt6yM06tLiXsr6ljuazeyvK7YRUl-KYvHE9EFCD3js0h-v9oxgo8D9fRfZ8SWNiE2VWMIAGOREwsQABGGJy3dhO-qE3R/s320/Cococabana-Bolvia+020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYrvmxFda4cQSM1HleYksPV4ZlhlsB8HlfpQngGJ5iiEzMS7dwZ_sPkPxUcO_D9LGm7uTLE7IZDQWyQ53W1ZYc3tor44vP4yFL7bqcU6wzyq5UDOZwVzEiYnQdIEaTbu7xdgTEFL-y6CjL/s1600/Cococabana-Bolvia+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYrvmxFda4cQSM1HleYksPV4ZlhlsB8HlfpQngGJ5iiEzMS7dwZ_sPkPxUcO_D9LGm7uTLE7IZDQWyQ53W1ZYc3tor44vP4yFL7bqcU6wzyq5UDOZwVzEiYnQdIEaTbu7xdgTEFL-y6CjL/s320/Cococabana-Bolvia+017.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The next day it was raining in the morning and we decided to stay another day. Then the rain cleared so we decided to make for Puno in Peru. The boarder crossing was only 8km away. We had two bus loads of back packers waiting at the the boarder. Amazingly they were all processed within 20-30 minutes. A good start to our entry into Peru. <br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"></blockquote>Motor Cycle Adventures: Golden Bay to Cape Hornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16601201946993138906noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4310743008757337682.post-36784295544599662692012-02-02T18:57:00.000-08:002012-02-18T15:26:40.527-08:00Four seasons in one daaay<span lang="">When setting off on the bikes at the start of the day It's often hard to judge just how much clothes to wear and it's annoying having to stop and add or remove layers all the time. We left the dry hot environment in Cachi and had not travelled far and we had to add our thermal liners. The road had smartly taken us up to about 3500m in a series of nice tarmac switch backs and the temp had dropped accordingly. The catus weren't complaining about the cold and were thriving up on the high saddle.<br /><br /><br /> </span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="border: currentColor; clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhahQIOLugrGmswPJdRigxyrcp_Q6hbfDU8u-qclSNF1kk4vradqxCyDc4Pw2yJbLHXCQoUlgjZrF_A78fIMXCSr6Mme4sF81f6mnBlb06iY2w09m98kCLBETBuwqMzHOl33tgws0O-FsW4/s1600/167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhahQIOLugrGmswPJdRigxyrcp_Q6hbfDU8u-qclSNF1kk4vradqxCyDc4Pw2yJbLHXCQoUlgjZrF_A78fIMXCSr6Mme4sF81f6mnBlb06iY2w09m98kCLBETBuwqMzHOl33tgws0O-FsW4/s400/167.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interesting lanscape near Cachi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisxWqzyMiiVUsILXEarsywHMqli9-30_8A7AsdOEhQDN5qcf2DxwmSFcuZQ16bI1C_op1StnPPt5J-wn2P62Wehn-25oPHwbKI_EXo7UdNarv4tBu4GZ6HT-Zg55vx60CW2vZtMbs8ZjFb/s1600/194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisxWqzyMiiVUsILXEarsywHMqli9-30_8A7AsdOEhQDN5qcf2DxwmSFcuZQ16bI1C_op1StnPPt5J-wn2P62Wehn-25oPHwbKI_EXo7UdNarv4tBu4GZ6HT-Zg55vx60CW2vZtMbs8ZjFb/s400/194.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cacti at 3500m</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The road then dropped us down the other side of the pass even more dramatically as we descended 2000m elevation on tight gravel switch backs. Surprisingly at the bottom we were now riding through a hot and humid rain forest as we neared the valley containing the cities of Salta and San Salvador De Jujuy. With the thermal liners out we were still uncomfortably hot and found refuge for a lunch break in the gas station's air conditioned cafe. In the afternoon we took the old route between Salta and Jujuy. The road was a narrow and windy tarmac track that traversed along a mountain range with jungle vines draping of the trees, very nice going on the motos.<br />
<br />
<br />
We were surprised to find such a green environment in this area, lots of crops growing, particularly tobacco, I guess with a name like "Salta" we were expecting more of the dramatically dry and rocky country that we had seen through most of northern Argentina. Within the days riding we left the red desert environment of Cachi's Adobe earth buildings and Rocky outcrops, summitted a 3500m pass containing a scattered forest of millions of Cati's, and then descended into a rain forest. Not a bad day out really.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifuhsKpL7lYg3EXsPnaJzFHHX-v6iMDdz97zCvCmeTx8r80-9L94bwOOs8O0h4G012rxQzOjksT4IDOnc1AJZNONxEj3rR2-ZBEpkQ2dB25wqXSHCRwzsZnGe33HrpvPCFsLu59CzK2hUQ/s1600/206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifuhsKpL7lYg3EXsPnaJzFHHX-v6iMDdz97zCvCmeTx8r80-9L94bwOOs8O0h4G012rxQzOjksT4IDOnc1AJZNONxEj3rR2-ZBEpkQ2dB25wqXSHCRwzsZnGe33HrpvPCFsLu59CzK2hUQ/s400/206.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Down in the rain forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI-jlV03z_mDg2iYswtiKqxfl6m0qgRO4xKjcjrPgw2-7FY_qFQI8HaJZf6GivqQoxzKea7fHEbh9y4JfVsHJYFHmCptDh5OBA0kG5o3IjeIQqbR-j2xayWkCUnbkNEsl8lEr_lJQWYGqm/s1600/209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI-jlV03z_mDg2iYswtiKqxfl6m0qgRO4xKjcjrPgw2-7FY_qFQI8HaJZf6GivqQoxzKea7fHEbh9y4JfVsHJYFHmCptDh5OBA0kG5o3IjeIQqbR-j2xayWkCUnbkNEsl8lEr_lJQWYGqm/s400/209.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
In the city of San Salvador De Jujuy we managed to find a hostel without too much fuss. Most of the cities over here contain one way streets which makes navigating around even harder for unfamiliar tourist's on motos! Another plus was the secure "estacionamiento" across the road. It's also often difficult to find secure safe parking for the bikes so the parking was a bonus. The following day we were hoping to head up to the Bolivian border after replacing the chain and sprockets on the Tenere. Rob had purchased all the bits back in La Serena, all we needed was a large 32mm socket to remove the front sprocket and we should be on the road in no time. Yeah, should be but not so....<br />
<br />
<br />
Not far from the hostel we found a small but very friendly moto shop selling Chinese "kellers" and were keen for us to use there workshop. After a bit of mucking about removing the rear wheel and also a very, very extensive unplanned tour of Jujuy's one way streets on a misson to retrieve forgotten parts back at the hostel we thought we were good to go. Problem was the front sprocket obtained in La Serena did not match the chain. After several visits to moto shops and also the standard 3 hour midday lunch break/siesta we were very lucky and found a KLR 650 sprocket which fitted the Tenere. The crew at keller moto's went out of there way running us around town and helping us out all day, once again we were amazed at peoples helpfulness here in S. America. Often these unwelcomed experiences turn out as memorable ones due to peoples generosity.<br />
<br />
<br />
With the Tenere powering on smoothly we climbed up out of the green valley and onto the Altiplano heading for the Bolivian boarder town of La Quiaca. Once again the surroundings were transformed back into the arid dry environment. Within Bolivia the Andes become much broader creating the "Altiplano" high plane at 3500 to 4000m above sea level which contains some very interesting features. These include the largest salt flat in the world, the Salar De Uyuni, lake Titicaca the worlds highest navigable lake and also Potosi the worlds highest city at 4000m.<br />
<br />
The Dr 650 had puffed it's way over the passo San fransico and Auga Nerga ok put was by far running well up and over 3500 m. With the majority of our time in Bolivia up high I re jetted the carburetor on the dr which has definitely helped but may need some further tuning. Robs bike has fuel injection which automatically compensates for the lack of oxygen. Ourselves have felt the effects of less oxygen with mild headaches and breathless at times, but our staggered gains in altitude over the last week or so has so far prevented any real illness thankfully. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg53l153g5bUOQLKrThUvjZ24E6OvE6GKdGA29X-gJEpvXc5jnbCi-ew6PeB8m5h7MtcL2uqTZN0ykdCN31nFG7dA7_40573A471Hkt0TxEv65zD8AFudB8b5zLqxKsQ9QFGbLufzAqEz67/s1600/218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg53l153g5bUOQLKrThUvjZ24E6OvE6GKdGA29X-gJEpvXc5jnbCi-ew6PeB8m5h7MtcL2uqTZN0ykdCN31nFG7dA7_40573A471Hkt0TxEv65zD8AFudB8b5zLqxKsQ9QFGbLufzAqEz67/s640/218.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">meeting up with the Germans</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On our way to La Quinca we court up with 4 German's travelling on bikes similar to ours and decided to ride on together. We pulled into town and proceeded to the boarder processing. This is the major Bolivian/Argentina crossing and there were people everywhere. Once in the appropriate que it was obvious that this was going to be a long and painful one. The que was barely moving and 4 hours later the passport was finally stamped by an extremely slow immigration officer who along with his colleagues just didn't give two hoots about the many people waiting for hours. One enjoyable feature about S. America is the laid back nature and lack of regulations but sometimes you need something such as money, fuel, and passports processed and it can be extremely frustrating spending hours queing up for these services. The Germans joked that back home things were just too efficient and organised but this was just way too inefficient for them. <br />
<br />
Having spent 4 hours getting our passports stamped we still had to repeat the hole thing in a new que to get the moto's stamped out of Argentina and it was obvious that this wasn't going to happen before the office closed up shop in an hours time at 10 pm. Officially exited we rode back into Argentina with the job half done and found a hotel for the night. We were back at the office first thing and just happened to bump into Lucus and Whitney with whom we'd spent xmas with down at the other end of Argentina. After a brief catch up we were first in que so got the moto's processed in good time. Now all we had to do was ride over the river to the other half of town, find the Bolivian immigration and we were done.<br />
<br />
It was 7am and there was already a massive que of people spilling out of the office and well up the street. Thankfully the que was for people exiting Bolivia and there was virtually no que for us so within 1 hour six very happy and rowdy trail bikers rode up the busy narrow street past the huge crowd of backpackers and locals. We got many envious looks form the backpackers as we passed by. I dought many new just how long they would be stuck there. We are definitely over border crossings!<br />
<div style="border: currentColor;">
</div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKDcvbODofB6MP38INAJ1dZbcuebAdgTQYXmdULpxKGSzBfg-6yBCLap-ZrqWqYCQNfS0kmg1HUjs9DBTRMG7Z8KweAdPpnqHJ2O3U6LHrN26GdRjCoQrowWe-FxV4j0yrc7HM5T-9YjI_/s1600/219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKDcvbODofB6MP38INAJ1dZbcuebAdgTQYXmdULpxKGSzBfg-6yBCLap-ZrqWqYCQNfS0kmg1HUjs9DBTRMG7Z8KweAdPpnqHJ2O3U6LHrN26GdRjCoQrowWe-FxV4j0yrc7HM5T-9YjI_/s400/219.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the border...day 1</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUlMiSMmKT0lkLmfOLHvYxex2xgvb6usYHR3EL7vvCVgZZL0e3-d0yBuRiPDbisQmsLm2Ndx15fuPYtLVxGGoILJ9gTUdsfopfUZhhyphenhyphenMO8H2fWt3fK98OnS7GT8t-vktGOcRxn3dtE1HVk/s1600/223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUlMiSMmKT0lkLmfOLHvYxex2xgvb6usYHR3EL7vvCVgZZL0e3-d0yBuRiPDbisQmsLm2Ndx15fuPYtLVxGGoILJ9gTUdsfopfUZhhyphenhyphenMO8H2fWt3fK98OnS7GT8t-vktGOcRxn3dtE1HVk/s400/223.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....day 2</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
After a late breakfast and our first taste of Bolivia at Tupiza we had 200km of dirt road to Uyuni and the riding was first rate. It fulled in the rest of the day nicely as the road took us past more interesting dirt/rock and climbed high up onto and traversed ridge tops past very small communities. Uyuni is the starting point for the very popular jeep tours that head out onto the massive salar. The next day we road out to the edge for a look. Firstly, we stoped by a mechanic shop to get a nut tightened on Rob's bike. The cap on top of the steering column had come loose for the second time, we needed a large socket. Upon inspection the mechanic determined that the thread was too loose, the cap worn and proceeded to machine up a new one in his well equipped machine shop. He did a nice job for a fraction of the cost that it would have been back in NZ.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Once out on the edge of the salar the vastness was truly impressive. The best way I can think to describe the view is to imagine a massive frozen lake that spreads over the horizon and has volcanoes dotted around the edge. I had mixed feelings as we surveyed the landscape. The salar is a very unique riding experience and we were hoping to ride across it's length but with the rains already arrived the salt surface was covered in a briny salt water which we didn't want to subject the bikes to. We had to be content with the view from the edge and enjoy the reflectiveness that the water provided. We also visited a hotel nearby that was built mainly from salt! Yep, salt brick walls, salt pebble floor, just about everything salt.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvlh0Mx1CO68GI95yWw5L1QC2Z-SEOWN16rf-cHGKBCsKjbZNy2oKp-G6nk7bYPa4ArGcTOCFXWX87hZ-g8BjgqIs8fmqhFB7RKcWZEIinogPUkshkdNafhz0UEAEQKHE7Z9aTgfmNWtC_/s1600/240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvlh0Mx1CO68GI95yWw5L1QC2Z-SEOWN16rf-cHGKBCsKjbZNy2oKp-G6nk7bYPa4ArGcTOCFXWX87hZ-g8BjgqIs8fmqhFB7RKcWZEIinogPUkshkdNafhz0UEAEQKHE7Z9aTgfmNWtC_/s400/240.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading for Uyuni</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_6WocFZ4bfYHge6pyKBNgB5lY0axL-tEPZCwbDwXI3TNqZPYTqEV4yeeLY-qzpAQ-qPedQ0n_hqkzE3yOMykhgsoif8mbC2PvVryQO5ZBz06lSxCiz36eK-vVR2efIoW-XtouG-fpq4Wd/s1600/266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_6WocFZ4bfYHge6pyKBNgB5lY0axL-tEPZCwbDwXI3TNqZPYTqEV4yeeLY-qzpAQ-qPedQ0n_hqkzE3yOMykhgsoif8mbC2PvVryQO5ZBz06lSxCiz36eK-vVR2efIoW-XtouG-fpq4Wd/s640/266.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the edge of the Salar de Uyuni</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBs-vb_rEj6cM4wS7aXpwKi0idSs-Tuuorn3gN8oMZNYDDdnQ6wnYAlXYtnuHGR4dQm_NSTVvDp9n8WXEVzGyUPLko0Ds-9uoILjoOjrNLIemW85Q078fCHLGFKAwqH7-oPBegQ30L9SZ6/s1600/273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBs-vb_rEj6cM4wS7aXpwKi0idSs-Tuuorn3gN8oMZNYDDdnQ6wnYAlXYtnuHGR4dQm_NSTVvDp9n8WXEVzGyUPLko0Ds-9uoILjoOjrNLIemW85Q078fCHLGFKAwqH7-oPBegQ30L9SZ6/s400/273.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lunch time at Uyuni and the usual insulin shot and not so usual curious company</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We sett off for Potosi after lunch and the road once again traversed along ridge tops offering great views of the surrounding Altiplano and the salar disappearing off in the distance behind us. This section of road was once all dirt but has been transformed into a very smooth and well built highway with the final sections almost complete. As we neared Potosi it was obvious that we were pretty high up as the DR was lacking power. Potosi is the highest city in world at 4000m and was once the largest and wealthiest city in Latern America due to very rich silver ore deposits.<br />
<br />
Today the mining still goes on in much the same way as it did many years ago, very primitively with very few safety measures in place. We got to experience it first hand with a mine tour that had us underground and in the hands of "Tio" the underground Devil with which the miners worship.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigLu8sfJxe9fEoDBaJ1a0vhO79QmjbXA-lzVO5lGK4CbZme9gtIcIZNwCzkLeJ-RWwJCRGB0VjOmENn68bs4ZoTxllJsrNnqNLdIh00iLJquTcGh2Q6wU2nEpP1Jwaq7XBEX6vdYG8pzD0/s1600/292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigLu8sfJxe9fEoDBaJ1a0vhO79QmjbXA-lzVO5lGK4CbZme9gtIcIZNwCzkLeJ-RWwJCRGB0VjOmENn68bs4ZoTxllJsrNnqNLdIh00iLJquTcGh2Q6wU2nEpP1Jwaq7XBEX6vdYG8pzD0/s320/292.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Tio down in the mine ( side on )</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
The lack of safety measures was evident when we almost got taken out by a speeding 1 ton trolley load of ore with no brakes. It was also obvious that these were extremely hard and dangerous working conditions. Miners often die after only 10 years exposure due to lung disease. As interesting as it was we were both clad to be back up on the surface and checking out the colour full market back in town. It's quite fascinating seeing the woman here in there traditional bright clothing, hats, and long platterd hair. I couldn't help myself but have a good look at some and noticed that a few were having a good look at me too and giggling under their hats probably due to my bright blond eyebrows and reddy blonde beard that is now after two and a half months looking a bit "woolly"<br />
<br />
<br />
I must have jinkest myself writing this blog as within a few hours of writing " no real illness" I come down with a nasty stomach bug which for couple of days had me in the bed or trying to decided which end of me to point at the toilet! The staff at the hotel, Nora and Hector were very helpful and specially prepared meals while I was crook. After a recovery day we set of towards La Paz and parked up at a city called Oruro. On the way we passed locals minding there stock ( llamas, sheep, and cows) and also road men with there bicycle's, shovels and wheel barrows! Lots of very basic adobe homes and people living a very simple life in these parts. <br />
<br />
On arrival to Oruro the place looked a bit like a shit hole really, dirty muddy and rubbishy side roads, worn out diesel trucks and buses spewing out clouds of white diesel smoke and when we were refused fuel at the first gas station we were even less impressed. The Bolivian parliament has recently introduced a policy to charge foreign vehicles almost 3 times as much as the locals. This was brought on by increasing amount of cheap bulk fuel being taken back over the border by neighbouring countries. After following a friendly taxi driver to another station and trying but failing to get fuel at the locals rate we eventually parked up at a motorcycle dealers show where a local biker filled up Robs 8 liter jerry several times from a gas station across the road. In the mean time us and our bikes become the centre of attention at the show.Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394193965421980981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4310743008757337682.post-9760150797010969742012-01-23T12:08:00.000-08:002012-01-25T17:47:26.919-08:00la Sarena Chile- Cachi Argentina<span lang="">South America update on blog 23rd January 2012<br />
<br />
We left La Serena after I got my knew chain sprockets and rubber cushes for the rear wheel. It was more expensive than I had expected and I was unable to withdraw enough cash out of a Chilean ATM machine. You can only get $1000 pesos at a time out. The Pesos is currently about 3.3 pesos to a NZ dollar.</span><br />
<span lang=""><br />
The mechanic I was dealing with Bob at Tonino Motos was very good. I now have to carry around a chain and sprocket tell the present ones are worn out enough to make it worth replacing. Not something I wanted to do because of the limited space we have in our luggage. I suspect we are not going to be able to purchase parts easily as we head into the more remote parts of northern Argentina and Bolivia in the coming weeks.<br />
<br />
The ride north of La Serena on Ruta 3 (Pan American highway) was interesting in that we were now coming across many trucks lumbering along. The road switched back and forth as we climbed up and slightly away from the coast. The terrain got dry and arid again.<br />
<span lang="">We stopped at a truck stop for lunch. The exterior of the premises didn't look great but all the trucks and pickups were an indicator that the food would be okay. We had a huge meal of fish rice salad all for about $10 NZ. Eating a big meal in the afternoon in the hottest part of the day just makes you sleepy. So I struggled after about an hour and started looking for a more comfortable position on the bike so I could relax. I had to stop and we found shade behind a shelter before I fell asleep.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span lang=""></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinnHVUgtjbvBEFWsJ4gX9CnuFDpkAE5YGCsZQD-cW60Up7xeM0EDhTu0pskV2UwhQ39s0qoaARiDXVuxMBntScRP7Dbgib7w03goTde872KDSpNiTNiZuFtJSHqIWBNc_Ns39vQ0g1H7v7/s1600/La+Serena+to+Cachi+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinnHVUgtjbvBEFWsJ4gX9CnuFDpkAE5YGCsZQD-cW60Up7xeM0EDhTu0pskV2UwhQ39s0qoaARiDXVuxMBntScRP7Dbgib7w03goTde872KDSpNiTNiZuFtJSHqIWBNc_Ns39vQ0g1H7v7/s320/La+Serena+to+Cachi+016.JPG" width="320" /></a> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOYoH06YmkWrEnWcxpHyu759VJsF0o7UAQHzDdh_MuehfYaKzwofYP-QLFm3QO-TIJW2gkfJ4bxG3ef0OyrxcGU6RRO77vuDSA8l_Ssyu6a8HHbhfrELmtB4a1S36kDkU8CinIb3oESaig/s1600/La+Serena+to+Cachi+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOYoH06YmkWrEnWcxpHyu759VJsF0o7UAQHzDdh_MuehfYaKzwofYP-QLFm3QO-TIJW2gkfJ4bxG3ef0OyrxcGU6RRO77vuDSA8l_Ssyu6a8HHbhfrELmtB4a1S36kDkU8CinIb3oESaig/s320/La+Serena+to+Cachi+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This old guy glued my boots up in La Serena.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>We rolled into Copiopo a mining town at about 5pm. They mine silver,lithium,cooper and probably lots of other stuff by the look of the number of side roads leading off into the desert. We called into a Honda motorcycle shop and were given directions to a cheap hostel. We eventually found it. The place was more like a cells at Nelson Police station with no where to park our bikes.<br />
<br />
The bar next door was interesting the sign said it was a restaurant as well. So I looked in the door. There was an older women with half doesn't young ladies, not that attractive they wanted me to stop and have a beer.Not sure how it worked I guess the ladies were there to get you to spend money on beer. We couldn't come to any arrangement for parking the bikes.<br />
<br />
An employee of a mining company called into check the hostel out also, suggested we follow him and we ended up at a hoseria a bit further away, which was more expensive but had parking . We had sandwiches for tea.<br />
<br />
The start of the ride out of Copiopo was cool, we passed a lot local industry associated with the mining as we headed NE out of the city. Out of the city there are no homes at all. There was no water in the valleys as we headed up to the San Francisco Paso at 4700m. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPtJFC3VHNkuVRW_NRnL26R0lZnkw-_tEigTFhpR_T2QkNMios83z1KjZHB39F-UY-EfrVmSEKyYspxcB5eWHkq9eop8iHYHR5-5U4G0WRcyuBDdfmSbu8buSC6HoNsz0wcXg0mEV7r_wI/s1600/La+Serena+to+Cachi+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPtJFC3VHNkuVRW_NRnL26R0lZnkw-_tEigTFhpR_T2QkNMios83z1KjZHB39F-UY-EfrVmSEKyYspxcB5eWHkq9eop8iHYHR5-5U4G0WRcyuBDdfmSbu8buSC6HoNsz0wcXg0mEV7r_wI/s320/La+Serena+to+Cachi+006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We passed a couple of Guanaco (bit like a Llama) who chasing each other it went on for some time. They ran right across the road in front of us.<br />
The border crossing to get back into Argentina was uneventful . Which was quite a change from the last few times. Mind you not many were crossing the Andes at this particular paso. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlMr-7NqQj4AfmXZKunwmHO47MKcamf-Fk6iB-9KHnjDodNjFmvry7c2r9M3w8UHpK5nknhb3OdXurZdjcCTBIT7qPs87IqniFeqN8SLhPgMVxPz0InK0JcYxBf2yciDhWUlx5FnVZoAdN/s1600/La+Serena+to+Cachi+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlMr-7NqQj4AfmXZKunwmHO47MKcamf-Fk6iB-9KHnjDodNjFmvry7c2r9M3w8UHpK5nknhb3OdXurZdjcCTBIT7qPs87IqniFeqN8SLhPgMVxPz0InK0JcYxBf2yciDhWUlx5FnVZoAdN/s320/La+Serena+to+Cachi+013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Having lunch at Chilean border.<br />
<br />
The gravel was lose and patches of Sandy soft dust as we got close to the top which puts you on edge a bit. Neither of us were as effected by the altitude to the same degree this time. But we didn't hang around because of the cool wind. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZFYdQXcOHSl6VnMcTnL14gOGj6HxfpgTQu0Eid5zZCvHIwvdOfgpucBiYlswLqkOvSemjQpI4NR0MGoaGzy1V1O02ihLtswx_k1yIe0BAq_Jo_bnW5LCSR1RbWhUdLLda9NL9NHsFQRZ/s1600/La+Serena+to+Cachi+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZFYdQXcOHSl6VnMcTnL14gOGj6HxfpgTQu0Eid5zZCvHIwvdOfgpucBiYlswLqkOvSemjQpI4NR0MGoaGzy1V1O02ihLtswx_k1yIe0BAq_Jo_bnW5LCSR1RbWhUdLLda9NL9NHsFQRZ/s320/La+Serena+to+Cachi+016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Nearing the top of San Francisco Paso</div>From the the top of the pass the road was sealed. When we got down to the Argentine border control and a guy was receiving oxygen . We were told later that a guy had become unconscious and had rolled his car with his family inside a few days earlier. <br />
<br />
We rolled on and rode into a thunder storm which then turned into shower of hail. We both had our one piece suits on. As we riding along lighting was flashing about us. I saw lighting strike hit the side of the hill about 400 m away and burst of bright red flames erupt.<br />
We got down to the small oasis town Fiambala. A stage of the Dakar rally had started here. large sand dunes were on one side of the valley. The local cemetery was covered in sand.480km today.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6jtkJAcaO2LSsiG-ZPbsQ_bJtzI1rc3cosrL4YkysZKJGue7qFi3UCEeSx0OsKtLlfoWxhKHykHTafO3jlUYxVEQM6Gv5nHhR8fIOwUUPlaVkHt8gagrgRWxn8LnYetS75cYHk0jQVZe/s1600/La+Serena+to+Cachi+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6jtkJAcaO2LSsiG-ZPbsQ_bJtzI1rc3cosrL4YkysZKJGue7qFi3UCEeSx0OsKtLlfoWxhKHykHTafO3jlUYxVEQM6Gv5nHhR8fIOwUUPlaVkHt8gagrgRWxn8LnYetS75cYHk0jQVZe/s320/La+Serena+to+Cachi+025.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Cementry at Fiambala<br />
<br />
We found a small family owned and run campsite and cooked up some tea. Had late arrivals turn up at 10pm and preceded to make a noise. You also realise you are in rural town with all the people cruising around on small motorcycles with no helmets. We had a chat with a ex German national -Walter who was towing a 1984 BMW Dakar behind his 4wd. He gave us information on the conditions of the roads, fuel,camping which was helpful and just what we were looking for.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8uSxkUW-Uu5CkfHDyMNwFC2HH3dzsmGUTqc2RAWL7pS_wcAHavHGTFurV11A2y4HlMwNsNLLwZ3DKno332tiBll4O1IEc0rvCam9iJLDwUdPdmgBtI5dfGK9OQc7DK5EGO7ArQqQYhjeT/s1600/La+Serena+to+Cachi+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8uSxkUW-Uu5CkfHDyMNwFC2HH3dzsmGUTqc2RAWL7pS_wcAHavHGTFurV11A2y4HlMwNsNLLwZ3DKno332tiBll4O1IEc0rvCam9iJLDwUdPdmgBtI5dfGK9OQc7DK5EGO7ArQqQYhjeT/s320/La+Serena+to+Cachi+029.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Our friendly family run motor camp Fiambala<br />
<br />
We stopped at Tinogasta withdraw some more money,Joe cued for 20 minutes to get money, and ate our lunch in the Plaza area and watched the cars and motorcycles go around and around the plaza.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJ8xI5AQ2hyphenhyphenE4-dH-jGUdvZdu0S6Qwy2jx-KhGSPqeHL9RdGFvjiC_sdt5EwLsdiEI1h-y41X2pEc3ELHDD5etI6dF6HCCZXYuKmgvSreynfaWrZ4azL3RFT7gEtgXePzjVJV7Uj2TYep/s1600/La+Serena+to+Cachi+032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJ8xI5AQ2hyphenhyphenE4-dH-jGUdvZdu0S6Qwy2jx-KhGSPqeHL9RdGFvjiC_sdt5EwLsdiEI1h-y41X2pEc3ELHDD5etI6dF6HCCZXYuKmgvSreynfaWrZ4azL3RFT7gEtgXePzjVJV7Uj2TYep/s320/La+Serena+to+Cachi+032.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
We stopped in Belen for more fuel and then in San Fernando<br />
<br />
Donkeys all over the place as headed north.<br />
<br />
<span lang="">We decided to take a side road and headed up into the Sierra Blanca area desert and very dry.The road actually goes all the way north up toward San Pedro De Atacama. But we were told the road has lots of sand on it and is very difficult. Plus you need fuel for 800km.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Y3_nTFCA2_rNRTXHvaPOX3e14pm3RgwoDmKoHH3hXFkmcKackQ5KdugINU9XkDaxjXbD5pDYSF5AswO5rUzeNxE76V51cMJyvpynAo-sBCFqMT9F1sy1Y9wHjB7l62w2IQMnmyfi4BeQ/s1600/La+Serena+to+Cachi+042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Y3_nTFCA2_rNRTXHvaPOX3e14pm3RgwoDmKoHH3hXFkmcKackQ5KdugINU9XkDaxjXbD5pDYSF5AswO5rUzeNxE76V51cMJyvpynAo-sBCFqMT9F1sy1Y9wHjB7l62w2IQMnmyfi4BeQ/s320/La+Serena+to+Cachi+042.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<span lang=""> The road tuned to gravel and got worse. We pulled into a workman's camp where a local man Antonia was the caretaker of the building. He let us set up our tents next to building. He offered to give us a room but we liked the cooler tents and no dust and heat from being inside his house. 2900m altitude so good for getting acclimatised to altitude. We had hail storm under the eves of the building while we cooked tea and two nosey chocks to deal with. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxDDFscRpESYNJmbLucfq3IVCfWRQjtFafUiwK4p3zv_akjupI_0fV1kdoq_wPQJbgrjfoprzF7T9y6vyynMhUmoKVJ50CGxslLm01cXG0WwRqJgHfCWxLuSJjVhrYkPcbF_3rWDKrnny/s1600/La+Serena+to+Cachi+053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxDDFscRpESYNJmbLucfq3IVCfWRQjtFafUiwK4p3zv_akjupI_0fV1kdoq_wPQJbgrjfoprzF7T9y6vyynMhUmoKVJ50CGxslLm01cXG0WwRqJgHfCWxLuSJjVhrYkPcbF_3rWDKrnny/s320/La+Serena+to+Cachi+053.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIeWWTSeIhVPDkm8G-BQGNN8296i0PYVJOnswtV6TGO40IqDFSMgSZjFC8l_zUeA9kdxubpbHD3xO_0VmqKHRCz8m6B3TUWF1_yaRw8Ogpe7ol6TF6LPKd438WSftv8l7owcEXwin6TjL_/s1600/La+Serena+to+Cachi+062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIeWWTSeIhVPDkm8G-BQGNN8296i0PYVJOnswtV6TGO40IqDFSMgSZjFC8l_zUeA9kdxubpbHD3xO_0VmqKHRCz8m6B3TUWF1_yaRw8Ogpe7ol6TF6LPKd438WSftv8l7owcEXwin6TjL_/s320/La+Serena+to+Cachi+062.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Having some lunch after riding in the sand pit.</div><span lang="">On the way back through Peno we came across the 2 day enduro event. There were about 35 bikes. They had a prologue and Joe rode the DR650 over some of the course. Not the type of terrain we are used to with stones over sand. Quite neat to see a local event and the terrain they ride on.</span><br />
<br />
<span lang="">We rode later into the evening than we both like to and ended up in a small town called Santa Maria.The towns we passed as we came in were interesting with fords of muddy water pouring through . We couldn't find a hoseria or hostel and settled for a hotel that looked pretty nice, it was more expensive that we wanted. Thinking we would get a good sleep. But a 5 year birthday party was being celebrated in the conference room next to our bedroom. At 12:15 I saw red and went to the reception and tried to speak to the owner an elderly guy who couldn't speak English. I left him knowing what I thought of his hotel. Then went to the birthday party and told them to turn there stereo down.</span><br />
<span lang="">The next morning the old guy hung around us looking sheepish as we packed up. I managed to get some back $30 pesos before I handed the key back.</span><br />
<span lang=""><br />
22nd January.<br />
<br />
Had a photo session with a nice Argentine family before we left<br />
<br />
We stopped off at a old Indian village that has been restored at Quilmes.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span lang=""> Called into Cafayate(wine growing and tourism) and had a boil up in the Plaza. Met some young Argentine guys who were keen on our bikes and wanted to know all about our journey.</span><br />
<span lang=""><br />
We then a 158 km ride on Ruta 40 mainly on gravel to a small town called Cachi (maybe 3000 pop). The ride in was long and winding and narrow and was more like a farm track in places. The scenery was stunning in places and we got some nice photos.<br />
<br />
<br />
Another band playing tell 3 in the morning some where down the road.</span><br />
<span lang="">23rd January.<br />
Rest day. Joe change his rear tyre its down to the canvas in a few places. I updated the blog. Internet connection is of dubious quality in this town so won't be able to post it. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIeWWTSeIhVPDkm8G-BQGNN8296i0PYVJOnswtV6TGO40IqDFSMgSZjFC8l_zUeA9kdxubpbHD3xO_0VmqKHRCz8m6B3TUWF1_yaRw8Ogpe7ol6TF6LPKd438WSftv8l7owcEXwin6TjL_/s1600/La+Serena+to+Cachi+062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIeWWTSeIhVPDkm8G-BQGNN8296i0PYVJOnswtV6TGO40IqDFSMgSZjFC8l_zUeA9kdxubpbHD3xO_0VmqKHRCz8m6B3TUWF1_yaRw8Ogpe7ol6TF6LPKd438WSftv8l7owcEXwin6TjL_/s320/La+Serena+to+Cachi+062.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></span>Motor Cycle Adventures: Golden Bay to Cape Hornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16601201946993138906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4310743008757337682.post-69930209854494318892012-01-16T16:16:00.000-08:002012-01-16T17:06:14.823-08:00San Luis to la Serena ChileFriday 13th January.<br />
<br />
Abit slow to get going. We called into the middle of the city to get some money. Joe managed to navagate us out of San Luis with out any hiccups.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5VaMiYz8ZFNUjzMjnwd3d41HEcuSWas2hAcZrStSa9-aliFSPtXcQCd4_6E-pUzidQCfW0oJeVhJmwKgyXbfHSGPRrOsL3xioD44TMGJIUC_jCDKA6otVcCBTPeYgA1B09UFRX6CxvD9n/s1600/san+luis+Argentina+to+La+Serena+Chile+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5VaMiYz8ZFNUjzMjnwd3d41HEcuSWas2hAcZrStSa9-aliFSPtXcQCd4_6E-pUzidQCfW0oJeVhJmwKgyXbfHSGPRrOsL3xioD44TMGJIUC_jCDKA6otVcCBTPeYgA1B09UFRX6CxvD9n/s320/san+luis+Argentina+to+La+Serena+Chile+006.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The country side north of San Luis was back to being dry and arid with adobe type houses and very poor agricultural land. We saw mules and lots of old vechicels. Stopped at a service station and the manager who owned three bikes was very helpful and gave us tips on fuel and access to the Valley of the Luna National Park.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We rode approx 450 km today and nded up at San Augustine -Fertile valley. We stayed in a campground which wouldn't make a top ten holiday park ie the swimming pool was green the toilets were a bit yucky and there were ants and large frogs every where.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCif6WjcvjwVn0NSb_9K8tkzH64HEoAWmpDIzCKhRAn2AGvqwkFfQxmvJFjCwJ96cV3lMNy4fkvMLmf1jI8WgYIwymxNXoku-i9pSE1nwYCIDghYVMDHUOvVdUKMPFH9ceTVbKoYo__Ml/s1600/san+luis+Argentina+to+La+Serena+Chile+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCif6WjcvjwVn0NSb_9K8tkzH64HEoAWmpDIzCKhRAn2AGvqwkFfQxmvJFjCwJ96cV3lMNy4fkvMLmf1jI8WgYIwymxNXoku-i9pSE1nwYCIDghYVMDHUOvVdUKMPFH9ceTVbKoYo__Ml/s320/san+luis+Argentina+to+La+Serena+Chile+015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>At midnight a party started for a 15 year old girl. The music was cranking and went on tell 4:00am. I got and walked the three hundred metres to the party and let myself in. About 50 young people and a few adults were dancing. Not that much alcohol involved . A huge birthday cake was on the table.So if your in Argentina at motorcamp in the summer don't expect to get lot of sleep.<br />
<br />
The next day we left early and went to Ischigualasto NP which was about 80 km away. We had tto pay to get into park and then we had to follow the Park ranger around in convoy. The park is famous because it resembles the moon. Dinosurars remains were found there. Unfortnately the ranges whole presentation was in spanish. So we got hotter and hotter and couldn't ride out tell the end. Some nice scenery though.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmb7pT_WZMK9a4FEkFg5AzAQ0RKcdohx5KWAZxcZopkzMjnLTMa6Mjux7hFM5kCmSftSAb4ONaEyzIjRm7zQbegaIYRfhphKoh5wMjVH23VtAIhCg1zHQM-AaQ9wqA8ShpjLf-qjC3LT46/s1600/san+luis+Argentina+to+La+Serena+Chile+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmb7pT_WZMK9a4FEkFg5AzAQ0RKcdohx5KWAZxcZopkzMjnLTMa6Mjux7hFM5kCmSftSAb4ONaEyzIjRm7zQbegaIYRfhphKoh5wMjVH23VtAIhCg1zHQM-AaQ9wqA8ShpjLf-qjC3LT46/s320/san+luis+Argentina+to+La+Serena+Chile+037.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>El Submarine.<br />
<br />
We tried to ride through the NP and take a short cut but got turned back after 11km. The rode was have power cables put into it and a guard would not let us through. So we had tto make a 150km detour. Shit.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipXhRfSXAhyPkxThg3_qtrGPeehXALq_4XzwHHyHdNNdKFH-uHWKQSf-CEaBGNbLQWSVVDw-0R7bGPFXz6hMwJEE_Xb4mM-tsHXVwSpGVEBz_YBDNfvzYEg5KI_XMOXZDCKQasygrShbDv/s1600/san+luis+Argentina+to+La+Serena+Chile+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipXhRfSXAhyPkxThg3_qtrGPeehXALq_4XzwHHyHdNNdKFH-uHWKQSf-CEaBGNbLQWSVVDw-0R7bGPFXz6hMwJEE_Xb4mM-tsHXVwSpGVEBz_YBDNfvzYEg5KI_XMOXZDCKQasygrShbDv/s320/san+luis+Argentina+to+La+Serena+Chile+025.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCaET7tB6CjRuD0O2FNgX1hlTloFh8B4Mao7DCdm89jQhp_AxLA7EjkhPFp3ZNaY5pXqq25XkjgttaybLI1Lt8X3O7sAKwXZ7xitqNkPXSWkIssr9xfju2SBIvDxgxb9Ck52Edr7QN_a43/s1600/san+luis+Argentina+to+La+Serena+Chile+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCaET7tB6CjRuD0O2FNgX1hlTloFh8B4Mao7DCdm89jQhp_AxLA7EjkhPFp3ZNaY5pXqq25XkjgttaybLI1Lt8X3O7sAKwXZ7xitqNkPXSWkIssr9xfju2SBIvDxgxb9Ck52Edr7QN_a43/s320/san+luis+Argentina+to+La+Serena+Chile+039.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A small Police station on the way to Valley Union.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX5pym8ZB-U9ELR6Ru6N4iK_Lc6IFoUzw2S9bJ7DtN4V-7sRxXPTdllYtz9fgn0cKIY4cfXrykxHHitxifBQy-iqIgpT0TTfNdysrasihtktgV_Y8nlvVXMPlM-fG7cogxR1YO6ARWpoTF/s1600/san+luis+Argentina+to+La+Serena+Chile+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX5pym8ZB-U9ELR6Ru6N4iK_Lc6IFoUzw2S9bJ7DtN4V-7sRxXPTdllYtz9fgn0cKIY4cfXrykxHHitxifBQy-iqIgpT0TTfNdysrasihtktgV_Y8nlvVXMPlM-fG7cogxR1YO6ARWpoTF/s320/san+luis+Argentina+to+La+Serena+Chile+040.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table> <em>By 6:00pm we started looking for a camping spot and we found a creek near the base of a hill we followed the creek up for 400 metres and found an old hotel that was badly in need of lots of TLC. The property had a guy acting as a caretaker and he allowed us to stay for $7 NZ. The place had a few flies inside and was pretty dusty. The water was of dubious quality. I cooked what little food we had left while repaired his first puncture. A thorn in his worn rear tyre.</em><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9KSrDVZat-G5S5gHjYEb5lTK7yIsbKd6zx4vf4LIpRfVJU6CKtbI5lILBy5oNBCjlwLjCUdwvLaTLssncN7__ojv6p0x_rKcNjsoqgUY32kYX4FCEO8xxYS0aFLBIL260664goGZTHXR6/s1600/san+luis+Argentina+to+La+Serena+Chile+043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9KSrDVZat-G5S5gHjYEb5lTK7yIsbKd6zx4vf4LIpRfVJU6CKtbI5lILBy5oNBCjlwLjCUdwvLaTLssncN7__ojv6p0x_rKcNjsoqgUY32kYX4FCEO8xxYS0aFLBIL260664goGZTHXR6/s320/san+luis+Argentina+to+La+Serena+Chile+043.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The cooker was an element which you poked a wire into the power point to get electricity . Another hot night in a dusty room.<br />
<br />
15th January. <br />
<br />
We knew it was Sunday because the caretaker was listening to the Catholic radio station and the sermons and hymns were being played. Nice ride out and over the hill to San Jose de Jachal. Narrow pavement with some pretty good engineering skills to build the road.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9lbb1NInU3I6NkmG6z3d8JKhUPmCCiA6f4t68xENnCKdJMf3rDIqvTg08DEnxYJNHN2c19jMDWsrwCwV2LZlEj-yPrhmGlzV_u6VDGt-dUQcrfrFFN4Hfx99Pkd5wpXq7AwhRca45-rKC/s1600/san+luis+Argentina+to+La+Serena+Chile+054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9lbb1NInU3I6NkmG6z3d8JKhUPmCCiA6f4t68xENnCKdJMf3rDIqvTg08DEnxYJNHN2c19jMDWsrwCwV2LZlEj-yPrhmGlzV_u6VDGt-dUQcrfrFFN4Hfx99Pkd5wpXq7AwhRca45-rKC/s320/san+luis+Argentina+to+La+Serena+Chile+054.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Topped up with just enough food for the day so we didn't have to throw any food away at the Chillain border where the SAD (MAF -NZ) check makes you through away food and meat etc. The store where we got our food also had the Catholic morning radio station on. Flies in the store and shelves weren't that well stocked and dirty. But lots of people in store so it must be okay ?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Kqae1j-8CI-yDA6Dxa367k9zd8yGroEPCRgtVu0lJbE91QNWPyIhMcajf6zkICW0oTT6adRRpKQRtNUigLPh25eRH0qUp0gLZpdoPtU_Xqju_NtfKL7jS2iLc3ANmfHDoPckhzQtJdao/s1600/san+luis+Argentina+to+La+Serena+Chile+056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Kqae1j-8CI-yDA6Dxa367k9zd8yGroEPCRgtVu0lJbE91QNWPyIhMcajf6zkICW0oTT6adRRpKQRtNUigLPh25eRH0qUp0gLZpdoPtU_Xqju_NtfKL7jS2iLc3ANmfHDoPckhzQtJdao/s320/san+luis+Argentina+to+La+Serena+Chile+056.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Our exit point from Argentina was at !700 metres and we only had to wait one hour. The border control staff were all seated at tables under the shade of trees. We had a climb to 4750 metres to get over the Agua Negro pass.<br />
<br />
We got up the valley to what we though would be the pass, the road then doubled back and climbed another 1000 metre, the road narrowed and was wet in places from snow melt.We both felt drunk from the altitude..Took some photos and kept going.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_gSTZpqSVLZyg9BGIea56tv8F9i0i8WhvMdg5OFjOKugQGzrl2dVIdeBudstgEpUd04PeMob1mBKRejGz8PW4owO6CT1STzauytwC30kXl50SUYkwC5xOlll67z-I7pg_T9hvj4KvpYu9/s1600/san+luis+Argentina+to+La+Serena+Chile+062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_gSTZpqSVLZyg9BGIea56tv8F9i0i8WhvMdg5OFjOKugQGzrl2dVIdeBudstgEpUd04PeMob1mBKRejGz8PW4owO6CT1STzauytwC30kXl50SUYkwC5xOlll67z-I7pg_T9hvj4KvpYu9/s320/san+luis+Argentina+to+La+Serena+Chile+062.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3U0DU-OuJ5FWu295Oco0Q57ZdF6LY6GRALyyKQ8ar67rIL9JJ2HT7YwsCUZiJHRqgsfZbGOaKnS2x6CI19DiN_j-BNiKRoWGY23HRnnAG4SiDNeZOYeCEkA5IpSje-qrU1CN4VtcRu6Gq/s1600/san+luis+Argentina+to+La+Serena+Chile+064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3U0DU-OuJ5FWu295Oco0Q57ZdF6LY6GRALyyKQ8ar67rIL9JJ2HT7YwsCUZiJHRqgsfZbGOaKnS2x6CI19DiN_j-BNiKRoWGY23HRnnAG4SiDNeZOYeCEkA5IpSje-qrU1CN4VtcRu6Gq/s320/san+luis+Argentina+to+La+Serena+Chile+064.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>We ran into a Swiss couple we met south Chile Chico 4 weeks ago. They were less mileage than us so we will probably run into again soon when cross back in to Argentina in a few days time.<br />
<br />
We got down to the Chilean border and had a line of cars going around the corner to the entry point. Most of the people waiting were from Argentina. We expected a delay of 2 hours we were there for 7 1/2 hours A posy of people had words with the officials It was interesting to see how people dealt with the delay .Car horns were blasting in unison. We were told that the road had been closed the day before, so there was more traffic than normal. Some of Argentine people thought it was all political. Chile Vs Argentina. .It wasn't all bad we met some nice people.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvChUQllTMsMB2e-cG7Yx2ddlumVMGv7lO7MknZ1kf8x08dhGkmGPpa7Z_bZWdhvaPFn4asnVYs8_ntyY2FKFwvhzyPHUSJhSJg94aNZlvExyr2sjaLeIDD71fNw1fDCtuAat8vHAUtZsc/s1600/san+luis+Argentina+to+La+Serena+Chile+070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvChUQllTMsMB2e-cG7Yx2ddlumVMGv7lO7MknZ1kf8x08dhGkmGPpa7Z_bZWdhvaPFn4asnVYs8_ntyY2FKFwvhzyPHUSJhSJg94aNZlvExyr2sjaLeIDD71fNw1fDCtuAat8vHAUtZsc/s320/san+luis+Argentina+to+La+Serena+Chile+070.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Turquesa,Nazareno,Paula and Ramiro just before it got dark.<br />
<br />
16th January,<br />
<br />
We managed to find a camp site in the dark by the stream running out of the valley. Joe slept under the stars which were crystal clear. I wasn't so keen and put my tent up. We had peaches and oats for tea at midnight.<br />
<br />
We had a fantastic choice of oats and jam for breakfast or oats and crackers with jam, and ants if you needed protein.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6-ex1E-NF1WGlGEDteedGNkBNh3JNAaODo5LaIIDLgGISgCC5pcopvA_mFbQGaO-zrU7Lw7uvvQz_kObI0kdJM-zyg-9PeYiJvYvPG8Cb6ZY6lcHZz0R_KvZAmx7WafosGOrysio80DRY/s1600/san+luis+Argentina+to+La+Serena+Chile+071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6-ex1E-NF1WGlGEDteedGNkBNh3JNAaODo5LaIIDLgGISgCC5pcopvA_mFbQGaO-zrU7Lw7uvvQz_kObI0kdJM-zyg-9PeYiJvYvPG8Cb6ZY6lcHZz0R_KvZAmx7WafosGOrysio80DRY/s320/san+luis+Argentina+to+La+Serena+Chile+071.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Lots of vineyards clinging to some pretty infertile land as we headed down toward the ocean.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyBuBvyirfLm0C52ws9Ox30lo1sacQF034nbkTbeDWu04KVNkd5FfyVNI1AS6PU1rj0TlIhr9Z-FB4OQzRElVWiZOwVXuwWcmpgvkxgRQFIPyjXpobeHgmKI5SdynbrdD2EAQzv1IE4h4V/s1600/san+luis+Argentina+to+La+Serena+Chile+073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyBuBvyirfLm0C52ws9Ox30lo1sacQF034nbkTbeDWu04KVNkd5FfyVNI1AS6PU1rj0TlIhr9Z-FB4OQzRElVWiZOwVXuwWcmpgvkxgRQFIPyjXpobeHgmKI5SdynbrdD2EAQzv1IE4h4V/s320/san+luis+Argentina+to+La+Serena+Chile+073.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We are now in la Serena I'm waiting for some rubber cushes for my rear wheel which fingers crossed will be here tomorrow.<br />
<br />
.Motor Cycle Adventures: Golden Bay to Cape Hornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16601201946993138906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4310743008757337682.post-25950657539700057262012-01-12T15:19:00.000-08:002012-01-12T15:19:01.217-08:00Heading up the east coast of Argentina.<span lang="">I'm going to cheat and add exerts of my dairy rather than rewrite every thing. For the last week or so we have put in some big days to try and get north and into the mountains north of Mendoza.. R</span><br />
<br />
<span lang="">Simon: We haven't heard from Simon since the 2nd December. Had said he was going to try and make it. Were still waiting...</span><br />
<br />
<br />
Day 31. 3rd January 2012.<br />
<br />
We had breakfast with the staff. Rodrigo our English speaking friend and the health and safety officer for Geopark, made another call to the office in Puerto Arenas to see if the tyre had turned up. Had a conversation with Alexandra and Olna via Google translate which was fun. Updated our blog which was good. Tyre turned up at 12 o'clock gave one of the staff $210 US for tyre. Joe's got the same tyre and is getting good mileage out of it so even though it sounds expensive it will probably last twice as long as a cheap tyre. Thanks Salvar.<br />
<br />
We had lunch at Geopark and then left. Had photos with all the domestic staff.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCmKZIdUyknEYg4ADW83XfiKCAkwBEuuVCJXne96RF-CIG2QqCuAYN0wUiNhQv57uIV-gCgahs_G4ueSn3YKhdRtUxMz74PmwzyS7_Lq7ibVcDG9WWpd1nl6-WY0sHmwRF_Q8b3fwkDDH/s1600/Geopark%252CEast+coast+Argentina+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCmKZIdUyknEYg4ADW83XfiKCAkwBEuuVCJXne96RF-CIG2QqCuAYN0wUiNhQv57uIV-gCgahs_G4ueSn3YKhdRtUxMz74PmwzyS7_Lq7ibVcDG9WWpd1nl6-WY0sHmwRF_Q8b3fwkDDH/s320/Geopark%252CEast+coast+Argentina+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We held everybody up at the Argentine boarder with our motorcycle entry. The computer had broken down and she couldn't access the information. I ran out of petrol 25 km south of Rio Gallegos. Had to syphon off a couple of litres from Joe's tank. Located a Yamaha dealer as we came into Rio Gallegos and after nearly one hour( Using google translate ) I purchased a oil filter and rear brake pads.. Took us a while to locate a grocery store. Talked to some Police to get the location. While I got grocery's Joe managed to find a local that spoke English get a local map and locate a hostel.<br />
<br />
Nothing much between towns Just dry and scrubby low bush.. A bit warmer up in this part of the world and was sweating with all my gear on. The hostel was very clean and tidy. Sharing a room with an older French couple.<br />
<br />
Day 32. 4th January 2012<br />
<br />
Woken by our French roommates. The lady was snoring loudly. Nice people though. Gave me there address in France. They live on the NW coast. Said we could stay with them if we come to France. Our hostel was quite close to the motorway so we didn't have any major issues getting out of town. had a head wind as travelled west intaily then north when we got back onto Ruta 3. We then had a side tail wind,sunny all day, which was nice, didn't stop tell we got to Piedra Buena where we had a ice cream and made our selves some lunch 240 km. The hottest temperatures we have had since back in the northern lake district. The old Scottish guy on the BMW1200GS turned up and stayed with us tell Puerto San Julian funny guy he mumbles a lot, his wife has died, but you have to give him some credit hes 71 and not in good health. Joe nearly hit an ostrich and so did I standing in the middle of the road. I was looking to my left where there were about 50 of them and chicks.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_kbO71i5yod_a8-qX7XAyYJnWDYfdNvCt9IYBlpiskqz8EcETMzJNq0mkg-wTds7s255NYuF1DzfCHg490bNTF90piTLruWEeSm98Co8d4FidZa3cNnxcY6BVbb68ov8vVgfI1smUJOzA/s1600/Geopark%252CEast+coast+Argentina+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_kbO71i5yod_a8-qX7XAyYJnWDYfdNvCt9IYBlpiskqz8EcETMzJNq0mkg-wTds7s255NYuF1DzfCHg490bNTF90piTLruWEeSm98Co8d4FidZa3cNnxcY6BVbb68ov8vVgfI1smUJOzA/s320/Geopark%252CEast+coast+Argentina+009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I had stopped 100 km earlier and had a coke and felt much better, took my gloves off which helped cool me down.Constantly being flashed by motorist which was kinda nice.The Dakar rally is big news in Argentina and our bikes look a bit like Dakar bikes. I also think people get a kick out of seeing touring adventure riders. Rode onto Caleta Olivia a reasonably big town, oil pumping machines operating just to the south as we came into town.The southern side of town looked rough half Finished homes. and 4-5 story apartment buildings. Nice beach front area and lots of young people walking along sea front</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Total distance 720 km. Our biggest day yet .Not difficult riding on tar seal with a moderate SW wind. Scenery didn't change much all day, So it was good to put in a long day. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I stopped by a women getting into her car. Her daughter thought she could speak a bit of English. They offered to take us to a camp ground we went all round town then to a hotel. We got the message across and she took us back too the south side of town to a motor camp which we had seen by the dumb which I intially thought was closed.180 pesos for a cabana. About $30 NZ. It was $100 pesos to camp on sand. Cooked up some dodgy salami tomatoes plus three potatoes some pasta ravolli with a small salad it was nice. All the butter we had , melted in my pannier.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVFvHd8dqtnm_58efbBuPB1hl0SPnox-E5bxrN4MH8UDi2-ZYggLnNNK7n5auFMhpzQG0qCf-RGljWGcNmxhtwNLeyddfC-Gdv4KLwkeIUd_lfg2f5PEqUnOIhgSj1s2ApTYuUHQQQPJZ/s1600/Geopark%252CEast+coast+Argentina+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVFvHd8dqtnm_58efbBuPB1hl0SPnox-E5bxrN4MH8UDi2-ZYggLnNNK7n5auFMhpzQG0qCf-RGljWGcNmxhtwNLeyddfC-Gdv4KLwkeIUd_lfg2f5PEqUnOIhgSj1s2ApTYuUHQQQPJZ/s320/Geopark%252CEast+coast+Argentina+010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
Day 33. 5th January 2012.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Stopped at a bank as we rode through Caleta Olivia took a photo of a sculpture a man opening a oil valve. Quite windy out by the sea and I got blown onto the gravel. Riding beside the sea for a short while.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZYWjs4IPkiTLA5jXLx7YkGjn_UdZrG8IbpWq1N8WLAWxzf2ILOhDk-98hNy_BSPwt01KiQNKdJ7Jlr4AhCYI2dXY0duhcSI6iMkf9xhgh_LNc_lnN2JDchzjyvl1_nWUQL0gYyIO1a7z/s1600/Geopark%252CEast+coast+Argentina+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZYWjs4IPkiTLA5jXLx7YkGjn_UdZrG8IbpWq1N8WLAWxzf2ILOhDk-98hNy_BSPwt01KiQNKdJ7Jlr4AhCYI2dXY0duhcSI6iMkf9xhgh_LNc_lnN2JDchzjyvl1_nWUQL0gYyIO1a7z/s320/Geopark%252CEast+coast+Argentina+011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC6blVIr2Tq7vtLX32g-tFjrnsyE0MBatGrdkczUjTjii9OiXtiBsQSHbbU3x-5H1_e5UzzvPKqhysoQZCQ64956zfeQYgzIWdZK4t2LOWB3Apq3uUvzDbXPIFT-4vC2zI9iufmETHJQ7o/s1600/Geopark%252CEast+coast+Argentina+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC6blVIr2Tq7vtLX32g-tFjrnsyE0MBatGrdkczUjTjii9OiXtiBsQSHbbU3x-5H1_e5UzzvPKqhysoQZCQ64956zfeQYgzIWdZK4t2LOWB3Apq3uUvzDbXPIFT-4vC2zI9iufmETHJQ7o/s320/Geopark%252CEast+coast+Argentina+012.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Security guard money machine being restocked. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Rode out of Riveria and kept going for about 160 km tell we came to a service station where we had a boil up and made some sandwiches . Very dry arid country traffic building up. Bought a Argentina map as our Chilean map is now no good.34 degrees Celsius. Joe completely saturating his shirt in water to keep cool it works for a while.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">. Went to a motorcycle shop I bought 3 litres of synthetic oil and Joe bought a rear tyre for his bike. Got the oil for $111US cash,expensive .But I only need an oil change every 10,000km.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> We rode onto the beach sea side town of Playa Union . We went to the first motor camp we could find. Lots a Argentine families on vacation. Sandy base to camp on. I changed my front tyre, ended up putting it on the wrong way, don't think it matters. Party of some sort going on when we went to bed. As soon as that stopped the wind picked up. Had to get up and put more pegs in. some packed up and left. Joe got up and shifted his tent also.Travelled about 470 km today.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOu17zlNrR3K0qvBvIE3IxGIsrzOY8MB-uEfC2Op4U-SAvpAGkiX-cP8BB725PUqZ4MMwdcjr0iLr8Q9J097Qoo6T7m61LlAX9SkRiFQD5-vU8TI9szfyS828WczftTOmb_aTDxXHvbJKB/s1600/Geopark%252CEast+coast+Argentina+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOu17zlNrR3K0qvBvIE3IxGIsrzOY8MB-uEfC2Op4U-SAvpAGkiX-cP8BB725PUqZ4MMwdcjr0iLr8Q9J097Qoo6T7m61LlAX9SkRiFQD5-vU8TI9szfyS828WczftTOmb_aTDxXHvbJKB/s320/Geopark%252CEast+coast+Argentina+017.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Playa Union beach front. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
Day 34 . 6th January.<br />
I must have left my tent slightly open because I had grit and dust inside tent. Toilets blocked .Rode out to the beach front. Nice beach but windy and cool. Took a couple of photos. Rode 60km up Ruta 3 to Puerto Madryn terrain the same again, baron arid and dry. Dropped down to the city. Cruise ship in the port. Nice city. Reminds me of the seaside places in Queensland <span style="background-color: yellow;">.</span> Warm and people on bathing on the beach. Found a hostel quite quickly which was really nice $70 pesos .Booked in here for two days Parked our motos right by front door. Washed our riding gear .My trousers were nearly standing up by themselves. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4iKnVylQlJkDb839seO2-f8OC5gTyxm51trWT0Ei41vaO9Oqhav0NAtrKGWAm88rPnvtK4Za85qxR2didKf38PoqIH5eDBgZNwy5zk5ulXwsZhlRaOxcxZ6DXEFnbZdCEwC81p2tIQ1ce/s1600/Families+at+the+beach+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4iKnVylQlJkDb839seO2-f8OC5gTyxm51trWT0Ei41vaO9Oqhav0NAtrKGWAm88rPnvtK4Za85qxR2didKf38PoqIH5eDBgZNwy5zk5ulXwsZhlRaOxcxZ6DXEFnbZdCEwC81p2tIQ1ce/s320/Families+at+the+beach+030.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Joe and Gaston before the tide came in and the massive crowd arrived.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
Day 35. 7th January 2012.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Went out to the Valdez Peninsular today as we left town I was nearly hit by another motorcyclist on a Honda 250cc chopper type bike. Claimed his leather tassel's had caught the wing mirror of a car that he was trying to squeeze through way too fast. . His helmet wasn't done up. Wearing sandals. Very lucky I wasn't taken out according to Joe. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Went into the NP park and had to pay. Valdez Peninsular is famous for the Orca whales that beach themselves on full tide in February/March and crab baby seals. Joe and I had lunch outside a cafe. Lots of tourists. Dusty from sand being blown around. Town was Puerto Priamides. Decided to go just to the place where you could see penguins.a distance one way of 170km. The start of the gravel road was dodgy. Loose and difficult to see the contrast and texture of sand/gravel.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOu17zlNrR3K0qvBvIE3IxGIsrzOY8MB-uEfC2Op4U-SAvpAGkiX-cP8BB725PUqZ4MMwdcjr0iLr8Q9J097Qoo6T7m61LlAX9SkRiFQD5-vU8TI9szfyS828WczftTOmb_aTDxXHvbJKB/s1600/Geopark%252CEast+coast+Argentina+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOu17zlNrR3K0qvBvIE3IxGIsrzOY8MB-uEfC2Op4U-SAvpAGkiX-cP8BB725PUqZ4MMwdcjr0iLr8Q9J097Qoo6T7m61LlAX9SkRiFQD5-vU8TI9szfyS828WczftTOmb_aTDxXHvbJKB/s320/Geopark%252CEast+coast+Argentina+017.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8bSAfBCvnYz9MloT75TVJiPm1aMIYchvXVAcGo89I6afpbWuUjXNc9DnnvfHvf9xKPUICo4vYi6AuK4WIv1Le5VtAgyenPWHIWNeTC6KCLIklPpE3NXdJLQg1GjrBEvG23rFgcqrpjUiV/s1600/Families+at+the+beach+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8bSAfBCvnYz9MloT75TVJiPm1aMIYchvXVAcGo89I6afpbWuUjXNc9DnnvfHvf9xKPUICo4vYi6AuK4WIv1Le5VtAgyenPWHIWNeTC6KCLIklPpE3NXdJLQg1GjrBEvG23rFgcqrpjUiV/s320/Families+at+the+beach+017.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Penguins Valdez Peninsular <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfbxJwjOA7HRTVnImV1KO__CsAal21twqu-IHupeLGYYPfjpuMnm94UEOKNtD2kJFy97lqanFX0H-x8JIV4Yd13KUqC5EvSkrhfscxfGq1fIPdslVZIS4Rg-Mu15mb8LDfgR_51Vd5UPFU/s1600/Families+at+the+beach+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfbxJwjOA7HRTVnImV1KO__CsAal21twqu-IHupeLGYYPfjpuMnm94UEOKNtD2kJFy97lqanFX0H-x8JIV4Yd13KUqC5EvSkrhfscxfGq1fIPdslVZIS4Rg-Mu15mb8LDfgR_51Vd5UPFU/s320/Families+at+the+beach+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Memorial to the soldier killed on Malvinas Islands. (Falklands) <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">. Stopped and spoke to two Argentine young men on Zepella road bikes an Argentine make. Not sure how they are going to get in with overloaded under powered bikes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGqqQZgEclrjZDltSje6LZ1CJM2rymkeZYFc1pACXD0I1ank9CP9XWNXGCxQGtm6UHOeu4qBsyh_pyuf-btp6aUVCLX79buzvZtsner2X4zKOAWoqA4ndstpIUjGmrM4rMK4JW-6A2nI2o/s1600/Families+at+the+beach+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGqqQZgEclrjZDltSje6LZ1CJM2rymkeZYFc1pACXD0I1ank9CP9XWNXGCxQGtm6UHOeu4qBsyh_pyuf-btp6aUVCLX79buzvZtsner2X4zKOAWoqA4ndstpIUjGmrM4rMK4JW-6A2nI2o/s320/Families+at+the+beach+026.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Laden down. Heat wave as we came back into Puerto Madryn I estimate it was 38-40 degrees Celsius.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Day 36. 8th January 2012</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Planning day. Dusty. 38-40 degrees Celsius ?. Planned out the next month. Which was good. Sleeping bag dried pretty quickly apart from one bit. But was covered in dust from the sand storm/heat wave.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
Day 38. 9th January.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
We got going by about 9:50 We were the first ones down for breakfast. Corn flakes coffee and toasted mini mini bread rolls. Hot like a blast furnace as we came into Las Grutas. We stopped by an ice cream shop and used there outside seating to make our sandwiches. Popular holiday spot. people on the beach. I bought some sunglasses for $35 pesos hopefully I won't lose these ones. Hard to pull ourselves away from all the people enjoying themselves at the beach.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEifUxG5IcXiyxy_HSHvXvBzUzXpBc-sYRwQm9Ojci_n4ipfoGbr9K-QkfES7BmrwedzmK2H2eTu7WGCiOrUXbzWf5q-lX-VJY36SINUl9s1PLfbmZwnrUWwkRvqlIBYHpzwayIrLUt2jS/s1600/Families+at+the+beach+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEifUxG5IcXiyxy_HSHvXvBzUzXpBc-sYRwQm9Ojci_n4ipfoGbr9K-QkfES7BmrwedzmK2H2eTu7WGCiOrUXbzWf5q-lX-VJY36SINUl9s1PLfbmZwnrUWwkRvqlIBYHpzwayIrLUt2jS/s320/Families+at+the+beach+038.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> We stopped in San Antonio Oeste for fuel. Had to cue for 35 minutes in the heat maybe more. Then found other service stations just up the road on Ruta 3. Left Ruta 3 here and started heading directly north. We both saturated our shirts with water b4 we started off again. Stopped by the river again at Gral Conesa and wet our shirts. About 30 minutes later it became quite dark and and then lighting started going off toward the north east which was quite neat. Both of us a little worried we might be struck by lighting. Only rained on us for 5-10 minutes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7U7Z_JCGxe1Lz344XqVfuTMBWyMs_LBAf6tBdd0Qri-7AMsN7PWPRlz73iDB4rg93a4ad_QaN_XhD9PtnixGO24VFi-ldWdbPVNqZpZjGY6LnuBv9gdAVUHmqWfJC8RWM9kPaAryyqZb/s1600/Families+at+the+beach+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7U7Z_JCGxe1Lz344XqVfuTMBWyMs_LBAf6tBdd0Qri-7AMsN7PWPRlz73iDB4rg93a4ad_QaN_XhD9PtnixGO24VFi-ldWdbPVNqZpZjGY6LnuBv9gdAVUHmqWfJC8RWM9kPaAryyqZb/s320/Families+at+the+beach+040.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Fuelled up again when we arrived in Rio Colardo. Then found a camp site by the Rio Salada o Curaco. 530km today. Some thunder going off as we went to bed. The thunder and lighting was pretty cool. Didn't get much rain out of it though.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Day 39. 10th January 2012.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
Not a great sleep. insects bit me. Hot and a group of young people not far away playing music. We were stopped at a Police check point and asked for our documents. Handed over our international d/l. I'm not sure if he knew what it was. Also temporary vehicle import permit. Didn't stop tell we got to Santa Rosa. The pamper had started. More grass than scrub. We stopped outside a supermarket. Lots of people on scooters getting about with out helmets on. Amused Joe and I. Not sure what the Police do here. We went onto and eventually decided to stay in a Hospedaje in Huinca Renanco for $210 pesos for both of us. Lots of cropping and beef operations. Couldn't find a camping ground with showers and toilet.Not a tourist location. A rural farming community. Cooked our tea outside opposite the Plaza and across from the hostel not allowed to cook in Hospedaje. Had lots of people steering at us as they walked around the plaza .480km today.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaxDlqN0TdDIXNzh0gyO-pGuh2Pq73_OQprvYp4DUxTyqTO1WpH-pMt9G5Jr2SRwfyPqSGPYpRudC50m9B6JG_4n_wt753Zv0uRouroxP8ueDZ9XKPzu8OzRrNMCLlLjHnsPoq4Tki2hbC/s1600/Families+at+the+beach+043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaxDlqN0TdDIXNzh0gyO-pGuh2Pq73_OQprvYp4DUxTyqTO1WpH-pMt9G5Jr2SRwfyPqSGPYpRudC50m9B6JG_4n_wt753Zv0uRouroxP8ueDZ9XKPzu8OzRrNMCLlLjHnsPoq4Tki2hbC/s320/Families+at+the+beach+043.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">11th January 2012.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We are now in San Luis, 250 km east of Mendoza, Argentina. My bike is due for a 10,000 km oil change. Planning our route further north. Maybe out of computer contact now for quite a few days. Robert.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaD2idd4b_vVlU2aVZL19OK_-vKebHBXtgkaxv6Vs3DMxdG2ynnXQdG5ppGjIxhmYJ4Cf4KE26Eaq0VYmEj_49oqPGwSkqQnbMfuu3w-pHfvgHMOPoQ1LWK5JStcDDcaAGhXMoGPne-Pad/s1600/Families+at+the+beach+048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaD2idd4b_vVlU2aVZL19OK_-vKebHBXtgkaxv6Vs3DMxdG2ynnXQdG5ppGjIxhmYJ4Cf4KE26Eaq0VYmEj_49oqPGwSkqQnbMfuu3w-pHfvgHMOPoQ1LWK5JStcDDcaAGhXMoGPne-Pad/s320/Families+at+the+beach+048.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Motor Cycle Adventures: Golden Bay to Cape Hornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16601201946993138906noreply@blogger.com0