Bogota to Cartagena Colombia 12 / 11 / 11

After having spent a few days waiting for my new tyres to be fitted , and a services it was time to head north .

The first stop was about 20kms out of Bogota , a police check , and guess what none  of us had any insurance (i just plain for got about it ). The police just said that the bikes will have to immobilised until we get insurance . Shit and it was Friday , late afternoon and we would not be able to get the Insurance until Monday  (Bugger ).

Wade speaks a little Spanish , so he just keep on talking to them , but no way they just kept on saying Immobilization (we were up the creek without a pole as far as I was concerned) . Half an hour later they just said go , and to make sure we get some insurance at the next town . I couldn't believe it , the turn around , it was so quick (good on  you Wade ) . 

Bogota 7,000,000 people

Bogota

We stopped in Tanja that night and got the insurance Saturday morning (lucky for us ) and got on the road for our next stop San Gil  (approx 210kms), Above is our lunch stop on the way at Villa de Leyva 

San Gil and it was time for   Paragliding in the mountains around  San Gil , simply fantastic . The scenery was breath taking 

Views from the Paragliding 

The main Square San Gil , a very small Colonial Town 

The riding through to San Gil was all winding mountain Roads , great riding 

Taganga

Philip and Wade 

After a couple days it was time for the big push San Gil to Taganga (650kms North to the Coast  )

It was an all day affair , we were on the road by 7.00am and arrived in Taganga around 5.00pm . We had it all that day , to start with it was winding mountains roads (great), then out into the flat plains all the way to the Caribean  . We started with Sun and ended with Sun , but in between there was thunder storms and huge down pours . We had no traffic , to the mayhem of the normal towns that you get down here . Also the the usual trucks and buses  passing on blind corners , to huge pot holes to beautiful tarmac . I was glad to be there and now it was back to the heat , the dripping sweat running down into your boots (bugger , I hate that).

Taganga was a small fishing village , just 2 streets running along the beach  . Wade organised

 a days fishing for the next day , with a local fisher man in his small boat . We were up at 6am and off fishing , with no much luck . Wade got a small shark and Philip a few small bait fish .

Fishing

Next day the Ride to Hell 

We decided to go up to a mountain Village called Minca (approx 20kms away) , it started great but ended  very badly for me . The road turned into a goat track (red mud and really no road at all just huge washouts ) . By the time we realised it was to later to turn back .The Aussie boys just loved it (just like home for them , for me a nightmare) . I dropped the bike about 6 times (with no damage) , it is hard to explain just how bad it was , but I have never been on such bad roads . By the end of the day I was one very tired  ,  battered and bruised guy . It's  been 2 days now and I'm still limping from the battering that my knees took . One experience that I never wish to have again , if it was not for the Aussie guys , I probably would still be up there somewhere   

This is the best part 

We are now in Cartagena for 2 days and then on down to Madellia and South .

It is Carnival Time in Cartagena

Cartagena is a very beautiful Colonial City , probably one of the most beautiful I have been to . Lots of just beautiful Buildings . But to get to it , it is just the same as most of the cities down this way . You have to go through all the Getos and the mayhem of the traffic , just amazing and fun some times .

The heat is the worst of all , it is just draining and all my gear just stinks like nothing you have ever smelt  before

 I have bad attacks from my Enemy at times and find the going very Tuff , It is not easy 

  

Panama and on to Colombia 2 11 11

Bocas del Toro

Bocas Del Toro

The ride from Bocas to Panama was a really long day . I was up a 5.00am to catch the first boat (6.30) back to the main land (before the heat comes on ) . I had the bike packed (and it was all there ) and was on the road by 8.00am . 

The ride through to Sandiago was fantastic , beautiful mountains and not a lot of traffic . But on the way i stopped at a petrol station for some gas (thought this doesn't look to good ) . Lucky for me I always  fill at half a tank if i can ( better half a tank of shit petrol than a whole one ). As soon as I took off I knew SHIT PETROL ., well the bike missed and farted and i had to stay in 4 /5 gear most of the way . But it didn't spoil the ride one of the best .

Santiago to Panama was just a 4 lane Highway and it rained for the last 20kms  (again , I mean rain , shit it can rain ) . I found the Hostel without to much trouble , it was getting dark at this tme (approx 5.30pm) . 

The day was 580kms of some great riding ,  sitting on da Tiger is so easy , you can just go and go  

Panama city 

Panama City is what I would call a nice city . There is no beach (just a lot of mud at low tide ) and the difference between rich and poor is very Black and White . One minute you are in the Gettos and the next you are in what appears to be luxury and high rise . The two seem to live almost on top of one another .

I hired a taxi for the day ($50) and had a complete city tour , including the Panama Canal

Very interesting 

Fish Market  and Carlos my taxi Driver come guide

I stayed at the Panama Passage Hostel in Panama (it is just a house ,  so comfortable and relaxing ) , above is a young couple who were there.

They had bought 2 motor bikes in Boliva and were riding them north .

Chine (French , she had never ridden a Motor Bike before coming to Bolivia ,how's that   ) and Hein (Dutch) were just such a great couple , they cooked some fantastic meals (for me as well) . Some of the experiencs they have had are amazing . Travelling all over South America on 200cc Chinese  Motor Bike , with next to no money , they were an inspiration . 

The Tiger all packed for the flight to Bogota Colombia 

I have run into 2 Aussie guys (Philip and Wade , I would say early 30s ) so I will be travelling with them for a while ( I will see how it goes ). They are both great guys ,  they started  in Alaska and are going to the bottom  as well .

Colombia so far , first impressions go  , I think it is a very nice city , the people are great , very friendly and helpful . I feels very good here , I like it a lot . 

We had no problems at all getting the bikes into Colombia .

I am having new tyres put on the bike (not that they need it yet ) here in  Bogota .   The bike checked ready for the next stage South America 

We will be heading north first up to Cartagena before we turn down south . 

San Juan Del Sur Nicaragua to Boca Del Toros Panama

San Juan Del Sur  Nicaragua

A great little stop over on the beach , it reminded me of Bali , but without all the people . Unfortunately the beach was covered in rubbish , there had been a lot of rain so maybe I just got there at the wrong time . I also run into 4 American Guys doing the same trip 

La Fortuna Costa Rica 

The ride from San Juan del Sur to La Fortuna Costa Rica was a very long day . Started at 7am , reached the border by 8 am (good start) , then it all started to go pear shape . Those bloody borders are a nightmare , but I paid (again ),  because there was no way I was ever going to get through this one alone . Even with the help of 3 guys (robbing blind again , they must smile when they see us gringos coming ) it took about 1.5 hrs . And it is bloody hot , people every where , trucks , trucks and more trucks ( I have never seen so many trucks in one place ) .They were telling me that it can take up to a week or more for some of the trucks to get through . After being pushed a proded by the guys to get me through quickly it was finally over (and I was @#@& ,and hungry) . Off I go , about 15kms down the road I get pulled up for speeding (the speed limit is 80 kms Im doing 114 km ) . The Policeman says Im going to give you a ticket , I say OK , he says where you going , I say Panama today . With that he says,  well no point in giving you a ticket then , just slow down (lucky for me , sometimes things go your way ) . Any way about 20kms down the road ,I get to the first city and the first thing I see is the GOLDEN ARCHES McDonalds . (I though I must be in heaven ) McDonald for lunch I'm lovin it .  

Pacific Coast Costa Rica

I decided to go have a look at the pacific coast seems im now in Costa Rica , it was only about 75kms and if i liked it I would go on down that way , and back up to La Fortuna . When i got to the coast it just like del Sur , so I thought bugger this and headed straight back the way i have come and on to La Fortuna . The going is good ,  not so hot and Costa Rica is a lot more Western than the other Countries  . The roads are better and the drivers are marginally better . 

Next I took the wrong turn ,  ended up going about an extra 150kms for nothing .  I missed going through the Cload Forest which I wanted to do (by the time I realised it , it was to late to turn back , (that is the trouble with GSPs you have to use both , the GPS and a Map ) . 

About an hr out of La Fortuna it started to rain and shit it rained , like i have never had it before . I arrived in La Fortuna about 5pm (a very long day ) wet and buggered saying ,  what are you doing you silly old bugger , you should be at home on the couch with Charlie (no sorry with Ruth )

I stayed 2 nights in La Fortuna ( a great little town , I loved it ), so with a spare day I went for a 3hr walk in the Cloud Forest . All i can say is that it was the best bush walk ever . So many flowers beautiful lush plants and wild life , Fantastic .

 But on arriving at the car park I look all my gear to the rangers office to leave them with , excluding my summer riding gloves . I thought well im the only one here and they were wet from yesterday , what a good time to dry them in the sun (Dumb bugger ah ), well you know what happen YES they were pinched (see what happens when Ruths is not here, no way would she have let me do that , shes got more brains ) 

Next Stop the Caribbean 

The ride from La Fortuna to Puerto Viejo was another big day , but another great ride . The country side tropical with lots of Pineapple and Banana  plantations , also big Beef  Studs .  Puerto Vievjo is just what you see in the mags of the Caribbean . White beaches and lots of tropical vegetation .  

  

Tiger at da Beach 

This guy (a sloth )waved out on the road , he said how's Charlie , Basil and Gugie going . You know whats amazing  is guys these all speak English , if only everybody else did , it would make things a lot easier for me 

The Border at Panama 

CHECK THE VIDEO OUT , CLICK ON DA VIDEO  , IN THE VIDEO BAR ON THE RIGHT SIDE ,  THE BRIDGE CROSSING

This was a great little border to cross ,  it didnt talk  long at all . But the bridge to get to Panama is just out of this world (a nightmare ) . I will try to publish my video of the crossing .

Above is the Customs at the Panama side , they let me come in to there office where there was aircon . Everybody else had to stay out side . We had a great conversation , but the only problem was that they didnt speak English and my Spainish is bugger all .

Arriving Boca Del Toros Costa Rica

After the border (about 60kms )it is on to Boca Del Toros 

It is a Tropical Island Paradise , approx 15 mins by boat from the main land .

Above this is the young fellow who help me get here .

I was going to take the bike over to the island on the car ferry , but I missed da boat . So this young fellow got the bike stored ( i hope it will be there when i get back , well at least some of it anyway )and me onto a small boat for $5 out to the island  . 

The weather is hot and I have just about had enough of sweating and are longing for some cold weather . I would say that it is not that hot at the moment for the locals , but for me , hell sweat just runs out of me . Its alright while im on the bike , but as soon as I stop . Hell my boots just full up , my motorbike  gear just stinks like Vinegar , but Im lovin it , just like McDonalds  

Im sitting at my Hotel over the water,  looking out to the beautiful scenery and watching a Humming Bird suck nectar from a Honey Pot ,  'Paradise' .

THE BIKE 

Well It is a great bike to ride , now that I have gotten used to the weight and high Point of balance . It is so smooth and I can sit on it for hrs with no trouble at all  without getting a sore arse . Its great and i just love it .

ME 

Your biggest Enemys  on a trip like this is Yourself 

The  unknown and  loneliness, 

The unknown because you have no idea what is ahead or what to expect . This is what I think stops a lot of people from travelling  . Also all the misinformation (well probably not misinformation , but more too,  to much negativity )that has been pumped into our heads from the media . 

Loneliness 

This can be the worst , not so much as not being around people but not being able to talk with them in a conversation . Not specking the lingo can leave you alone at times . 

Traveling alone for me is a first and I knew it would be hard at times , especially at times like this out here in a beautiful place and not having Ruth here to share it with (but in saying that , I talk to her a lot, people must look and say crazy gringo )  . 

This is my real Enemy , being away from Ruth   

Next on to Panama City and to get the bike to Colombia 

   

    

Honduras to Nicaragua 21 10 11

Lago Yojoa

The Tiger is needing a clean 

After leaving Lake Yojoa (northern Honduras) I headed for Valle De Angeles . It is a small Mountain Village just south of the capital of Honduras , it was nice to get back up into the mountain air . 

Some of the Country side on the Way 

It rained on and off most of the Day (you wouldn't think so by looking at the Pic)

Valle De Angeles Honduras

I usually stop on the way for a Coke and a Snickers

THE BORDER CROSSING Honduras Nicaragua 

I had been told that this border cross is a real problem , because of all the people there trying to make a living out of helping the Gringos (like me ) out of there money , for helping them get through the border . Well the minute I arrived they were on me like Flies on Shit .  With in 1 minute I gave up , said shit go for it . I laughed to myself and said shit im going to be done like a Dogs Breakfast , and yes i was . but you know I enjoyed it . They did every thing and I just looked on and handed out the money . What should have cost about $20 cost me about $100 , but it was over quick and i was on my way in no time , with lighter pockets  . They were happy, I was happy , all except for a kid about 7 who keep looking at me and saying I look Moto . When I was about to go he says , I looked Moto and i said hell boy, this Gringo is all paid out . with that he started to cry (it's a tuff world out there)

Above is south of Esteli Nicaragua

Next stop was Esteli Nicaragua the only thing nice about this city was the Hotel .

It was here that I picked up my first Sponsor 

Zengotita Cigar Co 

Sarasota

At the hotel there was a whole group  of Cigar manufactures , Esteli is one of the biggest cigar manufacturing areas in the world , or the best which ever  . Terry Russell from Zengotita Cigars gave me 2 of his Cigars , on the pretext that I send him a photo , of me smoking them  somewhere  excotic . So now I have a Sponsor , I tell you they smell so good , I may have to have a try  real soon 

This is someone I met on the way , he said to say hi to those Gatos (cats) at home 

After Esteli it was on to Granada , a very nice lake side town in Nicaragua . Above is a spider (Tarantula) that I found on the floor, by my bed in the middle of the night .

I went up the Volcano Mombacho above is a Caterpillar I saw . The trip up was great with great views all over the area . There was another Kiwi guy on the bus David Spies from Auckland 

  

Next stop  San Juan del Sur