tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55683055775670159492024-03-20T20:07:40.246-07:00No BoundariesMotocycle ride from Montana to Vancouver to Patagonia,back to Alaska on a BMW 1200 GSANo Boundaries Bikers, Chris + Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07386612679047576050noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568305577567015949.post-79928751479368175092010-02-17T06:03:00.000-08:002010-02-24T05:21:25.121-08:00Puerto Mont to Buenos AiresThe ferry ride turned out to be quite pleasant and if you are tired of that Patagonian wind and can afford it then it is a great way to refresh yourself, the last day the wind calmed down and the sun came out, still cold by Florida standards, but everybody was on the aft deck with wine cameras and healthy conversation about the last 2 hectic days. I forgot to mention in the last post that they got us all up at 6am to look at a glacier, almost in the dark, lacking a bit of pre-planning there that would be the blue photo. The Glacier at Calefate was far more spectacular.<br />
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We docked and about an hour later we got of the boat and headed north towards Osorno, now just before boarding the boat we met this great guy, Pablo Escobar, he says that when he gets to Colombia he’s not so sure how well he is going to be accepted, funny. Now, he lives in Osorno so when we got there we had a great meal and then it was time for all of us to say our farewells, Graham and Sue with Dave were heading to Bariloche and crossing Argentina further south of us, they still have time, we needed to get to BA, so we took a more northern route through Pucon. After looking back it turns, out that the country I saw the most of and spent the most time in was Chile and I still have an extra 5 days to play with, so if it was my thing I really could have spent a lot of time doing stuff south of Santiago, but on my own, I like to spend time on the bike riding, you bikers out there know what I mean.<br />
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Villarica and Pucon are in the Chilian lake district, really stunning, beaches, volcano hiking and thermal springs and who knows what else, but the next day across the boarder and back into Argentina to a little town called San Martin de los Andes, now that town I could spend time in, its like a picture perfect little Swiss ski village nestled on the edge of a lake surrounded by Volcanoes, we were there on the weekend so town was bustling.<br />
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The next day was our first really long ride, 650kms to a town called Choele Choel not much to say about this place other than an early start and 700kms later we got to Azul, also not much. The next day was my first solo ride since leaving Santiago and I flew 300kms in 2 hours to Buenos Aires, and in those 2 hours I reflected on the entire trip, the places I’ve been the things I’ve seen, to basically be in a situation in my Life where I can do this, I don’t think stopping now would be smart. Without to much difficulty I get to the street of the hotel and while asking for directions, I hear a loud shout “Chrees”, I turn around and there is Gino, so cool to see him again and he is with his wife and they look great together. So we jump we hug, we laugh and shout and he walks me 50 meters to the hotel where he and I will be staying, I walk in and guess who is standing there waiting for me, Adrian. I nearly fell over with shock, 2 amazing surprises in ten minute of each other. Adrian is on vacation in his home town, he knew I was coming by watching my track on the blog, I had sent him the hotel details, but the timing was perfect.<br />
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Well that night, last night, we arranged for all the ‘Cosmotos’ that were in town to meet for dinner, so Gino, his wife and friend Bolivar, Adrian, Johannes and Judy, Philippe, Mike and Alana and friend Tara and me all meet at a restaurant and have a blast, but the interesting thing was after Tara took us to a local Argentinean Tango dance hall. Now you are really only allowed in if you know how to Tango, and I don’t mean, saw it on TV and now Tango is your thing, no these people were absolutely amazing. I now know what the Argentinean Tango is and that has got to be the sexiest thing I have ever seen. We all sat there until 2;30 am watching these people, yes only watching because if we had of decided to give it a shot, we would have been briskly removed from the premises. That Tango stuff, I could get into that!!<br />
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Well here I sit in BA wondering what to do next, a quick trip to visit my Brother in Switzerland and then what?<br />
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Quite simple really, I’m not ready to stop, I have a place to store my bike here, so I think I’m going to ride from BA to Alaska.<br />
A little therapy can go a long way or a long way can be a little therapy, either way you look at it riding is good for mind, body and soul. I say get a bike leave your cell phone at home and go for a long ride, you will be amazed at what you might find!!!!<br />
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Kind of, been there done that. It feels like the trip is over, but I still have a lot to do. <br />
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Well because the wind was so bad down south and we all needed a break we decided to take the Ferry from Puerto Natales to Puerto Mont. We had an easy one day ride from Ushuaia through Povenir and then the short ferry to Punta Arenas and spent a night there. Nice little town, had a nice late start to get the 3pm penguin viewing, that was the first time I’ve seen Penguins, funny little things. <br />
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Once we arrived in Puerto Natales, we had a couple of days to kill so we took 2 days, 1 night and went to Torres del Paine National park to look at some apparently wonderful mountains that were completely covered with clouds, the norm. Johannes, Judy and myself, spent the night at an Eco-camp that was a bit expensive but, fantastic, very well run, the food was great and a great dirt road to get there. Another place I would like to go back to one day.<br />
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Now this ferry has been nick named “the puke boat” rough seas etc, well we had a great sail, one night of rough seas but I slept no problem. A 3 day break was good for me, so yesterday when I got back on the bike it really felt good. We hope to be in BA in about 5 days but, we’ll see how that goes.<br />
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I like dirt roads, Ill take one any day over asphalt, give me 619 kms of it, even better, like the Uyuni to San Pedro ride, I was the happiest guy around, however my opinion will do a complete U-turn if you throw 100kph cross winds into the mix. You see when enough trucks travel a gravel road then burms build up and leave you a safe path that is about 2 feet wide flanked either side by a 10 inch burm, on a light bike you cross that easy, on a heavy bike the front wheel tends to do its own thing. I did ok, Graham and Sue did fine, but Dave on the back heavy XT 660, 6 kms from the end he went down and did his knee in. We got to the nearest town by midday but only got the bike in at around 11 pm, together with the fact that I was feeling like S@#T so we spent an extra day in Gregoris then headed down on the next leg to El Calafate. Now for those monkeys out there that do Ruta 40 twice or on bicycles, seek help!!!<br />
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In El Calafate we went on a day trip to Perito Moreno Glacier, WOW, that really is something to see, every couple of seconds you hear the ice cracking and every 10 to 20 minutes you see ice breaking and falling into the lake.<br />
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After a couple of recovery days we then started the final leg to Ushuaia. Crossed the border twice, met up with Philippe and Obi on one of them. So good to see them again, last saw them in Banos, Ecuador, months ago.<br />
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Also bumped into Ingo and Cecelia at a gas station, they were on there way back up.<br />
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I didn’t expect Ushuaia to be much, but I was pleasantly surprised, quaint little town, damn expensive, but I made it all the way to the bottom and then in true Cockerell fashion, after taking the famous photos I was in a rush to get my bike out the way and tried to get my big bike though a small space and demolished my Port side pannier, what a bummer. 37,000 kms and no damage, nice one.<br />
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<img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVm-UG5WNZ_t1H9SCSRH_1DCmyH3aLYoDruQylegityYmHUm1GLF6gUVf709AL9dQPAXztK7nU2E0fTopN4CvOYdMBpbSR5tz6zz0Ghsn20q-R6cKxb9AV0YOrTZuiD6Jou5DUvvp07E/s320/IMG_4308.jpg" /><br />
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After my day of dirtbiking with Jerry, he then invited all of us to his parents farm to cook a lamb that I asked him to buy, cooked traditionally as you can see, need I say more and the setting was fantastic. Well at around Midnight after a whole lot of alcohol, I remembered that I still had a stick of Dynamite in my tool bag that I bought in Potosi, Bolivia. Yea, 5 border crossings later and a bunch of booze we all hop in the back of 2 pickups and head of to a “safe” area. We find a mound of freshly sifted sand, some guys real hard days work, and proceed to blow it up. Fun was had by all!!<br />
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Now look at the pictute of the mountain range, see why its on its side.<br />
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From Trevelin we went back into Chile onto another dirt road, the Carratera Astral, we rode south all the way to Cohaique and then a ferry across to Chile Chico. Gravel is always difficult to ride on with these bikes, they go all over the place. We really rode through some spectacular scenery. After waking up in Cohaique, we were no more than 20 Kms out of town and I got a flat, I stuck a big slit in my sidewall on the gravel. So 3 plugs later I finally get the leak to stop and head off for the Ferry. The next morning a local guy in Chile Chico patched the tire and now it is as good as new.<br />
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Now we are back into Argentina again, these bloody border crossings, I cant keep track anymore. We have big smiles because we are about to start the famous Ruta 40. What the heck we were smiling about, I will never know!!!No Boundaries Bikers, Chris + Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07386612679047576050noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568305577567015949.post-9746635410977329152010-01-23T18:11:00.000-08:002010-01-23T18:11:50.505-08:00Dakar to Trevelin Argentina<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;">When we left The Dakar in La Serana, Chile, we basicly screemed down to Santiago and then on to Osorno in the south of Chile and sometimes you just dont take any pictures, so be it. However leaving Osorno, a medium sized town where some people thought I looked like Sting!!!! of all people, no amount of convincing would change there minds so they took their took picture of me with them and whatever, Sting in Osorno, I dont think so.<img border="0" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_o1zQZKv4c0sI3hfcFeet4ByhOIJiMTX3uELcYiiITGHB0Vzn283fsf-Ti-eUKz0pqINtjfDbdpiFc78PasG-icGsLP4hF0fJ5POdmbN4RBP_yfzoCXVbWUWbXIVnxa_cw0adFn8jDGk/s320/IMG_4203.jpg" />From there to Bariloche in Argentina was a great ride, scenic, curvy and really fast. Now I am starting to see more and more bikers on the road doing the same sort of thing, the more the merrier.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTOWOPkm7XxsIo5tj1piGYPgxmvcXpkn64cZgrji_RFodCzIW27rvSXkwp4Den018GgkrPAX3yLnPdxTtsaJA-zDHYwHOvX33bKxKbhb1QAv0lM1-_LYTm9Pk3EjwLMrjXj_WB0GGLQ0/s1600-h/IMG_4211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTOWOPkm7XxsIo5tj1piGYPgxmvcXpkn64cZgrji_RFodCzIW27rvSXkwp4Den018GgkrPAX3yLnPdxTtsaJA-zDHYwHOvX33bKxKbhb1QAv0lM1-_LYTm9Pk3EjwLMrjXj_WB0GGLQ0/s320/IMG_4211.jpg" /></a>I had to stop for this one, the famous Ruta 40 in Argentina, only did about 50 kms on Tarmac, but later will do about 1000kms on nasty gravel with 100kph cross winds, the real challenge.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZdUP1zIEwnfTr4HWFSCs4ZPxNDTO8L6k6ATmjCqi5avuYu8RUizsiGMTucEupM4CoRFwTXklcBShOxAdL4oNfMyR523C3NpKRsuqYmJqgJYMOQudFC8MhrPZHHxst6m3vhgUA5TNg-IE/s1600-h/IMG_4214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZdUP1zIEwnfTr4HWFSCs4ZPxNDTO8L6k6ATmjCqi5avuYu8RUizsiGMTucEupM4CoRFwTXklcBShOxAdL4oNfMyR523C3NpKRsuqYmJqgJYMOQudFC8MhrPZHHxst6m3vhgUA5TNg-IE/s320/IMG_4214.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_r8_A_-SsYKfewV5yVUtTpjO0JDY0iZW0xP8nvbTB16vXU2DHvG-cT4GwR1kcNADu6h3HPhumaq8wGRXd2D0-q8F1v6A1XpvlirDV2LfQrMNE0mQoBdLLSMCxJFMLIwuX9otq7-A9mwk/s1600-h/IMG_4225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_r8_A_-SsYKfewV5yVUtTpjO0JDY0iZW0xP8nvbTB16vXU2DHvG-cT4GwR1kcNADu6h3HPhumaq8wGRXd2D0-q8F1v6A1XpvlirDV2LfQrMNE0mQoBdLLSMCxJFMLIwuX9otq7-A9mwk/s320/IMG_4225.jpg" /></a>Now this is what I hunt for, I hit those corners like Im riding my CRF450, sidewys.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxELikxM6WxjLBaDMpYtsnbbUn3e1c32aGhPR3gSAagqKGtlY13G7ThwR5FXzitxtgmu_hgnWD08Hw7jbMlJP4f6EGamTGS-1IUI-xKfM8eThO2VXdN_yDvJ5di1rjGy6AcblRK5ATpI/s1600-h/IMG_4226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxELikxM6WxjLBaDMpYtsnbbUn3e1c32aGhPR3gSAagqKGtlY13G7ThwR5FXzitxtgmu_hgnWD08Hw7jbMlJP4f6EGamTGS-1IUI-xKfM8eThO2VXdN_yDvJ5di1rjGy6AcblRK5ATpI/s320/IMG_4226.jpg" /></a>Like my bad hair day?<img border="0" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibqYSeOXCjJGzsFvCzVgl6oldyd-zTBaVaqlhmrdea8EOUx67ItGArTbQpIY6vA3rXqK402zmbn9jcVBTJoU1jonfKwasbIIKOOjFXh6CXkyK_skTnx0smnVUoEEZNseU4sayaZnppgB8/s320/IMG_4238.jpg" />My new buddy Jerry in Trevelin, He rides a XR650, and took me on a little ride into the mountains,<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3EREnuRRnWARI9TRUjL9xiOd-DSd2c2iF76m-G3UcB39mMrGT2e155q54VClCv8cYXyx-Q0_ovhSA9m6ypQMKEb2IQlVvfxR5PwvOZAuOvRt2VgQZKkBsUWCm73-mco6pFes9kK0EweU/s1600-h/P1210170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3EREnuRRnWARI9TRUjL9xiOd-DSd2c2iF76m-G3UcB39mMrGT2e155q54VClCv8cYXyx-Q0_ovhSA9m6ypQMKEb2IQlVvfxR5PwvOZAuOvRt2VgQZKkBsUWCm73-mco6pFes9kK0EweU/s320/P1210170.JPG" /></a>for some reason, Big Betty wanted to keep going to sleep, maybe she was tired of being treated like a 650, the truth, wet, wet clay, deap ruts and a steep hill, altogether I went down 5 times, now there is a differnce between dropping the bike and crashing. The first is when you know its going to happen and you get out of the way, something I am very good at doing. Now crashing I dont do very often, but this next pic, Oh yea I went flying<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb1dhqWaKgHXKo75XZCoYSeZUBJINj-bjDDf9K5kt31Yedf2dE_Biyujgjmqs8uWblg3_665CgCY93PAVkBE0-snl66I3w0bhNInnZeQVc5gKHVMh2h2aUQiXN3jTZnKc2-im5OiBlbCs/s1600-h/P1210172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb1dhqWaKgHXKo75XZCoYSeZUBJINj-bjDDf9K5kt31Yedf2dE_Biyujgjmqs8uWblg3_665CgCY93PAVkBE0-snl66I3w0bhNInnZeQVc5gKHVMh2h2aUQiXN3jTZnKc2-im5OiBlbCs/s320/P1210172.JPG" /></a>The front wheel went into a deep hole hidden by the water, Yes I know, why go through the water, there might be a deep hole in it you cant see. I was doing about 10kph and the bike came to an abrupt stop and sent me flying. I laughed my ass off afterwards.<br />
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<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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5rNgE6osgSvx8kWYuMQGckxrqXULuNvp4sgQsiWKeIQaLsfqhvbAfGY90P-bgy5mQHBhvqQ_lGVtC9ywyMfBGNxX-k3jdNVTA99cZK3VBuUSguXDekCSP0g8SfcB7VJ0wEp9qWibZ8C8/s1600-h/P1210183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5rNgE6osgSvx8kWYuMQGckxrqXULuNvp4sgQsiWKeIQaLsfqhvbAfGY90P-bgy5mQHBhvqQ_lGVtC9ywyMfBGNxX-k3jdNVTA99cZK3VBuUSguXDekCSP0g8SfcB7VJ0wEp9qWibZ8C8/s320/P1210183.JPG" /></a><br />
</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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnT2AkAjhaYKTF-iecdGka2cZbb8aA2Cp-ADueeccafSGSXm_58XspikfoufoCYxhQwc_q-aAylfTM5vtKdqFU2x5OnJ5dRDRvNLdND48cgHc2_XeMuXcPbFC-A9yNMNd__CmcMxoRGkk/s1600-h/P1210182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnT2AkAjhaYKTF-iecdGka2cZbb8aA2Cp-ADueeccafSGSXm_58XspikfoufoCYxhQwc_q-aAylfTM5vtKdqFU2x5OnJ5dRDRvNLdND48cgHc2_XeMuXcPbFC-A9yNMNd__CmcMxoRGkk/s320/P1210182.JPG" /></a>I actually filled my water bottle up in this lake. I could very easy spend alot of time in this place, just absolutely stunning. I dont know the name of the lake, dont care really, I just know how to get there. With a bit of luck Ill go back there one day.<br />
</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;">If I keep posting like this, I might actually catch up, this was 3 days ago.<br />
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</div>No Boundaries Bikers, Chris + Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07386612679047576050noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568305577567015949.post-44979606641756830162010-01-22T17:39:00.000-08:002010-01-22T17:39:01.778-08:00Uyuni to San Pedro de Atacama part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The sunsets and the colors of the sun on the mountains and rocks were jaw dropping. A very difficult road to ride because you have every type of terrain and you are a long way from help, so you cant take unessessary chances.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgMRWshBeuJcF9e_5_6_PUKFSt6qquhCnQfTnAsOlyndX_IJLXmy2rbipoc-WPH-h7Uw1dHblZTQu2MiKoI5XYtypFhXQZ-1BjjQ9Yz6Zmf7Vud_Ufdw8SAae0BuunOr4KElfy9SOfYzg/s1600-h/S.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgMRWshBeuJcF9e_5_6_PUKFSt6qquhCnQfTnAsOlyndX_IJLXmy2rbipoc-WPH-h7Uw1dHblZTQu2MiKoI5XYtypFhXQZ-1BjjQ9Yz6Zmf7Vud_Ufdw8SAae0BuunOr4KElfy9SOfYzg/s320/S.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguEpIHPxdzPOKld-FyMBT5aqzVNYG091ReHlbVdhvGxdfhPW3qHBCZaySwVgVLx1-ibDLzHJOTXN6R0u8-_UducXGRuOWmvW3Ht9sYo2inkDGaDNjZy9Nfzn0r8lR7fb1hX3krVV_q7Dg/s1600-h/T.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguEpIHPxdzPOKld-FyMBT5aqzVNYG091ReHlbVdhvGxdfhPW3qHBCZaySwVgVLx1-ibDLzHJOTXN6R0u8-_UducXGRuOWmvW3Ht9sYo2inkDGaDNjZy9Nfzn0r8lR7fb1hX3krVV_q7Dg/s320/T.JPG" /></a>We were so high up that all the plants, animals and landscape was like a differnt planet and then thousands of Flamingos on this lake.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlNnehwE2Gl5wvIGftfF20Gl6Y9_zmMuyoKcPOgwpIWri5NaI7WOaTZafKU-xiNLLMLtJe7RXCKPmDhK0Zj-2TIdSy5TxSeQVZTzkzPBysv6SFa9oA_OdKbuTx-mDwPUP6RrX2wDvxbMs/s1600-h/U.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlNnehwE2Gl5wvIGftfF20Gl6Y9_zmMuyoKcPOgwpIWri5NaI7WOaTZafKU-xiNLLMLtJe7RXCKPmDhK0Zj-2TIdSy5TxSeQVZTzkzPBysv6SFa9oA_OdKbuTx-mDwPUP6RrX2wDvxbMs/s320/U.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4tNKbj_Y9mzUm_xHmJrVDTZIBKC0lsdt2KQfHQNq9cqafzhUxZv2qcCugFPBeV6Ts8AqFEuqy-LFdFjZmMcNh9buXR7sbVYIr5JdAxDjGQrf0cUzIZ0kcy2I6wv45zJa2FdIk8Vby3X8/s1600-h/V.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4tNKbj_Y9mzUm_xHmJrVDTZIBKC0lsdt2KQfHQNq9cqafzhUxZv2qcCugFPBeV6Ts8AqFEuqy-LFdFjZmMcNh9buXR7sbVYIr5JdAxDjGQrf0cUzIZ0kcy2I6wv45zJa2FdIk8Vby3X8/s320/V.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg89pVRg76FeKfaPXkD9DaHTL1tGUTP3kX5WnoWrRmlDv1WCYpSi6cfmNlHz1e92INuhlBrENKR21z-uYr1fS1BgGOE5w7GQ2mYEe-ghNKUwmsG80Mxm7EXPNRRvph8dnqWsCOMzCI-1I/s1600-h/W.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg89pVRg76FeKfaPXkD9DaHTL1tGUTP3kX5WnoWrRmlDv1WCYpSi6cfmNlHz1e92INuhlBrENKR21z-uYr1fS1BgGOE5w7GQ2mYEe-ghNKUwmsG80Mxm7EXPNRRvph8dnqWsCOMzCI-1I/s320/W.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTXwzn0dO468ocMS49FcLph74y5i-ZQv5qFObgbuAztqQUHy_XpHufCWECT5fkTgPzsdmz6jYC9QRzgPyXINPEiGZANTijkEtmO32hjRQBrh9N-wPLA29tzN-w-I4aoQRRGivk01JC_bg/s1600-h/X.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTXwzn0dO468ocMS49FcLph74y5i-ZQv5qFObgbuAztqQUHy_XpHufCWECT5fkTgPzsdmz6jYC9QRzgPyXINPEiGZANTijkEtmO32hjRQBrh9N-wPLA29tzN-w-I4aoQRRGivk01JC_bg/s320/X.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK5el4a5VHCH0EQODnkj9OB_PdDLkhO5LqGdk4QTd3W8PrkNajBxHMG_zT2uLpuvJHHta_Wcp_MzdBRVSrcq2oQp6o0abvZrhfiXIQtzSvMsgRRM7vhYB28u04Qj3X5p21d4PLcp-2Oc8/s1600-h/Y.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK5el4a5VHCH0EQODnkj9OB_PdDLkhO5LqGdk4QTd3W8PrkNajBxHMG_zT2uLpuvJHHta_Wcp_MzdBRVSrcq2oQp6o0abvZrhfiXIQtzSvMsgRRM7vhYB28u04Qj3X5p21d4PLcp-2Oc8/s320/Y.JPG" /></a><img border="0" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTXkv5vbp1tHZy6trVqTa7nSSU4A77T8Ppu0fL-LgCH5EmMEY3QOxILCs9xRWYPExkFwCgelhKPPAzpVBOlrC4oJXV_tiVXN_mPErBYp3qi7z5PQcfMDkkIbj40QXfoSJ7K-z4hPAQEmc/s320/Z.JPG" />One day I will take a bunch of camping gear and go spend some real time here.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvl9RPcnWmOvxQOnlIwJ6xlJVKkwkI_tplJY4TP8GyFNzuxFcOXi4Hg5PLutGbMHnGROfHX6xYbA6D9mmSeJOMxCrfkL_C6f8kveUTbZ8g65PfroWSEA5Hu0W1emP5HTsLMsn_fRPgGkw/s1600-h/ZA.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvl9RPcnWmOvxQOnlIwJ6xlJVKkwkI_tplJY4TP8GyFNzuxFcOXi4Hg5PLutGbMHnGROfHX6xYbA6D9mmSeJOMxCrfkL_C6f8kveUTbZ8g65PfroWSEA5Hu0W1emP5HTsLMsn_fRPgGkw/s320/ZA.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnS4QyGEbDhXlK9Z_hR7JalVzS_vYHxFNxwJ7EWHFBi-amnyk4ZcFJWAkuPyIEm6xngV_ymOlo0orpHiYUjRHnaAb1VMIC0vbF-XBqm5u3WWGpJda14qbQONISt0PgXGx3w_5FdDWWBp4/s1600-h/ZB.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnS4QyGEbDhXlK9Z_hR7JalVzS_vYHxFNxwJ7EWHFBi-amnyk4ZcFJWAkuPyIEm6xngV_ymOlo0orpHiYUjRHnaAb1VMIC0vbF-XBqm5u3WWGpJda14qbQONISt0PgXGx3w_5FdDWWBp4/s320/ZB.JPG" /></a>Its official, I have now taken my bike higher than 5000 meters above sea level and in true BMW fashion, it didnt miss a beat.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgooiLKsasaowMq_8QOSAc7_O6G27ToBKWgbYL60jCRk34oQogOnCPLLHJPot9sqOmggSyAmDJre8Yk9xxFXQmPBBk-2lqMZOGUu3ZsQE5sykCFFLEBS1pUxDXmfVHJ8QR6Hujt_k5Qa6Q/s1600-h/ZC.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgooiLKsasaowMq_8QOSAc7_O6G27ToBKWgbYL60jCRk34oQogOnCPLLHJPot9sqOmggSyAmDJre8Yk9xxFXQmPBBk-2lqMZOGUu3ZsQE5sykCFFLEBS1pUxDXmfVHJ8QR6Hujt_k5Qa6Q/s320/ZC.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9yij1PvTxY3RL8-Xmkbvr5LqUziBPyEZRM8VL7pfEuw_PRFQv-vyRuxCL1wqSmQilexFhGqCtF-n0HJ5-QJvBUjP3nvtG_ZddvLoFcFZ5ahv8rCALg-smeExKNtvRg8eA5oZB1wLuimU/s1600-h/ZD.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9yij1PvTxY3RL8-Xmkbvr5LqUziBPyEZRM8VL7pfEuw_PRFQv-vyRuxCL1wqSmQilexFhGqCtF-n0HJ5-QJvBUjP3nvtG_ZddvLoFcFZ5ahv8rCALg-smeExKNtvRg8eA5oZB1wLuimU/s320/ZD.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNfLQPKLJePd3Z2-D6P6SUkIC9Ax_Tx5QLXSR0xtk2V8CQ1andGvRgHzUz4WC-ouEFqSq-B4kpm4aCL1X5Q8FqC4lm3xCSNB4hG6mdBcImowTquaXBfhyY_EQ_sjCBks9p2G4yvz92S7U/s1600-h/ZE.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNfLQPKLJePd3Z2-D6P6SUkIC9Ax_Tx5QLXSR0xtk2V8CQ1andGvRgHzUz4WC-ouEFqSq-B4kpm4aCL1X5Q8FqC4lm3xCSNB4hG6mdBcImowTquaXBfhyY_EQ_sjCBks9p2G4yvz92S7U/s320/ZE.JPG" /></a>And after 2 days of hard riding, we reached the border of Chile and back onto tarmac.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJbagiFWuhk0rEi0lbvML8ecF3BcAoEpVBDdeJeDSJMwJ1jhV-oil-QsBxnpBcpil4ErzB0XEE8fVBbYBKj7irEunUH_Ikeb5RTWOpO3APCRA8iwoLkjbInIwX7SIfk4_awf5ePxO5Ric/s1600-h/ZF.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJbagiFWuhk0rEi0lbvML8ecF3BcAoEpVBDdeJeDSJMwJ1jhV-oil-QsBxnpBcpil4ErzB0XEE8fVBbYBKj7irEunUH_Ikeb5RTWOpO3APCRA8iwoLkjbInIwX7SIfk4_awf5ePxO5Ric/s320/ZF.JPG" /></a>This is us crossing the Tropic of Capricorn. Right now we are on 35,000 kilometers, another 10,000 to go.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniE0SlToFQ-TBua181nP3LsI99AYorRkzLNA9lNOLuVdfJcYuVuAZD7AWr1FjNfPnXvvt1LIWtHPK2lil9J9HYqhPCSfdoO179GS50agkrjtTRU64vQegUVXT54ux5eDW2hg2S8ULDl4/s1600-h/ZG.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniE0SlToFQ-TBua181nP3LsI99AYorRkzLNA9lNOLuVdfJcYuVuAZD7AWr1FjNfPnXvvt1LIWtHPK2lil9J9HYqhPCSfdoO179GS50agkrjtTRU64vQegUVXT54ux5eDW2hg2S8ULDl4/s320/ZG.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>No Boundaries Bikers, Chris + Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07386612679047576050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568305577567015949.post-18561038859636617602010-01-21T08:28:00.000-08:002010-01-21T08:33:34.654-08:00Potosi to Uyuni Salar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>These are a couple of pics of Potosi and you alreadt know what this place is all about.<br />
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</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: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkXd-rAiekn8D-eLqb2x3WULDV_71q2aTDmn3Dx6o81M0bYOSQ-RIWI-sNdaRqoc4jzVIGPKmVZ_ACrerGSVQVLToTPHZcDRoMry5FIFge9G3wG_UgsWvFKY8m8Z6GCQgimhZubOGT_5M/s1600/B.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkXd-rAiekn8D-eLqb2x3WULDV_71q2aTDmn3Dx6o81M0bYOSQ-RIWI-sNdaRqoc4jzVIGPKmVZ_ACrerGSVQVLToTPHZcDRoMry5FIFge9G3wG_UgsWvFKY8m8Z6GCQgimhZubOGT_5M/s320/B.JPG" /></a><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xCPMThUkflfzp4raZ6RY8weyo935jThj5AAvRHGIwwj_vTQPS_-vJaS-3Z89L77bXTb6AJ_Pg7XSGF9s8awXr3-b63uy0-PrBMDhcxHAIlymQVpwjXwFfzy142oi5mEfl2K8NmaT-Q0/s320/A.JPG" /><br />
</div>On the way to Sucre we passed this bridge in the middle of nowhere for no reason other than the obvious, to cross the river, but why the masive castle on each side. They always have a reason and we didnt stop to find out.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-GkOLeycgpS-x8XDGCEiIDpnj2TPMx_oPSPRJ8FrDd1-InMCpgMHUEsN-xBE2ohIsGzcSLCBhRclQphPzLzTXXKurlVAaWyhFEGQN7w7a49hxgM1Ii8HNAhCUNk3lQU8_1-xy-LENMoc/s1600-h/C.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-GkOLeycgpS-x8XDGCEiIDpnj2TPMx_oPSPRJ8FrDd1-InMCpgMHUEsN-xBE2ohIsGzcSLCBhRclQphPzLzTXXKurlVAaWyhFEGQN7w7a49hxgM1Ii8HNAhCUNk3lQU8_1-xy-LENMoc/s320/C.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8p-RiIrdqe3gi5uqP3RQsQ9URIPx63hbnRQJ6ojfvrCCPN3DZYVJ4mti5rJ7p8FXZi1092b-23vV6MExf2vWI6exaa_EBYez6s4W9BX1joiTUr-GfJvB3VYJmDmP9i84GssI7xCxld5k/s1600-h/D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8p-RiIrdqe3gi5uqP3RQsQ9URIPx63hbnRQJ6ojfvrCCPN3DZYVJ4mti5rJ7p8FXZi1092b-23vV6MExf2vWI6exaa_EBYez6s4W9BX1joiTUr-GfJvB3VYJmDmP9i84GssI7xCxld5k/s320/D.JPG" /></a><br />
Sucre is a town that looks like it has a bunch of cash, but alas, it just looks like it. This is a pic from our balcony, a nice clean Bolivian town (oxymoron).<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOpoRWnesk34tZewGhlayk66-0TgFYhZePF9ykwx0yOrC8fMmhJ-9-KSLGApcdNmZ2wThcNpAejFtrZhHn_Z3k2Kfe9_zF5Sfn2RgMZ2GRJ5OePYsKT2Gu0VmwASZ542qc4M-F9Mb5XbQ/s1600-h/E.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOpoRWnesk34tZewGhlayk66-0TgFYhZePF9ykwx0yOrC8fMmhJ-9-KSLGApcdNmZ2wThcNpAejFtrZhHn_Z3k2Kfe9_zF5Sfn2RgMZ2GRJ5OePYsKT2Gu0VmwASZ542qc4M-F9Mb5XbQ/s320/E.JPG" /></a><br />
Next was a 160km dirt road through rivers, rain and nasty gravel to get to Uyuni. My riding talents got tested when we hidt a river crossing and halfway through I lost my balance, so I hit the gas in the low gear I was in and fully loaded, did a 180 degree turn on the spot and ended up going back the way we came, how we didnt fall beats me, second time was an easy shot.<img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmBIhSx68vmTvhAH-1PWmep6xXKTdM40oeT8VOCQhXePbsTRaWYtCdZQq293ImIXnv17QCb32QDXG6t496JsBKQDF58e8V0jGwc3Ds80r4tiOeduVmFVSKUlt1ENShEtFAvzdBCMDdRQ/s320/F.JPG" /><br />
Uyuni is an amazing place, not the dusty, dirty little town but the Salar, salt flats. These tables and chairs, made out of salt (good for my BP). The hotel, made out of salt, even the salt in the salt shaker was salt, unbelievable<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXp3Jmpcdv36BdoTSPmehewHLfaeDV_RPqD3z58FgpZRXYCC8iPFAKzK9oIBVPkPaMNaCN9IRSKFjP4yUYxKsw5VfQAuPhHCyHI46uhD6UEEuL-FCJEXK_vxklD6M1AGQdTtWV84TEWSc/s1600-h/G.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXp3Jmpcdv36BdoTSPmehewHLfaeDV_RPqD3z58FgpZRXYCC8iPFAKzK9oIBVPkPaMNaCN9IRSKFjP4yUYxKsw5VfQAuPhHCyHI46uhD6UEEuL-FCJEXK_vxklD6M1AGQdTtWV84TEWSc/s320/G.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVRSctbYktv4fO62DyoNqyN2GJCbbm2w5oyvqBris1FwqriymMZm3btpRz0GNxwY6O3J4LLhhyphenhyphensavt8kyhq17PGkx-AtAPA3VOuiTULPmlsiUmWS6fIezRn2Vw7syN_06TQ2lt5Eu-fpU/s1600-h/H.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVRSctbYktv4fO62DyoNqyN2GJCbbm2w5oyvqBris1FwqriymMZm3btpRz0GNxwY6O3J4LLhhyphenhyphensavt8kyhq17PGkx-AtAPA3VOuiTULPmlsiUmWS6fIezRn2Vw7syN_06TQ2lt5Eu-fpU/s320/H.JPG" /></a><br />
Melissa is always down my throat about something. You know what they say about guys with big feet ha ha.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBOjoGn3nmmMdZRe5bN4LL2z6x9-3bcquZMJ9eqAxVqaZ3zlvbJ6aycIMTjdIw_UCNbVUmBJpuE89mseAwoMLDWxB011I1U1g4qzeyoV_j4DOI5hWDZmWKOEHVSQ6FSbNkWdHHl0Hk_E/s1600-h/I.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBOjoGn3nmmMdZRe5bN4LL2z6x9-3bcquZMJ9eqAxVqaZ3zlvbJ6aycIMTjdIw_UCNbVUmBJpuE89mseAwoMLDWxB011I1U1g4qzeyoV_j4DOI5hWDZmWKOEHVSQ6FSbNkWdHHl0Hk_E/s320/I.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPHjq5OrB1zIbgqS8Sq8i9AgzSEnN0BlGYnN5dDR1KgCyIVPvGC2amq3oyyjd8m-gtzWx-1boGrGRcyTmIK-yWGxe9v8lNJXBu2uiMlZtdhBY7Ulp9ZHN7choFaaKFDxfHjztNezOI2Q/s1600-h/J.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPHjq5OrB1zIbgqS8Sq8i9AgzSEnN0BlGYnN5dDR1KgCyIVPvGC2amq3oyyjd8m-gtzWx-1boGrGRcyTmIK-yWGxe9v8lNJXBu2uiMlZtdhBY7Ulp9ZHN7choFaaKFDxfHjztNezOI2Q/s320/J.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuuTZmxJ3aQ56XHSvvnRR7Dk7SwVd9RWruH_aZFX3b4VHWa8V9jQUFB2n_KzZWrgoAIRp1_bAUCnhsW6N0BU_PDlWr8oWSVqtsim19GVnQmv6ohdvQNeSuMvPkLvtulrT3vznjG1Oe1yc/s1600-h/K.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuuTZmxJ3aQ56XHSvvnRR7Dk7SwVd9RWruH_aZFX3b4VHWa8V9jQUFB2n_KzZWrgoAIRp1_bAUCnhsW6N0BU_PDlWr8oWSVqtsim19GVnQmv6ohdvQNeSuMvPkLvtulrT3vznjG1Oe1yc/s320/K.JPG" /></a><br />
I am just a tiny little man next to Melissa.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39AUErnPah9_vCYzalKh0lfaxRDW53O8vG7Oe1hVOXLf0JQnpDRnq4924haHmjE53yiNR-3BfAW-5VINwWvfvucbSP0CTkoFpeEzfGCbPH5TGmTBgI6GD5y256NxA4OZ2lVqcfoUq_MI/s1600-h/L.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39AUErnPah9_vCYzalKh0lfaxRDW53O8vG7Oe1hVOXLf0JQnpDRnq4924haHmjE53yiNR-3BfAW-5VINwWvfvucbSP0CTkoFpeEzfGCbPH5TGmTBgI6GD5y256NxA4OZ2lVqcfoUq_MI/s320/L.JPG" /></a><br />
Why did the Cockerell jump over the Dinosour?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2PqNs9QVT3ftMCCp-WR8-2WXzBxxy_F3oyV6IxSyFFbrkMWnQsaURJQPzBoU-k06SVnvjDscSUHNQtHCZyjLxj7iTK5xgAU5cwX3C90s_OQa3JW0EHRWEqdih2vGlQnC0vwxN-KiEVAk/s1600-h/M.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2PqNs9QVT3ftMCCp-WR8-2WXzBxxy_F3oyV6IxSyFFbrkMWnQsaURJQPzBoU-k06SVnvjDscSUHNQtHCZyjLxj7iTK5xgAU5cwX3C90s_OQa3JW0EHRWEqdih2vGlQnC0vwxN-KiEVAk/s320/M.JPG" /></a><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjT0d5toudcI_04YCRepnLQHHxRghKKENpGoT-Hro6B1pOCP6MhZFK27i5SRQRKn1m3EpZ0s9z_-UPlbuFvczeVJpCWGoSfO8jlTrL4imI-PE0NBQl4qYzrB-LXN_lUodudaodHTL8ot8/s320/N.JPG" /><br />
With enough time and toys anyone could spend months here going nuts with ther imagination.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQaNr7AiiN-QdsOzEANfz0WiSPHrvyrcJza3r3w7qZUTBHjbOLN6RZfy381aUs6GThBzNr-cajC5e56p8bqtnEf4dSzkI-iT9Nqvtln9gsKkaqiJ7HJdrPDFwR2-wanqBZS08RU_pKeg/s1600-h/O.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQaNr7AiiN-QdsOzEANfz0WiSPHrvyrcJza3r3w7qZUTBHjbOLN6RZfy381aUs6GThBzNr-cajC5e56p8bqtnEf4dSzkI-iT9Nqvtln9gsKkaqiJ7HJdrPDFwR2-wanqBZS08RU_pKeg/s320/O.JPG" /></a><br />
Nowe are off on a 2 day journey from Uyuini to San Pedro de Atecama in Chile. The boys on the bikes and the ladies in a rented 4x4 with a guide.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjddT_RX7TIvjpDfBswLzQjE2pXp5n9ysV78hdfFroyVgGTa0p0lMRqFcNkyjYwLRjPxgCy81sORiu_rjZmWf1GhyphenhyphenQVY4CYcwLqkMStnYowyzeDKMm8qcDYKES-vaLUQEc_GELEeIJD9XA/s1600-h/P.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjddT_RX7TIvjpDfBswLzQjE2pXp5n9ysV78hdfFroyVgGTa0p0lMRqFcNkyjYwLRjPxgCy81sORiu_rjZmWf1GhyphenhyphenQVY4CYcwLqkMStnYowyzeDKMm8qcDYKES-vaLUQEc_GELEeIJD9XA/s320/P.JPG" /></a><br />
The average height here is about 4500 meters above sea level and the scenery is lunar, a photographers dream world, I plan to go back with food and a tent and zen out, absolutely amazing up here.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtDT15Kc-MqAYJGDSHWU-g6oxrZ-hbdGS2OzgXxX22sNBoZSjTO4ApkDEyN-VsvfQO3jy6OoOMwKN_kjGR6Kpzw9VS4TIg05jjoBLHz9_oJ0vcvmiMP3TvPZmgRlRJELglk1bSp4Yvw0c/s1600-h/Q.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtDT15Kc-MqAYJGDSHWU-g6oxrZ-hbdGS2OzgXxX22sNBoZSjTO4ApkDEyN-VsvfQO3jy6OoOMwKN_kjGR6Kpzw9VS4TIg05jjoBLHz9_oJ0vcvmiMP3TvPZmgRlRJELglk1bSp4Yvw0c/s320/Q.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7kDnYtNNXddmqqbmhvlB7YlkKFVqq3kMOOCGbMoU10yalQJphi49DpZcnYP-owPIBLqhAuykgPpSmM3YG9O5-KBeuZRDrPNizEpN8p_TZWIU9R_FeT6Z5bG2GAAjeAQ5rKxAezknK2Vw/s1600-h/R.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7kDnYtNNXddmqqbmhvlB7YlkKFVqq3kMOOCGbMoU10yalQJphi49DpZcnYP-owPIBLqhAuykgPpSmM3YG9O5-KBeuZRDrPNizEpN8p_TZWIU9R_FeT6Z5bG2GAAjeAQ5rKxAezknK2Vw/s320/R.JPG" /></a><br />
More on the second half of this trip soon.No Boundaries Bikers, Chris + Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07386612679047576050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568305577567015949.post-84323067400619188582010-01-04T15:30:00.000-08:002010-01-04T15:33:30.191-08:00January 3, 2010: Bolivia...Fear Factor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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The days after Christmas brought some adrenaline-filled experiences, some that we enjoyed, and some that we could have lived without.<br />
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</div>Leaving Copacabana, Bolivia, after taking a small, rickety boat to cross Lake Titicaca with the motorcycles, we headed east to La Paz. Approaching the city, we hit the usual traffic, with buses and trucks spewing black smoke, and then got caught in a rainstorm which turned into nickel-sized chunks of hail. Seeking refuge under a bridge, we eventually got out and found our way to a hotel in the Plaza San Pedro section of the city. The big goal in our stop at La Paz was to ride the infamous Death Road. <br />
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</div>This road, about an hour from La Paz, goes from La Cumbra to Coroico It is a narrow dirt and gravel road just over 3.2 meters wide which has cliffs and drop-offs (no guardrails)with a 3600 meter vertical drop. <br />
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</div>The road winds around the mountain, and we found that we had to ride through waterfalls, avoiding mountain bikers on our way…these bikers are part of a tour that offers a van ride up the mountain with the mountain bikers then careening down. This road is so famous due to the fact that in the past, buses, trucks and other traffic were also allowed, and many a time buses would miss the turn and just hurtle off of the cliffs. <br />
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</div>Crazy. The scenery was spectacular, and riding from the freezing cold, high altitude, down to the hot and steamy jungle climate was a thrill. <br />
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We were rewarded with some great photos and an “I survived Death Road” t-shirt.<br />
After a few days in La Paz, we were on our way to Potosi, where we planned to spend one or two nights, then to celebrate New Years Eve in Sucre, where our Dutch friend Gert had organized some serious revelry. On the way to Potosi, a long day’s riding, we got an email from some of the group who had gone ahead telling us that they had found a great hacienda just outside of Potosi, a charming and interesting place which was about 15 minutes off of the main road. <br />
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</div>We decided to spend the night there and then continue on to Potosi the next day.<br />
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</div> Somewhere along the way we got separated from Gino, Judy and Johannes, figuring that we would meet them at the hacienda. We arrived, checked in, and waited…and waited…and they still didn’t arrive. Chris decided to go back to look for them. Just after he left, a fierce rainstorm started, turning the dirt roads leading to the hacienda to slimy, slippery clay mud. After 3 hours Chris still hadn’t returned. Waiting outside of the gates, we finally heard his motorcycle and saw his headlight coming up the drive. He didn’t have happy news. Gino had an accident. His front rim had a dent which caused his front tire to separate just as he was coming around a corner, causing the bike to skid and Gino to fly off. His helmet, which he had fastened while wearing his gloves, came off when he fell. Judy and Johannes found him on the side of the highway when they came around the same corner. Chris got them to Potosi and then headed back to the hacienda in the dark, where he fell in the slippery mud. What a night. Thankfully, he had only a bruised rib and some aches and pains, but was OK.<br />
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The next morning we checked out of the hacienda and headed for the mining town of Potosi. <br />
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</div>This town, the world’s highest city at 4060 meters, is a Unesco World Heritage site. The economy of the town is based on silver mining, with a checkered history of indigenous people imported to work in horrific conditions in the mines. The thing to do here is the Cooperative Mine Tour, which…..the only way to describe it……is indescribable. <br />
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</div>You go to the tour company’s ‘changing room’ where you are given pants and a jacket to go over your clothes, and a hard hat with a light. You then go to the miner’s street market where you are told to buy gifts for the miners, things that they use every day…dynamite, coca leaves, 98% proof grain alcohol and cigarettes. These gifts help them deal with the deplorable conditions underground. The dynamite is used for blasting, to open up new veins of minerals. The coca leaves help them deal with the lack of oxygen due to the altitude and the lack of air in the mines. The alcohol, I think, just helps them overall to cope……and I guess that ingesting silica dust every day gives you a ‘what the hell’ attitude about smoking. <br />
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</div>We began the descent into the mines. Following our guide single file, it got more and more difficult to walk and to breathe. Dust in the air coated our eyes, and breathing got more and more difficult. Some people turned back, unable to get enough oxygen causing them to struggle. We had to bend down, avoiding hitting our heads on the rock which protruded above us. We got to a place where our guide started explaining that the life expectancy of the miners is about 55 years, where no women are allowed to work in the mines due to superstitions……the miners think that if women are allowed, the minerals will be depleted and they will find no more value. The next step was to go to see “Tio” a statue that was erected down in the mine; the miners ‘worship’ this statue, bringing cigarettes and gifts to lay at it’s feet. The next phase of the tour involved climbing, crawling and scrambling down to the next level, tight spaces with even less air. Chris (a.k.a. “Safety Guy”) looked at me and said “I’m outta here.” How glad I was to hear that statement. Not wanting to show fear, I was prepared to do it, but happily escorted him out of the mine. On to phase 2. <br />
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</div>Once outside, the guide then does a demo of setting off the dynamite. 2 of the guys in our group took the small bag filled with accelerant and dynamite, a long white fuse sticking out, and ran down a hill to set it off. 3 big bangs, lots of screaming and commotion, and our mine experience was over. Thank God. This was New Years Eve, after all. Our plan to go to Sucre was abandoned due to Gino’s accident, his bike needing repairs, and his injuries rendering him unable to ride. We set about finding a place to spend New Year’s Eve in this small mining town. Finally we settled upon the “Club Internacional” a private social club that was fully booked, but that was able to provide a table to accommodate the 12 of us. The invitation said “9pm, dinner, drinks, live music.” This being Bolivia, we got smart and decided to go late…10:30 pm. When we arrived, full of vigor and ready to party, the band was still setting up. We sat at our table and began to work on the 3 bottles of liquor that our cover charge provided. By 11:30 we were still the only ones there. As midnight approached, we waited for some kind of countdown, and tried to agree amongst the 12 of us who really had the correct time on their watch. With no band involvement, at 12 (on Johannes’ watch) we toasted, celebrated and rang in 2010. Finally the local folk started to arrive. The band kicked in, and we danced salsa, meringue, and our own brand of Gringo-Latin hip shakin’…all in motorcycle boots. <br />
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So here we were, 12 early-bird gringos, dressed in jeans and biker clothes, alongside the well-dressed cream of Bolivian society, ringing in 2010 together. An interesting tapestry, indeed.!!<br />
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We are now in Sucre, leaving Gino behind in Potosi for a few days to recuperate. Next on to Uyuni, Salt Flats which are supposed to be amazing. The adventure continues….No Boundaries Bikers, Chris + Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07386612679047576050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568305577567015949.post-3990365197763688242009-12-28T07:55:00.000-08:002009-12-28T08:42:18.015-08:00December 28-Ecuador, side trip to Chile, Peru and Bolivia: Merry Christmas!<div class="separator" style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><br /></div>Melissa wrote:<br /><div class="separator" style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="CLEAR: left; FLOAT: left; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em; cssfloat: left" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RWWhTbjGYNVZlattthHaV32oNlOlhwF3NFjR2QtUfdAsDKOuQfbMwYbn0n1Nac7xFnfibUHE0JCNJn5c8kkwKi4YtVNYwNBIsAhgR10Q2wCfLzsdhgzmDJgUIX8LLgsDbPQsLKvyxDQ/s1600-h/PC240187.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RWWhTbjGYNVZlattthHaV32oNlOlhwF3NFjR2QtUfdAsDKOuQfbMwYbn0n1Nac7xFnfibUHE0JCNJn5c8kkwKi4YtVNYwNBIsAhgR10Q2wCfLzsdhgzmDJgUIX8LLgsDbPQsLKvyxDQ/s320/PC240187.JPG" border="0" ps="true" /></a><br /></div>Sometimes gifts come in unexpected ways. Yesterday, Christmas Eve, Chris and I, accompanied by our friends and traveling companions, left Puno, Peru after a great visit to the floating islands of the Aymara-speaking Uros indigenous people on Lake Titicaca, which by the way, is shared between 2 countries…at 12,500 feet, Lake Titicaca is 60% in Peru and 40% in Bolivia.<br /><div class="separator" style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpTfzG9bPwYUl5_MPjXwToEl469MrPH6BSq8WqIwaVCXiye4emTtGTYz2qeAScvm8vbLXm57Q3CKXLqa6G0SJjhIXWKigg4C-3sscr2SZAil1n0Af8zKR9jP3dE6MxD6aAWFljsOWukW4/s1600-h/PC240250.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpTfzG9bPwYUl5_MPjXwToEl469MrPH6BSq8WqIwaVCXiye4emTtGTYz2qeAScvm8vbLXm57Q3CKXLqa6G0SJjhIXWKigg4C-3sscr2SZAil1n0Af8zKR9jP3dE6MxD6aAWFljsOWukW4/s320/PC240250.JPG" border="0" ps="true" /></a><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuimDxdiOniRGf4BbQXmkAC9pVdwfkvmBu_YFAYau_FC4IR6XEapD9gDmnpEQhbQdAqYFMZb-cgCTW5fra1p9tN76u44kuwBm0u88nv87JZeJx3U4-4ZJLBSvtAmmx4Qpa8LBCgIxzaiM/s1600-h/PC240230.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuimDxdiOniRGf4BbQXmkAC9pVdwfkvmBu_YFAYau_FC4IR6XEapD9gDmnpEQhbQdAqYFMZb-cgCTW5fra1p9tN76u44kuwBm0u88nv87JZeJx3U4-4ZJLBSvtAmmx4Qpa8LBCgIxzaiM/s320/PC240230.JPG" border="0" ps="true" /></a><br /></div>We rode for a few hours and when arriving at the border, passed through the exit customs and immigration for Peru; we then lined up to enter the customs and immigration area for Bolivia.<br /><div class="separator" style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuDUooUfxASVqgfHrPQe57EXFiLeY7CP5u5f6QsbRHn668kUdGSU8aaXgWVH4ORtO-rAvloZybJwwJDIduLwYIK31r8wYZGjZNTZ33lXDERzjfvjw9gljVI74fVjmM_TO87_QtF9GgpN0/s1600-h/PC240335.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuDUooUfxASVqgfHrPQe57EXFiLeY7CP5u5f6QsbRHn668kUdGSU8aaXgWVH4ORtO-rAvloZybJwwJDIduLwYIK31r8wYZGjZNTZ33lXDERzjfvjw9gljVI74fVjmM_TO87_QtF9GgpN0/s320/PC240335.JPG" border="0" ps="true" /></a><br /></div>When we stepped up to the desk of Bolivian customs to register the motorcycle, Alberto, the strong-willed gentleman behind the desk, began to question the fact that we only had a photocopy of the registration for the bike, not the original. Graham and Sue had passed through successfully, so we smiled and expected that our persuasive nature would be no problem. It wasn’t so. Alberto stood fast, insisting that since the photocopy could be altered, he could not be sure that the bike was really ours. No amount of pleading, reasoning, or invoking the name of Santa Claus would persuade him. So, we had no choice but to turn back. This meant that we would have to re-enter Peru, less than ¼ mile away, and also to separate from our group and spend Christmas Eve alone. This was bad enough….but when we went to re-enter Peru, we were told that we could not re-enter for 24 hours. By this time it was 2pm on Christmas Eve. Sleeping on the ground outside of customs was not an option. Luckily, when waiting for Chris to exit the bike from Peru, I had been chatting with some of the guys from Peruvian immigration, nice and friendly folks who were very interested in our trip, and where we had been. When the customs folks gave us a hard time, I asked for my buddy Alejandro, who helped us through. We were only allowed to go 2 km to the next town, a tiny little pueblo called Yungonyo, just next to the border.<br /><div class="separator" style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="CLEAR: left; FLOAT: left; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em; cssfloat: left" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVi1HU7L2rYLwbCP2ryyJPRIstSOlmqQ0hRoeSNAvr0foxuLW-oIraubwIYZ5W36sMXx_TPi23b216d8c7fTpItQCmEOkUSCX7VIRaIDnPgzSK8w4T68FntoKg2_y89QEa0IxiVFV5NFw/s1600-h/PC250352.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVi1HU7L2rYLwbCP2ryyJPRIstSOlmqQ0hRoeSNAvr0foxuLW-oIraubwIYZ5W36sMXx_TPi23b216d8c7fTpItQCmEOkUSCX7VIRaIDnPgzSK8w4T68FntoKg2_y89QEa0IxiVFV5NFw/s320/PC250352.JPG" border="0" ps="true" /></a><br /></div>The only game in town was a small hostel called Hostal Isabel, which had small, smelly rooms with bad windows that let in the freezing-cold breeze. Trying to make the best of it, we began chatting with the owner of the hotel, who told us that there was an 8pm mass at the nearby church, where 85 children would sing Christmas carols. We stopped in at a local market, where Quechua women in their brightly-colored clothes and top-hats, children wrapped in multicolored blankets on their backs, were buying sugar and other supplies for Christmas dinner. The owner of the little shop went into the back and emerged with a great bottle of Chilean Cabernet, which we promptly scrounged up enough soles to buy. Armed with our vino, we found a local restaurant and sat down for Christmas dinner with some of the local folks. Two Quechua ladies, a mother of about 80 and her daughter, sat near us. The mother, her wizened brown face and bright clothes lit up by a sweet smile, took a shine to us. We invited them to share a glass of wine with us and wished them a Feliz Navidad. They took the glasses of wine and as is customary, spilled a few drops onto the floor as an offering to Mother Earth. The start of a great Christmas.<br /><div class="separator" style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBkI51VFeRRabBSr9uAhjU5DMqpQUxv1Bg-RmdX_UUrpZJxrina9BspTSgESgvyM6wqiIqoOYGEp2H59a6MtsCyOl2NzQDhTD-c2YzUNycefGGwk-4syU5iC-exSl-HKnFKO0WWNrtAo/s1600-h/PC240342.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBkI51VFeRRabBSr9uAhjU5DMqpQUxv1Bg-RmdX_UUrpZJxrina9BspTSgESgvyM6wqiIqoOYGEp2H59a6MtsCyOl2NzQDhTD-c2YzUNycefGGwk-4syU5iC-exSl-HKnFKO0WWNrtAo/s320/PC240342.JPG" border="0" ps="true" /></a><br /></div>We then went to the church and listened to the children sing. 85 kids dressed in Santa hats, with their indigenous parents hovering around proudly, singing in Spanish. A truly magical sight. They then started a procession out of the church, with everyone following, and we passed through the town singing Christmas Carols, Chris and I the only (obvious) blond gringos, embraced by these lovely people, who shared Pan de Pascua, or Christmas bread with us. The hostel was so cold that we slept in our hats and gloves, and the next morning at 7am headed for the border. We passed through Peru with no problem, greeting our friends from the day before, and when we arrived at Bolivian customs realized that they did not open until 8. Dying for coffee, we stopped in the little bodega across from customs but the gentleman there said they did not have coffee. Five minutes later he came to find us. He had set up a small table in his store, his wife made us café con leche, the best ever, with cinnamon and cloves, and after this feast we found that the shift change at Bolivian customs meant that there was a new guy in charge who accepted our documents without question……….truly a blessing, and what could have been a bad experience turned out to be a real gift of kindness and sharing.<br /><br />We rejoined our friends in Copacabana, Bolivia, just across the border, and have celebrated Christmas looking at the lake and drinking great wine with Judy and Johannes and Gino.<br /><div class="separator" style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFUbubCLfeW9thDfcdWulvPhOG7_v5uB_2a8FZMOaItTiiJbDgRIyRShSvRIB3S62w5tENY3blJiZchQUbC-E3JKeYW9BwKX0mAuVa3Um0SIM2kTyjl9nHSJobx-LUXdnlqm98w6lLxJg/s1600-h/PC250354.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFUbubCLfeW9thDfcdWulvPhOG7_v5uB_2a8FZMOaItTiiJbDgRIyRShSvRIB3S62w5tENY3blJiZchQUbC-E3JKeYW9BwKX0mAuVa3Um0SIM2kTyjl9nHSJobx-LUXdnlqm98w6lLxJg/s320/PC250354.JPG" border="0" ps="true" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="CLEAR: left; FLOAT: left; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em; cssfloat: left" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicVdFFqH1XZk-WYRc54vPeAD_6ilQ4K7HX4gbWKjn5Vcrap8aunIoM4EwAs0nR2JHNKUkybq9mr13LoW3ffIyxUMd5oy1f-kKkq6XaytfKJfu1XJM4kHlPD3-zqnsem3UYDGeaVO0hFEA/s1600-h/PC250356.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicVdFFqH1XZk-WYRc54vPeAD_6ilQ4K7HX4gbWKjn5Vcrap8aunIoM4EwAs0nR2JHNKUkybq9mr13LoW3ffIyxUMd5oy1f-kKkq6XaytfKJfu1XJM4kHlPD3-zqnsem3UYDGeaVO0hFEA/s320/PC250356.JPG" border="0" ps="true" /></a><br /></div>It doesn’t get any better. But wait, let me go back…..<br /><br />Since Colombia, we have gone to Ecuador where we spent a few days in Quito, in the old part of the city, and traveled to Mitad del Mundo, on the Equator, where you can actually have one foot in the Southern Hemisphere and one foot in the Northern Hemisphere.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9EMdpoLdu0l_L52wPOdkkzvhCGbCRWs8n8LnTSjkGRAFbSGFL-CNBsifCApZz17VWpJFUN7dJQPh2zOPFfuo8EqzkIQwJBWoH9LlFuR1om5eOYjSv_8vI3jFekx74SXksktxs8iB6Ss/s1600-h/PB290094.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9EMdpoLdu0l_L52wPOdkkzvhCGbCRWs8n8LnTSjkGRAFbSGFL-CNBsifCApZz17VWpJFUN7dJQPh2zOPFfuo8EqzkIQwJBWoH9LlFuR1om5eOYjSv_8vI3jFekx74SXksktxs8iB6Ss/s320/PB290094.JPG" border="0" ps="true" /></a><br /></div>From there, I went to meet my friend Ellen for a brief trip to Chile, with some time in Santiago, wine country and Easter Island. How to describe it?<br /><div class="separator" style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1G-bnKDVLaSGyl7Qy0t1U_yt_2Q0wecTDncc4e0zN5qswQwfXfMeZPHErDKFYQu9qgZkJtX5QsGgAQ_aONigBjgI3X3wE_rHa-T3PvEZVKlIaicwIA97RbcDtpIWuMEPtnrJ1MiyYa-k/s1600-h/PC070123.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1G-bnKDVLaSGyl7Qy0t1U_yt_2Q0wecTDncc4e0zN5qswQwfXfMeZPHErDKFYQu9qgZkJtX5QsGgAQ_aONigBjgI3X3wE_rHa-T3PvEZVKlIaicwIA97RbcDtpIWuMEPtnrJ1MiyYa-k/s320/PC070123.JPG" border="0" ps="true" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPeszGGy-Kzq0NtTmUfHZqe4aQOIOV2y62e28T0AHXMYAQOlDnXRW-Yv5Smjt4dKDr63vLmvIu_shjljZ06A7zg_m08xmeYTUJYgrEPuR7kOfsQVoq6sXS_L7H-W9lIHUngwVDE9TmAg/s1600-h/PC040103.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPeszGGy-Kzq0NtTmUfHZqe4aQOIOV2y62e28T0AHXMYAQOlDnXRW-Yv5Smjt4dKDr63vLmvIu_shjljZ06A7zg_m08xmeYTUJYgrEPuR7kOfsQVoq6sXS_L7H-W9lIHUngwVDE9TmAg/s320/PC040103.JPG" border="0" ps="true" /></a><br /></div>An amazing respite from the bike trip, with a wonderful friend, adventures exploring the island of Rapa Nui, hiking in the rain, swapping stories, sharing great wine, re-connecting with family and old friends in Santiago, and creating amazing memories…this is in addition to the fact that when speaking with Ellen before her departure from New York, she asked if there was anything she could bring to me for the vacation. After 7 months in motorcycle boots, I answered without hesitation, “A dress and a pair of heels.” So…..armed with her loaned black dress and strappy Prada sandals, we took Santiago by storm. God bless girlfriends.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="CLEAR: both; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="CLEAR: left; FLOAT: left; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em; cssfloat: left" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-tXewD5ffvnsdyPCRwFi_O444mK4i-ur66YLeV2QQqtL4F7-luxGgVgy-oilFdmxQ7FhXjCaIxFD9C-N2GqrYS75vKarU9klzDr6bICpzCNYRo-FmHO9OOIBj3H29fXvCimDjRQJLCGg/s1600-h/PC090140.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-tXewD5ffvnsdyPCRwFi_O444mK4i-ur66YLeV2QQqtL4F7-luxGgVgy-oilFdmxQ7FhXjCaIxFD9C-N2GqrYS75vKarU9klzDr6bICpzCNYRo-FmHO9OOIBj3H29fXvCimDjRQJLCGg/s320/PC090140.JPG" border="0" ps="true" /></a><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1FnvuNtw49OdL35ifj8rwM29oqLtB-O5L5s1t-Kn0WY_dAGx1yr2VcD9VYXOKcO9ILvp7qV2kOs2dX8RFvKwhBTaSX0iGa52PN7334-AEE1FcjumZ93EvpFo0Vnkj6Eyr5KDfRFYmU2c/s1600-h/PC090143.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1FnvuNtw49OdL35ifj8rwM29oqLtB-O5L5s1t-Kn0WY_dAGx1yr2VcD9VYXOKcO9ILvp7qV2kOs2dX8RFvKwhBTaSX0iGa52PN7334-AEE1FcjumZ93EvpFo0Vnkj6Eyr5KDfRFYmU2c/s320/PC090143.JPG" border="0" ps="true" /></a><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghHSZoGBR0WxcjeCTySxTak2Wzg6hbvQ1WVQ1EcTKosDtgg5I8n4qTiRVSaqDCqxhjLoUe06AvGuw1ATrQzUqkd9JKMW-e5IF0lJyvaEVVXcASL-k4zfg7HPXF4fHQ3zu9doRZNXxi7YU/s1600-h/PC110203.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghHSZoGBR0WxcjeCTySxTak2Wzg6hbvQ1WVQ1EcTKosDtgg5I8n4qTiRVSaqDCqxhjLoUe06AvGuw1ATrQzUqkd9JKMW-e5IF0lJyvaEVVXcASL-k4zfg7HPXF4fHQ3zu9doRZNXxi7YU/s320/PC110203.JPG" border="0" ps="true" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb1jmg8LR3lTaqd6UmhJfe-V2Ln6A6b3EVDps6uB7kJHVg-vxVpgANONqcDsI_MSUP22ZHzAUisP4ZZrowuciVcglNjymD30z3jA9idwdLigfsy5vJ8NBqAcNRGFA-8JEPM4F5w4-EP_A/s1600-h/PC110220.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb1jmg8LR3lTaqd6UmhJfe-V2Ln6A6b3EVDps6uB7kJHVg-vxVpgANONqcDsI_MSUP22ZHzAUisP4ZZrowuciVcglNjymD30z3jA9idwdLigfsy5vJ8NBqAcNRGFA-8JEPM4F5w4-EP_A/s320/PC110220.JPG" border="0" ps="true" /></a><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7mlA0BlTGj7dnCu8TfiRsdgkOnUIbURyQQ079HrpMmv4VeoqHvMbAd-S8_zvM6Wqn7NaTtUydyYP49EYgRe_ni10HA0BERFgxnVYbAwBlurQkojonkqf7gw8zDpiC94Gh8vlP34OsJqQ/s1600-h/PC110188.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7mlA0BlTGj7dnCu8TfiRsdgkOnUIbURyQQ079HrpMmv4VeoqHvMbAd-S8_zvM6Wqn7NaTtUydyYP49EYgRe_ni10HA0BERFgxnVYbAwBlurQkojonkqf7gw8zDpiC94Gh8vlP34OsJqQ/s320/PC110188.JPG" border="0" ps="true" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-E9lh3ia5gl0glcZg8xJaLbqkdL7B37bKTMc-AOLkYP_2x-2IDiiYqfbTme4VkrUvR_3Wj7V-_47OsXtoGlrZm6Dj87EFy_WtjyGAMtv2HmQAMC8isoeunhtKN8RYmDzGg-sqGmi1WGw/s1600-h/PC120253.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-E9lh3ia5gl0glcZg8xJaLbqkdL7B37bKTMc-AOLkYP_2x-2IDiiYqfbTme4VkrUvR_3Wj7V-_47OsXtoGlrZm6Dj87EFy_WtjyGAMtv2HmQAMC8isoeunhtKN8RYmDzGg-sqGmi1WGw/s320/PC120253.JPG" border="0" ps="true" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuXKX9vv_tmic9Q2SBvORM2q1qHmtO8KidvC4yWSCmLl4xbC-3uni2iswwDfBvvQqHroH_p-qOAVwX6B0XQRwOUEsVtfM8m5L6dYrIhsauXBMkKQhVjHg5m1GrUSbzkpVbekTzkk0R3Ng/s1600-h/PC120267.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuXKX9vv_tmic9Q2SBvORM2q1qHmtO8KidvC4yWSCmLl4xbC-3uni2iswwDfBvvQqHroH_p-qOAVwX6B0XQRwOUEsVtfM8m5L6dYrIhsauXBMkKQhVjHg5m1GrUSbzkpVbekTzkk0R3Ng/s320/PC120267.JPG" border="0" ps="true" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-d32wQdF5ROcGMLPrBldJrLaSc8i73gbS_iEDgZ7icZXjH1J4CG_6PB0UcHEl4cRd_WBot7IGI-0Ay2KD1nQq1dmsRvF61BEhc-ScmjGyVdllOd_phmeYf2iqTYulGcJfDxyT6nfsFQM/s1600-h/PC120315.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-d32wQdF5ROcGMLPrBldJrLaSc8i73gbS_iEDgZ7icZXjH1J4CG_6PB0UcHEl4cRd_WBot7IGI-0Ay2KD1nQq1dmsRvF61BEhc-ScmjGyVdllOd_phmeYf2iqTYulGcJfDxyT6nfsFQM/s320/PC120315.JPG" border="0" ps="true" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_QAK6DnqasAO7JULqbdJfnrYF6YET6yMqrFofmta9CzKzg0jMNU-a2XAUs10UcXrxg6Tw7LwHckLqiLufd2e72ajyO4dT9qclT_qx9ToKC4hJykgnQLW4Dd7hgRJSP9RrSav9tiJ1law/s1600-h/PC120318.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_QAK6DnqasAO7JULqbdJfnrYF6YET6yMqrFofmta9CzKzg0jMNU-a2XAUs10UcXrxg6Tw7LwHckLqiLufd2e72ajyO4dT9qclT_qx9ToKC4hJykgnQLW4Dd7hgRJSP9RrSav9tiJ1law/s320/PC120318.JPG" border="0" ps="true" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8F1L7z-hS_CB71K8oikNsK9Z9yUU8A0TYFQrMrglETY5QhuTS7xGKMIFTQOSNju5ePjP9xfFHRrvvGXLuqQSX5kD3PgmDUq0H7KbKbgog4VxOa0pwsn7lRxusgH_yO7h3J37zXSlcVw/s1600-h/PC120385.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8F1L7z-hS_CB71K8oikNsK9Z9yUU8A0TYFQrMrglETY5QhuTS7xGKMIFTQOSNju5ePjP9xfFHRrvvGXLuqQSX5kD3PgmDUq0H7KbKbgog4VxOa0pwsn7lRxusgH_yO7h3J37zXSlcVw/s320/PC120385.JPG" border="0" ps="true" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsXibIoBTbX5ikz5DEH_dHZeM2SgMUmpNscv7uxiQkwsNgLOEu6AqMxJpOYpDcnNOXlvQvl8aat8vYK1LuGI7R9-5b-oFQQyr5I19a5LJ4MG1FjpdBTR0V0J0Bhx5WLlk3gm-qPj2uae4/s1600-h/PC130445.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsXibIoBTbX5ikz5DEH_dHZeM2SgMUmpNscv7uxiQkwsNgLOEu6AqMxJpOYpDcnNOXlvQvl8aat8vYK1LuGI7R9-5b-oFQQyr5I19a5LJ4MG1FjpdBTR0V0J0Bhx5WLlk3gm-qPj2uae4/s320/PC130445.JPG" border="0" ps="true" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-ekO1YyemBDurBOghYEnODVplmZuo7v5IVs102JR5K69bMfQnL4BIE9qEc97bOF7mdu8bb5X4j90oUtCmKj2HgU1_PT9J0PerXI-o_wZG7jS8v4lyz_6GANddllZRQ7zAHpEuquS4AU/s1600-h/PC130473.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-ekO1YyemBDurBOghYEnODVplmZuo7v5IVs102JR5K69bMfQnL4BIE9qEc97bOF7mdu8bb5X4j90oUtCmKj2HgU1_PT9J0PerXI-o_wZG7jS8v4lyz_6GANddllZRQ7zAHpEuquS4AU/s320/PC130473.JPG" border="0" ps="true" /></a><br /></div><br />Back on the bike, I met up with Chris in Lima, Peru, and from there we went to Nazca. Just south of Lima, on the only main road, we encountered some protests which closed the highway.<br /><div class="separator" style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitYB1wU8LcGsLgD2E9DmW7G42IJbnoxmpd9f-qJr4pC80F8spsTex6px6Somv1fmU_KrWfig4dmzBK9vNClcfqI_7yMrYJ0-k5MEAV-oYnwEg9rpDCvkU7E9-NK5X86NyGw-UzM6u8Mbc/s1600-h/PC170503.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitYB1wU8LcGsLgD2E9DmW7G42IJbnoxmpd9f-qJr4pC80F8spsTex6px6Somv1fmU_KrWfig4dmzBK9vNClcfqI_7yMrYJ0-k5MEAV-oYnwEg9rpDCvkU7E9-NK5X86NyGw-UzM6u8Mbc/s320/PC170503.JPG" border="0" ps="true" /></a><br /></div>Protesters were on the hillsides, hurling rocks and other objects at the riot police below, with the police opening fire and ultimately letting off tear gas to stop the unrest. We were stopped a few feet from the action, waiting, and were approached by a cameraman and reporter form Panamericana TV, who asked us for an interview.<br /><div class="separator" style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvNGgGJKwEl9Iqpy2lnGL3AoiMN9mziiywDtYkZSDNAnlvwDo7k7JOtviK9RttCkY-OJZd38pt9PjpIbfrtjcaCU1_q_cB3eUZpxmQTD_HpNtDtQq9yPge5d108u7VjADMVKM6dCCNJeU/s1600-h/PC170505.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvNGgGJKwEl9Iqpy2lnGL3AoiMN9mziiywDtYkZSDNAnlvwDo7k7JOtviK9RttCkY-OJZd38pt9PjpIbfrtjcaCU1_q_cB3eUZpxmQTD_HpNtDtQq9yPge5d108u7VjADMVKM6dCCNJeU/s320/PC170505.JPG" border="0" ps="true" /></a><br /></div>Surrounded by our new friends, the riot police, shields and helmets in tow, we gave an interview trying to be as impartial as possible and to not take a position either way. Whew. Finally arriving in Nazca, we re-connected with our traveling buddies and boarded a small plane to see the famous Nazca Lines, which are only visible by air.<br /><div class="separator" style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjnh5xJpYCxMq-VkG3j8HhhMU670r-LOI9MxOoNaPQP3CgjW7_9K6Yx7HxelLNBsISeoJMMn9D2FCgcBFuhW6I5sutmjJ4RDHMTYyxJAJBWaCdqapSt2AS5i2ItgNGYMNODdZKK02QBCc/s1600-h/PC180524.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjnh5xJpYCxMq-VkG3j8HhhMU670r-LOI9MxOoNaPQP3CgjW7_9K6Yx7HxelLNBsISeoJMMn9D2FCgcBFuhW6I5sutmjJ4RDHMTYyxJAJBWaCdqapSt2AS5i2ItgNGYMNODdZKK02QBCc/s320/PC180524.JPG" border="0" ps="true" /></a><br /></div>The Nazca Lines cover about 500 square kilometers of desert, and are a network of over 800 lines, 300 geoglyphs and 70 animal and plant drawings.<br /><div class="separator" style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7uBiByxXskw7epFuLLQAed1FBEfA-4G6rXcgl1A8bYIxf60ckFadutkwRugYQQRfqhWautj-BnAWmepS125fLUBTUO4pFd9ZoSqCnGZf-fIPHvp9x8fwS0YL5HGFZ1kedxQJ8yd82EnA/s1600-h/PC180534.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7uBiByxXskw7epFuLLQAed1FBEfA-4G6rXcgl1A8bYIxf60ckFadutkwRugYQQRfqhWautj-BnAWmepS125fLUBTUO4pFd9ZoSqCnGZf-fIPHvp9x8fwS0YL5HGFZ1kedxQJ8yd82EnA/s320/PC180534.JPG" border="0" ps="true" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZySlkAfdiXKiN2VesrsmPm9yfdEyGR6aEh88diZ-BEVyFB5vJrNHuYloI9OyVvgR3mTFzDxatERqSr4QDXVJi5vZY4PEHZLMuF9UtfXuNcNaj-guRiV8YK4RKAI-Gl7lPG747JUu5pI/s1600-h/PC180539.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZySlkAfdiXKiN2VesrsmPm9yfdEyGR6aEh88diZ-BEVyFB5vJrNHuYloI9OyVvgR3mTFzDxatERqSr4QDXVJi5vZY4PEHZLMuF9UtfXuNcNaj-guRiV8YK4RKAI-Gl7lPG747JUu5pI/s320/PC180539.JPG" border="0" ps="true" /></a><br /></div>An amazing piece of history, supposedly made by removing sun-darkened stones from the surface of the desert. This exposed the lighter ground below and formed the lines. It is believed that this work was done by the Nazca people from 900 BC to 600 AD.<br /><div class="separator" style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYft2t-V_Xf48PhC1lNuu15QSmQjW9H8GeEHRVsQuKaXhnN27OTMp7gFtRh2_5oVaoM3XMbNx7VaG6Hv3wrtH98A80V-GsyO_7DTD8GO1nTn3hIumphhUN8sYooVhLrjKjymGAGkW_5tc/s1600-h/PC180526.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYft2t-V_Xf48PhC1lNuu15QSmQjW9H8GeEHRVsQuKaXhnN27OTMp7gFtRh2_5oVaoM3XMbNx7VaG6Hv3wrtH98A80V-GsyO_7DTD8GO1nTn3hIumphhUN8sYooVhLrjKjymGAGkW_5tc/s320/PC180526.JPG" border="0" ps="true" /></a><br /></div>Aside from the bumpy plane ride and the ensuing airsickness, we really enjoyed this marvel.<br /><br />From Nazca we headed to Cuzco, stopping one night in a small town along the way. The ride saw us climbing higher and higher into the altiplano, and I suffered some major altitude sickness, mostly drowsiness, and felt myself falling asleep on the back of the bike. This stopped when we encountered some heavy rain, which turned to hail, which turned to big chunks of ice which collected on the highway, causing the bike to slip and slide, fishtailing all over the road. Chris did an amazing job of keeping us upright; good because there was absolutely no town in sight. Freezing, wet, we just kept hoping for a town, anywhere to stop and get something hot to drink. We finally came upon a town and unbelievably, when we stopped for coffee, ran into some of our friends. They came up with sweaters, long-johns, Diamox (altitude-sickness medication) and lots of good cheer, which helped us to soldier on.<br /><div class="separator" style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZUZYiFdXNfOFN64inz29N35LksfvNZAmJ9JJgzv14mqbS6VJkcWZJaIW5aKHANdLlHaDdmhdZHGJZyRKftpq6jVsjKCUBLN3f2VPZtTrQ2fOeuiIfcj8gonp2hEZRorR9xycIDhsa7E/s1600-h/PC200559.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZUZYiFdXNfOFN64inz29N35LksfvNZAmJ9JJgzv14mqbS6VJkcWZJaIW5aKHANdLlHaDdmhdZHGJZyRKftpq6jVsjKCUBLN3f2VPZtTrQ2fOeuiIfcj8gonp2hEZRorR9xycIDhsa7E/s320/PC200559.JPG" border="0" ps="true" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlafh2Wg42NFTxjaIC9CgfWklSis1RLL6hLMxBjBUMMf77Dxe_XzNK9OfrmEKCfjpdo3sSSiJhGhVOZ4yvmZ6Z8egtfIFe0b5py8JfDyaDQV08U-tB9ANim7tW5TJL6AvecQc7BtqSS18/s1600-h/PC200001.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlafh2Wg42NFTxjaIC9CgfWklSis1RLL6hLMxBjBUMMf77Dxe_XzNK9OfrmEKCfjpdo3sSSiJhGhVOZ4yvmZ6Z8egtfIFe0b5py8JfDyaDQV08U-tB9ANim7tW5TJL6AvecQc7BtqSS18/s320/PC200001.JPG" border="0" ps="true" /></a><br /></div>The next day we arrived in Cuzco, a beautiful colonial town, where we were able to re-group and plan our trip to Machu Picchu. First, though, Chris, Gino and I hiked up frcm Cuszo to view the amazing ruins of Saqsaywaman. Meaning "Satisfied Falcon" these ruins, which cover 2km and are easily accessible, are an amazing work of the Incas......you wonder how they cut these huge stones and stacked them so perfectly that they still stand today, in perfect order (except for what was looted from the Spaniards to build their churches and homes.)<br /><div class="separator" style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HRg-RLSh4u9NfUyuf0OrlrZeauuy39fe53u6J-zFqH4orI_mHmXNRXiSXT5rp3amqy-xOQg7cFJtj645IYCqpe_egtYXQB3q4RkBRtHGgxFvKfNBGmWxmf9lPmiI1yiqrD-IpDId9FQ/s1600-h/PC200561.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HRg-RLSh4u9NfUyuf0OrlrZeauuy39fe53u6J-zFqH4orI_mHmXNRXiSXT5rp3amqy-xOQg7cFJtj645IYCqpe_egtYXQB3q4RkBRtHGgxFvKfNBGmWxmf9lPmiI1yiqrD-IpDId9FQ/s320/PC200561.JPG" border="0" ps="true" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQmhmI_gcxBcLZLfIe-VvfHBHCmfqK9oWBQAMNH7i8w81_ZCvqj1XRlAn5A3vRDTA7ySTt70jaCNOQltXEGXZmTRqWXEn543lTGOjh5pVvBDyBvSJPa-6Yr-MHp5iC9QPxgg7YCSZAXs/s1600-h/PC200571.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQmhmI_gcxBcLZLfIe-VvfHBHCmfqK9oWBQAMNH7i8w81_ZCvqj1XRlAn5A3vRDTA7ySTt70jaCNOQltXEGXZmTRqWXEn543lTGOjh5pVvBDyBvSJPa-6Yr-MHp5iC9QPxgg7YCSZAXs/s320/PC200571.JPG" border="0" ps="true" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6uZlValg6ULWXa5Ioj10kynXm5UBraS7RwfRD45G21pH_8aSetfUEQ_iqWf-OCf51zL7Gs1ck6xWX9nboIZiMOxCZOnvdwTDCwI1v3789wmwtdiqWiThW-kGKnkGxfX76xRfx01gabA4/s1600-h/PC200579.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6uZlValg6ULWXa5Ioj10kynXm5UBraS7RwfRD45G21pH_8aSetfUEQ_iqWf-OCf51zL7Gs1ck6xWX9nboIZiMOxCZOnvdwTDCwI1v3789wmwtdiqWiThW-kGKnkGxfX76xRfx01gabA4/s320/PC200579.JPG" border="0" ps="true" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGna82H_rNhP3NXNKZX7BxBONKwgEwrn7juBC6v1Tu_2LcwYYpW9kuYGPfhN83G-a7r1h0hg0-4v5etlBU-hm44Efafu6WnUwQO5ZG4j1o-ZXWXc8uZZlj3SGF50RUC8PtBh7WM74CVTs/s1600-h/PC200589.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGna82H_rNhP3NXNKZX7BxBONKwgEwrn7juBC6v1Tu_2LcwYYpW9kuYGPfhN83G-a7r1h0hg0-4v5etlBU-hm44Efafu6WnUwQO5ZG4j1o-ZXWXc8uZZlj3SGF50RUC8PtBh7WM74CVTs/s320/PC200589.JPG" border="0" ps="true" /></a><br /></div><br />We were picked up at 6am to board a van and then a train to Machu Picchu. What can I say? Machu Picchu was something out of this world.<br /><div class="separator" style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc4L58zC1nxBj0jiPGAsw_SiLoe-9-dUuu9mDovW7gfqurjqHB8tODSYahHMp8i_-1WWo4nQRIx9fYEJcYVa9Cnmxsb25ZhjoRvDBz5rvZtnB7nZ3_ufTLir3Esxk6A0Mmt6_iWjxzvhY/s1600-h/PC210008.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc4L58zC1nxBj0jiPGAsw_SiLoe-9-dUuu9mDovW7gfqurjqHB8tODSYahHMp8i_-1WWo4nQRIx9fYEJcYVa9Cnmxsb25ZhjoRvDBz5rvZtnB7nZ3_ufTLir3Esxk6A0Mmt6_iWjxzvhY/s320/PC210008.JPG" border="0" ps="true" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjDYYt3Y-Jp8X4sbSLEvrWT1P3t2NOl1haT-Tpc6Ecl4ceaj9yWaRHjrJuFa7rqyTlLWZataTAS3JEtZwRpylrJVSaRkOBqDKzD3MVCmWiwGTt1sL_r7bTvvFCt6Oa_IRDAzJ9AgzAzxY/s1600-h/PC210020.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjDYYt3Y-Jp8X4sbSLEvrWT1P3t2NOl1haT-Tpc6Ecl4ceaj9yWaRHjrJuFa7rqyTlLWZataTAS3JEtZwRpylrJVSaRkOBqDKzD3MVCmWiwGTt1sL_r7bTvvFCt6Oa_IRDAzJ9AgzAzxY/s320/PC210020.JPG" border="0" ps="true" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmoBLGoruwSgaTpxQSomFl0bmNysazIbv-ZbSVnpFNWJurCI_RU_EaPEkI7NVByEt3XGT8hz9N7vl4bEMgRVrkGy3Go6NbB9iAnAf99nJV3ULM9Nxp1F7wLprZrNGVt5yhl54blkt9e9w/s1600-h/PC210025.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmoBLGoruwSgaTpxQSomFl0bmNysazIbv-ZbSVnpFNWJurCI_RU_EaPEkI7NVByEt3XGT8hz9N7vl4bEMgRVrkGy3Go6NbB9iAnAf99nJV3ULM9Nxp1F7wLprZrNGVt5yhl54blkt9e9w/s320/PC210025.JPG" border="0" ps="true" /></a><br /></div>When we arrived the entire place was shrouded in fog; disappointing, worrisome, but it eventually lifted, offering amazing vistas. We had organized an English-speaking guide, and got Horacio, whose English was somewhat questionable, but who provided us with lots of laughs. After making a point, every time, his line was “Take the idea?” After hearing this about 20 times it became a point of uncontrollable laughter, and lots of fun. His other famous lines, when speaking about the Incas, was “no water, no life” and “snake, jaguar, condor” speaking about the importance of animal life to the Incas.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvNVUAxA_1HQM-abhsBrpPo-QzGhkxTTbSh62-VLFcuIlwH7ftmeYz1t1rJ9EWLwWA1_F5o_zfiWxNDcm4UukaXqMZGm8FEYCYzOBoNKU8HamjzDh25yTubH9QAcz6NzPlelX4ZvjnCoI/s1600-h/PC210026.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvNVUAxA_1HQM-abhsBrpPo-QzGhkxTTbSh62-VLFcuIlwH7ftmeYz1t1rJ9EWLwWA1_F5o_zfiWxNDcm4UukaXqMZGm8FEYCYzOBoNKU8HamjzDh25yTubH9QAcz6NzPlelX4ZvjnCoI/s320/PC210026.JPG" border="0" ps="true" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzI1vMJEFj3vWyo56MBQQv_aY-ddeNaxgBzFolGMlVSk0Qbo965yfpPV2KL08Wgat3jvPGLJe5r2qOtoSkDDpqqrn-q7LtBDTMF0LSbLBdNIE2nkmw-xMGI5wZDHdLsUAIVwrwbY3d1Fw/s1600-h/PC210033.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzI1vMJEFj3vWyo56MBQQv_aY-ddeNaxgBzFolGMlVSk0Qbo965yfpPV2KL08Wgat3jvPGLJe5r2qOtoSkDDpqqrn-q7LtBDTMF0LSbLBdNIE2nkmw-xMGI5wZDHdLsUAIVwrwbY3d1Fw/s320/PC210033.JPG" border="0" ps="true" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYyU2AHLnNKQupCAaOA9M6kXfzdRkOyX3HjjovxGT0dCJYRFdRFch2dZyjYwYLxvN0gOAVUUG4_nb0z3UtcuBlGIKBdp0NYpEnanlnnst2p7Lci8gFzAmbHcSUsjJX1ZIzZI2foVJ74FY/s1600-h/PC210051.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYyU2AHLnNKQupCAaOA9M6kXfzdRkOyX3HjjovxGT0dCJYRFdRFch2dZyjYwYLxvN0gOAVUUG4_nb0z3UtcuBlGIKBdp0NYpEnanlnnst2p7Lci8gFzAmbHcSUsjJX1ZIzZI2foVJ74FY/s320/PC210051.JPG" border="0" ps="true" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_AqI2meZFDN6DWJ0Ddd0kOjnirguqEQE4DUheSyNTyyES33VcDN9ktubF6i9Soo7Be6byE8YzDnpClG3IghzqX7gAfvrjen-3mkzc5-LTLXvY-7UZhfO7ZANUFMXRCcFDrqkuRMZ6Ds/s1600-h/PC210100.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_AqI2meZFDN6DWJ0Ddd0kOjnirguqEQE4DUheSyNTyyES33VcDN9ktubF6i9Soo7Be6byE8YzDnpClG3IghzqX7gAfvrjen-3mkzc5-LTLXvY-7UZhfO7ZANUFMXRCcFDrqkuRMZ6Ds/s320/PC210100.JPG" border="0" ps="true" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLpoBxZyCgysR2bMFGsgr5L84fltbBBj3U7D8xwFh9QV7RVHm5IVSGzKO1AVltt2p-W8N0GHhgwnyp79yUtToxTJzvEkuDaShHgud8PJDBWz1EiccSjVLqn53lRmrAta1LrvteTRix3QE/s1600-h/PC210111.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLpoBxZyCgysR2bMFGsgr5L84fltbBBj3U7D8xwFh9QV7RVHm5IVSGzKO1AVltt2p-W8N0GHhgwnyp79yUtToxTJzvEkuDaShHgud8PJDBWz1EiccSjVLqn53lRmrAta1LrvteTRix3QE/s320/PC210111.JPG" border="0" ps="true" /></a><br /></div><br />After a few lovely days in Cuzco, on to Puno, then to the border, and here we are. Next on to La Paz, Bolivia. The adventure continues.....<br /><div class="separator" style="CLEAR: both; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="CLEAR: both; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMDuUFPq2BjUrdxHE_V68tdnQ-mYsd6sd9TNiEQbjm4D7DO4VlTyDuf3J0JJhgubGiIgZSV0uOOAYhv1PEd0-eb6IVys4pwtB1Yc9lbeg6qRLJRK5ZV54j_kuaHi5AB5upGlUOl09heY/s1600-h/PC210125.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMDuUFPq2BjUrdxHE_V68tdnQ-mYsd6sd9TNiEQbjm4D7DO4VlTyDuf3J0JJhgubGiIgZSV0uOOAYhv1PEd0-eb6IVys4pwtB1Yc9lbeg6qRLJRK5ZV54j_kuaHi5AB5upGlUOl09heY/s320/PC210125.JPG" border="0" ps="true" /></a><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFph7oT3sl06W387CyQOrSSYKa2DJxaRYql6larpNU6Ge-unsugJRTCfvshh56gmVOwm_41khBA1OWjsuMDohTpXCyQMPdLYVMTI64C26IMO4C49R1Msg_L66qkT3KYMS0Cu76KAPKwJc/s1600-h/PC230147.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFph7oT3sl06W387CyQOrSSYKa2DJxaRYql6larpNU6Ge-unsugJRTCfvshh56gmVOwm_41khBA1OWjsuMDohTpXCyQMPdLYVMTI64C26IMO4C49R1Msg_L66qkT3KYMS0Cu76KAPKwJc/s320/PC230147.JPG" border="0" ps="true" /></a><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXc3vBkyZRebwYUqVVwshDT1ebO1dy64C6PBLutn85Y8_Boaa2alTbe2LDeduH7YGoyDRUe-B4kyiWnTGYVt2LLnhQ03COGfVRaXVSYEMMfEEPntKJDlT8DYsmdtykFdOj77V2DhUpCdg/s1600-h/PC230152.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXc3vBkyZRebwYUqVVwshDT1ebO1dy64C6PBLutn85Y8_Boaa2alTbe2LDeduH7YGoyDRUe-B4kyiWnTGYVt2LLnhQ03COGfVRaXVSYEMMfEEPntKJDlT8DYsmdtykFdOj77V2DhUpCdg/s320/PC230152.JPG" border="0" ps="true" /></a><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5PYraEFEaRTcy0XSALXD7R7XW-IcftzTXSq-PJnVV9GJpeDZ7TrwM0qqiFHmoNe-IRW2Y_QNv4QAjbFx2sQ6gXZxaZOJXMRfcZNid38ZG7_jOKf4RemZoZfCXiexPuHh2RfKI-7QleTo/s1600-h/PC230169.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5PYraEFEaRTcy0XSALXD7R7XW-IcftzTXSq-PJnVV9GJpeDZ7TrwM0qqiFHmoNe-IRW2Y_QNv4QAjbFx2sQ6gXZxaZOJXMRfcZNid38ZG7_jOKf4RemZoZfCXiexPuHh2RfKI-7QleTo/s320/PC230169.JPG" border="0" ps="true" /></a><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2NnuCuVML5xiXTDkbKEpkFEavcJzH54uifoh19KgdXUyDGgfop-JScBI_GoOsKeF0fF0Kq6u0SoSY5N4soh1X4iNSZ3Q3V6HeRQ1xj9Ng1e9O2DzCJEHuX38so7FvNuKQt_YC0qLivzM/s1600-h/PC230170.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2NnuCuVML5xiXTDkbKEpkFEavcJzH54uifoh19KgdXUyDGgfop-JScBI_GoOsKeF0fF0Kq6u0SoSY5N4soh1X4iNSZ3Q3V6HeRQ1xj9Ng1e9O2DzCJEHuX38so7FvNuKQt_YC0qLivzM/s320/PC230170.JPG" border="0" ps="true" /></a><br /></div><div style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxRkKX_X7CwnXumkHTljvYikf7zlX-2oIyrNeBW_5gR6K6wtT1-KIGM7U4ddKzdByl9_71JyW1e50zi9BYWYQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>No Boundaries Bikers, Chris + Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07386612679047576050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568305577567015949.post-19140355071072118012009-11-26T12:30:00.000-08:002009-11-26T12:30:55.729-08:00Sailing from Panama to Colombia & getting to know this wonderful country<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Colombia is running an ad campaign on CNN with some interesting tag lines. My favorite is “The only thing you have to fear is never wanting to leave.” Nothing could be more true. We have misjudged this beautiful country, a result of numerous warnings and news reports we received before beginning our trip. From Cartagena, the beautiful walled city bursting with color, to sophisticated yet spicy Medellin, this country has welcomed us with open arms and converted us to loyal aficionados. It has been an event-filled few weeks since we boarded the Stahlratte in Panama bound for Cartagena. Here’s how it went:<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ12qz4Qq5aXHO3O56VbGU2LSytp6z37r5Tp8m5qLX-LCgHpZ1Xlq_Lh3kTQ7UNAoFuBlcbtRlIzhtUzPECTAX2vNnsPJ_E4eniYOC8JCA_O9yAZG7ht9A9kLYwOB9NT5mld3CAZb0XOo/s1600/PB100032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ12qz4Qq5aXHO3O56VbGU2LSytp6z37r5Tp8m5qLX-LCgHpZ1Xlq_Lh3kTQ7UNAoFuBlcbtRlIzhtUzPECTAX2vNnsPJ_E4eniYOC8JCA_O9yAZG7ht9A9kLYwOB9NT5mld3CAZb0XOo/s320/PB100032.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The Stahlratte is a 40-meter, 230-ton sailboat manned by Captain Ludwig and first mate Rolly. There were 6 other bikers scheduled on the boat, so we all met at our hotel and left Panama City early on the morning of November 10 to meet the boat at Carti, which is the final land area before the beginning of the San Blas Islands. San Blas is an archipelago of islands populated by the Kuna Indians. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPY96ncWLHPOV6opVgHoO7fkNzg773B4TNe7bp-gE3JezdbOPYOk7HSEFcCSXz35uL5QC0wshAWuAMMreKzx7QZbRHlsev9ZHlYz_rxDFFhzGHzWA17bkR4YaUxNiSZ6UQR6RKpbBcdfo/s1600/PB100034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPY96ncWLHPOV6opVgHoO7fkNzg773B4TNe7bp-gE3JezdbOPYOk7HSEFcCSXz35uL5QC0wshAWuAMMreKzx7QZbRHlsev9ZHlYz_rxDFFhzGHzWA17bkR4YaUxNiSZ6UQR6RKpbBcdfo/s320/PB100034.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">After about 2 hours on the main road, we took a left turn off onto a muddy, gravelly, dirt road which brought us to the Rio Carti. Ludwig, Captain of the Stalratte, had told us that we would have to cross the river on the bikes. He didn’t tell us that the water would be waist-deep. <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCN2jFd63WMwSqv68De4-hWxK_WUq68HPNF_HnVPlIKYE6avJdh7qR_59LXX5-wbC-3aWFYwGrIcRYbju7cvHSu7LoGvq5QLmjv5s3IwnLmWXWdrVUlmL_MO2dM7J2W6FRWD_96VmymHs/s1600/PB100050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCN2jFd63WMwSqv68De4-hWxK_WUq68HPNF_HnVPlIKYE6avJdh7qR_59LXX5-wbC-3aWFYwGrIcRYbju7cvHSu7LoGvq5QLmjv5s3IwnLmWXWdrVUlmL_MO2dM7J2W6FRWD_96VmymHs/s320/PB100050.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Off we went, finally getting all of the motorcycles and passengers across. The next challenge was getting to the boat, which was moored about ½ mile offshore. Our transportation to the Stahlratte would consist of dugout canoes manned by Kunas.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDDAcVhYcw3rVy5z0akeHVRwrLNfu3QOmhJ53Ltn8MswyUdyuAYQbG21RDjGF5sffQv51ahc0gGJAvyWuwJBkVT0CAX77KJq0R2p4McwDNlVTexsmnA8UbSS-BKvl3Cs4_KsRDy67WsA/s1600/PB100064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDDAcVhYcw3rVy5z0akeHVRwrLNfu3QOmhJ53Ltn8MswyUdyuAYQbG21RDjGF5sffQv51ahc0gGJAvyWuwJBkVT0CAX77KJq0R2p4McwDNlVTexsmnA8UbSS-BKvl3Cs4_KsRDy67WsA/s320/PB100064.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> We had to load the motorcycles onto the canoes, then headed out to meet the boat. As we arrived, we pulled up alongside and Ludwig appeared. He threw down some ropes, which were wrapped around our bike. Using a 1.5 ton electrical winch, they hauled bike by bike up onto the deck of the boat. <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_R9Ulmtu2zyY4I6WH-p_1f0lf7b_B6L_rzxyAVRBShoJEl8QCa9xUDBSixXyTKWsj3k3J-kSs5Oj3hAO6SEj7C4a5BLz1xjScs6RdADRRrGtWeLHkPNG-6JOL07nEkcyHxsq8kXU5d8w/s1600/PB100077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_R9Ulmtu2zyY4I6WH-p_1f0lf7b_B6L_rzxyAVRBShoJEl8QCa9xUDBSixXyTKWsj3k3J-kSs5Oj3hAO6SEj7C4a5BLz1xjScs6RdADRRrGtWeLHkPNG-6JOL07nEkcyHxsq8kXU5d8w/s320/PB100077.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">There were a few nail-biting moments but all went well. The trip was magical, with a group that meshed and laughed all the way across. <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Lc5hJ97Sl9qvlpZLWsjlHGeZBG_fhIEqbWAWlu8oLaJk8KNAHZmDCng09hvTw26kn6zIidjOQlm4jdWXUa26s5Is3Oz-QSFMMEdqcgpUFv7agkZTkR7w4M05c_GyW_UlPYMVpfMMm6k/s1600/PB100089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Lc5hJ97Sl9qvlpZLWsjlHGeZBG_fhIEqbWAWlu8oLaJk8KNAHZmDCng09hvTw26kn6zIidjOQlm4jdWXUa26s5Is3Oz-QSFMMEdqcgpUFv7agkZTkR7w4M05c_GyW_UlPYMVpfMMm6k/s320/PB100089.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We all slept below-deck in beds curtained-off for some little privacy. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwK66EQpVvLji5m2W-w2-LLl0UnqU0oRXjTQyKOVfYXJixShuV2XHigK2fXE5gvCCKgMBh4ipT33DFmxq0BaXPqFWG2vjqyr2brvhvAjJKqTAby8YSkBQK5MK6nQlExnj0oNj4P8RtNmI/s1600/PB170387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwK66EQpVvLji5m2W-w2-LLl0UnqU0oRXjTQyKOVfYXJixShuV2XHigK2fXE5gvCCKgMBh4ipT33DFmxq0BaXPqFWG2vjqyr2brvhvAjJKqTAby8YSkBQK5MK6nQlExnj0oNj4P8RtNmI/s320/PB170387.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">After 4 nights we arrived in Cartagena. Pushing through after the dismount, we arrived into the center of the city in the approaching darkness and oppressive heat to search for a hotel. Love the city---people just haul their furniture, couches, everything outside and just sit and listen to salsa and meringue in the street, enjoying life. Coffee vendors patrol the street armed with a thermos and a stack of plastic cups, selling cortaditos laced with sugar.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSml-ML8l4aJZIUoUInGh0RquMXBIFUgFS8Ws5J2PjOmpEVdzt8tSNBfKLouvnRe7pN5qe00Fjtg-pKNN_F4KzKtfSJGnat-N_InsvLmo92ZDPYDglQ-Xmt1-zrEunovqUPNzdAnwpO2Y/s1600/PB160349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSml-ML8l4aJZIUoUInGh0RquMXBIFUgFS8Ws5J2PjOmpEVdzt8tSNBfKLouvnRe7pN5qe00Fjtg-pKNN_F4KzKtfSJGnat-N_InsvLmo92ZDPYDglQ-Xmt1-zrEunovqUPNzdAnwpO2Y/s320/PB160349.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe_ql1QiwOc9xTlDSvUIL1Z0mCfL0qjdejeSOWMQy-qgD856SBfjHsOXPwEttMXZuyApUpxP4mVsvufFxbysQajGdUy1_iM9JEA10VkcBxJMnE0hyQd141_ncOLZGmujpTnSWO6TBXd1A/s1600/PB180404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe_ql1QiwOc9xTlDSvUIL1Z0mCfL0qjdejeSOWMQy-qgD856SBfjHsOXPwEttMXZuyApUpxP4mVsvufFxbysQajGdUy1_iM9JEA10VkcBxJMnE0hyQd141_ncOLZGmujpTnSWO6TBXd1A/s320/PB180404.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Life is colorful, warm and lively. We paid a visit to the local curiosity, a volcano called Volcan de Lodo El Totumo, which is about 50 kilometers from town. This volcano spews mud instead of lava. They have built steps so that you can climb up and go inside, submersing yourself in this quicksand-like liquid. When you go into the mud, locals are there waiting to give you a massage. You wallow for awhile, then climb down and head to the lagoon, where some local ladies wash all of the mud off, scrubbing you down from head to toe. What an experience! <br />
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</div><br />
From Cartagena we headed towards Medellin, with a stop overnight in a town called Caucasia. We rode with our friends from the Stahlratte, which was a lot of fun and definitely created a sense of security. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjdNf76CfyO9qwj6sMFlTTBZFxKjTS1sKq9Fyaf17nbYfS9KWC_nDoAyE6j8i75dIkrUbTcR9T-OjDhVrIGuMvEFiPn5rBHrD5ly21WM_r6hbK2qa5mQF7CF99LIx_cvmz-62vZ6kSVtQ/s1600/PB220479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjdNf76CfyO9qwj6sMFlTTBZFxKjTS1sKq9Fyaf17nbYfS9KWC_nDoAyE6j8i75dIkrUbTcR9T-OjDhVrIGuMvEFiPn5rBHrD5ly21WM_r6hbK2qa5mQF7CF99LIx_cvmz-62vZ6kSVtQ/s320/PB220479.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJhQGnDi4bvNC77hxczv9wNUtfzK7mc3qZhCTHjmkwRSm0CfzTbSFLYZ0RDA7KclqPrHWiKlQF1Oez6aYTwyzIIjR4FH0Wi1WVVS26bcA5n5NcaglKXQXVwgnodxQ0c4yphlGjcm94yAI/s1600/PB220527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJhQGnDi4bvNC77hxczv9wNUtfzK7mc3qZhCTHjmkwRSm0CfzTbSFLYZ0RDA7KclqPrHWiKlQF1Oez6aYTwyzIIjR4FH0Wi1WVVS26bcA5n5NcaglKXQXVwgnodxQ0c4yphlGjcm94yAI/s320/PB220527.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div>The feeling here is not one of fear; the army and the police are everywhere, with checkpoints all along the roads. <br />
Arriving in Medellin, we went to the BMW dealer there and were welcomed by Mauricio, the GM and the rest of his great staff. Mauricio organized a ride for the following Sunday and invited us all to come. We met at a local gas station, about 11 motorcycles in all, and headed out, following the Colombians…..I have never had an experience like that. Mauricio and Carlos, both on BMW GS bikes, rode at high speed, overtaking cars on curves, and we careened on behind them. We rode to an area called Guatape, which has beautiful vistas, clear lakes and an oddity in the form of a large granite rock called Piedra del Penol, about 350 feet high with a restaurant on top.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihFPrnvQH_R2qqeAiG1PRcMC_UuO9HK6KQMNzdXooCK1UZGWASsfdU7BrOSnasOPRUVxi3phsVFourvPTmTzZHh4lkA1scRNQNQNyCcdWL9iGamRrY0Lr0H_Qsu_K-nKQ0MysWQYWjHVs/s1600/PB220522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihFPrnvQH_R2qqeAiG1PRcMC_UuO9HK6KQMNzdXooCK1UZGWASsfdU7BrOSnasOPRUVxi3phsVFourvPTmTzZHh4lkA1scRNQNQNyCcdWL9iGamRrY0Lr0H_Qsu_K-nKQ0MysWQYWjHVs/s320/PB220522.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div>The rock has stairs which take you to the top, so we parked the bikes and began the ascent in our biking gear and motorcycle boots. We had a great day, then lunch at a local spot, when we sped back into Medellin in the approaching darkness. Medellin reminds me a lot of Mexico City, with areas full of interesting restaurants, fun bars, music, sophisticated, attractive people, and great energy. Loved it. <br />
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Leaving Medellin with heavy hearts we headed to the mountains, to the beautiful, small colonial town of Salento. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCuEHZJMzSMTRNnXnlJIHjqY8_vzNfxfFpTmYvcDyzI9_ZnmrefqIZe9jmIz-5AVCijDswtbCLgtzM_IrTqiXUApwmMIIB9JQDKpr6_MF8ZVI4f-eJTmNjR7VeHI5NWOo_w6PM-I3OPWw/s1600/PB180421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCuEHZJMzSMTRNnXnlJIHjqY8_vzNfxfFpTmYvcDyzI9_ZnmrefqIZe9jmIz-5AVCijDswtbCLgtzM_IrTqiXUApwmMIIB9JQDKpr6_MF8ZVI4f-eJTmNjR7VeHI5NWOo_w6PM-I3OPWw/s320/PB180421.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHFrQcbBpfZYBNwiT-XEJ6iFI9m_NcP1OoP9o8TqBBqBsusJ1aVyYW2giYYXf2zXjlHsTGm9Zc8RbnkPxraa7xL22b9hZkcBId3-Wq5gj9_aEb_3x2x0jk6jIcXouQzTvemPUm6WH_7sY/s1600/PB190464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHFrQcbBpfZYBNwiT-XEJ6iFI9m_NcP1OoP9o8TqBBqBsusJ1aVyYW2giYYXf2zXjlHsTGm9Zc8RbnkPxraa7xL22b9hZkcBId3-Wq5gj9_aEb_3x2x0jk6jIcXouQzTvemPUm6WH_7sY/s320/PB190464.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div>During the 6 hour ride we stopped on the road for lunch. Two men and a woman were sitting at table and waved me over. One of them, Jesus, was wearing the traditional poncho, which during the warm part of the day the men just sling over their shoulders, and when it gets cooler, they use as a poncho. He asked me, “Did anyone give you a gift since you arrived in Colombia?” and when I said no he took off his poncho and gave it to me. This just embodies the spirit of the people in this country. We arrived to the town square, just ahead of a major rainstorm. Salento is all about trout. Lots of rivers and streams, and trout on every menu, even down to cream of trout soup. Campesinos in ponchos and hats fill the pool halls, stroll down the rustic streets and fill the town square. We hired a jeep to take us up into the Valle de Cocora, about an hour drive up a bumpy, dusty road. It was amazingly beautiful, and we rode by horseback up into the clouds to a waterfall. The ride was a bit hairy, with the horses climbing the narrow path littered with rocks and boulders, slipping and sliding a bit, but we had a great time.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrTI_GLriq9kkDmBdREZIPbntr9SqXbuTZj0kCABrSJzcw18qhRmmC7dURGovOKRpyAETi6MgVNOXrCtytYt_tZXOdiBf0YT0K-2mn40xCOLoHEmbtou-zT4hGHPnromSSDU7qdEmVUs/s1600/PB240608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrTI_GLriq9kkDmBdREZIPbntr9SqXbuTZj0kCABrSJzcw18qhRmmC7dURGovOKRpyAETi6MgVNOXrCtytYt_tZXOdiBf0YT0K-2mn40xCOLoHEmbtou-zT4hGHPnromSSDU7qdEmVUs/s320/PB240608.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div> Leaving Salento, we headed south to the town of Popayan, called La Ciudad Blanca. On the way, we stopped in front of a little store/restaurant to ask for directions. The owner, Martin, came out to help us and asked if we would like a coffee. <br />
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</div>We were stopped and still on the bikes, and he emerged with a tray with china cups of coffee which he was going to serve to us on our bikes…….roadside assistance bar none!<br />
Tomorrow we head for the border with Ecuador. The adventure continues!<br />
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</div>No Boundaries Bikers, Chris + Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07386612679047576050noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568305577567015949.post-66177527852335270352009-11-04T17:34:00.000-08:002009-11-04T17:34:09.795-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSz1zEZA92ZMS5_62yTM2HDAE9mEv44PTYqeItUVcYxozHS-ewUURD9ZocUKbvnwomWGGkU-ivu0M0Uw3GXmntf9Tv_BdPpZMDt7utalKPS2hpgMebtRQtRtgbICmkDHCmVyayXqXiEgk/s1600-h/PA310023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSz1zEZA92ZMS5_62yTM2HDAE9mEv44PTYqeItUVcYxozHS-ewUURD9ZocUKbvnwomWGGkU-ivu0M0Uw3GXmntf9Tv_BdPpZMDt7utalKPS2hpgMebtRQtRtgbICmkDHCmVyayXqXiEgk/s320/PA310023.JPG" vr="true" /></a><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We have covered a lot of ground since I arrived in Panama less than a week ago. One night in Panama City, with dinner on The Causeway, which is an area near a long bridge which goes from the city to some small islands. Great place to see, lots of restaurants and fun bars. On previous trips to Panama we have ‘done’ the Panama Canal so the next day we packed up and headed north of the Canal Zone, destination Gamboa Rainforest + Jungle Lodge. The reason that we wanted to go to Gamboa was simple; on our last trip to Panama (which was for business) just over a year ago, we went to Gamboa for a few days. When checking into the hotel we spotted some BMW GS motorcycles packed to the hilt, dirty, banged up, parked regally in front. We just HAD to know who these people were. We left a note on one of the bikes, and then just skulked around the reception area until we saw them. 2 couples, resplendent in their cool motorcycle touring clothes, sauntering up to the front desk. In true stalker fashion, we descended upon them, full of questions. Turns out they were Germans who had started in Alaska and were headed down to Patagonia. There were actually 3 couples, but one had crashed and had to send their bike home so they were following in a car. We grilled these people as to their trip, their planning, what motivated them…….everything. When they finally got away from us, that was it----we were inspired. The wheels started turning, and between that moment and the time we finished Ewan McGregor’s book “Long Way Round” the die was cast. A year later, 6 months into our trip, with Patagonia being our destination, we just had to return to the scene. <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGaZllS6f7UDi4BAiOOn0I6gSQ8Y2xFYK9iVWPO1Rg9rDuqGM-TZ_AnvYC5JV-g4kKzD2kYoYYMq0xJq6L86Tm12XvpieiENlH2QDsZnqyGomCLcJZYCQ4k_PluhshBzU3qQJOFZ50S6Y/s1600-h/PA310030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGaZllS6f7UDi4BAiOOn0I6gSQ8Y2xFYK9iVWPO1Rg9rDuqGM-TZ_AnvYC5JV-g4kKzD2kYoYYMq0xJq6L86Tm12XvpieiENlH2QDsZnqyGomCLcJZYCQ4k_PluhshBzU3qQJOFZ50S6Y/s320/PA310030.JPG" vr="true" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNf-oK5K84LzCMniKtx42zralBJ64MZJHQ55YOVoRpR0Ofcb1qGzk1KuiozyXfUNOuOPR1XbJpRY2WlTTLpWvJgnoLtRQv5AUumBPWdWFb1gCHwtzUfSC3nQGzjoKDLcZuhVEjkDksu8/s1600-h/PA310034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNf-oK5K84LzCMniKtx42zralBJ64MZJHQ55YOVoRpR0Ofcb1qGzk1KuiozyXfUNOuOPR1XbJpRY2WlTTLpWvJgnoLtRQv5AUumBPWdWFb1gCHwtzUfSC3nQGzjoKDLcZuhVEjkDksu8/s320/PA310034.JPG" vr="true" /></a><br />
</div>From Gamboa we headed west, towards Chiriqui Province and the town of Boquete. It was a 7-hour ride, through mountains full of mist and fog, and some bouts of heavy rain. <br />
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</div>The beauty of Panama really shines through in this part of the country. Lush, green farmlands and banana plantations, waterfalls, beautiful vistas...they have it all. <br />
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</div>We arrived in Boquete at about 6pm, tired, wet, and in search of a hotel. We pulled into a small restaurant called Roxane and what a lucky stop it was. The owner of the restaurant is a friendly Swiss-Argentine retiree, Helmut, who had a cattle ranch in Southern Argentina. He decided to retire to Panama, so bought a ‘finca’ or small ranch in Boquete. He brought with him some embryos of Argentinian cattle and thus began raising genuine Argentine beef here in Panama. What a guy. Loves motorcycles so when we pulled in on a German bike, he went crazy. The red wine ( a GREAT Malbec) started to flow, and his enthusiastic and interested attitude was infectious. We chatted with Helmut all night, and this guy knows how to live. In his mid-60’s, he calls the ranch and restaurant ‘his hobby’, serves only home-grown beef and vegetables, imports his own wine from Argentina, has 10 kids and loves women…what a guy!<br />
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</div>The next day we did a Zip-lining excursion over the rainforest of Boquete. It was an experience flavored by a little bit of fear, but beautiful and so much fun. <br />
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</div>The rain just didn’t stop, so we decided the next day to head further west to the province of Bocas del Toro. Our final destination was an archipielago of 6 islands off of the mainland, with the first stop being Isla Colon. <br />
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</div>There are intermittent ferries which take cars and motorcycles and we hoped to catch the ferry that day. After a long day of riding in the rain, we arrived at the port just 20 minutes after the last ferry for 2 DAYS…during the holiday season (it was independence day and flag day) ferry service is suspended. Water taxis run frequently but don’t take vehicles, and we didn’t want to leave the bike behind in the shady-looking port area. Soaking wet and at a loss of what to do, we pulled up in front of the only hotel at the port which looked like it charged by the hour. Then it happened---an angel appeared in the form of a British lady named Marilyn, who advised us not to stay at the hotel—she had some friends, an American couple who had a lodge about 20 miles away. She told us how to find it and off we went. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqF_YcqhyphenhyphenlgzR86vYq4EYfcTqQg8DWNlpGythH1u7xvwtfo2_AnnizlOGQPB9nifpW6R6BilPdP2GeiIfX6qSlO-FPr8o2EGtbh63xJ4KWMB6OMwl-wLz8zaxmkmIOPS0WF4Igt_zNzgo/s320/PB030075.JPG" vr="true" /><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The lodge is called La Encantada Eco Lodge, and consists of 4 small cabins and a restaurant/bar which is on the water. Ky and Ron are a couple from Florida in their 50’s who just checked out, bought a big piece of land and developed this place. When we arrived, all we could see of the place was the sign and a gate with a padlock. I checked the lock and it wasn’t secured, so in we went. The road down to the lodge was extremely steep, dirt, gravel, mud, with a big sign that said “4 by 4 only”. It was almost ½ mile long, with at least 25 degrees of pitch. We gave it a shot. Almost 2/3 down the road the back wheel went out and we almost went over in the mud. Ky and Ron stood at the bottom, mouths agape, wondering who these maniacs were who broke into their property and then attempted this road by motorcycle in the pouring rain. It was an<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">instant bond. We checked in, had a great meal, a bottle of wine and we were set.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtEmS9YakBj92FPEGTTcyvsxseCCNk6wSkDFuYauva4hS7wEs9HK-NS4aTPcbMad7Zced0FELSt9e6qfisSEeUJJOWJRmYIVN7VU3bCMCifyaw-g-eQTlC4CU6avsszjlUFQQ2ashbV18/s1600-h/PB030079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtEmS9YakBj92FPEGTTcyvsxseCCNk6wSkDFuYauva4hS7wEs9HK-NS4aTPcbMad7Zced0FELSt9e6qfisSEeUJJOWJRmYIVN7VU3bCMCifyaw-g-eQTlC4CU6avsszjlUFQQ2ashbV18/s320/PB030079.JPG" vr="true" /></a><br />
</div>The next day we took the water taxi to the islands, and realized that one day was enough. <br />
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</div>After 2 nights with the wonderful Ky and Ron we headed east again and are now in David, Panama. <br />
Today’s events included getting stuck for almost 2 hours behind a parade in the blazing sun on a one-lane road, then being pummeled by rain, then pulling into a hardware store to get undercover so that Chris could clean his face-shield which was fogging up so much that he couldn’t see---as we pulled over off of the gravel onto the slippery concrete, the bike slipped and over we went. Luckily no major damage to either of us, and the bike only suffered some bent crash bars……just another day in the life!No Boundaries Bikers, Chris + Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07386612679047576050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568305577567015949.post-69358458136164256312009-10-27T18:04:00.001-07:002009-10-27T18:04:02.701-07:00Melissa wrote: Well, we have been getting feedback from friends for not updating the blog in awhile…so just to go back a little in time, here is what happened:<br />
After getting caught in the Martial Law/political situation in Honduras, my little travel memoir was beginning to feel more like a Steven King novel. After 2 days of being trapped in the Hotel Telamar in Tela, a small beach town about a hour from San Pedro Sula (Tela is the former HQ town of Chiquita Banana)due to the curfew and going a bit stir crazy (the pool was under renovation) we were still waiting, hoping that I would be able to fly out of San Pedro Sula when the airport opened. We had gone to the hotel reception area, the only place with internet, to go online and register our passports with the U.S. State Department as advised. Suffering from cabin fever, we went down to the beach in front of the hotel, the ‘safe’ beach, and went for a walk. I never carry my passport, but I didn’t feel like going back to the room, so had it with me. We both had our small day-packs with books, our cameras, some cash, and Chris had the bike keys as there is an alarm which goes off on his keychain if anyone tries to mess with the motorcycle. We walked along the beach, and as we turned to head back to the hotel, 3 guys who had been sitting on the sand at the water’s edge jumped up right in front of us, yelling in Spanish. One grabbed Chris and one grabbed me, waving broken bottles in front of our faces. I realized that they were saying “Give us the backpacks!” We took off our backpacks they yelled at us to get away. We ran back to the hotel, to a restaurant right on the beach, asking for help. The security guard, Fernando, got on his dune buggy and went screaming up the beach in pursuit. There was an old graveyard back behind the beach directly across from where they had robbed us, and they had run through there. Fernando found 2 of them and had them held with his gun. He radioed the hotel manager, who was now at the restaurant, that he had apprehended them with our things. At that moment, the 3rd one came back with his gun and fired 4 shots at Fernando. They then ran away, leaving Fernando unharmed save for an injured knee. At that point the police came. Chris went in the car with the police and Fernando and unbelievably, they spotted the thief with the gun wearing Chris’ backpack. They chased him through some bad neighborhoods, and he escaped by jumping over a wall, with the police unable to get to him.<br />
The police came back and asked us to go to the police station (I use that term loosely) to file a report. I rode in the police car with Chris following with Fernando. The small shack housed 3 cubicles where the police did their work. I filed the report with a young woman wearing a big gun who pecked away at an ancient Smith Corona typewriter while I recounted what happened. The cubicle next to me was lively with a shouting man and woman arguing over her filing a restraining order. God, I love Honduras.<br />
We returned to the hotel pretty shaken and upset. At that point, with no money, no credit cards, and no way to leave the hotel there wasn’t much else to do but retreat to the bar. Multiple tequilas and cervezas later, we met with Captain Victor, who is Fernando’s boss and the head of Security for the hotel. He is a former Army captain, a real Rambo-type of guy who inspired confidence in us. He told us that we could go out and try to get our things back. So, the next morning, at 8am, all of us were walking through an overgrown, bombed-out, really eerie cemetery, hoping that they had discarded our possessions there. We searched for 2 hours in the heat, and found our books, some papers from my bag, and some small things of mine. We actually found the broken bottles that they had threatened us with, but Victor told us that the police there have no way to process fingerprints. We had hoped that they tossed my passport and the keys aside but no luck. Let me tell you, being in that cemetery with the fear of those guys coming back was not a nice experience.<br />
It gets better. After that, Captain Victor took us driving through some very bad neighborhoods, where he asked locals if they knew anything about the muggers (Tela is a small town.) No luck. We then went into the center of town and started visiting Pawn Shops looking for our things. That was an experience. Funny how in a town like this there are 6 Pawn Shops…the front of the store is bars, and you do business with the guy behind the counter through the bars. Still no luck. The next day, Chris and I visited the pawn shops again and even bought some announcements on the local TV station, Canal 24—we saw the announcements later while watching the soccer game…a small thrill in all of the chaos…but no results. So, we had spare keys sent via DHL from the office, and they arrived 2 days later.<br />
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The minute they arrived we headed for the border of Guatemala. I managed somehow sweet-talk the man in the border office at Puerto Barrios and he actually let me into the country without a passport……that was a first!<br />
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We spent the night in Puerto Barrios and then headed for Guatemala City the next day. Then the gods smiled on us. We found a ‘motorcycle guest-house’ run by Beto and Lizzie Lau in Guatemala City. Their business is called Adventure Planet, and includes a store which sells accessories and equipment, a guest house, and some rental dirt-bikes on which they take people on adventure rides up the volcanoes, across rivers…true adventure riding. Aside from the thrill factor, Beto and Lizzie are the nicest, kindest, most down-to-earth people that you could possibly meet. A few nights with them as I went to the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala City, arranged a flight home, etc. really took the edge off…coupled with some big glasses of Beto’s sangria. We would highly recommend a stop, or even a detour, to spend some time with these great people in their home…you won’t be sorry!<br />
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I have been home for a few weeks, and Chris for a little over a week, replacing our cameras, my passport, visiting with friends, and just getting my mojo back….this Thursday I head for Panama to re-join Chris, who has ridden through El Salvador and Nicaragua with various biker friends he met along the way. We will do some riding and exploring in Panama and Costa Rica, and then on Nov. 11 we will load the bike onto a dugout canoe, and board the Stahlratte, a German-run sailboat which will take us to Cartagena by way of the San Blas Islands (the bike will be lifted by a winch onto the sailboat…should be interesting…) The adventure continues and we are on our way!<br />
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I guess that all experiences teach you something…but this is one lesson I could have lived without!No Boundaries Bikers, Chris + Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07386612679047576050noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568305577567015949.post-48295506565504690322009-09-23T09:33:00.000-07:002009-09-23T09:33:18.125-07:00September 22: Antigua, Copan and Stuck in Tela, HondurasI’ve been through some re-orgs in my life but this one takes the cake. This is how it went down: The President of Honduras, Manuel Zelaya, had some issues with his party and some of the voters when he tried to extend his term limits, among other misdeeds. <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">A few months ago, his Vice-President Bain Michellette and the military decided to enact a coup, or a golpe de estado, and ushered him onto a plane and out of the country in his pajamas. He was in exile in Nicaragua, making a lot of noise, with one attempt to re-enter the country, when his plane was blocked from landing at Tegucigalpa (the capital of Honduras) Airport. There were protests along the border with Nicaragua, and some unrest in the cities. Some Hondurans were angry at the way things went down, that in a democratic country processes were not followed. The country eventually calmed down. Here’s where we come in. We had planned to avoid Honduras, but were told that the situation was over, and that all was good. We crossed over from Guatemala about 5 days ago (more on this later) and went to the ruins of Copan. <br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3aJS9PzsMNaaWQmFY4fqx_TGO-bd2HNfv8-VMg08oVzUiDnZDOYtAVVFtNBtKpHoC4YK-LG_vk7LE0wYdt7iJSMUEUiJ9riAqzzayQ6oTVzH2NQ0TYX9rg18cX-ieB_Y2lV0SPpv9QwM/s1600-h/P9170196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3aJS9PzsMNaaWQmFY4fqx_TGO-bd2HNfv8-VMg08oVzUiDnZDOYtAVVFtNBtKpHoC4YK-LG_vk7LE0wYdt7iJSMUEUiJ9riAqzzayQ6oTVzH2NQ0TYX9rg18cX-ieB_Y2lV0SPpv9QwM/s320/P9170196.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgkUMNZHz96A0EaUy8uLd4eAvwZejNBXIVeCI6swcw-lM18HPqG9ryZy9_VvMpZl2O7vPlZOYnHng_twBZCkwYyfyxF8_-Ak1bGh7aGljJS0yRfGKUitWewj0XJryJjrkJvoi3U_h34Tc/s1600-h/P9180209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgkUMNZHz96A0EaUy8uLd4eAvwZejNBXIVeCI6swcw-lM18HPqG9ryZy9_VvMpZl2O7vPlZOYnHng_twBZCkwYyfyxF8_-Ak1bGh7aGljJS0yRfGKUitWewj0XJryJjrkJvoi3U_h34Tc/s320/P9180209.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We then headed to the port city of La Ceiba, and are now in the small beach town of Tela. The day before yesterday when we left La Ceiba (where we had no television), we had a 5-hour ride, checked into the hotel here and wanted to go into the center of town. We were told that the stores were closing; the country was enacting a curfew/martial law for everyone to be off of the streets by 6pm. Turns out that some supporters had smuggled Zelaya into the country at dawn yesterday and he was taking refuge in the Brazilian Embassy, with the support of the Brazilian President. Protests, tear gas, injuries in the capital city prompted the government to enact a 24-hour curfew yesterday. The airports were also closed, and all flights suspended indefinitely. The U.S. Embassy has also closed but is posting updates online. So…as much as we want to get out of here, we just have to sit and wait until we can get on the road. Interestingly, the Honduran government has been periodically taking over all channels with speeches by the current President, suspending other newscasts, so people can’t even find out what is going on or get a balanced view. Talking with people here, feelings are mixed; the former President seems to be closely aligned with Hugo Chavez, which makes anyone nervous…however, some feel he is a ‘man of the people’. Others feel strongly that he has stolen from the country, is promoting socialism, and should just back off, stop inciting violence, and let the new government proceed. This is a first, and we are just trying to lay low and see what happens.<br />
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</div>We hadn’t even planned to come to Honduras, but to go from Guatemala right to El Salvador. We, however, met a group of bikers- 20 in all- from the U.K. while in Antigua, and they invited us to ride with them across the border to visit the ruins of Copan. We thought it would be fun riding with that many other BMW riders, so we left Guatemala and headed in. Once at Copan, we spoke with some locals who assured us that the country was quiet, so decided to explore a little…and here we are. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCVjzCdRNhj9vgJKdX2FHeueJtn3_EIrvksc9q1WrDE7GBO99mfmujz0XneV-i3SnKS9y8XQq-SsCYc0S38a1H7W69V_vkp-Misb3wNs8WzQOj24dOwSY25rGDAfiOkPf8t-bARtp3pc/s1600-h/P9170180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCVjzCdRNhj9vgJKdX2FHeueJtn3_EIrvksc9q1WrDE7GBO99mfmujz0XneV-i3SnKS9y8XQq-SsCYc0S38a1H7W69V_vkp-Misb3wNs8WzQOj24dOwSY25rGDAfiOkPf8t-bARtp3pc/s320/P9170180.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>Honduras is a big change from Guatemala. You don’t see the indigenous people in their brightly colored clothing; the locals wear large white cowboy hats and western clothing. It’s all about bananas here…..they serve them with everything. Little wonder Chiquita has their headquarters here, in San Pedro Sula…banana plantations abound. The country seems a little worn around the edges with litter everywhere, and dark, intimidating city squares. A definite change.<br />
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</div>Guatemala was great. While in Antigua, we drank amazing coffee, visited one of the local coffee plantations by mountain bike and learned a lot about the process. Did you know that coffee is grown 2 ways: in direct sun or in shade? The direct sun process is used in Brazil and other countries and is much more inexpensive. The process of growing in the shade is done by planting large trees throughout the coffee plantation, or “finca” and this process produces a richer, mellower coffee. The coffee grown is called “Arabica”. Also, the coffee, at least in Guatemala, is picked by hand…bean by bean…mostly by indigenous people, whole families that work together in the fields. For every 100 pounds of beans they pick they are paid the equivalent of $5.00 U.S. Wow.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOO9F93fV3k31rGy2lqI5cvpvldXTAdB7pGQu0Fy2hEt1S3XFSwAabN4TECH8eoaeEITQ431yXy8UamMlEuVAwfF-sln2VH3z5OwndVB5irneEIh6-EAtg_7h9Edm5bxe6KdFhjlgZaQ0/s1600-h/P9160133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOO9F93fV3k31rGy2lqI5cvpvldXTAdB7pGQu0Fy2hEt1S3XFSwAabN4TECH8eoaeEITQ431yXy8UamMlEuVAwfF-sln2VH3z5OwndVB5irneEIh6-EAtg_7h9Edm5bxe6KdFhjlgZaQ0/s320/P9160133.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>We also did a hike to the active volcano called Pacaya. Now THAT was an experience. We signed up with a tour company that offered a staggeringly good price. Hello! Danger!<br />
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</div>They picked us up in a rickety van with 4 other people, and the guy driving was definitely under 20 years old. He had a small boy with him of about 6, along with an older lady who may have been his mom. We drove around Antigua for a bit, and when we started wondering what was happening, he told us that he was having problems with his alternator, but not to worry. By then it was about 3pm. We headed up the mountain and it began to rain, and as he careened around corners on bald tires while talking on the phone and gesturing to the young boy we kept wondering how exactly he was controlling the steering wheel. This was on Sept 14, the day before Guatemala’s Independence Day, and the roads were full of people doing the traditional things related to this day: Groups of young people with lit torches running, blowing whistles and waving Guatemalan flags. On the roads were busloads of people cheering, chanting, and throwing water balloons and buckets of water at nearby cars. Traffic was crazy and it took us over an hour to get to Pacaya. By then it was 4pm. We met up with our guide, Rodolfo, and began the long, steep hike up to the area with hot lava and amazing scenery. At 6,500 feet we were gasping for breath as we climbed the shifting black sand to get higher and higher. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz08XilQOasCq1PNXxKGyngF30k2kYBznocSs8fKhMPOYC65qswaK0WltlJbmhWZZWToy_njZ4qaOORMv4mNe5ZjpKjBbFmou0VP2Hzn78H4Bjtxa-G8X_BGEh6m_OKJ2BB5ivnSKMB4Y/s1600-h/P9140077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz08XilQOasCq1PNXxKGyngF30k2kYBznocSs8fKhMPOYC65qswaK0WltlJbmhWZZWToy_njZ4qaOORMv4mNe5ZjpKjBbFmou0VP2Hzn78H4Bjtxa-G8X_BGEh6m_OKJ2BB5ivnSKMB4Y/s320/P9140077.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>There were young boys with horses, yelling “Taxi, Taxi” and some older tourists finally gave in and mounted the horses. By halfway up those horses were looking pretty good; but we resisted. Finally we reached the area near the top, and realized the climb was worth it. Big chunks of volcanic rock, glowing fiery red, breaking off and rolling down the mountain with loud sizzles, greeted us. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDT17Kf49k4ZVNPAZiJv586SutHEGSBQPxm0OfcykjKhzIC-WSLNufYSwYldq4G4uMNhOyb0iIYXNkmIwQk-QyW-pIeidrs0KUNLzz6r9HPud123y0K2YZmw4kzhBFECdNyBU54BEXYJM/s1600-h/P9140027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDT17Kf49k4ZVNPAZiJv586SutHEGSBQPxm0OfcykjKhzIC-WSLNufYSwYldq4G4uMNhOyb0iIYXNkmIwQk-QyW-pIeidrs0KUNLzz6r9HPud123y0K2YZmw4kzhBFECdNyBU54BEXYJM/s320/P9140027.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>Chris had brought some marshmallows, and we used sticks that we had broken off to roast marshmallows in this hot volcano; a real first. A German woman near us exclaimed loudly, and we looked over and realized that her designer sneakers had melted soles. The heat was intense, but the views amazing. As it started to get dark Rodolfo tried to hurry us, but with the group taking pictures progress was slow. <br />
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</div>He was concerned, as security left the mountain at 6 and there were lots of robberies there in the dark. We began to make our way down the steep, rocky hill in the dark, guided by our small flashlights. When we finally got to the bottom our maniac driver was waiting for us. When we boarded the van he told us that his alternator was almost gone. This meant that we had to descend the twisting, turning roads crammed with holiday traffic….in the dark. It also meant that we were totally exposed to the gangs of people hurling dirty water, because he couldn’t get the electric windows up. So, for 3 hours we inched down, stuck in traffic, inhaling diesel fumes, with our raincoats over us to protect us from the incoming water. What a night. <br />
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The next day Chris and I decided to visit a local curiosity, a church in a small village about an hour from central Antigua, where they worship San Simeon, who they also call “Maximon”. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisV6139PmUeSNaXa5swlXXgm7MYopDrBBZs0sQ74h9TvhZjCGVWVXwVtYxJfuGL50-GN35FWvs7bRfj9bJDeljDrsMNehoogHGv2DiKZRGlx1E3mcqYUkUmadhUvM20pb12jfplE5A1Sk/s1600-h/P9160159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisV6139PmUeSNaXa5swlXXgm7MYopDrBBZs0sQ74h9TvhZjCGVWVXwVtYxJfuGL50-GN35FWvs7bRfj9bJDeljDrsMNehoogHGv2DiKZRGlx1E3mcqYUkUmadhUvM20pb12jfplE5A1Sk/s320/P9160159.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>This is another of those formerly-catholic-converted by the indigenous people to their own religion and belief-system churches, and boy was it interesting. People light candles, perform rituals, but it all centers around a statue on the altar of this “saint.” Offerings are made to him…not incense, but cigars, liquor, food and treats. Conveniently, there is a cantina adjacent to the church where you can buy aguardiente to offer Maximon. We stood and watched some of the offerings, and it was an amazing sight. I met a woman who was a local ‘shaman’ and she offered to give me a ‘limpieza’ or a cleaning of negative energy for a small fee. I couldn’t resist. So, I was up there with Maximon, getting hit over the head with some leaves filled with aguardiente, followed by throwing some of the potent liquor over the statue in an offering. How’s that for a travel experience?<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Well, if we can get out of here, I will (as scheduled) board a plane on Thursday for home for a short catch-up trip, while Chris gets the heck out of Honduras. If the airport stays closed we will get on the bike and head for Nicaragua. This means we will have to skip going to El Salvador, which makes us sad but means that we won’t have to enter Honduras again to get to the next country.<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The adventures continue!<br />
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</div>No Boundaries Bikers, Chris + Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07386612679047576050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568305577567015949.post-85351958069933241202009-09-13T17:38:00.000-07:002009-09-13T17:38:36.746-07:00Sept. 13: Tikal to Lanquin and Antigua<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQ-KxDFIHygc5JevLx11g8mg3U_7GkjrOrUpABCSfWJwKJ516a84nJ2IrKvBXVJU9-utVlzV3kL8NwOAduUGbF8q7BAzKRIQyLuAGAGXzey6NSdfDtztpVjO1kAxKR9dvvSHXrx4OrYM/s1600-h/P9080174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQ-KxDFIHygc5JevLx11g8mg3U_7GkjrOrUpABCSfWJwKJ516a84nJ2IrKvBXVJU9-utVlzV3kL8NwOAduUGbF8q7BAzKRIQyLuAGAGXzey6NSdfDtztpVjO1kAxKR9dvvSHXrx4OrYM/s320/P9080174.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiygRhYKS5-gMIeX1EXTXgirJM31B1aPXI_x4f33ZGipUkoRwySe5rZuXId8Bx0YmbpEuBXMIU3x-Y6Xwxgpabx44d3xeWpoC-libP-wENa64ZT9h0FmHm0P2q0x9LI54f4V3_YIPcLNAE/s1600-h/P9080191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiygRhYKS5-gMIeX1EXTXgirJM31B1aPXI_x4f33ZGipUkoRwySe5rZuXId8Bx0YmbpEuBXMIU3x-Y6Xwxgpabx44d3xeWpoC-libP-wENa64ZT9h0FmHm0P2q0x9LI54f4V3_YIPcLNAE/s320/P9080191.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Tikal was amazing. We toured the ruins, climbing to the top of Temple IV to re-create the famous shot from Star Wars. We saw a group of nuns from Guatemala City ascend steep steps to a temple in full habits, in the 100-plus degree heat of the rainforest. It was such a sight to see these temples and monuments jutting out from the top of the jungle.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRrseh-OpOhHNe2etIVjaXxGnvwF48aCUallpR8j7q_s9vAmlVTYGSerekCwBEO8PyuXoHKVA-tJBUDtIqNscwHQDBjY1lukbVNaPQpP5aCGkSGGqKyDMEQfyTN8fUcnWVwrQ8a3F-Rfc/s1600-h/P9080204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRrseh-OpOhHNe2etIVjaXxGnvwF48aCUallpR8j7q_s9vAmlVTYGSerekCwBEO8PyuXoHKVA-tJBUDtIqNscwHQDBjY1lukbVNaPQpP5aCGkSGGqKyDMEQfyTN8fUcnWVwrQ8a3F-Rfc/s320/P9080204.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">From Tikal we headed south, en route to a town called Lanquin, where we wanted to see the famous Grutas de Lanquin, a series of caves that we were told were interesting to walk through. It was a long day, riding 7 hours, with an interesting pit stop in the town of Sayaxche.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEGi23wNeQ1-E8nb7Bx2YmWZ5cibrNnOt5WFrhTPNrlTQVltcwmJ9cv8ZFrBUu3tg-SVWhYUOA50byiEnn6jphhOmSuVysr3GmK9oc4x-j8a05R51v2WTDwut-cEQJDvGUVYYfFYGwcMA/s1600-h/P9090224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEGi23wNeQ1-E8nb7Bx2YmWZ5cibrNnOt5WFrhTPNrlTQVltcwmJ9cv8ZFrBUu3tg-SVWhYUOA50byiEnn6jphhOmSuVysr3GmK9oc4x-j8a05R51v2WTDwut-cEQJDvGUVYYfFYGwcMA/s320/P9090224.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> There is no bridge to cross the Rio de la Pasion, so the only choice is the local ferry, a flat barge-type of boat with palapas hanging off of the sides and a bilge pump fashioned out a 4-horsepower engine that seemed to come from a lawn mower. Trucks, cars, people, crowded onto this strange structure, and we paid 5 quetzales per vehicle (about 60 cents) to cross the river. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz6AgjIArUfKdrpKGBHCQ1ywgNyRngS02yIkBAC9O_FJsn75RI2gLKj13545clMCqxu6X55P3bH8lU8QmhXd1ILAZsL28Ayxd57N00ho0FDqwZ2uh5nNPnybViz76L0WIF3S6X8M_76P0/s1600-h/P9090227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz6AgjIArUfKdrpKGBHCQ1ywgNyRngS02yIkBAC9O_FJsn75RI2gLKj13545clMCqxu6X55P3bH8lU8QmhXd1ILAZsL28Ayxd57N00ho0FDqwZ2uh5nNPnybViz76L0WIF3S6X8M_76P0/s320/P9090227.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT6O4e67TpX4RSFInij2Y0uHfVg9S6f2Hndqvw3YbWo1M7iDrUueamk3IdorYeUgRYAURtEsMCoEzKFAMtsDz8pO26LC0dC0GkQ2_SF_uGapzFzJHtSz8oA9QCQxhXR08ASeCs3Rj3hAA/s1600-h/P9090275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT6O4e67TpX4RSFInij2Y0uHfVg9S6f2Hndqvw3YbWo1M7iDrUueamk3IdorYeUgRYAURtEsMCoEzKFAMtsDz8pO26LC0dC0GkQ2_SF_uGapzFzJHtSz8oA9QCQxhXR08ASeCs3Rj3hAA/s320/P9090275.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhItbrz5LFUFtQx-Dk6NLQvKi3S_oGeZMfUMVJWws6C2gI6GI2yJqBKy4qY6iY_EFdSYO0gQLRIzdWMC_s6HvEGPAG1EEpHlaWgfHVbeFMvS0kSN-u9qmCPq7HMV1QqFR0x6Pe5s6u-ALI/s1600-h/P9090235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhItbrz5LFUFtQx-Dk6NLQvKi3S_oGeZMfUMVJWws6C2gI6GI2yJqBKy4qY6iY_EFdSYO0gQLRIzdWMC_s6HvEGPAG1EEpHlaWgfHVbeFMvS0kSN-u9qmCPq7HMV1QqFR0x6Pe5s6u-ALI/s320/P9090235.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrp821oGWMyZ7bK4mLZlkiXrwOKjRaUrEMxJEIZ62MEMqmkn1Zw5Zz9iKfhXSMjBpchCV7dTUpsMP0um7nbFIPPPbTrdjQIRT_NGDEGdWB5ob7oykFh7kDWMEJHTjIcwOe4CV8LBkCIjg/s1600-h/P9090340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrp821oGWMyZ7bK4mLZlkiXrwOKjRaUrEMxJEIZ62MEMqmkn1Zw5Zz9iKfhXSMjBpchCV7dTUpsMP0um7nbFIPPPbTrdjQIRT_NGDEGdWB5ob7oykFh7kDWMEJHTjIcwOe4CV8LBkCIjg/s320/P9090340.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The road into the Lanquin was a rutted gravel single-lane road down some pretty steep hills and curves, which went for about 6 miles. At one point we were behind a tour bus. The bus stopped short to let another bus by---he began backing up and we knew he didn’t see us. Chris started honking the little Barbie-horn on the motorcycle which did absolutely no good. Finally I managed to jump off of the bike and run up to the bus, waving my hands to avoid disaster.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01DD_yYcuwb4slIS7xQwP1doQyk3GIwNiT6iIlRDplWaoUIwKcGxaILII-BKE7CCtu_EwlRqNkd1IOp6mxN6DapnJEOZoL7iLu489C16x-P74ehE0mNwxFRRU1oEuRFMCfAupmfnXFHI/s1600-h/P9100055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01DD_yYcuwb4slIS7xQwP1doQyk3GIwNiT6iIlRDplWaoUIwKcGxaILII-BKE7CCtu_EwlRqNkd1IOp6mxN6DapnJEOZoL7iLu489C16x-P74ehE0mNwxFRRU1oEuRFMCfAupmfnXFHI/s320/P9100055.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We arrived in Lanquin late in the day, and as we came into the town and began to search for a hotel, we met Edgar, a local tour guide. He was friendly and full of energy…we told him that we wanted to see the caves, and also go to Semuc Champey, a beautiful series of natural pools and waterfalls the next day, and he agreed to pick us up at 8:30am. The next morning he showed up at our hotel, the rustic El Recreo, in a pickup with the back bed full of 8 other tourists, a great group from Israel, the U.S. and Britain. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU1SjcxHf0efaPWOKgG_so0y1AWfMKnI3Gj2R8WDMW5UrOw5jG2oac58HWvykwZir7IhrDJIMJN2Vx5cR2-TDf6fUMQH5hnrqtVPb6QioK8LCYWJx2jsOFD15DXstyYpcW4-dy1tc53dw/s1600-h/P9100069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU1SjcxHf0efaPWOKgG_so0y1AWfMKnI3Gj2R8WDMW5UrOw5jG2oac58HWvykwZir7IhrDJIMJN2Vx5cR2-TDf6fUMQH5hnrqtVPb6QioK8LCYWJx2jsOFD15DXstyYpcW4-dy1tc53dw/s320/P9100069.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We climbed in the back with them and bounced along for about 10 miles, passing the entrance to the Grutas de Lanquin. We finally stopped, got out of the truck and began to climb a hill. I asked Edgar where we were going and why we didn’t stop. He gave me a cryptic smile and said “Oh, amiga, those caves are too touristy; you just walk through them. We are going for a real adventure to the Caves of Camba.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIVRtyklnAQxB-IH6RdmEmN1zgYhmVP1BRuTW5boUbv3_ciCTajOCxyfOkc3c9eFuWFFj3Dk8M2PKlsZ5vhf9SGMb1LLCDJ_nbZP3L7RgM8F_NQCxMZt5V-LVmALdEhOl8hBpCv6iEmTA/s1600-h/P9100083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIVRtyklnAQxB-IH6RdmEmN1zgYhmVP1BRuTW5boUbv3_ciCTajOCxyfOkc3c9eFuWFFj3Dk8M2PKlsZ5vhf9SGMb1LLCDJ_nbZP3L7RgM8F_NQCxMZt5V-LVmALdEhOl8hBpCv6iEmTA/s320/P9100083.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">With that, he brought us to a little hut, and told us to leave everything there that could not get wet. We had to hike up to the caves in just our bathing suits and our Tevas. He then proceeded to hand each one of us a candle. He had a small miners light strapped to his head and stuck a bunch of candles around the strap. When he lit them he looked like a giant birthday cake. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCj34KvOt5DCE5ZNKLSwYVZCoz2GiS-lJRnY0wEG9JvODh9ISUyIhKeCAn4nwZ-7yyf7GWVaG45TeskJnUgY00ONZ6Yl9g6NOpa3TC4JtQjmGo1UjekAlUQzOZQ-p9CH72lIkfw4-Yc3M/s1600-h/P9100092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCj34KvOt5DCE5ZNKLSwYVZCoz2GiS-lJRnY0wEG9JvODh9ISUyIhKeCAn4nwZ-7yyf7GWVaG45TeskJnUgY00ONZ6Yl9g6NOpa3TC4JtQjmGo1UjekAlUQzOZQ-p9CH72lIkfw4-Yc3M/s320/P9100092.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We entered the caves in the pitch dark, a long processional of bathing-suit clad, frightened people with just candles to light the way. Edgar, who we now realized was completely off the wall, was leading the way with the candles burning perilously close to his hair, singing at the top of his lungs the theme from Madagascar. Even now if I hear “I like to move it, move it” shivers of fear run up and down my spine.</div>We thought we were going to just walk through the caves. No. a river actually runs through the caves, so there were times where we had to jump down from a ledge, our heads going under, not able to touch bottom, times where if we did not hold our candle high enough, the guiding flame was snuffed out. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPjuVFg71NsHq6VMQRNoGitJsd1WmBz5QZ78fkfcdo5wkFr8ek_4_bn5BiklFDYGJQfmiJN9BVx3TjjuMuQhMKGywfHU20pD4bZUVCns_0erBKidsxLGlW5AzWRxmiNpsksvHQkR-R7v8/s1600-h/P9100097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPjuVFg71NsHq6VMQRNoGitJsd1WmBz5QZ78fkfcdo5wkFr8ek_4_bn5BiklFDYGJQfmiJN9BVx3TjjuMuQhMKGywfHU20pD4bZUVCns_0erBKidsxLGlW5AzWRxmiNpsksvHQkR-R7v8/s320/P9100097.JPG" /></a></div>Then we had to climb down slippery rocks, holding on to stalactites or stalagmites for dear life. I just remember Edgar saying “You take the rock. Now, slowly, slowly.” We got to a point where we had to climb a sheer rock face inside the cave by holding onto a rope under a cascade of water and hoisting ourselves up. The best was when we got to a small hole which led to a deep pool below. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrauAfMfSpBpw9s5i5jn-SvZTkKgNlj9sp_Kwk_vhJ-j1SrR7xIW5CnVDx-b9sEqVy7V4BOAfNnTDiYBicNVSJ2sJ9IKjrWMmUUZqEiZX1EYnyqWlLNkP5Hq7cVcolUhlDChNoKYcJQ3E/s1600-h/P9100100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrauAfMfSpBpw9s5i5jn-SvZTkKgNlj9sp_Kwk_vhJ-j1SrR7xIW5CnVDx-b9sEqVy7V4BOAfNnTDiYBicNVSJ2sJ9IKjrWMmUUZqEiZX1EYnyqWlLNkP5Hq7cVcolUhlDChNoKYcJQ3E/s320/P9100100.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhct7w3_P0yKe1NXf75NSGy48huKdFF5Hn9b3kcbI-hnFTQpPMLR283nAG1KodP95ucjXzXMGGut-UwJAMDRH-I2BJcODC47krjWqUXF7unedbDyvutGCukoYSfZL5c-Sxv1pf2diM65XU/s1600-h/P9100101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhct7w3_P0yKe1NXf75NSGy48huKdFF5Hn9b3kcbI-hnFTQpPMLR283nAG1KodP95ucjXzXMGGut-UwJAMDRH-I2BJcODC47krjWqUXF7unedbDyvutGCukoYSfZL5c-Sxv1pf2diM65XU/s320/P9100101.JPG" /></a></div>Edgar crammed us all into the small space approaching the hole and told us to wedge our foot on the top and just slide through. All told, it was an amazing experience which I will never, never forget.<br />
It didn’t end there. We came out of the caves exhilarated and tired. We hiked back to the hut and there were some black tire inner tubes stacked up. <br />
Edgar told us we were then going to go tubing down the Rio Cahabon. We descended the riverbank and got caught up in the soft current of the river, floating down, soaking up the sun and trying to get rid of the goosebumps from the freezing cold water in the caves. When we got to the end we picked up our tubes and hiked back to the hut, still in our bathing suits and Tevas. We were then on our way to lunch. On the way, Edgar invited us to jump off of the bridge we were walking across into the river below (8 meters high). Chris of course was game, as were the rest of the guys. I had had enough adrenaline for awhile.<br />
At that point we walked over to a little roadside stand where 2 local ladies were cooking. We had a great lunch of frijoles, mashed avocado and beef which they cooked on a hot metal grill over some rocks. Then it was onto the next adventure!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU0RMLjtfppOv0ke0Z8BxWrQkbC4J_R0d7TMA-tbaYxIAFYALqsAP1Gesug_YcczF_s2rOtRWOX1apetE7z8ww9piJapDHxLYsvbz_QN_xY3FWg_XcOC2SUs1HKGvbDkOwS3LMd3cOOlE/s1600-h/P9100398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU0RMLjtfppOv0ke0Z8BxWrQkbC4J_R0d7TMA-tbaYxIAFYALqsAP1Gesug_YcczF_s2rOtRWOX1apetE7z8ww9piJapDHxLYsvbz_QN_xY3FWg_XcOC2SUs1HKGvbDkOwS3LMd3cOOlE/s320/P9100398.JPG" /></a></div>We then began a serious hike up to the see the waterfalls and the pools of Semuc Champey. What a place. Semuc Champey has a natural limestone bridge, 300 meters long, as well as a stepped series of natural pools with clear turquoise water. The water comes from the same Rio Cahabon where we had gone tubing. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-t9P8RdlLb9-l3QiKzW0du0LMI6jocXT9qTH3QB9CRj6PwdYtNcz-zk2KdBr3ORlCSqYQEWUkv2fcAUgSpkoGvLwzRil5jk356wv0k9zCTrG2xZs0Kx9KC9OxLdiOuZeeXWRmYJyWa4/s1600-h/P9100413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-t9P8RdlLb9-l3QiKzW0du0LMI6jocXT9qTH3QB9CRj6PwdYtNcz-zk2KdBr3ORlCSqYQEWUkv2fcAUgSpkoGvLwzRil5jk356wv0k9zCTrG2xZs0Kx9KC9OxLdiOuZeeXWRmYJyWa4/s320/P9100413.JPG" /></a></div>It was a beautiful place, and we swam, hiked and enjoyed the natural beauty. We started to hike down to the waterfall which rose 40 feet high above some pools below. Edgar announced that we were going to jump off of the waterfall and then climb a rope back up. The guys jumped right on it. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYkC0qtxJopH78Q7lPy1foVIIs0iUVX40KCd9AdMR87jaFli58IfsZJiYhTuZQEe2AC5iVN939IZZYtpTeND1g5KDGqLVbQzmkxlfKM4CYlEc7U5ow7zATzhfVM4TwBSDi3Nm9ZqTvspQ/s1600-h/P9100399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYkC0qtxJopH78Q7lPy1foVIIs0iUVX40KCd9AdMR87jaFli58IfsZJiYhTuZQEe2AC5iVN939IZZYtpTeND1g5KDGqLVbQzmkxlfKM4CYlEc7U5ow7zATzhfVM4TwBSDi3Nm9ZqTvspQ/s320/P9100399.JPG" /></a></div>The women almost had a revolt. NO way. We watched as Chris and his compatriots jumped into a narrow space, having to avoid the rocks 40 feet below. Crazy.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsk8WDgCc14cc_3sqUIqKwrCbTCvgRXLJdOxWEEi4DNrLbrpUR-5B8GezIa4mToK2J4lOvCg38N5KcCP5avjdtGnd7kw0I33RXVso1a1kHyKXE_l28Kna6xZoRqJKu6WvAn9Cu5aqEmZM/s1600-h/P9100434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsk8WDgCc14cc_3sqUIqKwrCbTCvgRXLJdOxWEEi4DNrLbrpUR-5B8GezIa4mToK2J4lOvCg38N5KcCP5avjdtGnd7kw0I33RXVso1a1kHyKXE_l28Kna6xZoRqJKu6WvAn9Cu5aqEmZM/s320/P9100434.JPG" /></a></div>As we continued to hike down, the skies opened and it began pouring, torrential rain. This was followed by loud claps of thunder and lightning which was getting closer and closer. There was nowhere to go, so we continued to hike down to the truck. Now it gets interesting. With lightening overhead, soaking wet, Edgar herded everyone into back of the truck, everyone holding onto metal poles like human lightning-rods. The guys had cut some banana leaves and were using them as umbrellas. What an experience.<br />
We left Lanquin the next morning, destination Antigua.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jVPDQUmK0gJHgcBgjXTm8uPAP0hCAvbLqLr2p2GRY0R6AqZ8ozRlhNgWf9jJxo0x_OIrwKbupaOGJ4OvgZge0h-NZf0bc-yRBQhUXr6MwF7vsSN6MqesArHo6p7myhyd8XRWtQBHpiA/s1600-h/P9110462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jVPDQUmK0gJHgcBgjXTm8uPAP0hCAvbLqLr2p2GRY0R6AqZ8ozRlhNgWf9jJxo0x_OIrwKbupaOGJ4OvgZge0h-NZf0bc-yRBQhUXr6MwF7vsSN6MqesArHo6p7myhyd8XRWtQBHpiA/s320/P9110462.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhllspRC6DTyVSQ9_MfKa4zt5Lsbn75WKBKr440UVmlNW6dkD7aCxyMQKuVLiltmJq-eK6i9m6J5rcFMHRkO5t1Ojx2xVavRAvTBMXtowu3jIGw6nNGx6py2T-7nAYzQrpCgEcA5HrtLv8/s1600-h/P9110467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhllspRC6DTyVSQ9_MfKa4zt5Lsbn75WKBKr440UVmlNW6dkD7aCxyMQKuVLiltmJq-eK6i9m6J5rcFMHRkO5t1Ojx2xVavRAvTBMXtowu3jIGw6nNGx6py2T-7nAYzQrpCgEcA5HrtLv8/s320/P9110467.JPG" /></a></div> We hit a major rainstorm, with muddy, flooded roads, and saw a car that had just overturned on narrow stretch of road. We misjudged a bit and ended up passing through Guatemala City at rush hour on a Friday. This took over 3 hours, in bumper-to-bumper traffic, stuck behind buses and trucks spewing diesel fumes into our helmets. There was nowhere to go and no way to avoid inhaling the stuff. Arriving in Antigua made it all worthwhile. What a beautiful city. Ringed by volcanoes, it couldn’t get more picturesque. The city is buzzing with parades and celebrations getting ready for Guatemala’s Independence Day, September 15. Whew, time for some chardonnay!<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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1MKe5Dgtp1qqi0tXSvBSFz81hap0nABq-o5Qg2jvj2OZwF30CLuqphYk5o7kpOu0tWHGB4xDD_y5Y9Y7GdGpj7ihQSmnU1RgU9-Q6a3MRLxz2dG3J1E1mVhdfa8A7u1OB5WUOXPZ3MZs/s1600-h/P9130542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1MKe5Dgtp1qqi0tXSvBSFz81hap0nABq-o5Qg2jvj2OZwF30CLuqphYk5o7kpOu0tWHGB4xDD_y5Y9Y7GdGpj7ihQSmnU1RgU9-Q6a3MRLxz2dG3J1E1mVhdfa8A7u1OB5WUOXPZ3MZs/s320/P9130542.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VGEvZ3WUAqSqhAny_Ca6xgTmykaB8jv5dwkAxEIwcNhJP8hoNwvnxJBGRdPEgDP9dSC0PZfeZ1mzIKJSMVonl6r5LwE2XOjoB_kcvtFRAj5tWZuwfyZbhi9MQhQLrdPiO9sXMMu4YIE/s1600-h/P9120499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VGEvZ3WUAqSqhAny_Ca6xgTmykaB8jv5dwkAxEIwcNhJP8hoNwvnxJBGRdPEgDP9dSC0PZfeZ1mzIKJSMVonl6r5LwE2XOjoB_kcvtFRAj5tWZuwfyZbhi9MQhQLrdPiO9sXMMu4YIE/s320/P9120499.JPG" /></a></div>No Boundaries Bikers, Chris + Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07386612679047576050noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568305577567015949.post-47093763364596230022009-09-13T08:38:00.000-07:002009-09-13T08:45:57.796-07:00Sept. 7: San Cristobal de Las Casas, Mexico to Northern Guatemala<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>We crossed the border from Mexico to Guatemala in the northern part of the country, at a checkpoint called Ceibo. We had to exit Mexican customs, drive a few feet and then enter a small hut which was the border/customs for Guatemala. We parked the motorcycle and entered the hut, feeling the usual bit of nervousness at driving into a new country. What an experience! <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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoPZ-k5acYLnuix2hZjsc4thTfYPeDcyQceq7h1qQmzHl0Zqr0x0LzTjo628IB1ab-c7u_cZ4aN3RydRE9L6lF6nCngL2WQRQgA8VAuJDF4QIOYHvz9mkuHhVIpgQZKGYZV7q_bVdbeng/s1600-h/P9070158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoPZ-k5acYLnuix2hZjsc4thTfYPeDcyQceq7h1qQmzHl0Zqr0x0LzTjo628IB1ab-c7u_cZ4aN3RydRE9L6lF6nCngL2WQRQgA8VAuJDF4QIOYHvz9mkuHhVIpgQZKGYZV7q_bVdbeng/s320/P9070158.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigkNW3g65GCFV0bBmJ157pOoHxgXIfOMmqTErlBOWO7PYxJZZg0sH2XUhzzJ4E7jYRfX3JCt1NfV4iKirN_b6ObJdTpcqMYS49DGy-t2e4RLqGhv6TBpeBpY4muk6t8Muadk0VYimgz9U/s1600-h/P9070159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigkNW3g65GCFV0bBmJ157pOoHxgXIfOMmqTErlBOWO7PYxJZZg0sH2XUhzzJ4E7jYRfX3JCt1NfV4iKirN_b6ObJdTpcqMYS49DGy-t2e4RLqGhv6TBpeBpY4muk6t8Muadk0VYimgz9U/s320/P9070159.JPG" /></a></div>The 2 guys from customs were super-friendly, and when we entered, a Mexican was playing his guitar and singing inside the customs hut. There were men milling about asking us if we wanted to change money, flashing large wads of quetzals, the local currency. The mood was festive and it was infectious. Turns out the guy singing didn’t have the 16 quetzales to cross the border into Guatemala, so he was entertaining the border officials in exchange for entry. What a great welcome. We passed many small villages on our way to Tikal, home of the amazing ruins. The poverty we saw was striking, so different than Mexico. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We arrived at Tikal, and drove into the actual park, where we checked into some small ‘jungle cabins’. There is no electricity here after 9pm…the generator shuts off there is no power until morning at 9am.</div><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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCE5Xi9IlADaAFSMfqBPZ2wLMzhR_Wq_41lNAmbiOmGQODnbDHG9401E2h7mCRkhofq1fn74id8PyitaLYo21qe56O4MnEGfbu0HVUUV04-PIVmjxBe6J-xcvNkhp4LtMhBOXM6g4TApI/s1600-h/P9060133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCE5Xi9IlADaAFSMfqBPZ2wLMzhR_Wq_41lNAmbiOmGQODnbDHG9401E2h7mCRkhofq1fn74id8PyitaLYo21qe56O4MnEGfbu0HVUUV04-PIVmjxBe6J-xcvNkhp4LtMhBOXM6g4TApI/s320/P9060133.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtluYnDR8oPlDBmFTikZiyBRqQEezLwKCrQRwC4Ms7ShoNKT4ebIQDGDsNFwxAlNI79gJp5e_TkJn3QaXijhr0k7ugxmpzLy8q68Ork1Prd4md1UHCukEwqQrdMdWbly8nJPYHGawQd8s/s1600-h/P9060113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtluYnDR8oPlDBmFTikZiyBRqQEezLwKCrQRwC4Ms7ShoNKT4ebIQDGDsNFwxAlNI79gJp5e_TkJn3QaXijhr0k7ugxmpzLy8q68Ork1Prd4md1UHCukEwqQrdMdWbly8nJPYHGawQd8s/s320/P9060113.JPG" /></a>We had spent the previous 2 nights at Palenque, Mayan ruins in the State of Chiapas, Mexico. We found (thanks to some friends) a place called El Jaguar, cabins in the jungle with block walls and mosquito net windows. Chris was happy as we could park the motorcycle right outside of our cabin. About 4am we discovered that our cabin was adjacent to the local chicken coop, with a rambunctious rooster who wouldn’t stop until we finally got up. He also had his apprentice with him, a baby rooster who would try to crow but who had a Backstreet Boys break in his voice every time. We couldn’t help but laugh. Across the street from El Jaguar was a place called Don Mucho, a large palapa which serves as the local restaurant and nightclub. The place was full of backpackers, archaeologist-types, hippies, and a mix of tourists and locals. What a blast. At night, lit by candles, with groups playing guitars, bongos, beat boxes, everyone tired from climbing up the ruins but ready to mix and socialize…we loved it.</div><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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzp3-RZhZagFO83jWdl1Q_TCeSdsPuYGNSjz5q4WegmRfYD1kLI_RiUNAJWxrMGvi8HA8UudRuWwbrvhnrdysal4pOFwtgY-vdvdrnsrirNJ4820-76RVX0H-pI74X7L8RKzrcKrIAbIw/s1600-h/P9020015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzp3-RZhZagFO83jWdl1Q_TCeSdsPuYGNSjz5q4WegmRfYD1kLI_RiUNAJWxrMGvi8HA8UudRuWwbrvhnrdysal4pOFwtgY-vdvdrnsrirNJ4820-76RVX0H-pI74X7L8RKzrcKrIAbIw/s320/P9020015.JPG" /></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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZRJ2gcVjHz3qzKwIEm82oLLZj2XnhHjfbAq51R2lQcIN5RAvWnteWeoVhplKuAZFFkn_SvyP3xOfWDDP1IMebqZCDcsfuRbQDjk7NIpGUVrvfExCM6Na77GgEGLyHjfoEiI_6dwrzVk/s1600-h/P9020033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZRJ2gcVjHz3qzKwIEm82oLLZj2XnhHjfbAq51R2lQcIN5RAvWnteWeoVhplKuAZFFkn_SvyP3xOfWDDP1IMebqZCDcsfuRbQDjk7NIpGUVrvfExCM6Na77GgEGLyHjfoEiI_6dwrzVk/s320/P9020033.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijkKMoyIFILzQMGWedJ77sSzUjZoCqBrfmsPTfCvidRRJa5pa_ViLUey0wtWOWVVxVdfn62ISooUfHYb7wxOTusxvRZ56qBMJs_ka_Em2mWOiSg0X8LoYYrpm7BM2NVRAuvP1p9lE-pvo/s1600-h/P9020035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijkKMoyIFILzQMGWedJ77sSzUjZoCqBrfmsPTfCvidRRJa5pa_ViLUey0wtWOWVVxVdfn62ISooUfHYb7wxOTusxvRZ56qBMJs_ka_Em2mWOiSg0X8LoYYrpm7BM2NVRAuvP1p9lE-pvo/s320/P9020035.JPG" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguV9P_PzEJrnGhWi3uS30FMvSux9squJYI4VSfYbhoIXXNuU8drkQNnDCZSxnkJH3OR5ELd2nPbWZBydbBzuxLGB72SPqCLtMNXID05lqS09x1c8a2ggtgKUh_zhAYPmhmIWZzXx6akpg/s1600-h/P9020016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguV9P_PzEJrnGhWi3uS30FMvSux9squJYI4VSfYbhoIXXNuU8drkQNnDCZSxnkJH3OR5ELd2nPbWZBydbBzuxLGB72SPqCLtMNXID05lqS09x1c8a2ggtgKUh_zhAYPmhmIWZzXx6akpg/s320/P9020016.JPG" /></a>Our stop prior to Palenque was at San Cristobal de las Casas, one of my new favorite cities in Mexico. San Cristobal is a colonial city with a heavy influence and feel of the indigenous people. What is so great about it is that you can feel the history and the tradition, yet there is a very happening, current vibe that goes through the city….which in turn all relates back to the past. The indigenous people subsist on a mostly vegetarian diet, so there are great natural food and vegetarian restaurants there. They believe in natural healing, plants, energy, and the like, and there are many yoga, mayan massage, natural healing and holistic places to go. Near our small ‘posada’ I found a place called Alterna Dance Studio, where I went to do an exercise class…thought it was Zumba but it was hip-hop…in Spanish…very interesting! </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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKiTFXL2OFrcoQgH9YDGADJO_w8lOpkoLDqyaFszdvA5yrOJrLY-LgZCrIU-fHS7FAP2YHs2QpFr_WJiSe60_nURcjde2Q2Mebl0YRYb_euOb6O2wy_cib7adADgNNRiJnvHoxAyRB7N8/s1600-h/P9020038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKiTFXL2OFrcoQgH9YDGADJO_w8lOpkoLDqyaFszdvA5yrOJrLY-LgZCrIU-fHS7FAP2YHs2QpFr_WJiSe60_nURcjde2Q2Mebl0YRYb_euOb6O2wy_cib7adADgNNRiJnvHoxAyRB7N8/s320/P9020038.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgc_83QzFeY0ObD5SRUkfnDZpd5pIjjz1fcDrNeXnkCc1pK-5QiyRLWA0SWIkpA3JeTwdWC1iATpVCc2z0Sl3Fq-Dbga92gVWROeziqx1SnExK0OkOopfh8KDCUPCJue58okP9gIj9FYM/s1600-h/P9020029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgc_83QzFeY0ObD5SRUkfnDZpd5pIjjz1fcDrNeXnkCc1pK-5QiyRLWA0SWIkpA3JeTwdWC1iATpVCc2z0Sl3Fq-Dbga92gVWROeziqx1SnExK0OkOopfh8KDCUPCJue58okP9gIj9FYM/s320/P9020029.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxwII7ji0KszkTOoxMUeWFKqzZJa2MWstjkfJwVf292g2Dh9gh4MRVZ4pGpx6PvmXCst1SSnBKnaTdl3LHFYiVQMVRqvCuOZM2i_3MgZkEhwW61cAkvXyNtjjYlL_DrQ8Dg5m5hfqtVA/s1600-h/P9040076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxwII7ji0KszkTOoxMUeWFKqzZJa2MWstjkfJwVf292g2Dh9gh4MRVZ4pGpx6PvmXCst1SSnBKnaTdl3LHFYiVQMVRqvCuOZM2i_3MgZkEhwW61cAkvXyNtjjYlL_DrQ8Dg5m5hfqtVA/s320/P9040076.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVsTmtD76Mj658znCQfHBaa91MUB1mUxZExlfKVzcmns3etEuHch3xOVOlpeuFYkvg7F-R40Hf-yvrpaenrxPBrzdXtyBrgWO8_iC2R_G-Z0RrQnVW1ot2iwYJ8ryoWJvikIvIID64xrY/s1600-h/P9040086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVsTmtD76Mj658znCQfHBaa91MUB1mUxZExlfKVzcmns3etEuHch3xOVOlpeuFYkvg7F-R40Hf-yvrpaenrxPBrzdXtyBrgWO8_iC2R_G-Z0RrQnVW1ot2iwYJ8ryoWJvikIvIID64xrY/s320/P9040086.JPG" /></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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTTHwa-dhEvjGs5Kq_Q5Mpd6byGcHREr7Sur-NeYu1PjiGOaosu6XxeFxfwZvMN9zMbtTsDKTYKoVaBAiF8AVTQoVr9rL5FEUfsDoLbSc5eIBoBWhxSvDKSDJcbQQNzbBcomAehlWJwc/s1600-h/P9040089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTTHwa-dhEvjGs5Kq_Q5Mpd6byGcHREr7Sur-NeYu1PjiGOaosu6XxeFxfwZvMN9zMbtTsDKTYKoVaBAiF8AVTQoVr9rL5FEUfsDoLbSc5eIBoBWhxSvDKSDJcbQQNzbBcomAehlWJwc/s320/P9040089.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1jzs0uSULIDAslY3JsEZf-JLxuaS-sN79_PkmGX6ZDOszWSDdEeoxbfWpFvRhc4VXcW_vtxIAQi9Y5g8SZ2eGs2Ns4y91HiNxrS7PPF5hdU7KSUjNXw7e-zeVA098uIsqlgfWY5kAAM/s1600-h/P9040096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: right; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1jzs0uSULIDAslY3JsEZf-JLxuaS-sN79_PkmGX6ZDOszWSDdEeoxbfWpFvRhc4VXcW_vtxIAQi9Y5g8SZ2eGs2Ns4y91HiNxrS7PPF5hdU7KSUjNXw7e-zeVA098uIsqlgfWY5kAAM/s320/P9040096.JPG" /></a>We visited the village of San Juan Chomula, which belongs to the Tzotzil people. We wanted to go with a guide, so connected with Raul and Cesar—you just meet them at 9:30 in the morning in front of the big cross at the city square. Raul takes you in his 1980 VW Bus to the village, which is governed by the people of this group, in a very protected and insular way. Tradition is sacred, from local dress to government to religion. The women wear rough wool skirts, satin blouses, braided hair and shawls folded on their heads. The men, depending on their rank, wear rough woolen tunics, pants, and the guys with real rank wear Mayan sandals. We visited the church, Templo de San Juan, and that is where it all became clear. The Spaniards built the church, but the Tzotzil people have made the church and Catholicism their own (the church is no longer recognized by the Vatican.) When you walk into the church you are overwhelmed by the amount of candles burning. The Tzotzils took out all of the pews, put mirrors on all of the chests of the saints (they reflect the soul) and they worship in small groups, lighting groups of candles on the floor, performing rituals with chickens, plants, eggs, and beverages of different color. It was an incredible, surreal, experience. Too bad no photography was allowed, as I would have loved to share this. A few more interesting things there: if you break the law, you have to do community service, which is to become a police officer for one year with no pay. Police have no weapons save for a big wooden bat. Jails (second offense) are open on to the street so all of the townspeople can look in through the bars at your disgrace. 3rd offense you get thrown out of the village, never to return. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOMigBrNnjOZIOE8NaI3OsVlXyE10atyLiDW5TNztDxeBov8p5Sx85hqaOcqmhqErjKCaKiF2YBYKSHD94-uptkYlCufNu4wsFn6kLjnFZ9wMEP-rcnRz-EhW1Aa3FDMOOcHSGDuABsf4/s1600-h/P9040107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOMigBrNnjOZIOE8NaI3OsVlXyE10atyLiDW5TNztDxeBov8p5Sx85hqaOcqmhqErjKCaKiF2YBYKSHD94-uptkYlCufNu4wsFn6kLjnFZ9wMEP-rcnRz-EhW1Aa3FDMOOcHSGDuABsf4/s320/P9040107.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqWLszhB_Cc8nwK8G2oLH4tzas_anFgoua1ErTbZi297zazm9ylVYfV9fK5SpCWV1ouOBw1rbKzI9lmbijzm8Nm0Yu0_Q1zEH9tjCGw7YMIIZXBSc9f90vvt93MHQ5lfkUj5UyfZjqXG4/s1600-h/P9040101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqWLszhB_Cc8nwK8G2oLH4tzas_anFgoua1ErTbZi297zazm9ylVYfV9fK5SpCWV1ouOBw1rbKzI9lmbijzm8Nm0Yu0_Q1zEH9tjCGw7YMIIZXBSc9f90vvt93MHQ5lfkUj5UyfZjqXG4/s320/P9040101.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">When we got back from the village, there was a concert going on in the central square. It turns out that there is a problem with graffiti in the village, with young people defacing the beautiful colonial houses and buildings with graffiti. When the town tried to fine them, there was a hue and cry that their rights of free expression were being violated. There was a conundrum as to what to do, how to address this without conflict. The city of San Cristobal did a very smart thing….when one of the kids is caught, he/she is responsible for re-painting the entire house. They also gave voice to the group that represents them, JULE (Jovenes Unidos por la Libre Expresion) and allowed them to have a concert. They also installed white boards in the square where the youth could do their so-called ‘art’. When we arrived at the concert, it was funny to see the mix of people….young indigenous teens in their traditional dress rocking out to a heavy-metal alternative band. The world is really getting smaller.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><br />
A final word---we have been traveling by motorcycle in Mexico for almost 8 weeks now. The experience has been phenomenal. The colors, the people, the flavors, the topography and the warmth of Mexico has been exceptional. There is a lot of bad press in the U.S. and in other places regarding this wonderful country. My advice…travel with caution, like anywhere, but travel to Mexico. You will be missing out if you don’t.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjUM0xnQIT6kynOFod_MPre_fTdIuvPb9RFtqL18RwQr7_dBEcD0nLWGDd84pL5QKSqY7JtNTajGTcedEc8GBdoJVT646XK9CGxSv4cTppqw3ilaKdedpcwzzeRps7C8W-6FUyuKoti5Q/s1600-h/P9070151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjUM0xnQIT6kynOFod_MPre_fTdIuvPb9RFtqL18RwQr7_dBEcD0nLWGDd84pL5QKSqY7JtNTajGTcedEc8GBdoJVT646XK9CGxSv4cTppqw3ilaKdedpcwzzeRps7C8W-6FUyuKoti5Q/s320/P9070151.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-dRQyRp8xaJ-v6o5VaPb9zOt0yq3Xgl14qbwZHDuBqe9YsvE8SJsKlZsHOJZMQnQquxGJDYdghgatnrjb8rE4m5iFS8ZbnAEobhmjcgNIQf4lgpli-wpSZDUqoR46dzOfjP0t9PEQJT8/s1600-h/P9030054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-dRQyRp8xaJ-v6o5VaPb9zOt0yq3Xgl14qbwZHDuBqe9YsvE8SJsKlZsHOJZMQnQquxGJDYdghgatnrjb8rE4m5iFS8ZbnAEobhmjcgNIQf4lgpli-wpSZDUqoR46dzOfjP0t9PEQJT8/s320/P9030054.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjUbsHpm2cuEUjzRlqKF_OXV1Gc0gm-Ql2UANhyphenhyphenkmkMmnw1-XbSe80EfSYQPayA5DARRg4rzJR5fa_0rDOLb2uS_lqb9AHMRk7TV3l-fJp2Wpg3iSwqlKZcRt4wgxKfIrPKPB6Bgfzc_Y/s1600-h/P9020042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjUbsHpm2cuEUjzRlqKF_OXV1Gc0gm-Ql2UANhyphenhyphenkmkMmnw1-XbSe80EfSYQPayA5DARRg4rzJR5fa_0rDOLb2uS_lqb9AHMRk7TV3l-fJp2Wpg3iSwqlKZcRt4wgxKfIrPKPB6Bgfzc_Y/s320/P9020042.JPG" /></a></div>No Boundaries Bikers, Chris + Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07386612679047576050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568305577567015949.post-27044163279115373792009-08-31T20:12:00.000-07:002009-09-02T17:20:52.865-07:00Leaving Mexico City to Veracruz State/Cordoba Aug 30<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-_rEO6u-FxHGXqNVuneQ-zns6dl_wwVK1jQ979nLapfuIlqyturobe3VFBqLkcd2wd0sYtLpf6KdSDpNeM4ny1yf7zf2T2MYPc4QDgqubx03qOcMplzNNg_LDnTCSjvwkvZBvAof9o9U/s1600-h/P8300013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" lk="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-_rEO6u-FxHGXqNVuneQ-zns6dl_wwVK1jQ979nLapfuIlqyturobe3VFBqLkcd2wd0sYtLpf6KdSDpNeM4ny1yf7zf2T2MYPc4QDgqubx03qOcMplzNNg_LDnTCSjvwkvZBvAof9o9U/s320/P8300013.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-coozRuX2a6Or2uModh6nB_q09EgxLZ7wPR_xqcKyVstwLKEOwZhiPs8ZEDH9vfbxyEQF0FwGao6gFpBftHzCXsOHAiiDoWcuMCtVuJB9Qj2sKHAgQA39t6aTxocrFwfxH6AKRTSRu7A/s1600-h/P8300015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" lk="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-coozRuX2a6Or2uModh6nB_q09EgxLZ7wPR_xqcKyVstwLKEOwZhiPs8ZEDH9vfbxyEQF0FwGao6gFpBftHzCXsOHAiiDoWcuMCtVuJB9Qj2sKHAgQA39t6aTxocrFwfxH6AKRTSRu7A/s320/P8300015.JPG" /></a></div>Melissa Wrote: The Mexicans have a saying “dejaste huella en mi vida” which literally means “You left a mark on my life” but in essence sums up the effect that some people and some experiences have on our lives. This trip has given me a heightened awareness of the reasons why you meet some people, and the effects that their simple kindness and openness can have on you…if you let them. It also has shown both of us the richness that we have in friends made over the years, and how fortunate we all are to be able to pick up those friendships after a long time apart and feel immediate closeness. <br />
We left Mexico City yesterday, nervous about driving out of the city, especially since the GPS was on the fritz and we would have to rely on a map. All good; we got onto the highway and started to cruise. All of a sudden traffic came to a complete stop. Cars ahead were pulled over, hoods up, engines overheated… a mess. I asked a car next to us what the problem was, and he told me that the rains of the past few days had caused a lot of flooding of the highway and the adjacent towns.<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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0F-6uzVgG3SRHFdmtkjJlzAc_N_2y-njaC0iYMdCCjB-EPJ7MSS__nrVSVbnoYjDRkCzHwh845ZMnJQ4f776UgF5RFGvHmEz8g6I0Bd_R4-1Srvw92QbHFf0sPx8gf2_LKsjamQvbq3Y/s1600-h/P8300023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" lk="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0F-6uzVgG3SRHFdmtkjJlzAc_N_2y-njaC0iYMdCCjB-EPJ7MSS__nrVSVbnoYjDRkCzHwh845ZMnJQ4f776UgF5RFGvHmEz8g6I0Bd_R4-1Srvw92QbHFf0sPx8gf2_LKsjamQvbq3Y/s320/P8300023.JPG" /></a></div><br />
As we inched along, we saw cars leaving the highway via the “on” ramp, exiting into water that was halfway up to the doors. The highway started to show signs of flooding, the bike started to overheat from the stops and starts, and we were getting low on gas. Finally, we decided to exit, also from the next ‘on’ ramp. Some industrious locals were standing on the highway directing traffic and blocking traffic trying to enter so that all of the stranded cars could get off. Best 20 pesos we ever spent!<br />
When we finally exited the road, we drove through a little town that was very flooded, all of the exited cars following each other. You could not see what was under the water, so when we hit a big gully, the bike almost went over. I could just picture us ending up in that dirty, god-knows-what water! Chris, however, did a great job and got us out of there. We got some gas, cooled the bike off, and went through surface roads until we could get back onto the highway. This had set us back a bit, so instead of traveling all the way east to San Cristobal de las Casas, we decided to head for a town called Cordoba, about a 6-hour ride by now, and spend the night.<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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTkTm8BI-OinyNMX3T_UbkOwov3sf81hJH8oMp-RYydcRJhb06XF3SXHrjqXEG_0QEnnB5NtafWkHHOiil32sCMgALMNNAicA23IwT9BICGcqzKz-orFbSJqhXzFuwKG3ANydcNVvB83U/s1600-h/P8300020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" lk="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTkTm8BI-OinyNMX3T_UbkOwov3sf81hJH8oMp-RYydcRJhb06XF3SXHrjqXEG_0QEnnB5NtafWkHHOiil32sCMgALMNNAicA23IwT9BICGcqzKz-orFbSJqhXzFuwKG3ANydcNVvB83U/s320/P8300020.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXHE1J15jNg78Q7GNn-LrGkNIEzx2pU9h57ObEiiKzINvloO4dYKO46RqEIwHsqbcgkdzw2NsNSjWvEAW5DfDgfulDZIUqCJBvJWPQ_F6O8BNH1PHDQ34lHSkYwX7FmC9SDCq9iT-f9U8/s1600-h/P8300006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" lk="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXHE1J15jNg78Q7GNn-LrGkNIEzx2pU9h57ObEiiKzINvloO4dYKO46RqEIwHsqbcgkdzw2NsNSjWvEAW5DfDgfulDZIUqCJBvJWPQ_F6O8BNH1PHDQ34lHSkYwX7FmC9SDCq9iT-f9U8/s320/P8300006.JPG" /></a></div><br />
What a silver lining!! Cordoba, located in the state of Veracruz, is a colonial town where the contract for Mexico’s independence from Spain was signed in 1821. It has a very Spanish feel, with portales, or restaurants and hotels built around the central square, The Plaza de Armas. There is a large, beautiful cathedral right in the middle of the square. We pulled into Cordoba at about 5pm, and since it was Sunday, the church bells were ringing and all of the locals were dressed up to head to Mass. We found a great little hotel, Hotel Bello, dropped off our bags and set out to have a coffee in the square. There was a brass band setting up in front of the City Hall, and lots of well-dressed elderly residents, men in white guayaberas and pants (along with the requisite white shoes) were standing with their well-dressed wives, milling about waiting for the music to start. As soon as Mass let out the party began! The band started playing old classics and the couples started to dance “El Bailon” which is the local dance of Veracruz. It looks like a slower, more formal style of Salsa. We hurried over to watch it. I began to take photos and video, and must have been smiling and clapping and obviously enjoying it, because an elderly man got up from his chair and asked if he could teach me to dance. He looked expectantly at Chris as if to ask permission. So here I was, in my flip flops and shorts, fresh off the motorcycle, doing this local, formal dance with an 82-year old gentleman named Benito. I felt like I had stepped into the Buena Vista Social Club. It was one of those magical moments that only travel and an open heart can bring. When we finished 2 dances, it was time to go. He bowed and shook my hand, and I told him in Spanish “Benito, dejaste huella en mi vida.” The smile on his wizened, sweet face told me he understood!<br />
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The night didn’t end there. We had some dinner, and when walking back to the hotel, met 4 guys on motorcycles, 2 GS 1200s, 1 GS800 and a KTM 950 Adventurer. They were from Guanajuato, and had just arrived from San Cristobal de las Casas, en route to home. We began chatting with them and they were friendly, wonderful people, and we had a very enjoyable night with them, having a drink on the square and talking politics, adventure and….of course…motorcycles!<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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRGdF5z6JjHnHIvJOUmNfsrNmpBm5R9Uo5O-HIumLHqwoAMI7VkKyUeUeSfE3BJckrdtS9k2NF334ZhsKoDdUZ4hsvW7gMH4XY53mH402FQDsGaS-krBR7mtZ7ovGMSiSrVZ07mWDjcPI/s1600-h/P8300027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" lk="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRGdF5z6JjHnHIvJOUmNfsrNmpBm5R9Uo5O-HIumLHqwoAMI7VkKyUeUeSfE3BJckrdtS9k2NF334ZhsKoDdUZ4hsvW7gMH4XY53mH402FQDsGaS-krBR7mtZ7ovGMSiSrVZ07mWDjcPI/s320/P8300027.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf8UF-H7ReEHncWdurN-mV_ihYu6pCnksIZ9bdaib27CtFamnDT_CViZWSkJDcAofvvWjpL2sb1RmfkErDZKF2iH5zQ4WChB5K3PjmwQkVNtSmaEteTce4UaF_Bw6O3cyzk1zVVCBamGs/s1600-h/P8310035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" lk="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf8UF-H7ReEHncWdurN-mV_ihYu6pCnksIZ9bdaib27CtFamnDT_CViZWSkJDcAofvvWjpL2sb1RmfkErDZKF2iH5zQ4WChB5K3PjmwQkVNtSmaEteTce4UaF_Bw6O3cyzk1zVVCBamGs/s320/P8310035.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiuioxQ0AVemQR1L2efXVx8sVhQQevFOczN-VcCFtjEbcQ0gQxN_d8q-nX1GMX_iLqu7M8kKbZAcl2LBwbJtg_ve6xDZbaiq5nySeizSgYwwpnWgV8JngZqGDELsWNND2pve2afr_6DuY/s1600-h/P8300031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" lk="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiuioxQ0AVemQR1L2efXVx8sVhQQevFOczN-VcCFtjEbcQ0gQxN_d8q-nX1GMX_iLqu7M8kKbZAcl2LBwbJtg_ve6xDZbaiq5nySeizSgYwwpnWgV8JngZqGDELsWNND2pve2afr_6DuY/s320/P8300031.JPG" /></a></div><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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVbmgdqPLm_mdoUw2H0AKBH3X7_SKVKIiJ3eHv_gTRS8IfMEEKge_hTaQIQHZ-59KcIh3Y2z_y8r6t0xlPJsV2PPAhu6dwizM5j5hMq0B4WySTVidLiAJYS-HudfwJ7OCVMSTWE0N23A/s1600-h/P8300034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" lk="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVbmgdqPLm_mdoUw2H0AKBH3X7_SKVKIiJ3eHv_gTRS8IfMEEKge_hTaQIQHZ-59KcIh3Y2z_y8r6t0xlPJsV2PPAhu6dwizM5j5hMq0B4WySTVidLiAJYS-HudfwJ7OCVMSTWE0N23A/s320/P8300034.JPG" /></a></div>No Boundaries Bikers, Chris + Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07386612679047576050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568305577567015949.post-71238205789264444562009-08-29T18:30:00.000-07:002009-08-29T18:54:01.571-07:00Oaxaca to Mexico City- August 29th<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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4nODp6APCUSeLDqMNmMxv9QTmuyMefx3mOEq3Kzso_w4FqHrpTHO9brKhIq9XGZQfLniGWJ8hc0-s5ah_fVTlit9AfdBEVcTXa15WpURm4PtjtzJeIBQUSjWEnN6FPf890NbYMqP_SQ/s1600-h/P8250087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" lk="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4nODp6APCUSeLDqMNmMxv9QTmuyMefx3mOEq3Kzso_w4FqHrpTHO9brKhIq9XGZQfLniGWJ8hc0-s5ah_fVTlit9AfdBEVcTXa15WpURm4PtjtzJeIBQUSjWEnN6FPf890NbYMqP_SQ/s320/P8250087.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBcEtuuDijd1XbaOohmrTXFI-iRiqd0IIeIhViDJ2aRJTqH0AStzB9KL-NN8upfO7LUwG_0hBcbxuVjr2l5GFtnkBaAkz_gsJu5FztM6LQL8J9wjICArojuUrpcUovrp4K1Ny9SWFaqlw/s1600-h/P8240078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" lk="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBcEtuuDijd1XbaOohmrTXFI-iRiqd0IIeIhViDJ2aRJTqH0AStzB9KL-NN8upfO7LUwG_0hBcbxuVjr2l5GFtnkBaAkz_gsJu5FztM6LQL8J9wjICArojuUrpcUovrp4K1Ny9SWFaqlw/s320/P8240078.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5caEoeHDe5gfGGBx-5UELwWfjSX0zwwrOHvxkLZ7tr23hPNiej-vinp89FmBixJkNTAIInU5ZP_CudGiC4322AFVBCmZcVWgsZUlNsfPUXVDT4AqSho-euHMAbAcZ3HGtHNSyolOfUew/s1600-h/P8230012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" lk="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5caEoeHDe5gfGGBx-5UELwWfjSX0zwwrOHvxkLZ7tr23hPNiej-vinp89FmBixJkNTAIInU5ZP_CudGiC4322AFVBCmZcVWgsZUlNsfPUXVDT4AqSho-euHMAbAcZ3HGtHNSyolOfUew/s320/P8230012.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We enjoyed the relaxing, laid back atmosphere of Puerto Escondido so much, and left with heavy hearts. The road to Oaxaca was very windy, with topes, or speed bumps, every few feet...all the way. We opted to take the old road, which had lots of twists and turns. I had somewhat of a hard time on the 6 plus hour ride, as being on the back of the bike for those constant turns, following trucks and inhaling diesel fumes made me pretty carsick. Coming into Oaxaca made it all worthwhile. A beautiful, almost mystical colonial city which has the feel of old Mexico, dominated by the culture and art of the indigenous people, with more than 30 language dialects contained therein. We found a hotel that was $30 per night, looked great but the price should have been a warning. The walls were paper thin, the pillows rock hard, with a small window which looked out into a big tunnel. The family across the hall had the TV blaring until 3am and we had a kamikaze mosquito who had stealth training buzzing around our heads all night. We just could not find that thing to put it out of our misery.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk55SkC6AVoJ1StfHOQdzhFLJvr4fwjACSY4ToXDp9deMJrJCC4ojXCN1sfEHMvwRWZL1Acnose6QlpecMMOr9-nJ7926QKzL7GT7WcCtnoH_4QctEknyubQqr64rp7Ptls-uvwFVRYME/s1600-h/P8230034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" lk="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk55SkC6AVoJ1StfHOQdzhFLJvr4fwjACSY4ToXDp9deMJrJCC4ojXCN1sfEHMvwRWZL1Acnose6QlpecMMOr9-nJ7926QKzL7GT7WcCtnoH_4QctEknyubQqr64rp7Ptls-uvwFVRYME/s320/P8230034.JPG" /></a>The next day we went in search of another hotel and came upon La Casa de Mis Recuerdos, run by a lovely lady named Nora, who also teaches Oaxacan cooking there. Our 3 night stay there was a dream. We toured the ruins of Monte Alban and Mitla, visited a place called Hiervas al Agua, which looks like a petrified waterfall but is actually calcified water running over limestone, went to see the Thule Tree which is the largest tree in the world, went to a Mezcal tasting, and met a weaver who makes handmade rugs, still using a spinning wheel, a loom, and who uses only dyes made from natural materials like pomegranite, herbs, indigo and a small bug called cochinilla which grows on a cactus plant. We went to his home where he does his work and it was fascinating.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We were debating what to do next...Chris had broken his big Canon camera, the bike needed a service, and we needed to go to a big city for that. The only choice was to double back 4 hours to Mexico City, which made me very happy, as since I had lived there for 2 years working for Amex, I have some great friends and former colleagues that I wanted to see. Chris tried to do an oil change himself in Oaxaca...we found a Honda dealer that agreed to let him use the facility and to dispose of the oil. We took the bike into the market and found a place to buy some oil that was almost right. When Chris went to do the actual change, they only had a small funnel...and a bucket. He was under the bike, and went to drain the oil and the nut from the oil thingy fell into the funnel and blocked the hole, so oil came spewing out all over him. Juan Carlos and the guys at the dealer had a hell of a laugh at this crazy gringo covered in oil. He is still finding it under his watch, behind his glasses...everywhere.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We opted to head to Mexico City, and the ride was not too bad...getting into the city was a little crazy. One of the bikers that we had met in Acapulco, Luis, owns a hotel in Mexico City and invited us to stay there. What a great place! Located in Polanco, near Avenida Mazarik, it is called Casa Vieja and it is truly like a colonial home. We would highly recommend this place, just love it. We have gotten together with some great friends from my Amex days in Mexico City...try Ivoire Restaurant in Polanco, great place. Visited the Zocalo, got the bike serviced at Bavaria BMW near Polanco, Chris got his camera fixed, and I got my rain jacket shipped from Motorcycle Superstore via home. Mexico City is a cosmopolitan, bustling city, full of life with great restaurants and a sophisticated vibe. Tomorrow---on to San Cristobal de las Casas in Chiapas!</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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxP8WpJXq6o2hMeLB54xDZDmgNa6EZhWeCrvl-d9PxyhGC1hYvahD2Cqg1NvXoTm1ppTNgj_Xb9StvaDkLDSNNHMV8A3qPENdepsc3Io_c_zcYx1BT9WvCwZsNQpRLOE6YWozMOehRqU/s1600-h/P8280105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" lk="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxP8WpJXq6o2hMeLB54xDZDmgNa6EZhWeCrvl-d9PxyhGC1hYvahD2Cqg1NvXoTm1ppTNgj_Xb9StvaDkLDSNNHMV8A3qPENdepsc3Io_c_zcYx1BT9WvCwZsNQpRLOE6YWozMOehRqU/s320/P8280105.JPG" /></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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghOK1GDRuoVShcoalPza4EJ6k-YjrOBLGZrVFz_KFFZl_tNU4KAgBiFz46w6ri4W169-ql4uJoG3spYkVwRt-Ww_Q08_aa5BK3dIJwmbbmU8Ny_GRg87pkBPSyj1BSBPefdQ1VhJn3YJY/s1600-h/P8230018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" lk="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghOK1GDRuoVShcoalPza4EJ6k-YjrOBLGZrVFz_KFFZl_tNU4KAgBiFz46w6ri4W169-ql4uJoG3spYkVwRt-Ww_Q08_aa5BK3dIJwmbbmU8Ny_GRg87pkBPSyj1BSBPefdQ1VhJn3YJY/s320/P8230018.JPG" /></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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_8sEhZXFn-Cldkk0EEKeI_GxzJcWEb22VzrgJcD5LlYDoJdvE9W0BaylcugXhGH2tKIY884zCf8wUaSfQ5n9fB_jjcijZuE5V-o8T0ZmWvfKaVLuvbBL4cm6fr35AEmAXQTRe956lnzk/s1600-h/P8270098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" lk="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_8sEhZXFn-Cldkk0EEKeI_GxzJcWEb22VzrgJcD5LlYDoJdvE9W0BaylcugXhGH2tKIY884zCf8wUaSfQ5n9fB_jjcijZuE5V-o8T0ZmWvfKaVLuvbBL4cm6fr35AEmAXQTRe956lnzk/s320/P8270098.JPG" /></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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF7d9tGiLirABJpJdFadn-OgMtdQZwmTyMntMP4wQRaTy2wFwhmqC-Kes5xOxMtfMBdujWhjib3Dc3Q8v7KHSqNL7T6E_WQEYDrONTzvZHIPsi0P5AvCIWY5_UqjcZOpz4g8UxCLlg2dU/s1600-h/P8230001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" lk="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF7d9tGiLirABJpJdFadn-OgMtdQZwmTyMntMP4wQRaTy2wFwhmqC-Kes5xOxMtfMBdujWhjib3Dc3Q8v7KHSqNL7T6E_WQEYDrONTzvZHIPsi0P5AvCIWY5_UqjcZOpz4g8UxCLlg2dU/s320/P8230001.JPG" /></a></div><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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9f5IgCC6VlkQBk3W577TARSkvPTfbRmsUZR3upW-hLR97z_rg78oeAucvWs1I97PqZRdQyrDtPXH9sEX5p_Nd4Dk_o3JBvprWWO26Aty9Fl8O27K-moZ7ZoIf-wnE5Rt4IRhcC-BS6ZQ/s1600-h/P8250086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" lk="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9f5IgCC6VlkQBk3W577TARSkvPTfbRmsUZR3upW-hLR97z_rg78oeAucvWs1I97PqZRdQyrDtPXH9sEX5p_Nd4Dk_o3JBvprWWO26Aty9Fl8O27K-moZ7ZoIf-wnE5Rt4IRhcC-BS6ZQ/s320/P8250086.JPG" /></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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6pSwSBY_WfjSRXTx2S7eEaaU-h-H5QS1ReegEKy5f1mIDtcSfafACViqKchqrvl3KKBT9kBA72a5kKdVt1KPw2O4vuAlja_2lPC6ojWhhMNwRSioAfRIwTaDMCKV8T92Eyj1D3A67aVM/s1600-h/P8230042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" lk="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6pSwSBY_WfjSRXTx2S7eEaaU-h-H5QS1ReegEKy5f1mIDtcSfafACViqKchqrvl3KKBT9kBA72a5kKdVt1KPw2O4vuAlja_2lPC6ojWhhMNwRSioAfRIwTaDMCKV8T92Eyj1D3A67aVM/s320/P8230042.JPG" /></a></div>No Boundaries Bikers, Chris + Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07386612679047576050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568305577567015949.post-19057089571548405322009-08-18T10:41:00.000-07:002009-08-22T15:50:17.389-07:00Acapulco to Puerto Escondido<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixAAokV8NYBKDq7_FhE3TknLtL9pgdWFpt1KeqR5aZdjJN9wDitWmQjeuJ3O4J1EGCAdCC8fN3ByFxY7xNv1zVvx2I23Cw7pdrWuS7yRpxG4YmtuJrio1PEKwQdePj1swI25H26S9buQs/s1600-h/P8170158.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371366900032929570" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixAAokV8NYBKDq7_FhE3TknLtL9pgdWFpt1KeqR5aZdjJN9wDitWmQjeuJ3O4J1EGCAdCC8fN3ByFxY7xNv1zVvx2I23Cw7pdrWuS7yRpxG4YmtuJrio1PEKwQdePj1swI25H26S9buQs/s320/P8170158.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSqxlC11Nt8znbqVD4-5lctK4Al63x-4ISYxKBkYsldiB_SqczywIjqCDBMlcqYiUAOchjV2SfTURFrS0SsCLn4dwOqOckkLEYbuNWhHbItR-ILPSLysFd4OYBcnDdXHg0BUMobjXnzwA/s1600-h/P8170142.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371366896878820226" style="WIDTH: 320px; 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CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSttf4AZDOET9VxHYbTl7TgnDQlBafOfn6sesyhew2eTSA1l5ediboRKccTO8tmcZA33XJVyhHS8Vx8QZs7zzWXcl0JXjQFjIz2rxB7ifP1h01lORKUooNkTWLt98Ux4a7T02B_acFpQs/s320/P8140063.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLyHSdbdXa8B54amEuL5PdVLaqsGTFQ3SXksAkDlHWyTqDMbtz_BF-jOAZTUpRWEvFakXp86RUI27kfgXTqsveINkfNXL8_dFutDwmrL-AG_g7564Z2IO8B_bGs7n8_mGw2fxMV5KlGc/s1600-h/P8120050.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371363185116821954" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLyHSdbdXa8B54amEuL5PdVLaqsGTFQ3SXksAkDlHWyTqDMbtz_BF-jOAZTUpRWEvFakXp86RUI27kfgXTqsveINkfNXL8_dFutDwmrL-AG_g7564Z2IO8B_bGs7n8_mGw2fxMV5KlGc/s320/P8120050.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjdafebS-yDW_NqS9afvfD77UsVZRQfmbmaCt4YFcnruLzq-nHsTggDVdGpPqEQ41MGRxsrC3Ov3mxWx03YCJyQ_Ten7odKIsIX7bt0JvATehJ7X3R_IhOJWAfYoLX6rDDIvLfebCkI_4/s1600-h/P8120030.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371363179112176562" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjdafebS-yDW_NqS9afvfD77UsVZRQfmbmaCt4YFcnruLzq-nHsTggDVdGpPqEQ41MGRxsrC3Ov3mxWx03YCJyQ_Ten7odKIsIX7bt0JvATehJ7X3R_IhOJWAfYoLX6rDDIvLfebCkI_4/s320/P8120030.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaerIVC98zHnrICBlw0gZyk9KM3zHpRUyVc6L-CxRZpRWjeIKH6hCsJQtgHAu6o3rF7JmPRvDLlPA-alIXhDABw_lKTmfF9-1u6Ssg6Rqnl2rtNV44_wOz8NOpZ9ZQb7Kuxfk6nkmm6-A/s1600-h/P8110016.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371363173875700098" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaerIVC98zHnrICBlw0gZyk9KM3zHpRUyVc6L-CxRZpRWjeIKH6hCsJQtgHAu6o3rF7JmPRvDLlPA-alIXhDABw_lKTmfF9-1u6Ssg6Rqnl2rtNV44_wOz8NOpZ9ZQb7Kuxfk6nkmm6-A/s320/P8110016.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Arriving in Acapulco from Ft Lauderdale on Continental, we were greeted on the tarmac by an official who ushered us all into a waiting area. We then formed a line and had our temperature taken. After this, an official handed us forms to fill out along with a brochure detailing the effects of swine flu. We went inside, reported on our temperature, and handed the form to a doctor who asked us a few questions. I questioned the process, and was told that this was to prevent swine flu sufferers from entering Mexico. I did, however, explain that being greeted by some mariachis with frozen pina coladas might be more conducive to tourism! You don't feel any of this when traveling inside Mexico...the U.S. press really has made more of this thing than is reality.<br /><br />My trip home was great. It was so nice to see friends, re-connect, hit the gym and to generally enjoy the benefits of an air-conditioned house where I didn’t have to re-pack every day. Christian, the CEO of Chris’ company came to Acapulco with me to meet with Chris and do a quick business update. It was great to be with him and to enjoy this transition back into our adventure. We went to a fantastic restaurant in Acapulco called Zibu, and had drinks at an equally great place called Becco al Mare. The guys went fishing and caught some yellowfin tuna….the chef at the Elcano Hotel, where we stayed, prepared it for us and we enjoyed a great dinner overlooking Acapulco Bay. Chris spent much of his spare time in Acapulco fixing the fridge, which he broke when he did a 50+mile offroad adventure while I was gone. The poor fridge rattled itself to death! He bought a soldering iron at Home Depot in Acapulco, got some spare parts from a computer store and it was as good as new. We met some bikers who had come to Acapulco from Mexico City, Luis and the guys, super nice guys who gave us some good information and tips. We also went to see the Cliff Divers which happens at the Hotel Mirador, a long way from the center of town. This prompted Chris to come up with one of the many "Yogi Berra-isms" he had had on this trip. We were riding in taxi and the ride went on, and on and on...he looked at me and said "In Latin America, to go somewhere you have to go everywhere."<br /><br />We did a VERY long ride to Puerto Escondido, 7 hours in high heat and humidity. Towards the end of the ride the skies got ominous and we had to pull out our raingear. Arriving in Puerto Escondido, we pulled out the Lonely Planet and found a great little hotel above a surf shop called Las Olas. Turns out the Quicksilver Surfing Championships are happening right now, so the town is filled with pro surfers and a really good vibe. This prompted another comment from Chris, "I think that Muslims should take up surfing." Yikes....This is a great little town, where we were supposed to spend one night and move on to Oaxaca..tonight will be our third night here. That's the 'problem' with Mexico...this hospitality is so good, the people so nice, you can't make yourself move on!</div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>No Boundaries Bikers, Chris + Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07386612679047576050noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568305577567015949.post-35592325099312278522009-08-18T06:44:00.000-07:002009-08-18T08:42:13.094-07:00El Fuerte to Acapulco Solo<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdlkaERDdcryp6cpOOTrRP6cqFi4Ze0ASpOIvY27Z88RAO-b1XnTmArXHbtPENQQUin-CG_dCVoZ7Kn4SofWr4ZEkk36Oij0OTZXtJb5p6SeSJivbA7zbT-EyB0NsHPV8LOULi6egtBQA/s1600-h/A.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371301635941795298" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdlkaERDdcryp6cpOOTrRP6cqFi4Ze0ASpOIvY27Z88RAO-b1XnTmArXHbtPENQQUin-CG_dCVoZ7Kn4SofWr4ZEkk36Oij0OTZXtJb5p6SeSJivbA7zbT-EyB0NsHPV8LOULi6egtBQA/s320/A.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Chris wrote: When we first planned this trip Melissa was going to take a break every 4 weeks for a week to go home and then fly back and rejoin me; however she had a lot more fun than she expected--and I didn't want her to leave, so she stayed for over two and a half months and then took a 10 day break to check on our stuff back home. This allowed me to spend some time going off-road in the heart of Mexico. She's back! and we are having a blast again. This posting is about the second half of my solo trip.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-fLjsTGtWSwoUSXOcUFskr_ExRkbyNQPk9-dHZvIsmXwoFHmZDQPtg1Eknh1YvWPPSxqZJ8pkVzfo4SoHkCydadNqmnTDlH_EEbU11xye_9aZ-h6xaW8oC4sS-6Ev9Y8S81xvkymczak/s1600-h/B.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371301634789374498" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-fLjsTGtWSwoUSXOcUFskr_ExRkbyNQPk9-dHZvIsmXwoFHmZDQPtg1Eknh1YvWPPSxqZJ8pkVzfo4SoHkCydadNqmnTDlH_EEbU11xye_9aZ-h6xaW8oC4sS-6Ev9Y8S81xvkymczak/s320/B.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I left El Fuerte and headed south and ended up in a small town called Copala, on the road to Durango from the coast.This town was first established as a mining town in the 1600's and is now a quaint little town in the mountains, with cobblestone streets, whitewashed walls and red barrel-tile roofs, occupied by Mexicans and a combination of Americans and Canadians. They live there because Copala is 3000 meters above sea level and in the tropics surrounded by jungle, the perfect climate.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZPe6BtwKEon3BdsXBSLe03xOOzb1udXmtwQxpVzqLjVvowx18dkbjllmcrIeqrubWD7rRrDiGZmnaOASQf0caZ4uG9McPbXBpB7FI9uGlQAdHPOJDS72vCja7R-yxDWzNwloKHbadNY/s1600-h/C.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371301630514894722" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZPe6BtwKEon3BdsXBSLe03xOOzb1udXmtwQxpVzqLjVvowx18dkbjllmcrIeqrubWD7rRrDiGZmnaOASQf0caZ4uG9McPbXBpB7FI9uGlQAdHPOJDS72vCja7R-yxDWzNwloKHbadNY/s320/C.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQkcCoN0TiCy4vApfrsjxHRo6ehsyZbo2wmu5LXfQLnWYsHVY6hbqDkYOnfPubLBKKnRvkuX8Az0h7U7DFbMw3Exjtw5F_tvkembmo6PNEhmAoQmdqgMLDI4hCXkjZh8s484IMutd8VRU/s1600-h/D.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371301413383323810" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQkcCoN0TiCy4vApfrsjxHRo6ehsyZbo2wmu5LXfQLnWYsHVY6hbqDkYOnfPubLBKKnRvkuX8Az0h7U7DFbMw3Exjtw5F_tvkembmo6PNEhmAoQmdqgMLDI4hCXkjZh8s484IMutd8VRU/s320/D.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Copala's Mission. Every town has a Mission, my mission is to photograph them.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPE8iyBnYqG5SSjiWDnXFkOx-v9ngGXtJoBUEVl9U5-aNrVcSozOcEJ4y_qQumnesmRL2TSxzBnOTo2PZPN2srw7s0EamajVtgeY2E-iNsAeN1IVwNcgipGu0JECOBY2hGZ3rYtEIeGw/s1600-h/E.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371301409642165458" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPE8iyBnYqG5SSjiWDnXFkOx-v9ngGXtJoBUEVl9U5-aNrVcSozOcEJ4y_qQumnesmRL2TSxzBnOTo2PZPN2srw7s0EamajVtgeY2E-iNsAeN1IVwNcgipGu0JECOBY2hGZ3rYtEIeGw/s320/E.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I really could have stayed a lot longer.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxYpchhJ2O4U8m4VoEfGUcwY4dNKs5CbEJFEp0_-_KnlBf-2dzDFvUlB6HM4xPRPR7z6adspfjkievKBDzNd71bQrnxgmBlwHUxvjIQ_QsSIArlh56dBPC7edlh4XMrQ_0gKz3x0I_GxE/s1600-h/F.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371301406699007842" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxYpchhJ2O4U8m4VoEfGUcwY4dNKs5CbEJFEp0_-_KnlBf-2dzDFvUlB6HM4xPRPR7z6adspfjkievKBDzNd71bQrnxgmBlwHUxvjIQ_QsSIArlh56dBPC7edlh4XMrQ_0gKz3x0I_GxE/s320/F.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I then decided to do a bit of a offbeat route and headed to Durango, I didn't know that Mexico was so vast and green, with a beautiful mountain range; many times I thought I was in the Drakensberg Mountains back in South Africa.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_84X_Wk4yqd-lqfX0jgHH6gA5lZgMcxwYRuOBvdNoKAKyhORYrCURKtzjCgQGixWQwOAs5w3chOepEViTqJTWXiZGVzipy75U6cr4Q4D9yzI6da7gXTNGA1D-ALWWHoLGSuhaFQ_HpOo/s1600-h/G.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371301396319956274" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_84X_Wk4yqd-lqfX0jgHH6gA5lZgMcxwYRuOBvdNoKAKyhORYrCURKtzjCgQGixWQwOAs5w3chOepEViTqJTWXiZGVzipy75U6cr4Q4D9yzI6da7gXTNGA1D-ALWWHoLGSuhaFQ_HpOo/s320/G.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />This is a back country Starbucks, terrible coffee.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8hnB6NLI-pB9TzzxADxxYaj-ItBZaH0kFrNySghx6gnKBqq5R1INDLvXHd3b-7x8zfolgaHqI0-acF6hw-LZVWU6zxxuJzmXaiIu3Z7unp3elWg8FtEf79Bqm6z5Y1zJBd1An9ewEA4/s1600-h/H.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371301391401245458" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8hnB6NLI-pB9TzzxADxxYaj-ItBZaH0kFrNySghx6gnKBqq5R1INDLvXHd3b-7x8zfolgaHqI0-acF6hw-LZVWU6zxxuJzmXaiIu3Z7unp3elWg8FtEf79Bqm6z5Y1zJBd1An9ewEA4/s320/H.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />2500 meters up<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicvReCr-Q99i4F6xdWSdiAsHsp_1ApoLbQAjdCQXg9lb9WT4Mz48ELMoxtMJ9FuJzCs93Q4UsJH89qRN2BoqHgBkG8_AeWdq7rNcrVdqbbW79SXaAAxA-GNTSnWdgMauqiwRAGVB4pqTU/s1600-h/I.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371301106479870866" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicvReCr-Q99i4F6xdWSdiAsHsp_1ApoLbQAjdCQXg9lb9WT4Mz48ELMoxtMJ9FuJzCs93Q4UsJH89qRN2BoqHgBkG8_AeWdq7rNcrVdqbbW79SXaAAxA-GNTSnWdgMauqiwRAGVB4pqTU/s320/I.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />This is the local form of transport in the mountains.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj11CUtEvKK3WA7Q0F-RID6VxoA2QMJ_EjfOR0UpfUsVC2GxTkxBPEDOyZaOoQfNWj_hJENuK0oeHsXHsohhB-LP0zB2fJi3qND-2U7ikD_9UhwnTjAI2t7gQ2zaTuFpOmPPpb1-iiZgSw/s1600-h/J.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371301095118492498" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj11CUtEvKK3WA7Q0F-RID6VxoA2QMJ_EjfOR0UpfUsVC2GxTkxBPEDOyZaOoQfNWj_hJENuK0oeHsXHsohhB-LP0zB2fJi3qND-2U7ikD_9UhwnTjAI2t7gQ2zaTuFpOmPPpb1-iiZgSw/s320/J.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Windy roads, but in very good condition.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRea2oSMzdzZy0zPpg4_AHhgwOHDnpagXGM6beWBUpfn1tjA9ObGA1tHq9K2Hhza87uUiNpxvl_pcJ5y0-W0yUesI4mWrfx3kkq9gT5NigikXbU_DAMs047nix1anD8NHrCL7_MKmi-g/s1600-h/K.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371301091729416402" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRea2oSMzdzZy0zPpg4_AHhgwOHDnpagXGM6beWBUpfn1tjA9ObGA1tHq9K2Hhza87uUiNpxvl_pcJ5y0-W0yUesI4mWrfx3kkq9gT5NigikXbU_DAMs047nix1anD8NHrCL7_MKmi-g/s320/K.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I had to take this pic, I don't know how many there are but the brolly is a nice touch for the 100- degree weather. I was surprised Granny wasn't in a rocking chair.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOOvdwdkneMPEJVKVTSIsmLjLfva5CCkCsp6O7USSCEemebjDefW7ucpQt38hk73kTqxDKnAoSR6yCUHM0pY4jjnwWX-3EeHea3xokTIyNv9kXSm4lOc44gtBe19T03rrJIne7fqcyruE/s1600-h/L.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371301088233832178" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOOvdwdkneMPEJVKVTSIsmLjLfva5CCkCsp6O7USSCEemebjDefW7ucpQt38hk73kTqxDKnAoSR6yCUHM0pY4jjnwWX-3EeHea3xokTIyNv9kXSm4lOc44gtBe19T03rrJIne7fqcyruE/s320/L.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Road to ?<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_RVbYib1AvbjF_WE2m55PgYI2Z84Kl6AOuK_Vatq-6o0XU7JEIiLPaJ6QYBin2b80ccgJ_3Dh_jnovopnm81eWSU5F0h3r3kjKPIJspWTrwjPrNOfuXsqSrUtLOtBFawQYO4dEb39Hi0/s1600-h/M.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371301085279767234" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_RVbYib1AvbjF_WE2m55PgYI2Z84Kl6AOuK_Vatq-6o0XU7JEIiLPaJ6QYBin2b80ccgJ_3Dh_jnovopnm81eWSU5F0h3r3kjKPIJspWTrwjPrNOfuXsqSrUtLOtBFawQYO4dEb39Hi0/s320/M.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Every place that I stayed allowed me to bring my bike inside and to park it right ouside my bedroom door. This place was in a town called Mezquital at the end of the tarmac road. The rate for my room, $4. I had to buy a towel which cost me $5.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMUjS7S4fXE7yZYNg1SLq6U9B2PMHGM2J7cEuz1sKVzViA0WSuxgOPqIKXEhsotyZU4R24dlYz_U9_dEfh9BAKmIHnmximz9MrhIyEE3XVhwaIMa2NgWC-lgc1viko-l3vk9c20qCpJD0/s1600-h/N.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371300773490205810" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMUjS7S4fXE7yZYNg1SLq6U9B2PMHGM2J7cEuz1sKVzViA0WSuxgOPqIKXEhsotyZU4R24dlYz_U9_dEfh9BAKmIHnmximz9MrhIyEE3XVhwaIMa2NgWC-lgc1viko-l3vk9c20qCpJD0/s320/N.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The next day I headed south on a dirt road in to the heart of Mexico and most of the people I met had never seen a Gringo or a bike like mine. This little kid was fascinated especially when I gave him my camera to take the next pic.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Z3qbwZqr-_5wo79yUsB_8nJvm_-APM-UI2zPQfb3hAI0hLKpkGfM71zJ56oFhYgFbTcQj1NKWVJQ8pvJh5zY0NLTmWK7zGhHSJHcKfVhZtaoyrenQrWk_QBQJvXt-0T5ny3RnWV10tM/s1600-h/O.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371300771107326370" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Z3qbwZqr-_5wo79yUsB_8nJvm_-APM-UI2zPQfb3hAI0hLKpkGfM71zJ56oFhYgFbTcQj1NKWVJQ8pvJh5zY0NLTmWK7zGhHSJHcKfVhZtaoyrenQrWk_QBQJvXt-0T5ny3RnWV10tM/s320/O.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I am smiling here because I had no idea what I was about to get into.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4cI_9e-WPZzhf6rjK1oTfv4rN6AX_rX1NRIrzsK-Q4Me7Q-WMMffRKkcV29hgokSu62dz9f4nhMvVT3zHPTEp9lL6u5-SSqaZemyZtPG4MomjPva_T9zUpD2QF-VvXWtwOUezyszG5I/s1600-h/P.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371300759481271618" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4cI_9e-WPZzhf6rjK1oTfv4rN6AX_rX1NRIrzsK-Q4Me7Q-WMMffRKkcV29hgokSu62dz9f4nhMvVT3zHPTEp9lL6u5-SSqaZemyZtPG4MomjPva_T9zUpD2QF-VvXWtwOUezyszG5I/s320/P.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />In the back you can see a lady with her child, she is sitting in her kitchen next to her dining room, open plan and all, which also happens to be the town resurant and the local "Starbucks."</div><div><br />After I left this town I rode for a while and came across an area of road which was barely passable by car and I see this red SUV parked on a corner and a old man sitting on a rock, in the middle of nowhere, so I pull up to say hi, and he is smoking a bit of the dilly stuff. As I greet him these 3 young kids poke their heads out the window of the car to see this gringo and his bike. Only after I left did I realize what he was doing, the road was so bad that he needed to cool his nerves and slow his driving down, I don't think it would work on 2 wheels.<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVUgXRqSOsLtJB1pKFupOfKmK1YFyB0au9eCQ_GSc8tJA8hNyddr2PbRmZR7paEO0XTvvJQFrSjAj8tfNHyL8TPREs6CiydzHPBp9AIGx5HI6mvv53xycP_nERbergFYJOu75O-FJs-k/s1600-h/Q.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371300756109806258" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVUgXRqSOsLtJB1pKFupOfKmK1YFyB0au9eCQ_GSc8tJA8hNyddr2PbRmZR7paEO0XTvvJQFrSjAj8tfNHyL8TPREs6CiydzHPBp9AIGx5HI6mvv53xycP_nERbergFYJOu75O-FJs-k/s320/Q.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4__1E_DMURYB2ZsLnAgMjTkNo-HrmarP1cjcivyogl41_VDelmleMIjkY2VkhPASLiaqw9Aa1XojXZRdp7STbFr1-lVedoNyg202w0JFRDSKGLPSM4V76XhrPpiTiuM4YKvRVL4PAx9Y/s1600-h/R.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371300750660922450" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4__1E_DMURYB2ZsLnAgMjTkNo-HrmarP1cjcivyogl41_VDelmleMIjkY2VkhPASLiaqw9Aa1XojXZRdp7STbFr1-lVedoNyg202w0JFRDSKGLPSM4V76XhrPpiTiuM4YKvRVL4PAx9Y/s320/R.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />After a 100 miles of terrible dirt road, Thuli Pass for 100 miles, I came to this point where a guy stopped me because they were blasting the road with dynamite. Half an hour later there was a really big bang and I headed up the road to find a big bulldozer making a new road through the rubble, that took another half hour and I went through only to find another crew drilling and placing more explosives in the middle of the road. The only way through was to ride over the already placed charges. This really is a different world.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg2KMx0El_6U7Qvt0uFs2M83ACvznxMPDXjZnc-Rsa9-m0NLSB1rZO37tLVAlJIYRB4EXgaOVy63KMz8l2f8nZYO97Hoa9lHy_UY7N2gDaXBDr-OT_K4jsZvUwzFzwKPjQOtxtvUH9YZ8/s1600-h/S.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371300512951699778" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg2KMx0El_6U7Qvt0uFs2M83ACvznxMPDXjZnc-Rsa9-m0NLSB1rZO37tLVAlJIYRB4EXgaOVy63KMz8l2f8nZYO97Hoa9lHy_UY7N2gDaXBDr-OT_K4jsZvUwzFzwKPjQOtxtvUH9YZ8/s320/S.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The river had washed this road away so the only way across was through to the right: not too deep-- about 2 feet.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZmiVcuUx0VCS3_a9aSkF7Pppg3ORw-ftGdKjebn2i3WiN_SKyIU7UiSg6GB2Sp0fmR3ggv73NOn_5mnTqSpyjgqQrLrGv3HluYtDfa62OLyTydObolFpv9aagVsS5RIMYwIH-cAERKA/s1600-h/T.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371300505015272930" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZmiVcuUx0VCS3_a9aSkF7Pppg3ORw-ftGdKjebn2i3WiN_SKyIU7UiSg6GB2Sp0fmR3ggv73NOn_5mnTqSpyjgqQrLrGv3HluYtDfa62OLyTydObolFpv9aagVsS5RIMYwIH-cAERKA/s320/T.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Riverbank soccer, when you get muddy you kick the ball into the river and chase after it.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9fMCNhneGpjVFHiDPmfDaNmIjSF6Qfl6Tc-2ETQ-tob6AxFbhVtPQ3gzyiwZYieortJjYO9UoHkWNVmHsBWz8yzHLN0LE6QSj5Y-mlLrqA9IoslE1cnexlPNmCYsrRnV43Jn75j0OzaM/s1600-h/U.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371300497257507954" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9fMCNhneGpjVFHiDPmfDaNmIjSF6Qfl6Tc-2ETQ-tob6AxFbhVtPQ3gzyiwZYieortJjYO9UoHkWNVmHsBWz8yzHLN0LE6QSj5Y-mlLrqA9IoslE1cnexlPNmCYsrRnV43Jn75j0OzaM/s320/U.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Now this was about 3 to 4 feet deep and about 300 feet across and brown water so I could not see what was down there, so I put the bike in first gear and aimed at one of the tire tracks and held on for dear life. The BMW R 1200 GS Adventurer really is the 2 wheel King of Adventure touring.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATJIAQIZxTEswgmJNDggJJ98R25EjllkfHiUH5Ibqxr4CytM_W69TpHUbdRDRkuXrLb4rnRbGGiy9uapsOiWe8Lss54_gtopP9F8KTzacvGOL-n4sjNdERuOHFV0R1LWxxR1xJHp4NL8/s1600-h/V.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371300492279756962" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATJIAQIZxTEswgmJNDggJJ98R25EjllkfHiUH5Ibqxr4CytM_W69TpHUbdRDRkuXrLb4rnRbGGiy9uapsOiWe8Lss54_gtopP9F8KTzacvGOL-n4sjNdERuOHFV0R1LWxxR1xJHp4NL8/s320/V.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Locals in their Sunday-morning dress. They wanted to swap a photo for a lift. Guess they figured a big bike could take the whole family, so I played dumb ( I had to try real hard) and gave them some Pesos instead. </div><div>Shortly after this I got caught at sunset on a road being newly constructed in a torrential downpoour. It was like riding down the side of a mountain in a river. All in all, a fantastic 190 miles of off road.<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQERkjE6nVSPVa84G5O6X8Wiufnu_if29KtVNqhvMY-oVZyAeviMyLZcyxo6Vfc4bG6i8oKNUuQsNvWJIaaPABIMSvxwAkign1ErrKGJ77Iun2-hI7qh8ia07Eb6m8tRGh0ZrFGN3Do0/s1600-h/W.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371300487723106738" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQERkjE6nVSPVa84G5O6X8Wiufnu_if29KtVNqhvMY-oVZyAeviMyLZcyxo6Vfc4bG6i8oKNUuQsNvWJIaaPABIMSvxwAkign1ErrKGJ77Iun2-hI7qh8ia07Eb6m8tRGh0ZrFGN3Do0/s320/W.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Back at the coast again. Hot muggy and dreamlike beaches for as far as the eye can see.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLsHDq7TRgOVxDvD5CqntrCWjQYsZCa8SCzHcf5daZDNzixDmAfkhfj0BevpcNZhOHyGcoRnWGQ-QZEOuqRUcVd19q-VLQj06uNbf0f_b1wF6-DxWBsypwbmDlphnTrIxYGDPqjGnKvHU/s1600-h/X.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371300183740301874" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLsHDq7TRgOVxDvD5CqntrCWjQYsZCa8SCzHcf5daZDNzixDmAfkhfj0BevpcNZhOHyGcoRnWGQ-QZEOuqRUcVd19q-VLQj06uNbf0f_b1wF6-DxWBsypwbmDlphnTrIxYGDPqjGnKvHU/s320/X.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />This is where I spent a night, in a little cabana right on the beach with this sunset, fantastic<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWF19s6D6l5B2Z0ajFzaY23-sawL_nfVUaGnpHd4pWJIemSRfPMGIr5HbxRBnrPjRKBBFDDDPdJtAbiK3z11H-4kfM1j2S0PNNpp2QKpqhMXXf4uumOrXPCScvDRZU_PbAFK4JVBpB6Jc/s1600-h/Y.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371300179578458338" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWF19s6D6l5B2Z0ajFzaY23-sawL_nfVUaGnpHd4pWJIemSRfPMGIr5HbxRBnrPjRKBBFDDDPdJtAbiK3z11H-4kfM1j2S0PNNpp2QKpqhMXXf4uumOrXPCScvDRZU_PbAFK4JVBpB6Jc/s320/Y.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Lying in my hammock at sunset.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG4FW9xqoHN_OMbeE7RP63X5TEe6iO3Zo4gcQxg9paPllacYU6NDTKlqW1uUNK_nF8bp8VHG-esGskO05L-Cv3Pv9uGIlgdhAjFLo5WIVrujptdLkUTDgJ7bQEsMt_gARs4Lke82w0xRQ/s1600-h/Z.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371300178117382498" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG4FW9xqoHN_OMbeE7RP63X5TEe6iO3Zo4gcQxg9paPllacYU6NDTKlqW1uUNK_nF8bp8VHG-esGskO05L-Cv3Pv9uGIlgdhAjFLo5WIVrujptdLkUTDgJ7bQEsMt_gARs4Lke82w0xRQ/s320/Z.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Not bad, hey?<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVPw_fNnCUNQPHX_-5JMdwBygg6Ub9YyshNm0qThcEYV2pOLH7z5F05EkRZVUfhH2R2OritSH7XHvmdCKrZm2ZUKqCJSHWN_FB3yiK_OFtWXgbFQJhoXd3vc6rzrLHtNKkHh6Uk-hw63w/s1600-h/ZA.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371300169902728386" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVPw_fNnCUNQPHX_-5JMdwBygg6Ub9YyshNm0qThcEYV2pOLH7z5F05EkRZVUfhH2R2OritSH7XHvmdCKrZm2ZUKqCJSHWN_FB3yiK_OFtWXgbFQJhoXd3vc6rzrLHtNKkHh6Uk-hw63w/s320/ZA.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Acapulco, a big group of riders from Mexico city.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOOtYzWr1DderLJ_516t9L0WN2uSItX6NB4ByydBN2LOXsV4O9UXxILX8RXYRxAtPtlWYLJdZoG5SNUyBCfhsw1zlQKZvtn6j9YWrshJ_AcJpdE0yQPNFy1N3Bs3VVQ37fTbOvvB-dO4w/s1600-h/ZB.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371300162739315154" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOOtYzWr1DderLJ_516t9L0WN2uSItX6NB4ByydBN2LOXsV4O9UXxILX8RXYRxAtPtlWYLJdZoG5SNUyBCfhsw1zlQKZvtn6j9YWrshJ_AcJpdE0yQPNFy1N3Bs3VVQ37fTbOvvB-dO4w/s320/ZB.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Cliff diving, more on this later.</div><div>Missy is back now and so she will be picking up on her responsibilities soon!! Her posting to come.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>No Boundaries Bikers, Chris + Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07386612679047576050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568305577567015949.post-79287135883114893332009-08-04T17:48:00.000-07:002009-08-04T20:10:28.748-07:00Cabo san Lucas to El Fuerte (solo)<div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22-AKxhVvh1-2qKGvUF7KPAjxceSKEvJWQoyOvTosO76i03xEy0Qo_dQJiFQqD4qvaJ1XNwZ5u9VBchWn8GADey5nwoAua7QNkxPwTj9Co30d00A0fu4Hsi23K-I_5mls01DEvH4axnI/s1600-h/A.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366279320989569586" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22-AKxhVvh1-2qKGvUF7KPAjxceSKEvJWQoyOvTosO76i03xEy0Qo_dQJiFQqD4qvaJ1XNwZ5u9VBchWn8GADey5nwoAua7QNkxPwTj9Co30d00A0fu4Hsi23K-I_5mls01DEvH4axnI/s320/A.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Chris wrote:</div><br /><br /><br /><div>After dropping Missy off at the airport, I decided to just head north and get to Todo Santos, but fortunately, I was in no great rush; I came around a corner and there was a truck overtaking another truck up a hill in my lane, so I slammed on brakes and drove off the road into the sand so he wouldn't hit me. My first wake-up call, 20 min into my solo ride. I found a nice little hotel called Casa Bently--nice, except for waking up with a cockroach scratching on my head. Above is a photo of the pool area.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqDVbUGIXXnrxFqrUVfarfC4cwVMoZcqwPQCdB1q60S1Ke82iSPZJpiyasbvyoeKJVvxkawu8-g55IcSZM532-_ls3zHdoxogla9KlXyNDe7g-oa3PJ0xjHqVa4QqEaKQ1rHp6QjVYKYU/s1600-h/B.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366279322650623634" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqDVbUGIXXnrxFqrUVfarfC4cwVMoZcqwPQCdB1q60S1Ke82iSPZJpiyasbvyoeKJVvxkawu8-g55IcSZM532-_ls3zHdoxogla9KlXyNDe7g-oa3PJ0xjHqVa4QqEaKQ1rHp6QjVYKYU/s320/B.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Some street displays in Todos Santos<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoRjurkyoUXP5BjtqLFSHDG8htluiXLVnnlqozO09Yzsbaf51Wb8gcaDyieDuQpNC5BZ4CWGHegQA6qroNEGj_bRh_eag84DlEKlBFk28RttipvPiBhw8y9JpknyxiNAGAfPzQ6d0XeQY/s1600-h/C.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366278996900986018" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 258px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoRjurkyoUXP5BjtqLFSHDG8htluiXLVnnlqozO09Yzsbaf51Wb8gcaDyieDuQpNC5BZ4CWGHegQA6qroNEGj_bRh_eag84DlEKlBFk28RttipvPiBhw8y9JpknyxiNAGAfPzQ6d0XeQY/s320/C.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRRABJyteSfWCC6-TXfF0oJEy387ebUoKawODhvDi5ZTwoj1vhK58zmSTECBMhvf1GqsxUu0NkRz0kZvbHGZgpNd1pR3gERVVOQH-qh9Px-nmL2NP3eryPmCiStreD3flMRFvDqHMY5is/s1600-h/D.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366278994832399362" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRRABJyteSfWCC6-TXfF0oJEy387ebUoKawODhvDi5ZTwoj1vhK58zmSTECBMhvf1GqsxUu0NkRz0kZvbHGZgpNd1pR3gERVVOQH-qh9Px-nmL2NP3eryPmCiStreD3flMRFvDqHMY5is/s320/D.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIRu8h0ISyxkDY47y5WJ8QKLY2Syojmgr8Vwgfvom9MF0YTJkyvMk16P2fYfuTKf7mQTYnK6BOndiNeySjLaAfEWqyRS_NPUnXgUfTt9UobfcqKbnfgZjnJTI2BFapRtXqAO9GLHGnwZY/s1600-h/E.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366278990727601858" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIRu8h0ISyxkDY47y5WJ8QKLY2Syojmgr8Vwgfvom9MF0YTJkyvMk16P2fYfuTKf7mQTYnK6BOndiNeySjLaAfEWqyRS_NPUnXgUfTt9UobfcqKbnfgZjnJTI2BFapRtXqAO9GLHGnwZY/s320/E.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The original Hotel California.</div><br /><br /><br /><div>The following day I went to a small beach and rented a surfboard- discovered that surfing is not like riding a bicycle, so I got a good tan and read half my book.<br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_LH3cfpm2wnDbm1-Bc4qK4oQcfAH5ImDtafwkxIKJhI9AK2drO6dz3Q7mKoXHyNHPbnZd4CD7Ok5gRorBNoZy84t5-eqcLsVPd1dJZNtgS84yy8oDory6iuhzYn7m9tw4FDaI5fDojQ/s1600-h/F.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366278986648190850" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_LH3cfpm2wnDbm1-Bc4qK4oQcfAH5ImDtafwkxIKJhI9AK2drO6dz3Q7mKoXHyNHPbnZd4CD7Ok5gRorBNoZy84t5-eqcLsVPd1dJZNtgS84yy8oDory6iuhzYn7m9tw4FDaI5fDojQ/s320/F.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I then headed to La Paz to to get ready for the Ferry. The ferry leaves from Pichiligue on the other side of La Paz and there are some amazing beaches on the way there. The pic above is from the ferry, on the left are where the nice beaches are.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfu6hrbYrIwhbxr3b_m2iuZRoNuNp5eqsfM2m4JbjD01gBYTB_dVLz3Dc1jbkKn8QlhEepJF58MSXSyTcTQEPqUgdconnTdOjsZ9ejKZtDtrZsYiiTvBwtOahmXZly8VoEox4fMyf1TaA/s1600-h/G.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366278983654288738" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfu6hrbYrIwhbxr3b_m2iuZRoNuNp5eqsfM2m4JbjD01gBYTB_dVLz3Dc1jbkKn8QlhEepJF58MSXSyTcTQEPqUgdconnTdOjsZ9ejKZtDtrZsYiiTvBwtOahmXZly8VoEox4fMyf1TaA/s320/G.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div>As many tiedowns as I could find, she did fine...<br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJ9R8SJ-3pQvF7IdExFgs1_mF-9Sl1-QMlL-nT4SFu0Wmc5Wrm9SJsfTdoZvSJqVhJfzGIBOfXQPwJJCPMyk9k-eLvHtAirDCEtsjd29Inxk2rW1WcEWF-9ygvfYUrjga2qervdII1Ew/s1600-h/H.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366285237336012178" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJ9R8SJ-3pQvF7IdExFgs1_mF-9Sl1-QMlL-nT4SFu0Wmc5Wrm9SJsfTdoZvSJqVhJfzGIBOfXQPwJJCPMyk9k-eLvHtAirDCEtsjd29Inxk2rW1WcEWF-9ygvfYUrjga2qervdII1Ew/s320/H.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I hung out with a realy cool Canadian couple that were backpacking for a couple of weeks, Nick and Mel. I hope the singer wasn't too offended about my Michael Jackson comment.<br /></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2C72U6uyCXFMwYLsztXRxbNGQYuvH4VVm2Iu-zOlvQEA812b4LsyYC3TFbiHW9Y7jA7IvHvNYOkmCmQeoBi1c9r5U2X4KkElu2_TJXYv-NAUM-sQcOWOEdnzUlkA8tuAIEa69MNf_G8/s1600-h/I.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366277630659666530" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2C72U6uyCXFMwYLsztXRxbNGQYuvH4VVm2Iu-zOlvQEA812b4LsyYC3TFbiHW9Y7jA7IvHvNYOkmCmQeoBi1c9r5U2X4KkElu2_TJXYv-NAUM-sQcOWOEdnzUlkA8tuAIEa69MNf_G8/s320/I.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />When I got off the ferry the next morning I decided to get some miles under my belt, so I went north and when I got to Las Mochis I found this Hotel, get this, each unit has its own garage for 2 compact cars and look at the next picture, you can rent a room for 6 hours, so that your significant other can't see you car parked outside a hotel when you are meant to be getting a bikini wax.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-zMZJlGpCI-mpGPF5lVhsF5Kqv6ahnBzUXirW2S6yTq7672nh0JWpvED6yLsFuhKQAy2GW_QF-Fpph6TmlKql17Fv26PZgZVl8Ck_QrMlToxT8Bl0rS-F7-Fr49gjdhXQVGXLjOMrmo/s1600-h/J.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366277619741285858" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 208px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-zMZJlGpCI-mpGPF5lVhsF5Kqv6ahnBzUXirW2S6yTq7672nh0JWpvED6yLsFuhKQAy2GW_QF-Fpph6TmlKql17Fv26PZgZVl8Ck_QrMlToxT8Bl0rS-F7-Fr49gjdhXQVGXLjOMrmo/s320/J.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWI9PnnMmkwRTzaSVvEy_dKRIL9lzbYwgAQaCkKRElz7_oOzYIXGtNKoskWtuWGHcuOlPaBFwGVXG1nnjUD480mmcsgTFd7W2nCdFX-Gb7vEmv7W7y6hSxQAULT91cco3oXxpMX45yoak/s1600-h/K.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366277615315920498" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 160px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWI9PnnMmkwRTzaSVvEy_dKRIL9lzbYwgAQaCkKRElz7_oOzYIXGtNKoskWtuWGHcuOlPaBFwGVXG1nnjUD480mmcsgTFd7W2nCdFX-Gb7vEmv7W7y6hSxQAULT91cco3oXxpMX45yoak/s320/K.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Then it was off to El Fuente not far, but what a wonderful little town very clean and colonial, but I decided to get Copper Canyon under my belt and then I would come back here, so I had a cup of coffee and headed for Choix hoping to get to the Copper Canyon from there. I later found out that it can't be SAFELY done on a bike alone, so I bagged out and went back to El Fuerte and checked into a fantastic little Hacienda that has Hummingbird feeders all over the place, so I went to town with my camera.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjdzQhUCnUf0kJYVCUwU8zux9zL05PORugksFS5HMbVBcK1jrd3MiCvlYCWJsuJWymruGN3WvZOYLWGgxPNCu0C1d5ThyJz2Kiw-1zjFHTvRbI85DnWw4Ef_fVtflRSh_tcb2p-uLd-i4/s1600-h/L.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366277611371968850" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 264px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjdzQhUCnUf0kJYVCUwU8zux9zL05PORugksFS5HMbVBcK1jrd3MiCvlYCWJsuJWymruGN3WvZOYLWGgxPNCu0C1d5ThyJz2Kiw-1zjFHTvRbI85DnWw4Ef_fVtflRSh_tcb2p-uLd-i4/s320/L.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7r0yfYonaYBHE8kWFmzH8UqEG88DA4lW0aWecDS6rQ4FW5inUvocsf7PE98Pvh8kIsaZI5_cDwomO6CcOVP1LM8ycMSN4XNLU5VrK8rAAwA7EoBSUtWqAZiMudDs_TrS6mHlKEE54i5o/s1600-h/M.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366277614138916530" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 318px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7r0yfYonaYBHE8kWFmzH8UqEG88DA4lW0aWecDS6rQ4FW5inUvocsf7PE98Pvh8kIsaZI5_cDwomO6CcOVP1LM8ycMSN4XNLU5VrK8rAAwA7EoBSUtWqAZiMudDs_TrS6mHlKEE54i5o/s320/M.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJJ16_abULZ6KHF7ETukF8-BsPeRU1zZmk_xpUJgzmIkv5SvecJrXsB9gqngoNncE4NjysrwKobOhC5H49nZNUXQwzxOEkxCDW36rETAdc9hlhLTBphAA6mibAZn0fabs0j2Is8yajQzw/s1600-h/S.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366276719561145202" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 296px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJJ16_abULZ6KHF7ETukF8-BsPeRU1zZmk_xpUJgzmIkv5SvecJrXsB9gqngoNncE4NjysrwKobOhC5H49nZNUXQwzxOEkxCDW36rETAdc9hlhLTBphAA6mibAZn0fabs0j2Is8yajQzw/s320/S.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5dG9bOZfvESsXI3IaYa4wViSS50ePA5i7AvrI-9lo_iDnC8AqwEaxK5Jm4RHFWISkHYe6Zxf03BsxjUBBqD6wkhZueYV5Nay0jjuGZx5HRToE_dnp-R8hjn4FDj4o8cJS06vcfbaLfJs/s1600-h/T.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366276713385374434" style="WIDTH: 307px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5dG9bOZfvESsXI3IaYa4wViSS50ePA5i7AvrI-9lo_iDnC8AqwEaxK5Jm4RHFWISkHYe6Zxf03BsxjUBBqD6wkhZueYV5Nay0jjuGZx5HRToE_dnp-R8hjn4FDj4o8cJS06vcfbaLfJs/s320/T.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipW2UUpD-p4R0M-hUpakkkLxsS8OHnIhcawttsCIEiM_EBGjbc1aLs68iYJtvtNsUzHrtONXphjTihcr_BxSQe7p9i-Z9MlP5NziGdEatD4rsYKcvGab6BmI9Ro-J9OJUGOcDudNoUEmE/s1600-h/U.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366276708309774498" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 285px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipW2UUpD-p4R0M-hUpakkkLxsS8OHnIhcawttsCIEiM_EBGjbc1aLs68iYJtvtNsUzHrtONXphjTihcr_BxSQe7p9i-Z9MlP5NziGdEatD4rsYKcvGab6BmI9Ro-J9OJUGOcDudNoUEmE/s320/U.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQBZ5jXqEl8iw6gs8T7ydjRTs4VXxl609I-JOP2fuwH9rHFvY1FqgZ31R5Y6_noUoBWCXBiiDvExQpLokA6fN52IfyCtvHfBScOXNNgCtupc9wft3Xza_qkKy07h70AKFCw_XjhMHsk4/s1600-h/V.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366276704386510834" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 274px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQBZ5jXqEl8iw6gs8T7ydjRTs4VXxl609I-JOP2fuwH9rHFvY1FqgZ31R5Y6_noUoBWCXBiiDvExQpLokA6fN52IfyCtvHfBScOXNNgCtupc9wft3Xza_qkKy07h70AKFCw_XjhMHsk4/s320/V.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNo1z8JvfNEj1BmYDx0zyqX5swv1Ddj6V7vYGMBPoGRpdUWI1T-ctpP6eT3t5-DBnedkYtD9gQgUQbWpeE3mky-r41N8VieML7G4EDrvSTU_MSg9akxecKxeie1lMYPtyY2NIN636_NUQ/s1600-h/W.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366276703072658786" style="WIDTH: 306px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNo1z8JvfNEj1BmYDx0zyqX5swv1Ddj6V7vYGMBPoGRpdUWI1T-ctpP6eT3t5-DBnedkYtD9gQgUQbWpeE3mky-r41N8VieML7G4EDrvSTU_MSg9akxecKxeie1lMYPtyY2NIN636_NUQ/s320/W.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7cxHEVJDPFC1s1_S3ba5DJQZwFjS0MQhm7HlpSs70HvV7cVFC1hq35_ZCIymUsK4NPhZuEqjHCfcCm1YH9nHJv8wEhyabi4l0t_B2XVTMAPVFrTNZoLBh6j7NFEzTufygEqJrRgEzWYo/s1600-h/X.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366275895640864354" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7cxHEVJDPFC1s1_S3ba5DJQZwFjS0MQhm7HlpSs70HvV7cVFC1hq35_ZCIymUsK4NPhZuEqjHCfcCm1YH9nHJv8wEhyabi4l0t_B2XVTMAPVFrTNZoLBh6j7NFEzTufygEqJrRgEzWYo/s320/X.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The chair on the left is where I am siitting right now. Cool breeze and Hummingbirds everywhere.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7cHxettOJvT1UOEkcxZmdUqCPP_iSNdsmVdUrXy4whq8YROylhivkIVWs5rJBEHafn2X3A0jj00oNKEq2FCIquErycOjltqraHgSakoT5wipIpP1HLklQ_SqpkIFEf2alElvfgRTgDLg/s1600-h/Y.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366275887147336850" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7cHxettOJvT1UOEkcxZmdUqCPP_iSNdsmVdUrXy4whq8YROylhivkIVWs5rJBEHafn2X3A0jj00oNKEq2FCIquErycOjltqraHgSakoT5wipIpP1HLklQ_SqpkIFEf2alElvfgRTgDLg/s320/Y.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5jktqv8TOnWHypRFhY7xj3nodZ9y_eDPd1W7yJDHa8EhNMVE-EbdYRMY8KoRCPQOSdCwzlpFbE5VefTtRA3mixtOHKaRXrMSUeZqkobkDBOLKR9AuLES3a1_A8tjSgeTMHoThZIoi1E/s1600-h/Z.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366275876125516402" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5jktqv8TOnWHypRFhY7xj3nodZ9y_eDPd1W7yJDHa8EhNMVE-EbdYRMY8KoRCPQOSdCwzlpFbE5VefTtRA3mixtOHKaRXrMSUeZqkobkDBOLKR9AuLES3a1_A8tjSgeTMHoThZIoi1E/s320/Z.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The boiling hot baron town square.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRUcclgmModJ5aX4hG0qbCYy3CLXDgcqeiwlHcWZ8TJESDKFzBY6zuM5GuWcyrwJ7gT3-xKPQJcSwMYegEcVXwGFXCDuV7tbIhnMKVN4Zsg2urzaHQp6PuGgv8VLem96WJpIUALcMJs2E/s1600-h/ZA.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366275878896371106" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRUcclgmModJ5aX4hG0qbCYy3CLXDgcqeiwlHcWZ8TJESDKFzBY6zuM5GuWcyrwJ7gT3-xKPQJcSwMYegEcVXwGFXCDuV7tbIhnMKVN4Zsg2urzaHQp6PuGgv8VLem96WJpIUALcMJs2E/s320/ZA.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />By the time I finished walking up the hill to the museum, I was to pooped to go in, so I took this pic and went back to my A/C.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqp9OxQH2fF5R-kAg1_iX98ZOBxJ7oJC4pmVlRvMYiUCDnXbQ-mY_8EnI41erEp48c1lN_yu0iMOT1aQi1uI2DudDeB566qcQHajDWMswYYbixF-Sy12fghzA8A43tr35-8sGUAj_sEWk/s1600-h/ZB.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366275874126766018" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqp9OxQH2fF5R-kAg1_iX98ZOBxJ7oJC4pmVlRvMYiUCDnXbQ-mY_8EnI41erEp48c1lN_yu0iMOT1aQi1uI2DudDeB566qcQHajDWMswYYbixF-Sy12fghzA8A43tr35-8sGUAj_sEWk/s320/ZB.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Tomorrow I am going to head south but not on the freewayI plan on taking in some of the countryside.</div><br /><div>Till next time.................<br /><br /></div><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>No Boundaries Bikers, Chris + Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07386612679047576050noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568305577567015949.post-14407291428677946292009-07-29T09:22:00.000-07:002009-08-02T20:31:53.171-07:00Loreto to Los Cabos<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSp3CAqYnpC3NloWPkXCAAQ_-M8iwb1MJ_BnG6pNulM808vw0L4X_7Bfijz4EsuleKKf5C1ySOONTH4041HXGHEYWkGQZZ4Mtfl8wjmLeeT5JMd0PVOGRtQ8ct6eO6vgAHrTTtK2MZZw/s1600-h/A.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364468432004826402" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSp3CAqYnpC3NloWPkXCAAQ_-M8iwb1MJ_BnG6pNulM808vw0L4X_7Bfijz4EsuleKKf5C1ySOONTH4041HXGHEYWkGQZZ4Mtfl8wjmLeeT5JMd0PVOGRtQ8ct6eO6vgAHrTTtK2MZZw/s320/A.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Chris wrote:<br />Look, its my love mission at the Mission of Loreto<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYC8PvaOGT9ooUIaJ-UxJa30gadb_4Gy1POkA2OZ32L_Eo4lxUJBukjq0I2NvQjA2-bEbi8RoUC74thwgg4UAWcKb1U81PVvNCnA6CuA4XNq_GQwC4-vTln3SAM3fEueOP2J_PM0UV5A/s1600-h/B.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364468423454121666" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYC8PvaOGT9ooUIaJ-UxJa30gadb_4Gy1POkA2OZ32L_Eo4lxUJBukjq0I2NvQjA2-bEbi8RoUC74thwgg4UAWcKb1U81PVvNCnA6CuA4XNq_GQwC4-vTln3SAM3fEueOP2J_PM0UV5A/s320/B.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />This we see quite a bit of, a bunch of guys on there 500's cruising from mainland across to Baja and the heading off into the desert with their tents and stuff for a couple of days, coming out to refuel...not a bad life.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk2tlIW4pJ1nlrSh9o0ZY76fRfwxanL8KAsb4UBjSFkMT9xdrS3fLkoN72dHDz6qCXXVG0R2vj8JDrUxzL5uk0T1ThHED2ACRsCNV1CxSF5MHKPVL-8Idc5BxSck4uvWBG8wgdZ7lQJpo/s1600-h/C.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364468423120810802" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk2tlIW4pJ1nlrSh9o0ZY76fRfwxanL8KAsb4UBjSFkMT9xdrS3fLkoN72dHDz6qCXXVG0R2vj8JDrUxzL5uk0T1ThHED2ACRsCNV1CxSF5MHKPVL-8Idc5BxSck4uvWBG8wgdZ7lQJpo/s320/C.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />This is the view down the "Malecon"(main drag) from our Hotel, La Mision, in Loreto, a fantastic hotel in a wonderful little town.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2OiUq3pDwWTA6qEAK_PhMoe5YQ2lIp2-UsKjbGJCrMcSC7vozDA4g6cPYOrqMws72_sMLLVaXXqyDPL1ek1VGqEJquSd5Ao_3iOkXBUhk5k4KtUyN1M7kVXqfattfE9fSyiW4nC6bGTk/s1600-h/D.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364468414571765026" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2OiUq3pDwWTA6qEAK_PhMoe5YQ2lIp2-UsKjbGJCrMcSC7vozDA4g6cPYOrqMws72_sMLLVaXXqyDPL1ek1VGqEJquSd5Ao_3iOkXBUhk5k4KtUyN1M7kVXqfattfE9fSyiW4nC6bGTk/s320/D.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />This dog (look in the water) swam all the way along this bay, about half a mile, and does it regularly and then he heads out to sea even further to try chase the pelicans, doggy style.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihtxVstfZL7lAetRt5szruHb5BEpEVF3mgmfgA78P93xTMexENayMjjkZlv2C045j_PXFbgVHcIwf4hsgspaXoDWAnb4UHKBVlSW6PjrDZlSKCkiCARbr7RK3vZJnj1IV6W529k4kqdwk/s1600-h/E.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364468244162880786" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihtxVstfZL7lAetRt5szruHb5BEpEVF3mgmfgA78P93xTMexENayMjjkZlv2C045j_PXFbgVHcIwf4hsgspaXoDWAnb4UHKBVlSW6PjrDZlSKCkiCARbr7RK3vZJnj1IV6W529k4kqdwk/s320/E.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I just liked the colors!!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOrunp5wnDSw9HuaHYmyK7AbrJ3naDptZrSXPnyZVgEfx_z6TdrobfXVKghLz3Itze1YIu4gJNy8ZK9_pnRDPXbD5EFvo_Dbx1tQvRm-9B-xwgMkoy6fLi5oZWaLJNvaxQR7XHXZecbGM/s1600-h/F.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364468239393859298" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOrunp5wnDSw9HuaHYmyK7AbrJ3naDptZrSXPnyZVgEfx_z6TdrobfXVKghLz3Itze1YIu4gJNy8ZK9_pnRDPXbD5EFvo_Dbx1tQvRm-9B-xwgMkoy6fLi5oZWaLJNvaxQR7XHXZecbGM/s320/F.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />This is the promenade in Loreto. You walk down the road under these arches and go into the shops on either side, where you can buy anything that is authentic Mexican ware, some really nice stuff too, but fortunately we are on a bike.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4TOOcFO5ak3RaqRwltJAGwoez1h_DUScEQtc0C2s4HjXCAqcx9li0Jwi9rhL9bZhtKEtvNaY20rswDeLEWlEXAY6IoXgdjimcxO_ZCOqq82tw8JJpWjpemapx5VTgMbKSeFqJQg_hunw/s1600-h/G.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364468237350666994" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4TOOcFO5ak3RaqRwltJAGwoez1h_DUScEQtc0C2s4HjXCAqcx9li0Jwi9rhL9bZhtKEtvNaY20rswDeLEWlEXAY6IoXgdjimcxO_ZCOqq82tw8JJpWjpemapx5VTgMbKSeFqJQg_hunw/s320/G.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Another one of the Malecon in Loreto.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY8C6Q0tY73toQSzB82pOIo2y_09kmsjJ8FnZYoqZWODX3CZWw42SxK98pLlf_8jwJwHW-4jcyBtLW8mLEhT8UQMLsGXR-84nib2quOYnX_4ql8kRDoNb1etVVZQjS_WDdfYuYEE73JLc/s1600-h/H.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364468232798527778" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY8C6Q0tY73toQSzB82pOIo2y_09kmsjJ8FnZYoqZWODX3CZWw42SxK98pLlf_8jwJwHW-4jcyBtLW8mLEhT8UQMLsGXR-84nib2quOYnX_4ql8kRDoNb1etVVZQjS_WDdfYuYEE73JLc/s320/H.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />This is our hotel in Loreto, La Mision.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipttgLTaXlHXTsu5Nz3lBhm5zvdIQIMRvI0Gq_0L2qTdHFFK8hgtqFcjQgp4litiZp1jEjfHcMdTWCYTQ6XDVV7IpogrDW-ZzCi_fTKrv-iOFLBTtbA-8vAEbbULXCIT2MbDlQh0Pw2IQ/s1600-h/I.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364468228946464434" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipttgLTaXlHXTsu5Nz3lBhm5zvdIQIMRvI0Gq_0L2qTdHFFK8hgtqFcjQgp4litiZp1jEjfHcMdTWCYTQ6XDVV7IpogrDW-ZzCi_fTKrv-iOFLBTtbA-8vAEbbULXCIT2MbDlQh0Pw2IQ/s320/I.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />This is one of the ocean views on the way south from Loreto. If we could, we would stop every half mile and spend a night.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9YwGdgCxdeRWiypCc9fHRC0MofQ0ybyBx6w5WzafkhVzvdQmKtf2Tap0sfGDeEZ8EUrrVuzih72x5bXYNfJ_5V555zBf4nnMgDQxqXYv3HkrRFNGIDBCEP8SUskjwDhrcJpA3ICcqOnY/s1600-h/J.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364468034544969490" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9YwGdgCxdeRWiypCc9fHRC0MofQ0ybyBx6w5WzafkhVzvdQmKtf2Tap0sfGDeEZ8EUrrVuzih72x5bXYNfJ_5V555zBf4nnMgDQxqXYv3HkrRFNGIDBCEP8SUskjwDhrcJpA3ICcqOnY/s320/J.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />For some reason, whenever we get onto dirt roads, Missy clamps her knees to my side and her fingernails into my shoulders.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDuyL4ik-dvHilal4_gEFFDRxS8G1rp3dDQXj9QGq6AaBapnaWZEbauVEsOFOXg67P49Le86stK4F0cVLmFE6KJlSe6uimdX2R-qUvtnD1_tvUfa2yL314GZZcc8CmxMxg68spyEyGZWY/s1600-h/K.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364468029252042210" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDuyL4ik-dvHilal4_gEFFDRxS8G1rp3dDQXj9QGq6AaBapnaWZEbauVEsOFOXg67P49Le86stK4F0cVLmFE6KJlSe6uimdX2R-qUvtnD1_tvUfa2yL314GZZcc8CmxMxg68spyEyGZWY/s320/K.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />These guys are busy organizing a vintage Baja race, old style, for TV. They invited me and some of my Buddies to go and do the race next September, any takers out there?<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpCKh9uguX8qi9dQoCP8b0sD413KgYZvu1p4UThC69dmrwuAaTl-OBubtlDwZGOTXeQULcW5BcIUa0K8OUR3XfaNVHZXADy46hZ4UF5MKk8Zd6k1MwStEZn5LrqfCcKesOOxGk_ZIqYy8/s1600-h/L.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364468032967972450" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpCKh9uguX8qi9dQoCP8b0sD413KgYZvu1p4UThC69dmrwuAaTl-OBubtlDwZGOTXeQULcW5BcIUa0K8OUR3XfaNVHZXADy46hZ4UF5MKk8Zd6k1MwStEZn5LrqfCcKesOOxGk_ZIqYy8/s320/L.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Admiring the machine!!!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR4eWtWo9XFmXEBoslxOGFPqOzV-Q7PjCvRR8NfIDkAU0CiDTFf8X1GUc3mm5Ds93V2EEHHR5CAlefJtrc9RGQIaDNdCLB3a9x2OHwgQ_KqvRi4zB7F1SVVYIXzEN9RLdU7EqUCEKdQDs/s1600-h/M.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364468027803565122" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR4eWtWo9XFmXEBoslxOGFPqOzV-Q7PjCvRR8NfIDkAU0CiDTFf8X1GUc3mm5Ds93V2EEHHR5CAlefJtrc9RGQIaDNdCLB3a9x2OHwgQ_KqvRi4zB7F1SVVYIXzEN9RLdU7EqUCEKdQDs/s320/M.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Oops, the clamped knees and fingernails in the shoulders again. No Pain No Gain.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6kRi7WRetWnUPNjnpCIWo8DLVzjA6cygfKi65Xg4_CfFxDiumHyK9OmLWoNS33_cloS_cuiVZw_Trm17vx3wUbOnY1KzYY_XyhvBBxmGg7bUuMZGRibYHGNADQKMBXq497PtrtwUkcDA/s1600-h/N.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364468019552575058" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6kRi7WRetWnUPNjnpCIWo8DLVzjA6cygfKi65Xg4_CfFxDiumHyK9OmLWoNS33_cloS_cuiVZw_Trm17vx3wUbOnY1KzYY_XyhvBBxmGg7bUuMZGRibYHGNADQKMBXq497PtrtwUkcDA/s320/N.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Notice the "99% inglish speaking guide"<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIeF3YAHpZzkAqNCXB5NleqTTGHMqtJdM5uzLJJTh0uapOVASd4_1mU3Ln3vchDbjASdNycW0l-QOzlIi5GhlgPgIPvpBrRijwXQ9i-vUphDH96Wk9dZGvCXp6AZ6qwXQPBfW0TKyy2U/s1600-h/O.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364467836251038066" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIeF3YAHpZzkAqNCXB5NleqTTGHMqtJdM5uzLJJTh0uapOVASd4_1mU3Ln3vchDbjASdNycW0l-QOzlIi5GhlgPgIPvpBrRijwXQ9i-vUphDH96Wk9dZGvCXp6AZ6qwXQPBfW0TKyy2U/s320/O.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />This was a beauty pageant in the center of town on the basketball courts in Puerto San Carlos. One of those things you do and know you will never do it again, but it was good fun.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIiow_uyX5gRrVPslrUw7jU99JBjlOlI-ChinymQtx0lQasCuMEmOKZDPnPjIRQYraJbufETQQYmoh_7xqY8Dl53AQ6sQA_E2CxwSxT2H2ito0k0maqsUOK8gHJqbxSv_D0DV5TzPuy-A/s1600-h/P.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364467835345135074" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIiow_uyX5gRrVPslrUw7jU99JBjlOlI-ChinymQtx0lQasCuMEmOKZDPnPjIRQYraJbufETQQYmoh_7xqY8Dl53AQ6sQA_E2CxwSxT2H2ito0k0maqsUOK8gHJqbxSv_D0DV5TzPuy-A/s320/P.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I would say , maybe 10 years old and strutting her stuff.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCIWoNiSUEFXPFl_wFmXdJ7zCy4VwT_Av30ysvwJ3EuhJZSG-I1ZQBJ_gidjSn0qlDbRl3kMjJ31uwqykshF6cloHOwXSx8cvxwWEVlxNm_F6DzQrg7vL-0D3B1zvPtu5sI3pid7iFjU/s1600-h/Q.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364467828934813970" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCIWoNiSUEFXPFl_wFmXdJ7zCy4VwT_Av30ysvwJ3EuhJZSG-I1ZQBJ_gidjSn0qlDbRl3kMjJ31uwqykshF6cloHOwXSx8cvxwWEVlxNm_F6DzQrg7vL-0D3B1zvPtu5sI3pid7iFjU/s320/Q.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Leaving Hotel Brennan in Puerto San Carlos, a nice clean cheap little place, would definitely recommend it.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhjKMWxcZ_IH_ao8dsuHeUjuVkKsqsZCi3W7xbiEBfjcGybLNKe5Ha1EA3WLc5oJ-Ei4WopRi8ts62Z9xriN_iiSSaMJEWcReWKHxsb4pCYMrOPxTvKuSQJg1Wn7-J2nQURKIEIuo5KI/s1600-h/R.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364467825930260978" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhjKMWxcZ_IH_ao8dsuHeUjuVkKsqsZCi3W7xbiEBfjcGybLNKe5Ha1EA3WLc5oJ-Ei4WopRi8ts62Z9xriN_iiSSaMJEWcReWKHxsb4pCYMrOPxTvKuSQJg1Wn7-J2nQURKIEIuo5KI/s320/R.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Another little shack in the middle of the desert with antiques on the walls that must have been worth a fortune and nobody really cared.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO2HLvjWR-ofbPa66tF-ED9L_WEhXCauaXotGHmxjGNI8jAJeDoVwa5sdhDZGlW_H_XQx_p0FP8Fx5v-SLVFiXQ6L58D8O67W7gNnhA03EL_261zBRHIkGtxkFdinmSKozCcdGFNclu2I/s1600-h/S.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364467819896825298" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO2HLvjWR-ofbPa66tF-ED9L_WEhXCauaXotGHmxjGNI8jAJeDoVwa5sdhDZGlW_H_XQx_p0FP8Fx5v-SLVFiXQ6L58D8O67W7gNnhA03EL_261zBRHIkGtxkFdinmSKozCcdGFNclu2I/s320/S.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Oh, it's the tool.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiByoGsGlKmT6fsMiVCCLASvxi1KlyEv6bk8Lm3h5OfoD4-DjrP5tJYlCNopOhPmtQtL9xKGLdO10vJ_TCBa63P0t9D1XNzu6Q54OOY0IQUc60HM-6mKanMGlQoReJNwIIuULWH74fJHZE/s1600-h/T.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364467645160837618" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiByoGsGlKmT6fsMiVCCLASvxi1KlyEv6bk8Lm3h5OfoD4-DjrP5tJYlCNopOhPmtQtL9xKGLdO10vJ_TCBa63P0t9D1XNzu6Q54OOY0IQUc60HM-6mKanMGlQoReJNwIIuULWH74fJHZE/s320/T.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />This is the original Hotel California from the Eagles in Todos Santos, Baja. They used to stay here in there heyday and so they wrote the song about this place, pretty cool.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCdCvMpSg-X33t2vkcGfzq9QC2QE7LyOianthwW6lAGzY-dWERVrTyA073JXJm3qLYzCRrsQw6tffmpcM4cyokSMo_Ap8vwws_5Hk6O_hv3dFA6GYVS1WkeMqabFRsvXbaNIBOkTQhtC0/s1600-h/U.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364467639296618130" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCdCvMpSg-X33t2vkcGfzq9QC2QE7LyOianthwW6lAGzY-dWERVrTyA073JXJm3qLYzCRrsQw6tffmpcM4cyokSMo_Ap8vwws_5Hk6O_hv3dFA6GYVS1WkeMqabFRsvXbaNIBOkTQhtC0/s320/U.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Ella and Chris, great people, at Marquis los Cabos. I would say that this is the best hotel I have ever been in and I will go so far to say that should anyone out there want to have an extraordinary experience, then come and spend 4 days here, you will definitely come back!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjclDnqKyjoXKW74Q6yP58mIW7sXdqiNUgCOrZ_M19dRQTZ2yTnwh7K6FRww0jeyx0DU5jW8PKb7AyXZB3Hugg_FBQS22b73xTWUNm4JUNXBuemrp4LcU9BnK-F66V9EQcLgxOQ0qrV7oY/s1600-h/V.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364467635301927138" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjclDnqKyjoXKW74Q6yP58mIW7sXdqiNUgCOrZ_M19dRQTZ2yTnwh7K6FRww0jeyx0DU5jW8PKb7AyXZB3Hugg_FBQS22b73xTWUNm4JUNXBuemrp4LcU9BnK-F66V9EQcLgxOQ0qrV7oY/s320/V.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Now for some shots around the hotel...<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySeAUEYGM_K5jnphPN-WlYs7dZGyAcVWYP3m3LPaFT-RMOvQ87GRP9b-QLJ5NP4tbAtpTkP1TbunlDFy5ei3K-vGvNI5OJPiahx7yhqE27Qxqwlr0W_-AHdVO0tcLygkdV5uqYCzHHlk/s1600-h/W.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364467630170714930" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySeAUEYGM_K5jnphPN-WlYs7dZGyAcVWYP3m3LPaFT-RMOvQ87GRP9b-QLJ5NP4tbAtpTkP1TbunlDFy5ei3K-vGvNI5OJPiahx7yhqE27Qxqwlr0W_-AHdVO0tcLygkdV5uqYCzHHlk/s320/W.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY0B6Dm6Bx0skZ1g6DQMXVPm0aw7fwdeFtuGwNvCotT11UisSjSM3riQii72qJrYQ7s73r9gBfpZsjN3_jL4y37Vn21582OzBB1ibLnG5-B1d4Eyt_40KFMBwAhuKM_xlKrVHDXfuQ-kc/s1600-h/X.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364467628979292482" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY0B6Dm6Bx0skZ1g6DQMXVPm0aw7fwdeFtuGwNvCotT11UisSjSM3riQii72qJrYQ7s73r9gBfpZsjN3_jL4y37Vn21582OzBB1ibLnG5-B1d4Eyt_40KFMBwAhuKM_xlKrVHDXfuQ-kc/s320/X.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilh5hcAaFyVJ9Wc_iBca77tUfDMpiIStfrbAEDvTorBYgcEmyRN5l5LeBU_HfCYoyM7Hue_VxwpG_8IXwoLZ02RDKoELdphadhIWhro6XB7Hh2xVP2uzHcG_SHNFPRL-72bbhc5PpVKAM/s1600-h/Y.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364467449777364738" style="WIDTH: 173px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilh5hcAaFyVJ9Wc_iBca77tUfDMpiIStfrbAEDvTorBYgcEmyRN5l5LeBU_HfCYoyM7Hue_VxwpG_8IXwoLZ02RDKoELdphadhIWhro6XB7Hh2xVP2uzHcG_SHNFPRL-72bbhc5PpVKAM/s320/Y.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Kxmgq7DzZqBz_hmYcSmjjJc9OdV8oONm8FSNXw9w9xwIlMUUAv5l_QGN7SNHNYzh-3BHP_3IOrjfLwtpHU72v2Kbu2qgAgS33XokiZViX998hoptr57Ciidvt00aSxuiO9z5PAk_DfE/s1600-h/Z.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364467444682089474" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Kxmgq7DzZqBz_hmYcSmjjJc9OdV8oONm8FSNXw9w9xwIlMUUAv5l_QGN7SNHNYzh-3BHP_3IOrjfLwtpHU72v2Kbu2qgAgS33XokiZViX998hoptr57Ciidvt00aSxuiO9z5PAk_DfE/s320/Z.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvbQ5_yJkEn_O6aw7_MXgJ436eLXHB4frpEUlSeQlQfMIPOTX_ycY1UDGOZiPiw6vzEac16rVUV1BM7A5B5aV1VbY3j5v5MEt8kGv85nc_V1nk9mudGUs9p0NYV7wk8nj6YsdLz-GOyA/s1600-h/ZA.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364467444221255522" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvbQ5_yJkEn_O6aw7_MXgJ436eLXHB4frpEUlSeQlQfMIPOTX_ycY1UDGOZiPiw6vzEac16rVUV1BM7A5B5aV1VbY3j5v5MEt8kGv85nc_V1nk9mudGUs9p0NYV7wk8nj6YsdLz-GOyA/s320/ZA.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0fFOwN98WDXYBkMgPdIcW04oZ7V3euc1zPls-rVs-kfeMgLxT_heFOB5ab1MfQW6P8UIW8JH9iZwyF9F4nLM2MTm2K8g-tLcxxmgsqFFxNrLh6vTHJhT3GDv5YYVKVroMJzLSA-yuGkQ/s1600-h/ZB.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364467436276001954" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0fFOwN98WDXYBkMgPdIcW04oZ7V3euc1zPls-rVs-kfeMgLxT_heFOB5ab1MfQW6P8UIW8JH9iZwyF9F4nLM2MTm2K8g-tLcxxmgsqFFxNrLh6vTHJhT3GDv5YYVKVroMJzLSA-yuGkQ/s320/ZB.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmjAcrodU3PXbtY_vB4kILZzJkluTEISa7R_Qp7afBkGRfXCwAdbIiF3-fm7Uy3gLHXgffbuLv9MYxobj872LwqvFxeODNmCPrnW2MDBaAQLlj9pWCgTrxkJcFqbXjsU6JePNVsfwqyCQ/s1600-h/ZC.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364467434386137138" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmjAcrodU3PXbtY_vB4kILZzJkluTEISa7R_Qp7afBkGRfXCwAdbIiF3-fm7Uy3gLHXgffbuLv9MYxobj872LwqvFxeODNmCPrnW2MDBaAQLlj9pWCgTrxkJcFqbXjsU6JePNVsfwqyCQ/s320/ZC.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />This is wonderful Carla, who kept us entertained in the evenings and at dinner. She knew the words to every song she sang by heart and we sat there and requested songs all night, she did not miss a beat. A memory like I can only dream about.</div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Melissa wrote: </div><div>We pulled into Loreto after riding through the heat. Our mesh jackets and pants did their best to keep us cool, but it was still a very hot ride. Looking for a hotel, we came to the malecon, the promenade along the beach, and I spotted a beautiful hotel called La Mision. Brand new, with a pool that beckoned us in. The hotel was out of our self-imposed ‘budget’ but I threw caution to the wind and negotiated a good rate. The room had central air (by now a real luxury) and crisp white sheets and duvet. I never wanted to leave. The next morning we were approached by Maribel, the Time-Share salesperson associated with the hotel, who invited us to breakfast to hear a presentation about the hotel. When speaking with her boss, Manuel, it turned out that the new Director of Sales for the hotel was Alfredo Rosas, who used to be a client of mine from my Amex days in Destination Marketing, when he was based in Los Cabos. What a small world. After a nice reunion and chat with Alfredo, the next day we headed south. We had been told to spend the night in Lopez Mateo, a good way-point on the way to Cabo. However, when we arrived there, this small village that subsists on the winter-season whale watching tours was empty. Not a hotel to be found. So…we decided to ride on. The heat was extreme, so we stopped at a small roadside restaurant to get some water. A red truck with Colorado plates was parked there, and when we began to chat with the 2 Americans there, Ken and Michael, they told us they were in Mexico mapping out a course for a televised race they are producing featuring vintage motorcycles and cars. Michael was from Los Angeles, and is a former producer on “The Amazing Race”. He advised us to send a videotape to CBS and audition for The Amazing Race….wouldn’t that be a kick!<br />The road brought us to Puerto San Carlos, on the Pacific Coast. When we entered this small town we began to look for a hotel. The roads were largely sand and dirt, and when riding down one of these dirt roads, we hit some soft sand. The front of the bike began the now-familiar wiggle, Chris tried to put his legs down but I knew we were going over. As we were struggling to get the motorcycle upright, a car stopped and Raul, a friendly local guy who was on his way to work, stopped to help us. Raul told us about a hotel that was owned by an Irish family, called Brennan’s. He was worried about us getting tripped up again on the roads, so he called his friend who worked at the hotel to come and guide us there. His friend showed up in about 2 minutes and off we went. That night we were walking through the small town, and on the outdoor basketball courts a band was playing, and crowds of people sat expectantly in a semicircle around the stage. We asked what was happening. Turns out that the Sea Turtle is very important to this pueblito, and conservation of the Sea Turtle an important cause. This evening was the crowning of “La Reina de La Tortuga” or the Turtle Queen….a beauty pageant of little girls and teens! We settled in for a great evening, with music, cheering, and lots of fun..including a dancing turtle. The next night we spent in La Paz, an unforgettable experience at the Oasis Hotel. For $30 a night we got an air conditioner with a broken face, one dim light bulb, wild television and a hotel full of Mexican guests cheering the victory of the Mexican soccer team over the Americans.<br />The next morning we set off for Los Cabos, riding through the cool, artistic surf town of Todos Santos. My friend Ella, whom I met during my Mexico City days, is now the General Manager of a beautiful hotel in Los Cabos called Marquis Los Cabos. Wonderful, zen hotel right on the ocean, with amazing views, great service and so many great details. We spent the first night here sharing lots of laughs and good times with Ella and her husband Chris. Great, great people, and we have so enjoyed being with them. On Friday I head home for a few days to check on things, and Chris will soldier on…we’ll meet up in Acapulco to resume our journey!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>No Boundaries Bikers, Chris + Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07386612679047576050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568305577567015949.post-49520089455831396732009-07-23T22:08:00.000-07:002009-07-24T11:00:00.052-07:00Bahia de los Angeles to Loreto-July 23<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCwqMqi3LJnpAtBdKhJdkOGABHNiB3fSzGBBroSWq2Z1voBIHP-MeO_EOsiXEHsff3xSLWehHXGidgqpkx-FNvGxHdfNtnNenO9EHcw40sq68qstQujsSA6_WuoWKNiZyzs8oIsn98_4/s1600-h/A.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362075160284678450" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCwqMqi3LJnpAtBdKhJdkOGABHNiB3fSzGBBroSWq2Z1voBIHP-MeO_EOsiXEHsff3xSLWehHXGidgqpkx-FNvGxHdfNtnNenO9EHcw40sq68qstQujsSA6_WuoWKNiZyzs8oIsn98_4/s320/A.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Chris wrote:<br />Just arrived in Bahia De Los Angeles and got rid of the bags, and now off to go see the town, 110 degrees in the shade and humid as hell.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioA7Ydd7q1M4MnN_fIj3h8aaD1JftS27wE6ocW6DJsmPVt_UbqXMI2utljjxdzeUna8h1wHVspZTBInNCQJ7I4Bh7O92U8e-0LZXq1PesyuAgwl6TGTu7HDEHeKKitKnwDD_1lfN-naV4/s1600-h/B.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362075046073411442" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioA7Ydd7q1M4MnN_fIj3h8aaD1JftS27wE6ocW6DJsmPVt_UbqXMI2utljjxdzeUna8h1wHVspZTBInNCQJ7I4Bh7O92U8e-0LZXq1PesyuAgwl6TGTu7HDEHeKKitKnwDD_1lfN-naV4/s320/B.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />This is the bunch of guys from the "DLTMYGT" fishing tournament, they kept us very much entertained for a couple of days. You will read more about them later.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheG8cmTJUJs9-soLmnOl2xgh72cGkj7Psp_Hij-oaOFVOO_CqpiLb895DoY5ClgxlGTZfAUZd2W4O4dSerioEDcZEH1ZllgiQq6e1TG25Zj-jYo1nJwL0YVo1VgGHkpBCheknCra5tBw8/s1600-h/C.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362075044038442802" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheG8cmTJUJs9-soLmnOl2xgh72cGkj7Psp_Hij-oaOFVOO_CqpiLb895DoY5ClgxlGTZfAUZd2W4O4dSerioEDcZEH1ZllgiQq6e1TG25Zj-jYo1nJwL0YVo1VgGHkpBCheknCra5tBw8/s320/C.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Ocean meets desert, makes for great colors at sunset.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFjQliaLTJAx49N9RWXe5HSPCFWuWCApPG2elnpuUCxWeY_18xxfQ9tyzXXeIGRrSKbm11SMx5I-xi3eU_jgg4YgOzghbJAoDQ14LgxPQ-TjXjL2CWzOxEc89uNwEEtjyOUgxGHfbcMM/s1600-h/D1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362075043510564018" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFjQliaLTJAx49N9RWXe5HSPCFWuWCApPG2elnpuUCxWeY_18xxfQ9tyzXXeIGRrSKbm11SMx5I-xi3eU_jgg4YgOzghbJAoDQ14LgxPQ-TjXjL2CWzOxEc89uNwEEtjyOUgxGHfbcMM/s320/D1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I took a ride down a stretch of the "Baja 1000" route. What I would give to have my dirtbike here!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6X3HLNQv1JtHfYoWULM0brum3JPok9-Jo5lePhfcn4xgEOyZZ1_U_MZFUXZQO_uQJ8hzUjcAe0mOa5m3xlegYSMw0M41bFSs8k7L9V8NpE0BdgLDkpze-HWI_ckMfdjlIb_uiYRPTa8U/s1600-h/E.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362075040285599442" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6X3HLNQv1JtHfYoWULM0brum3JPok9-Jo5lePhfcn4xgEOyZZ1_U_MZFUXZQO_uQJ8hzUjcAe0mOa5m3xlegYSMw0M41bFSs8k7L9V8NpE0BdgLDkpze-HWI_ckMfdjlIb_uiYRPTa8U/s320/E.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Like being on the moon, with color.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghmQ0Xc9jtMdf6YL3q3ABZ1gyOIgwzwE7U8S8RkeoDyVMpNRD0stauRtWZzHOyE0wIujLRyUKcw89qS97XhoofpVkKuXvHDCbfI-hJEbrHsrC1DODcj8O_KSDY6WzCb38qvtYd7z9tnp0/s1600-h/F.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362075034223023570" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghmQ0Xc9jtMdf6YL3q3ABZ1gyOIgwzwE7U8S8RkeoDyVMpNRD0stauRtWZzHOyE0wIujLRyUKcw89qS97XhoofpVkKuXvHDCbfI-hJEbrHsrC1DODcj8O_KSDY6WzCb38qvtYd7z9tnp0/s320/F.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiORudsSgbMTCQ340THyR5Vj0NhtBWMxcYAtiCVY6HU9rf6GRB5nmYmCd-mbs_qxWw4yHDAnQOiDF5zdFGh0nXdUm91rv0LljxEgX24fODBVH2MHq1jRGbXQgYrNSPSkI5IsS0G2IkKTuM/s1600-h/G.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362074840020554530" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiORudsSgbMTCQ340THyR5Vj0NhtBWMxcYAtiCVY6HU9rf6GRB5nmYmCd-mbs_qxWw4yHDAnQOiDF5zdFGh0nXdUm91rv0LljxEgX24fODBVH2MHq1jRGbXQgYrNSPSkI5IsS0G2IkKTuM/s320/G.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />This is Pepe taking us out to see the whale sharks, we later found out that he has a knack for hitting big things in the ocean with his boat . A couple of years ago he ran over 4 girls in a semi-ridgid, no one was hurt and this day he hit a whale shark. Way to go, Pepe!!!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMEZkBPkn_-3UTldXfax2te1fr3Ni5lDotsJ-3CsWdUN6IIct0itlBY9Nxf4YX0iX5DyvKOvITqLKO3hx2SmNRrQczL3uZeVQqbuI8FYPz_ZbNBPxKEtao7k0iZ86F_2UjKlOz9MvaCE0/s1600-h/H.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362074837418174994" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMEZkBPkn_-3UTldXfax2te1fr3Ni5lDotsJ-3CsWdUN6IIct0itlBY9Nxf4YX0iX5DyvKOvITqLKO3hx2SmNRrQczL3uZeVQqbuI8FYPz_ZbNBPxKEtao7k0iZ86F_2UjKlOz9MvaCE0/s320/H.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDF8zIM7MKC27U8SsQllRQSzO1DJHqcotTO-_pWzRBQzphHnBMIeBltQizRPOgz8-_8466rSU3ufTtwmVTBNuFVjyMWneKFdJezSAcmeQ49BztLGoT9iVe_TMz0WcmWnOiNvPPjZu00U4/s1600-h/I1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362074837256808786" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDF8zIM7MKC27U8SsQllRQSzO1DJHqcotTO-_pWzRBQzphHnBMIeBltQizRPOgz8-_8466rSU3ufTtwmVTBNuFVjyMWneKFdJezSAcmeQ49BztLGoT9iVe_TMz0WcmWnOiNvPPjZu00U4/s320/I1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />About an 30 foot whale shark, we dived in, carefully, and swam with this guy. Great experience.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Y6qzJ_u1mgCeC1JvkW6tuLKS6Tzscf-sMhe4Bfsc5E9NiPxG0BJGU68Nad0rDg-IQRG5pFXFk8v4x_Y3VCrfyI5Lj49YriCGdNEWzUEOFfvNU1eBtqL_6jgO3q0ZlRVgy5eAuZDXklI/s1600-h/J.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362074834241976738" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Y6qzJ_u1mgCeC1JvkW6tuLKS6Tzscf-sMhe4Bfsc5E9NiPxG0BJGU68Nad0rDg-IQRG5pFXFk8v4x_Y3VCrfyI5Lj49YriCGdNEWzUEOFfvNU1eBtqL_6jgO3q0ZlRVgy5eAuZDXklI/s320/J.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />"DLTMYGT" prize giving, with lots of Tequila.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigUoqrrwL8YAxFezlOI1JFJiIxrg5Il6nT9N6dtaUrBh4tt47aG4BCByOxj7vKAE1V2ctgwuw5e60I4vaQv3NEMyirv0luEg2zjkFv_UxIi2etSZ2YzTFs0i1vo3N9iOLPPvwpelFuRfA/s1600-h/K.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362074828071739490" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigUoqrrwL8YAxFezlOI1JFJiIxrg5Il6nT9N6dtaUrBh4tt47aG4BCByOxj7vKAE1V2ctgwuw5e60I4vaQv3NEMyirv0luEg2zjkFv_UxIi2etSZ2YzTFs0i1vo3N9iOLPPvwpelFuRfA/s320/K.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />A typical day at the beach, and Alejandro would serve us beers right here.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmrRtUz7n7NDds6YQlzneV5h432dWOn7hzUQtIfTldllS5nEmFkjtCzB8v6n0-Z6AbLg7Ehsu5ANIhMx2tzueMq40031rEJmILQ5POCaFH5q0hFLMM0FU_39zGnzZ4Akxuw_u4CcUJ44/s1600-h/L.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362074632236838738" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmrRtUz7n7NDds6YQlzneV5h432dWOn7hzUQtIfTldllS5nEmFkjtCzB8v6n0-Z6AbLg7Ehsu5ANIhMx2tzueMq40031rEJmILQ5POCaFH5q0hFLMM0FU_39zGnzZ4Akxuw_u4CcUJ44/s320/L.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />This quiet afternoon at the beach ended up getting a bit louder...<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJlBvcVnGHZehyAswH1NnA_PpvHWDVTByB1r-K2-yrPTroA0Y446hSSWquQymHgJ64OFFNFaVn5XecJk-JdgypQz164EGQ7lktbXL796HDuIFACiO4qXn6gqbVvMrvqQlMhNtCA5ExZE/s1600-h/M.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362074630477431586" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJlBvcVnGHZehyAswH1NnA_PpvHWDVTByB1r-K2-yrPTroA0Y446hSSWquQymHgJ64OFFNFaVn5XecJk-JdgypQz164EGQ7lktbXL796HDuIFACiO4qXn6gqbVvMrvqQlMhNtCA5ExZE/s320/M.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />and louder...<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1552APgOzNpz6yblbrAQl0HX4RGwDEvcvHQslXv-9WfzcZ2v14Mzsh8PObYVqiLa61Pupvc9U4Y5JSGeTrUvDLlh1eTceN7_e9g4DByofpXCpfJR6gekWtIaRNeR5YqcLRdCV2ks_KQ/s1600-h/N.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362074625955023826" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1552APgOzNpz6yblbrAQl0HX4RGwDEvcvHQslXv-9WfzcZ2v14Mzsh8PObYVqiLa61Pupvc9U4Y5JSGeTrUvDLlh1eTceN7_e9g4DByofpXCpfJR6gekWtIaRNeR5YqcLRdCV2ks_KQ/s320/N.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />and louder<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhicJl11voegFvJUiMMHC0L0o_gPjC3mHe4HQQ6dqDFMaxvWgzdW6Ex6CzNhP6KlpdpIbjl65Z3V4D5z7tdzKO4EY_zYqVqUua0PZVOvw4iP7OGnc2yhbDpm7qAw1bbApZeL0oXX0TfpxY/s1600-h/O1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362074621828140674" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhicJl11voegFvJUiMMHC0L0o_gPjC3mHe4HQQ6dqDFMaxvWgzdW6Ex6CzNhP6KlpdpIbjl65Z3V4D5z7tdzKO4EY_zYqVqUua0PZVOvw4iP7OGnc2yhbDpm7qAw1bbApZeL0oXX0TfpxY/s320/O1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />until the tequila was all gone and we ended up feeling sorry for ourselves the next morning in the terrible heat.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedAb5g7il-EJv15o5zc6qkJQrekkOnMLOxX5GOBE6ymatcu13qVhRxpdhjv7z5lWAEHY0U5X0T65iV6iYRJin8MKDV-2GwSibtxXO6yZdrGpHwHUTYQb-6yx_k_c7ly027WHuRnO6uQs/s1600-h/P.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362074617552426146" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedAb5g7il-EJv15o5zc6qkJQrekkOnMLOxX5GOBE6ymatcu13qVhRxpdhjv7z5lWAEHY0U5X0T65iV6iYRJin8MKDV-2GwSibtxXO6yZdrGpHwHUTYQb-6yx_k_c7ly027WHuRnO6uQs/s320/P.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />This is our breakfast spot at Guillermo's motel in Bahia de los Angeles.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim1BUJTcSMeU_GVhbM_dyqp4ePXyvtOOvMddt9d1_l7hlTOVjKOlQ2hG3gR_BHHBfGiG04NMONHAg7GSndMcQZN1zc9w6NFqALSxD_N9ctNI7WFeiY9R050W7KyCtU0ns7tfP8YD8PvJE/s1600-h/Q.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362074416211272770" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim1BUJTcSMeU_GVhbM_dyqp4ePXyvtOOvMddt9d1_l7hlTOVjKOlQ2hG3gR_BHHBfGiG04NMONHAg7GSndMcQZN1zc9w6NFqALSxD_N9ctNI7WFeiY9R050W7KyCtU0ns7tfP8YD8PvJE/s320/Q.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />We nearly ran these guys over, our fellow mules.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGgl1c3BL624KJuhMmE9e_Vc7fPLMQZpUZXbcqx4IwKmiC96SqK0SjWHczJb1x_NK331nhCYJsyqVx94kerE8GXU12qvyh3Nmpwn69KDQWXvqRVtHaZsTnQM6gD2BTTPIrGyWcv-7Lnx4/s1600-h/R.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362074416543425634" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGgl1c3BL624KJuhMmE9e_Vc7fPLMQZpUZXbcqx4IwKmiC96SqK0SjWHczJb1x_NK331nhCYJsyqVx94kerE8GXU12qvyh3Nmpwn69KDQWXvqRVtHaZsTnQM6gD2BTTPIrGyWcv-7Lnx4/s320/R.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />KFC, below the below the border.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRl0ld2zxG6sX_GuYdxVbPh9HiCWLavL8DkXzCDGleg2_3ZJ5F5UtgYTMzPP5-qnUyQl3rO0WGpX5c6do3Ua-xb8_lbbORsrLL0wDlwYo7qMLKzZNOZsagozdLLYT4I4hOw7NA906SvcU/s1600-h/S.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362074412487869090" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRl0ld2zxG6sX_GuYdxVbPh9HiCWLavL8DkXzCDGleg2_3ZJ5F5UtgYTMzPP5-qnUyQl3rO0WGpX5c6do3Ua-xb8_lbbORsrLL0wDlwYo7qMLKzZNOZsagozdLLYT4I4hOw7NA906SvcU/s320/S.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Built in the early 1700's. Its so dry here there is absolutely no corrosion.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_zUhz8_wUHrqNt-vbJQoxZqOWHF2nKV5TkrAZZ-jAP4aAM53BKvALih7N9wwk0KeM0QzXOMTptxF3_U4F2slSCSWBKD3jWQE-EKbYWlCFTEWmXBDGNOP5ylqxlJLG01pghFZTudUnl4/s1600-h/T.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362074407508710002" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_zUhz8_wUHrqNt-vbJQoxZqOWHF2nKV5TkrAZZ-jAP4aAM53BKvALih7N9wwk0KeM0QzXOMTptxF3_U4F2slSCSWBKD3jWQE-EKbYWlCFTEWmXBDGNOP5ylqxlJLG01pghFZTudUnl4/s320/T.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Inside the Mission , San Ignacio.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwgDAo_Na1n8oL3z5BKr2uPDIup6xJNUQmQ23zW3uNInqdVF_svXUl74PoNMUsIDRDDKEfN4UYrvQ8EfbWls1tV_cHajxusXYASC7CkxK_13qkmzabihk_MNHvlXVFLc0mfBp5w5blj7M/s1600-h/U1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362074407765961330" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwgDAo_Na1n8oL3z5BKr2uPDIup6xJNUQmQ23zW3uNInqdVF_svXUl74PoNMUsIDRDDKEfN4UYrvQ8EfbWls1tV_cHajxusXYASC7CkxK_13qkmzabihk_MNHvlXVFLc0mfBp5w5blj7M/s320/U1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzAelsaOzYVJb5QgooWQ2hWTXJ20B-YhpP1tcd1Xf33n8L7eHms70o1TqC-NzYEp3d2S2OAcb-OCfxWnbnAr-kZliA1t1DAn3tayrIxTdDW_2AmjYDlHh54kBhOZXqlzLu2IjuLnXeKQ/s1600-h/V1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362074191396995330" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzAelsaOzYVJb5QgooWQ2hWTXJ20B-YhpP1tcd1Xf33n8L7eHms70o1TqC-NzYEp3d2S2OAcb-OCfxWnbnAr-kZliA1t1DAn3tayrIxTdDW_2AmjYDlHh54kBhOZXqlzLu2IjuLnXeKQ/s320/V1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />This could be upside down. This lake is in the middle of the desert.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy7t49JaJVXxW0oFPBYjvqEbs79ku0ndALAHUjH9g_PV2cqoFrmx5hv2SIsr48ntJHkA7zdmatbsBj2z9KFQD7PP-iByiWcgVblhJhxdv8dYgfChfqT0JRsIjRMNKwC93FWMYmoN-K3so/s1600-h/W1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362074190780654834" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy7t49JaJVXxW0oFPBYjvqEbs79ku0ndALAHUjH9g_PV2cqoFrmx5hv2SIsr48ntJHkA7zdmatbsBj2z9KFQD7PP-iByiWcgVblhJhxdv8dYgfChfqT0JRsIjRMNKwC93FWMYmoN-K3so/s320/W1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Same lake a little later.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzK9-S9HEgKLcSP15ytPe6gB3pervDlcid_ONQ3HDKAbgxArVWL0602SDZcD-HmDUC-Z6bip9TO62tSyG-FgaZrETGc8dcgdfyWCgclKeHSh6I1-5oNa7Zalsnr0fAHfhL27Nc3tknmws/s1600-h/X1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362074187729120290" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzK9-S9HEgKLcSP15ytPe6gB3pervDlcid_ONQ3HDKAbgxArVWL0602SDZcD-HmDUC-Z6bip9TO62tSyG-FgaZrETGc8dcgdfyWCgclKeHSh6I1-5oNa7Zalsnr0fAHfhL27Nc3tknmws/s320/X1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Like a whale out of water.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVRj_BggWUOTv1SwIipmwTPiufXxeGN_h3wREwRZAElUPOS5XKkm2bx9x5SsroJiP_2mefa4Al3_uVdZcZtAWI1NFvV3kVTO2dk0cKHifFT4yeCrxE82Ld7Ojo_zteuepRhXqaSNDiVA/s1600-h/Y.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362074187296684194" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVRj_BggWUOTv1SwIipmwTPiufXxeGN_h3wREwRZAElUPOS5XKkm2bx9x5SsroJiP_2mefa4Al3_uVdZcZtAWI1NFvV3kVTO2dk0cKHifFT4yeCrxE82Ld7Ojo_zteuepRhXqaSNDiVA/s320/Y.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />These roads were in fantastic condition all the way down so far, one does need to watch out for the trucks.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1GBHrK6J0Tsc7fERJJal9fPagVtQZOWGCi9TAdBmdVJ_ZkDhCUVJy28pgmrN3TzuAcaNa9Cbe9_rq2Fy951aSMTuJ5Uh1SaAGCrYNejLHQhTyvoaFTD0e7yhck9DtPfIoCB_NvvdAdZc/s1600-h/Z.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362074185355790418" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1GBHrK6J0Tsc7fERJJal9fPagVtQZOWGCi9TAdBmdVJ_ZkDhCUVJy28pgmrN3TzuAcaNa9Cbe9_rq2Fy951aSMTuJ5Uh1SaAGCrYNejLHQhTyvoaFTD0e7yhck9DtPfIoCB_NvvdAdZc/s320/Z.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Now Steve in the red was a plmbing contractor that said to Hell with it, packed up and moved to paradise, now he lives in this RV on his own little beach living off the ocean, with no stress, for about $1000.00 a year. He surfs in the morning, fishes in the afternoon and drinks beer at night.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDRMl5X-_f4n1Y6R3zBIEnioROzXzS85gRR1pW2ID0TuTI44rn8xRU0oBhX9LiQcSkZRabFI2uiFEgXHJhrYlkcyW9yJquzezaDbLPKwM16Pi6jGZMp2SirEVbG9Egls-jkPysIBLWHcc/s1600-h/ZA.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362073946047817874" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDRMl5X-_f4n1Y6R3zBIEnioROzXzS85gRR1pW2ID0TuTI44rn8xRU0oBhX9LiQcSkZRabFI2uiFEgXHJhrYlkcyW9yJquzezaDbLPKwM16Pi6jGZMp2SirEVbG9Egls-jkPysIBLWHcc/s320/ZA.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />This is his shower, made from stuff collected from the ocean.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZZDcMoUUhN_IJWTL7oRyYiRdzkQ92w5egZx4MUwcMGNmK4MSbXq6IQWyziJxsMnNFhy8qKcHy41CQp-OZq3i852hgShRr3DZRKLn0vK0_p6Fn_CwC1xstJGsvnyo1wmL61GZuXXS8NM/s1600-h/ZB.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362073945763916610" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZZDcMoUUhN_IJWTL7oRyYiRdzkQ92w5egZx4MUwcMGNmK4MSbXq6IQWyziJxsMnNFhy8qKcHy41CQp-OZq3i852hgShRr3DZRKLn0vK0_p6Fn_CwC1xstJGsvnyo1wmL61GZuXXS8NM/s320/ZB.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Beaches like this are scattered all the way along the coast of the Sea of Cortez<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirqOwHsFOyke7b6kHlknWV9S799rBgxWw2HQ5NZ2CVf_sCfmNIFkAev0MXBeId8PMm59dbSDLf6LOC2Kc5bdWTnDk21HdQvu-LcBZ66IjMoiUT_CSiZ1tFa2dUus5QWipm_n6KGJcLUsM/s1600-h/ZC.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362073944047146018" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirqOwHsFOyke7b6kHlknWV9S799rBgxWw2HQ5NZ2CVf_sCfmNIFkAev0MXBeId8PMm59dbSDLf6LOC2Kc5bdWTnDk21HdQvu-LcBZ66IjMoiUT_CSiZ1tFa2dUus5QWipm_n6KGJcLUsM/s320/ZC.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Cool dudes<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDv75FF2Lash2O7Mqv2XtgHbyjBc9XKoIvPmYMmE6UWn5cTHUJbxvvu2ZV3ODxH6IP_ZdM23zBF_4WVjQuMigoTDLXSxP-q6OJmNhY7C235CaDh4F9ZXgDKL_D5hKQtIbpywX-dDDOx5U/s1600-h/ZD.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362073937972079250" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDv75FF2Lash2O7Mqv2XtgHbyjBc9XKoIvPmYMmE6UWn5cTHUJbxvvu2ZV3ODxH6IP_ZdM23zBF_4WVjQuMigoTDLXSxP-q6OJmNhY7C235CaDh4F9ZXgDKL_D5hKQtIbpywX-dDDOx5U/s320/ZD.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Cool dudette<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxe212ngVy8U3yUYqp2WaseXzOyMth1tzMVt4SpuGJxJF83y3CZLrcmgOOKBR2tXsuJxzyqJu2JuRAL830LkyL5mP9EN7ZVJ0-ANC2dOf9rAUVt9oQZSxUFxqh7mqyLRT0bKxB8NbQGw/s1600-h/ZE.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362073934577862850" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxe212ngVy8U3yUYqp2WaseXzOyMth1tzMVt4SpuGJxJF83y3CZLrcmgOOKBR2tXsuJxzyqJu2JuRAL830LkyL5mP9EN7ZVJ0-ANC2dOf9rAUVt9oQZSxUFxqh7mqyLRT0bKxB8NbQGw/s320/ZE.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />We met Sandra at the Patron bar on the beach at Mulege, a sweet fun lady, she gave us some good pointers.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjupBpUMNPLP1PNi1o5MnZVac0HiWGvedYWqGDMbOHr0PyS3ScsV8xTNvP0kRMD7XyI9zsrMSRlDgWLeHpO9uyTJ4N1wInjcKPY7_NUuvcMnCuhM_HTcqsyaF7OoJhnovX7lJfHKnKMHgk/s1600-h/ZF.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362073751770497138" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjupBpUMNPLP1PNi1o5MnZVac0HiWGvedYWqGDMbOHr0PyS3ScsV8xTNvP0kRMD7XyI9zsrMSRlDgWLeHpO9uyTJ4N1wInjcKPY7_NUuvcMnCuhM_HTcqsyaF7OoJhnovX7lJfHKnKMHgk/s320/ZF.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />This was the first rain we have seen in a long time and it completely muddied up this road and as a result we nearly saw the shiny side down.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAnCbbAKPF6ETvJzD6LlcaPwdnUNQBExpFXtnRPEEyRB3tXvJAQ-kSV_yEivfs8jmYgpNH4KNA_-g2-otVl3km70K-YrkEBnSW6UzkWUcE5YSx4Eanj0y3EwWA5i-efzk3A964ui_nQmg/s1600-h/ZG.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362073743863429474" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAnCbbAKPF6ETvJzD6LlcaPwdnUNQBExpFXtnRPEEyRB3tXvJAQ-kSV_yEivfs8jmYgpNH4KNA_-g2-otVl3km70K-YrkEBnSW6UzkWUcE5YSx4Eanj0y3EwWA5i-efzk3A964ui_nQmg/s320/ZG.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeAB6rkaX8YfhdKNZAklpjjXW9_EvCIpgIfNsJRi7nL6l2nD4cL1A9RZnc2cRWMKH-NvbUnk_BOWVl8-qLp0Trmbv5BaS7rg9na8xLoBGa0mKGLGftpWzG9RHayZ_2HesFVZ0qSb7OYfE/s1600-h/ZH.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362073743769667538" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeAB6rkaX8YfhdKNZAklpjjXW9_EvCIpgIfNsJRi7nL6l2nD4cL1A9RZnc2cRWMKH-NvbUnk_BOWVl8-qLp0Trmbv5BaS7rg9na8xLoBGa0mKGLGftpWzG9RHayZ_2HesFVZ0qSb7OYfE/s320/ZH.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Those are grass shacks that you inhabit for the day or week or permanently, depending on how fussy you are.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8sLHs10QoKacEsdfgJCYerZro6o1xgks96kpWzNGpr3H8n_4wmY3fCEZI6fkdSzGNdr2fpFiQc8wtu3ekryse6iVnWJd5GW1YYNitgx2EW2djaJjjKryLT4toffmybGjCwEzFJb5RDI/s1600-h/ZI.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362073739574713362" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8sLHs10QoKacEsdfgJCYerZro6o1xgks96kpWzNGpr3H8n_4wmY3fCEZI6fkdSzGNdr2fpFiQc8wtu3ekryse6iVnWJd5GW1YYNitgx2EW2djaJjjKryLT4toffmybGjCwEzFJb5RDI/s320/ZI.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Beware of moving objects!!!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfGJ-Mm9o_dKNVIYA_6aXJGMEv8eDcsApWwkhoUd2DPi7rmtkehPl0el6eT7Fpn44cUDILMwx_I5JCR8wN4mf-_BL6z0PJ5_KhCw9DtTmUm-uaAIWov9tVtnpLjHDevXWAvmw9SganAw/s1600-h/ZJ.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362073741259693122" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfGJ-Mm9o_dKNVIYA_6aXJGMEv8eDcsApWwkhoUd2DPi7rmtkehPl0el6eT7Fpn44cUDILMwx_I5JCR8wN4mf-_BL6z0PJ5_KhCw9DtTmUm-uaAIWov9tVtnpLjHDevXWAvmw9SganAw/s320/ZJ.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />What can I say, Missy's porta-gym, keeping fit on the road...</div><div><br /> </div><div>Melissa wrote:</div><div>We were scheduled to leave Bahia de Los Angeles at 7am this past Sunday. Up at 6, we were having breakfast, ready to load the bike, sitting under the patchy palapa at Guillermo’s and gazing at the blue water, when we looked at each other and said “Why are we leaving?” That’s when we decided to stay another day. What will we do? We hatched a plan to persuade one of the local fishermen to take us out in his ‘panga’ or small fishing boat in search of the whale sharks that live in the waters of the bay. We walked next door to the cinderblock building that housed “Alfredo’s Sportfishing” and started negotiations with Pepe, an elderly guy, with whom we finally agreed on a price. Pepe rented us his family’s snorkeling gear and off we went. We rode for nearly 2 hours searching, did some snorkeling and finally gave up and headed back. Suddenly a big ‘boom’ and the boat stopped short, nearly giving Pepe a heart attack. Seems after all of our searching we had bumped into a whale shark, and he was right alongside the small boat. He was over 30 feet long, huge, and we could see him clearly through the water. Chris and I grabbed our fins and masks and jumped in. When I opened my eyes underwater, I had landed right near his head, and his huge mouth was open. Looking at his eye and his cavernous open mouth, I must say I got a fright. He was indeed docile, though, and we were able to touch him, and finally to hold onto his dorsal fin and let this huge, gentle creature pull us through the warm blue waters of the Sea of Cortez. It was a truly magical experience. Enjoying another beautiful day in paradise (or as we called it, our own Corona commercial), we relaxed on the beach, and then the last few guys that were part of the DLTMYGT Fishing Tournament stopped by. The margaritas started flowing, and then Pat produced a bottle of Correlejos Tequila, the smoothest tequila we have ever had. Chris and I tried to keep up with the youngsters of 24, and it was a fun and crazy evening. We DID leave the next day and rode through the extreme heat to the town of San Ignacio, home of a mission built in the 1700s. It is a charming little pueblo, with a freshwater lake right there in the middle of the desert. As we pulled into San Ignacio we met a couple from Denmark, both riding KLRs—they had just gotten their bike licenses in Denmark, then flew to California, bought the bikes, and took off for Mexico. The woman was riding a 650cc bike---I was very impressed! One night in San Ignacio at the Desert Inn, and the next morning we headed out for Mulege (Mul-e-hee), which is a very small town near a river. On the way to Mulege, we stopped for some water and met Steve, an American surfer and fisherman who had retired at 40-something and moved down there. He lived in Santa Rosalia in a camper right on a beautiful beach. He had a dirt bike, a kayak, a small boat and was the happiest guy you could ever meet. He invited us to come by, and we went to check out his homestead. He was a plumber and had fashioned an outdoor shower out of a fishing rod attached to his camper. From the fishing rod he hung a paint bucket with some type of net around it—this was his shower. His shaving mirror was an old car rear-view mirror attached to the wall. Guy paradise. We stopped at the first hotel we saw in Mulege, called Brisas del Mar, a shady place with an equally shady owner and some scary dogs which wasn’t very clean, and was basically awful. We walked down to the beach along a dirt road and stopped for something to eat at Bar Patron at the beach where we met Sandra, an American lady who has lived in Mulege for 15 years. She was great, lots of fun, and gave us some great tips for the road ahead. It had rained a lot last night, so the dirt road out of the hotel had turned to slick mud, and when coming up the road this morning we nearly had a spill. Thank God Chris rides motocross, he can really handle that bike. Today we arrived in Loreto, a beautiful town on the coast with a lovely malecon and some great hotels. We checked into the Hotel Mision, a beautiful hotel on the beach..We’re considering staying an extra day to go scuba diving. We’ll see what tomorrow brings!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>No Boundaries Bikers, Chris + Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07386612679047576050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568305577567015949.post-81596356894780297622009-07-19T12:27:00.000-07:002009-07-19T13:14:20.646-07:00Camalu to Bahia de Los Angeles, Baja, Mexico<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkNfKYdRALOJLmLkXDVPyjmCdo5D4T580TkJR_NCXL2G1oyV3KbLojHM-otrteyPpx07wTgKrP1XuDgOsXpRKWAGsl3evUQ97_HL2Hd4C_g2RsuiE9HSxl-UncMM1FAj4gIm4JnQVMv1c/s1600-h/A.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360262339210499122" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkNfKYdRALOJLmLkXDVPyjmCdo5D4T580TkJR_NCXL2G1oyV3KbLojHM-otrteyPpx07wTgKrP1XuDgOsXpRKWAGsl3evUQ97_HL2Hd4C_g2RsuiE9HSxl-UncMM1FAj4gIm4JnQVMv1c/s320/A.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Chris wrote: Missy and Dawn outside Starbucks in Long Beach California.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga8yNbn3GX_2JJjMXGL7QAUZU-QcE27AYuDlQH9GDtuGtzU_4ChHNHOr3Buc2sqjpS8yILPuDr1YZCJD_imqlc2zb_wx1X5YyomOYxWKm0ef7WCceTSghFPt5qOrRXrH6RfFwwP6Fials/s1600-h/B.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360262338308915650" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga8yNbn3GX_2JJjMXGL7QAUZU-QcE27AYuDlQH9GDtuGtzU_4ChHNHOr3Buc2sqjpS8yILPuDr1YZCJD_imqlc2zb_wx1X5YyomOYxWKm0ef7WCceTSghFPt5qOrRXrH6RfFwwP6Fials/s320/B.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Roy and Joji in L.A.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0Je2fLgw129CsMwgm5IUSS14_wmXQ6bwpB0PwgIM2uasCWsCs7SO2yTElxfOp0SLvy9roOMCMihfec9xesN04ciBouYm0s0SRhCMxelKPEOgxTfuafLM-jQHlh_6CkzsnqpvcfIUmM8/s1600-h/C.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360262057581785586" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0Je2fLgw129CsMwgm5IUSS14_wmXQ6bwpB0PwgIM2uasCWsCs7SO2yTElxfOp0SLvy9roOMCMihfec9xesN04ciBouYm0s0SRhCMxelKPEOgxTfuafLM-jQHlh_6CkzsnqpvcfIUmM8/s320/C.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>Missy's bathroom buddy, kept her company while tinkling in the desert.<br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDFxB7pgXFbXTOlX13S98gdFeK15TWSjE-uE3MhsLN56uqnclcYOnnItKQsUxaPGrjrTgCHAs0sw-nL-9JVnYUPMUHCYTU5tt1Nsbdqwg4YflsJvRxiPcorMaaeq6AHYF3v4Rnxzd1ljw/s1600-h/D.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360262053587791458" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDFxB7pgXFbXTOlX13S98gdFeK15TWSjE-uE3MhsLN56uqnclcYOnnItKQsUxaPGrjrTgCHAs0sw-nL-9JVnYUPMUHCYTU5tt1Nsbdqwg4YflsJvRxiPcorMaaeq6AHYF3v4Rnxzd1ljw/s320/D.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The real hot spot mentioned in the previous post, Missy felt she needed to be included in this scene of hellish heat.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgbCT2725NH65KjAhoYyNOWy3XprfQvsYDvIycNRiyurSAWJCt05HzD5XAbtLf8T5hmH5JvzWsENG6M1I4WVURuen-1DRaxBQhyphenhyphen8cWcIePD4m4dHp0uETjzCR5YM-a98sKZcRfiAFcpTQ/s1600-h/E.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360262049021269234" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgbCT2725NH65KjAhoYyNOWy3XprfQvsYDvIycNRiyurSAWJCt05HzD5XAbtLf8T5hmH5JvzWsENG6M1I4WVURuen-1DRaxBQhyphenhyphen8cWcIePD4m4dHp0uETjzCR5YM-a98sKZcRfiAFcpTQ/s320/E.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />DESERT,DESERT, DESERT!!!!!!!!!!!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMs7cqBF5yGaZPHtJCSAREjAqhJ71ibxcxKoomngtDuQD8FU8Bl0sI3-A4yitm5uT62sf6Blka3prkmh2yAoPT2I2xugpGsLCdextbpyZaIgWfldtsnqZv192Kh2wKpVhgu8TJ1NzEYzM/s1600-h/F.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360262049745883410" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMs7cqBF5yGaZPHtJCSAREjAqhJ71ibxcxKoomngtDuQD8FU8Bl0sI3-A4yitm5uT62sf6Blka3prkmh2yAoPT2I2xugpGsLCdextbpyZaIgWfldtsnqZv192Kh2wKpVhgu8TJ1NzEYzM/s320/F.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />OASIS, OASIS, OASIS!!!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-1KOZKdDKNskNKvsHweELVz6LAmQ_50Nru15BMwnHlKF40nAFlUxvhOBV1B6kNNyZf2kfwv2MPEplOlZUHyTqKq6IxwSDS52wI8hlqY7bqgw_DVMZiQFo4ky99t3ncUGfORIKwxCDYs/s1600-h/G.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360262043047009458" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-1KOZKdDKNskNKvsHweELVz6LAmQ_50Nru15BMwnHlKF40nAFlUxvhOBV1B6kNNyZf2kfwv2MPEplOlZUHyTqKq6IxwSDS52wI8hlqY7bqgw_DVMZiQFo4ky99t3ncUGfORIKwxCDYs/s320/G.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Los Gringos en La Gringa<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSMX2UySrwX5AnLkUf9-OjTI42fskHyBBq66wu8_u8KCZ-nT7My1BCk8S88GvN7rqB2LbSR93HfaYPW9OjFwIGA1IuhMTHiWBbmK4wyYUdncXIM4XHjaVvYAWxJ_ouWjyqVn40shiL0yE/s1600-h/H.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360261584083496162" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSMX2UySrwX5AnLkUf9-OjTI42fskHyBBq66wu8_u8KCZ-nT7My1BCk8S88GvN7rqB2LbSR93HfaYPW9OjFwIGA1IuhMTHiWBbmK4wyYUdncXIM4XHjaVvYAWxJ_ouWjyqVn40shiL0yE/s320/H.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Gilbert, the master chef masterfully constructing his signiture dish internationally known as Gilbert ceviche. This is some good S$%T<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5f4K3PZFKbG85xbtUSluARbD9YlWAZlMjCR7WakAJcOddlYeVc5coSkYw2FOE649zXA2jUNpG_rujVSx2qCoYFY9Ci3d8Tp-FiXACURRRndi3FxuCgincRvZ4e7qR-jNLpVkiT52aWmM/s1600-h/I.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360261572880679138" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5f4K3PZFKbG85xbtUSluARbD9YlWAZlMjCR7WakAJcOddlYeVc5coSkYw2FOE649zXA2jUNpG_rujVSx2qCoYFY9Ci3d8Tp-FiXACURRRndi3FxuCgincRvZ4e7qR-jNLpVkiT52aWmM/s320/I.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div>Me and Tito, the guy who has mastered 3 different classes at all 3 Baja races, a very modest fellow with a lot of good stories.<br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8XmEmDyORNimKycEXxLZY1Q1-UytEHEtNBIuPPQTYRLy3ACIkI0JsRRkqYntmIZc2bNOw_mi8BMKF8wHKMU1_w0Fc6P84-orXmmxCb8IoNGF09dlqDW1QoncufcnHfSDb67e73Q8bV3o/s1600-h/K.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360261573431432514" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8XmEmDyORNimKycEXxLZY1Q1-UytEHEtNBIuPPQTYRLy3ACIkI0JsRRkqYntmIZc2bNOw_mi8BMKF8wHKMU1_w0Fc6P84-orXmmxCb8IoNGF09dlqDW1QoncufcnHfSDb67e73Q8bV3o/s320/K.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is the charity that we came across and these guys are handing out boxes and boxes of toys and clothes to the local kids, they also built a library for the town, pretty cool.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik06OxMywMTSbLrhLsaJ41eioSgEowCAnV-vuWU2mb_hpZRu3piWzquI4-1V4MzZf4vSsAJYyBmBVXCW2pWQaobtM79jDTDqTiksWtazTB0ryChH3OS0U2xindJ8c87IN49LUNl0wNCRY/s1600-h/L.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360261568060916850" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik06OxMywMTSbLrhLsaJ41eioSgEowCAnV-vuWU2mb_hpZRu3piWzquI4-1V4MzZf4vSsAJYyBmBVXCW2pWQaobtM79jDTDqTiksWtazTB0ryChH3OS0U2xindJ8c87IN49LUNl0wNCRY/s320/L.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Tito and Chino at dinner lasat night.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKEItjw7ovR3eS8Ht9SI1q-PDqUE732jBYZ-gbvjQeoC5PtYeYdEU88SWNK_iP_7lIY6A2HbSmobyjyO8gcF-RX0m6_i6o5y5nntcNuW76TRJllwbDMo55sjkEtkVEHSsiUBokjQW5ug/s1600-h/san+diegotec+012.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360261565310426722" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKEItjw7ovR3eS8Ht9SI1q-PDqUE732jBYZ-gbvjQeoC5PtYeYdEU88SWNK_iP_7lIY6A2HbSmobyjyO8gcF-RX0m6_i6o5y5nntcNuW76TRJllwbDMo55sjkEtkVEHSsiUBokjQW5ug/s320/san+diegotec+012.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The back of my helmet, Missy looks at this all day every day.</div><div><br /></div><div>Melissa wrote: What a difference a few days makes. We left Camalu and headed South. Central Baja is pure desert, hot, hot, hot. The temperature was 104 degrees which made riding interesting. Passing through the beautiful desert landscapes, nothing around us but cactus, we rode for about an hour and a half. Just when we were beginning to feel really dehydrated, a litle building rose up in the distance with a sign that said Ábierto 24 horas. Turns out it was someone's house that was also a little restuarant. We bought the last bottles of water and soldiered on in the heat. We came to the town of Cataviña, and stopped for gas at the local hotel/gas station (appropriately named The Desert Inn). While Chris got gas I walked around and saw that the little hotel had....A POOL! We immediately abandoned our plan to ride further and checked in. The hotel was a little pricey but at that point I would have cashed in what's left of my 401K to dive in. Early start and headed to the town of Bahia de los Angeles on the Sea of Cortez. A sleepy little town, and the guy at the local gas station directed us to a hotel on the beach called Guillermo''s. For 45 dollars a night we got 2 beds and a shower with a tiny little air conditioner that is doing it´s best to cool us down. We dropped our riding clothes and jumped in the ocean, sat there all day with some cold Tecate chatting with all of the cool people we met there. Turns out Bahia de los Angeles is a hidden gem of a sportfising destination famous for yellowtail. There were 50 American guys in town from Southern California for a tournament they do every year. They have a foundation, and the proceeds from the tournament go for education and clothing for the local children here. They were staying at other hotels but came to Guillermo´s for the margaritas. Also turns out Guillermo is a local celebrity who consistently wins the Baja 1000 race in his jacked up, monster Land Cruiser truck. We also met 3 Mexican guys from Ensenada, Tito, Gilbert and Armando. These guys are all champions of the Baja 500 and the Baja 1000 race, driving Baja Bug cars. They explained the mechanics of the race, which actually passes right through this town into the desert. Chris was riveted. Looks like next year I will be cheering him on in the Baja 500...dios mio! These guys had caught a lot of yellowtail and invited us to a BBQ at their friend Eduardo's house nearby. There they made the most incredible ceviche we have EVER had. They took this freshly caught yellowtail and cut it up with chiles, onion, tomato, lots of lime and oyster sauce, and we had it right there on their patio with some cold beers while discussing rally racing and Mexican politics. An amazing day. This is what I love about Mexico...the warmth and hospitality of the people and the unexpected experiences that can enrich your trip if you just keep yourself open to them. We are now in a little market with 2 computers, the local "Internet Cafe" and the only place with signal. Tomorrow on south, our destination a town called San Ignacio. Vaya con dios, friends!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>No Boundaries Bikers, Chris + Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07386612679047576050noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568305577567015949.post-21186230743597467292009-07-17T18:08:00.001-07:002009-07-19T12:32:43.091-07:00Reality Check-Crossing into Mexico (Baja)Chris wrote:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkFwFGkttr56DYgxdcZdSfIIR7YjqwzHOOyerrL_rrxdRsQnVonbG9mGv8oMGdMpdWeDEmmFMFJx3gZKiihQr1wXnQnfUPTAFlhPjkAt0yZ5S85YZrlqfhaCUUD-nRc30DVThyEyBRws/s1600-h/A.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360227493811673554" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkFwFGkttr56DYgxdcZdSfIIR7YjqwzHOOyerrL_rrxdRsQnVonbG9mGv8oMGdMpdWeDEmmFMFJx3gZKiihQr1wXnQnfUPTAFlhPjkAt0yZ5S85YZrlqfhaCUUD-nRc30DVThyEyBRws/s320/A.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />As we entered Mexico through Tecate the first order of business was a 5 mile traffic jam on a single lane dusty road in 100 degree weather; for those of you in celsius, it was one helluva hot day.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmhtEoPqpyXKnXDpJyrxg4d8hWZVGQqzayy_soWC3VqHUYilTMVi0JjOPqo2vkX-E4C0_r21ujwsIkil7wdROqqmNpX-PPZoT1war1le71SUxm9NWqBALwe6ZZeFQ114fhyphenhyphenqtF2CQ51E/s1600-h/B.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360227495220545378" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmhtEoPqpyXKnXDpJyrxg4d8hWZVGQqzayy_soWC3VqHUYilTMVi0JjOPqo2vkX-E4C0_r21ujwsIkil7wdROqqmNpX-PPZoT1war1le71SUxm9NWqBALwe6ZZeFQ114fhyphenhyphenqtF2CQ51E/s320/B.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Guess which lane we took-- Tijuana is where all the Cartel problems are.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEwYpa_reiPyBG3LiLKzngek01X-37bLhy8gqoQ8kexVsP4YUiUGUyPgv0f3mof_81A3R-kzhJOyJlmyIzNmpq6ElvijUIUTukMWwVHyUwUAkyR3kxmmKvSFzlIl-9_Gp4kvPnMuigvy4/s1600-h/C.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360227491243396018" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEwYpa_reiPyBG3LiLKzngek01X-37bLhy8gqoQ8kexVsP4YUiUGUyPgv0f3mof_81A3R-kzhJOyJlmyIzNmpq6ElvijUIUTukMWwVHyUwUAkyR3kxmmKvSFzlIl-9_Gp4kvPnMuigvy4/s320/C.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />This is the local athletes' tool of choice, the "Baja Racer" they come in all shapes and sizes.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjWHNWFjJuC94l1DmW_yLLEV0zgFQ20E7Qx1LK3KTf564HC6yK5Z3WgB7Q2-Ts4vQodiJ2khy8i4Ejna6Snr_JxsDPsu7g3rZFVQOUs-lQ7nJu69ksXdR-pEXE_TCOWevoHYldBAqk8Wo/s1600-h/D.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360227485691143106" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjWHNWFjJuC94l1DmW_yLLEV0zgFQ20E7Qx1LK3KTf564HC6yK5Z3WgB7Q2-Ts4vQodiJ2khy8i4Ejna6Snr_JxsDPsu7g3rZFVQOUs-lQ7nJu69ksXdR-pEXE_TCOWevoHYldBAqk8Wo/s320/D.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />This is my tool of choice; I'm speaking FOR THE BIKE.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwGnMozODHQvQyyepyioKt8mHAzMq5JALlaXd_vppuX8MVJN2P6NHY-O9Zyh3YbROGT2gn8NFSYDANuPuRs4BS5c6j2Hfk_7n3-TKaTYVtx2Oxrh2uDgYBnw3_Ia4V_grrdm_kfbsOT2k/s1600-h/E.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360227480497554738" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwGnMozODHQvQyyepyioKt8mHAzMq5JALlaXd_vppuX8MVJN2P6NHY-O9Zyh3YbROGT2gn8NFSYDANuPuRs4BS5c6j2Hfk_7n3-TKaTYVtx2Oxrh2uDgYBnw3_Ia4V_grrdm_kfbsOT2k/s320/E.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />When the bags are off the bike and the tool is checking the map on a dirt road with no civilization in sight, then you know problems are around the corner.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7CBKqZn0PvHfY69QBDEia_uebCXYROIX5Iq8oRdHUh4SpGbc-qiBdeKZfl_EkYM8nJ6eIIcFPNTeLvXFOywaQDdSxtzTC3NaCihkvskCfqhlm14kT8CWOSxb11NOMj4BQvDtw3yhpwwk/s1600-h/F.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360227038667348450" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7CBKqZn0PvHfY69QBDEia_uebCXYROIX5Iq8oRdHUh4SpGbc-qiBdeKZfl_EkYM8nJ6eIIcFPNTeLvXFOywaQDdSxtzTC3NaCihkvskCfqhlm14kT8CWOSxb11NOMj4BQvDtw3yhpwwk/s320/F.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Yep, here come the problems, notice the sticks under the back wheel, a good idea but nowhere near enough.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieiDeaDcfHD8OgaIKsvXYh-O926xS6EHEuVM8wG0V1bRvBrAUQIrW_zIx4qfGBOysmFbjzUgJXS6-SFtFyjAOtlB9YyVg-4e2bbdjm2BBD91s9lACKlE7rgTelnlXpN97Qbbj28n1Qo7s/s1600-h/G.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360227034788768866" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieiDeaDcfHD8OgaIKsvXYh-O926xS6EHEuVM8wG0V1bRvBrAUQIrW_zIx4qfGBOysmFbjzUgJXS6-SFtFyjAOtlB9YyVg-4e2bbdjm2BBD91s9lACKlE7rgTelnlXpN97Qbbj28n1Qo7s/s320/G.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />As you can see, so this is where it gets ugly and I did what any defeated tool does,<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPeFA2KWglZ65SPNCi5frdZB8nYMHNfEuLbxbWCgzoNeguS0CGoNPjbJw4vVriTsuIGGt68AumpQUn41EVY3qly6YUOjXIXYDCaAIbGvjY50uG9p5g_67j2fabDEV8d_LY9t9bgI-P8y0/s1600-h/H.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360227033533476626" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPeFA2KWglZ65SPNCi5frdZB8nYMHNfEuLbxbWCgzoNeguS0CGoNPjbJw4vVriTsuIGGt68AumpQUn41EVY3qly6YUOjXIXYDCaAIbGvjY50uG9p5g_67j2fabDEV8d_LY9t9bgI-P8y0/s320/H.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />pushed the bike on its side and nearly killed myself dragging it to a different spot of really soft beach sand, hoping and praying I didn't need a 6 lane freeway of sticks.</div><div>I will say this, this was a serious challenge, for me a bit but for my ever so dedicated wife even more so, she didn't stand around taking pics all the time or we would have a lot more to share, she rolled up her sleeves and got all sandy and sweaty with me and she seemed to love every minute of it, honest truth!!<br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCIbHbZMIZVGytAWk93Ao-PAklr2GJDBN9Zu9QrgmgeEwx2xBL1NbfEvr0IAymUZdFpUMsXOJt9UeKuklfGSF0kZVKAAoszkwVVpH32HmdSJfZxfQvBqpP1yJJxDNzcRcgPyPDOXJGwmo/s1600-h/I.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360227029106234306" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCIbHbZMIZVGytAWk93Ao-PAklr2GJDBN9Zu9QrgmgeEwx2xBL1NbfEvr0IAymUZdFpUMsXOJt9UeKuklfGSF0kZVKAAoszkwVVpH32HmdSJfZxfQvBqpP1yJJxDNzcRcgPyPDOXJGwmo/s320/I.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Finally we found this littel hotel on the edge of the ocean and checked in to a tiny sticky room with a fantastic view.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIMvFGFiD5vaD-LqASy7MA6vARquLI7jmGxu5Ys5XPzuX0QA45UBxDF5Xad2aVV6m0bbgy8coZj2ypFzKqdAmdbxj2jqDFiFshHBE5UDhJgUkbnGeJ0RUHXjSEBQB3YtarB72-zu8wizE/s1600-h/J.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360226464388504914" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIMvFGFiD5vaD-LqASy7MA6vARquLI7jmGxu5Ys5XPzuX0QA45UBxDF5Xad2aVV6m0bbgy8coZj2ypFzKqdAmdbxj2jqDFiFshHBE5UDhJgUkbnGeJ0RUHXjSEBQB3YtarB72-zu8wizE/s320/J.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Yea, now she's all smiles, the bike that is.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_OFYFwaGMi3Di7YEpIwW0yrkrf1wE1181NRrofCyiil8jFyXJbPz4DK4n2NsplTOhfcSylUZuVnlzf6J4jokTsCAJ-fomqTw_D8jt4BOlSTawhw4VPo1BuwJuR4pI73xvqb2_oCgCWo/s1600-h/K.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360226458615916178" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_OFYFwaGMi3Di7YEpIwW0yrkrf1wE1181NRrofCyiil8jFyXJbPz4DK4n2NsplTOhfcSylUZuVnlzf6J4jokTsCAJ-fomqTw_D8jt4BOlSTawhw4VPo1BuwJuR4pI73xvqb2_oCgCWo/s320/K.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />When we arrived here the first order of business was 2 double Tequilas and 2 cold cervezas, EACH and a good laugh.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt65sXNHhBsU48xNHp1B7hKDV_tobIwN3i4yoeNV8E7yXIrrClN5L3WsQ58wM2HXxY66tujfefn28-gYplBG7L0vNbzjpqlaR9xdgdEGzIKWnRIjqjboXdoprpVNE1OZ5DuNu4nB9cnog/s1600-h/L.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360226457844255794" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt65sXNHhBsU48xNHp1B7hKDV_tobIwN3i4yoeNV8E7yXIrrClN5L3WsQ58wM2HXxY66tujfefn28-gYplBG7L0vNbzjpqlaR9xdgdEGzIKWnRIjqjboXdoprpVNE1OZ5DuNu4nB9cnog/s320/L.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQrwiYVT0yepLXwtJxZtyZ4KAsnWU4pREgGSPvfEnHQvVV3DduJJHk9T80Bp2nERfC4ST5EvE5nKF8vZZb-M689uGcEp4yqrH5ZKW_cCTC8A3MuFLRLqLANAdV8IbmRe-IKJ2M9cQakk/s1600-h/M.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360226452788687410" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQrwiYVT0yepLXwtJxZtyZ4KAsnWU4pREgGSPvfEnHQvVV3DduJJHk9T80Bp2nERfC4ST5EvE5nKF8vZZb-M689uGcEp4yqrH5ZKW_cCTC8A3MuFLRLqLANAdV8IbmRe-IKJ2M9cQakk/s320/M.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />A couple of views from our room.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZqtt8fuUTQ-plhFqjGxFtTzjLzQm8jqZDW6C2YvrdXOchhf46lSHsz34cKXXJW3T5Wn3En1buEtg8JRR8rO0kYeo-vtytA5eoNeRWIE27NFqVah-MsVXkjTlnLeIzUcWUfbzF7kVaYk/s1600-h/N.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360226450159155106" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZqtt8fuUTQ-plhFqjGxFtTzjLzQm8jqZDW6C2YvrdXOchhf46lSHsz34cKXXJW3T5Wn3En1buEtg8JRR8rO0kYeo-vtytA5eoNeRWIE27NFqVah-MsVXkjTlnLeIzUcWUfbzF7kVaYk/s320/N.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The unfinished hotel, alot of potential.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1r4JnlBBPeJ2bPhW4UqA4em7CaWgiJ-UeKLlKnMvuF623KOtcR2ntQ1UyXYxL8B1xzDkOh2s2PZWPPwKm2qfrosTfiNxfT5_Ax9DlFww9MBntkV01rXWrrifyc3ZbHcphNBt4Kx5P0Y8/s1600-h/O.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360226024361486722" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1r4JnlBBPeJ2bPhW4UqA4em7CaWgiJ-UeKLlKnMvuF623KOtcR2ntQ1UyXYxL8B1xzDkOh2s2PZWPPwKm2qfrosTfiNxfT5_Ax9DlFww9MBntkV01rXWrrifyc3ZbHcphNBt4Kx5P0Y8/s320/O.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCTXh3yfJHCOsqtgSPOWxQ_QN56GM_ja1atadAGbrwCc5EPRtMaZzFoBiR0EKdcuRI-_LNfKq8xC8Hcbda3nFeLUxj-S6BBAGuilB6wpdEB_I2zHIdxEePzzUCuAyTvqGDAig45T0iwyY/s1600-h/P.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360226021683732322" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCTXh3yfJHCOsqtgSPOWxQ_QN56GM_ja1atadAGbrwCc5EPRtMaZzFoBiR0EKdcuRI-_LNfKq8xC8Hcbda3nFeLUxj-S6BBAGuilB6wpdEB_I2zHIdxEePzzUCuAyTvqGDAig45T0iwyY/s320/P.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The following day we rode south towards the Sea of Cortez and on the way we stopped at this spot in the middle of the desert for a break as we were riding in 110 degree weather, the air bone dry. This place was right in the middle of the desert with nothing 40 miles either side, I ask myself, why would anyone want to live in a place like this, I'll never figure it out.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaGL0JhCCoAPA52JvR1ZkwYjZO8zAbdxPA0zil9rA83lLMT4Bbgecyb3Lf8b2MIRbX9kgp23mUB0KZ9G5Ju-0a0WLuBQnL8ZEMt3mppU1M5usmA_fZnulK4c99pHX5AmGm1LR-okRXTWQ/s1600-h/Q.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360226016770268226" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaGL0JhCCoAPA52JvR1ZkwYjZO8zAbdxPA0zil9rA83lLMT4Bbgecyb3Lf8b2MIRbX9kgp23mUB0KZ9G5Ju-0a0WLuBQnL8ZEMt3mppU1M5usmA_fZnulK4c99pHX5AmGm1LR-okRXTWQ/s320/Q.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The other direction.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH5K7_Y_NNezTP4VC1tScd6CiTj3sy1gEdv3Q6QCcqA6TRFC_rCAZHodGVOgT8hm6tqlok-2VijxIMu2fFL6NSXn0M-5WL0lc9men-lqWmuOiuZPBMgXD8WkoW75NPnlcwbsUPmAGYKxQ/s1600-h/R.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360226014475261858" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH5K7_Y_NNezTP4VC1tScd6CiTj3sy1gEdv3Q6QCcqA6TRFC_rCAZHodGVOgT8hm6tqlok-2VijxIMu2fFL6NSXn0M-5WL0lc9men-lqWmuOiuZPBMgXD8WkoW75NPnlcwbsUPmAGYKxQ/s320/R.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />We finally found a hotel called, the Desert Inn, how appropriate, they had a pool which we abused and a good A/C. 9pm In the resturant, which didnt have A/C, the temp was still 100 degrees F. Early in the morning at its coldest point, the temp got down to a whopping 95.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUuNAIoZokLlVV-i5t0w9CyKKrO-zn3yj1DMPb81DBlh54yAVBYCRkRyTM30lLQ0BYv3RuTwMma6w03KfuxsGqDLITWxB2SusMcbI6LM5L9gYLj9xpf9v9J-NpoLjlboeEvpoSZHbqlt0/s1600-h/S.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360226010497014306" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUuNAIoZokLlVV-i5t0w9CyKKrO-zn3yj1DMPb81DBlh54yAVBYCRkRyTM30lLQ0BYv3RuTwMma6w03KfuxsGqDLITWxB2SusMcbI6LM5L9gYLj9xpf9v9J-NpoLjlboeEvpoSZHbqlt0/s320/S.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>From Melissa: We began this leg of the journey with a lot of excitement and a healthy amount of fear. Countless bikers that we have met have regaled us with stories of their friends and friends-of-friends who have ridden through Mexico, Central and South America and encountered a myriad of mishaps…robberies, bikers left bloodied by the side of the road, victims of drunk drivers (for which they have been hauled off to jail, asked for insurance, forced to hand over vast amounts of dollars) etc. If one more person tells us about the book “Two Wheels of Terror”, by the guy who was motorcycling though Colombia and was kidnapped for 4 months, I’ll run. I really would like to read this book, only AFTER I get home from this journey. With all of this input, we have tried to stay positive and not get hysterical about the amount of danger ranging from swine flu to drug lords. However, today when we crossed into Mexico, I have to say that our anxiety was at an all-time high. We crossed from San Diego to Tecate with much anticipation………however, the border guards just waved us through, didn’t even leave the shady area where they were hanging out to stamp our passports (which we hope won’t be a problem later.) We came into Tecate and headed down the Baja coast road to Ensenada, stopping for lunch at a small town called San Vicente.We passed through the MexicanWine Route but did not stop as we were concerned about timing and where to stay the night. There is quite a distance between stops with hotels in this part of Mexico and no signs…very little is also visible on a map, and the GPS has been off-track, not lining up with the actual roads (even though we purchased the Garmin Mexico map system.) Having lived in Mexico, I have a real love for this country, but...traffic was a nightmare, and a good amount of the road was under construction, where we were diverted off onto a dirt road, stuck behind buses spewing fumes into our faces. We had stopped at the tourist office in Ensenada and were told that there was a hotel a few hours south in a town called Colonet, just off of a road near San Telmo, near the beach. We arrived at Colonet at about 4pm, and the town was basically a few buildings along the side of the road. We asked some police officers where the hotel was and they directed us to a dirt road which supposedly went to the beach. We went down this road and it got worse, worse, and turned into a maze of dirt and sand roads which went alongside farms and led nowhere. By this time the sun was going down and we were getting nervous. We hit some soft sand and the bike went over. With all of the bags, etc. the motorcycle is very heavy; even with the new tires that Chris had put on in San Diego it was very unstable. Chris and I had to pick the bike up and try to get it out of the sand, which was interesting….picture this..the two of us, hot and sweating, mosquitoes beginning to swarm, trying to pick up 500 plus pounds of motorcycle from the soft sand, with the bike sliding all over the place. Back on the bike, onto the road, still looking for the hotel. MORE soft sand and we went over again. Only this time we could not get the bike out of the trees, and the back wheel was WAY buried. Chris put sticks under the back tire and we tried to create traction and get it out but no way. He finally said “Babe, take off your jacket, this is going to get ugly.” We then proceeded to drag the bike along the sand and get it out of the hole and turned it around. The sun was getting lower and lower and I could picture us stuck in this maze in the dark being shot by ticked-off cattle ranchers. We found a new, dirt road with the now useless GPS which can’t recognize any of these Mexican roads and went uphill on a road filled with big rocks and dirt. We almost went over the cliff. When we were on our last nerve we came upon a farm and asked a guy where to go and he pointed us to a road towards town. By then it was almost dark. We stopped at a gas station and ended up going south to the next town called Camalu and were directed up a hill (another dirt road!! Thank god for the GSA!)where a hotel called “La Cueva del Pirata” appeared like a mirage in the distance. We immediately had a Don Julio Tequila and just got our bearings.<br />I must say that we have done some planning in this regard: we have gotten a satellite phone and a personal tracker, which is the size of an Ipod or a little larger, called a Spot Tracker. This allows you to send emails to a specific set of friends and family to let them know that you are OK. It also (for about $90 per year) has a service that is 911—this is a button you press and anywhere you are in the world, they can locate you on Google Earth and send help in the form of truck, helicopter, etc to rescue you. The Spot Tracker can be purchased at any REI store. Alex, a biker that we met in Ferndale, California told us about this and it was a great tip. We also got Mexico Motorcycle Insurance through a company called Mexpro which can be purchased online. They provide quotes from a variety of Mexican Insurance companies.<br />Our first day in Mexico……..now on to the next adventure!! (photos for this post to come when we get a stronger signal...out here in the middle of the desert right now...)</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>No Boundaries Bikers, Chris + Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07386612679047576050noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568305577567015949.post-51449441037340678872009-07-14T19:33:00.000-07:002009-07-14T19:50:47.597-07:00Gear---What to Wear and Bring?Some people have asked us about clothing, gear, packing, etc. The gear that we have chosen worked great in the cold weather, but as we have gotten into the hot weather we decided to switch some things out. Here's what we have learned: We researched a LOT of places and types of gear. The absolute best, hands down place to buy clothing, helmets, etc. is motorcycle superstore (www.motorcyclesuperstore.com)They have free shipping, a liberal return policy (it is only $6.99 to return anything) and have the widest selection and lowest prices of all of the gear that we have seen. After much angst, shopping and advice, we are really happy so far with what we chose. For me: Sidi Jasmine waterproof boots, Tourmaster Flex Pants—these are great….they are a mesh pant zip-in panels to cover the mesh and block out the wind, and they also have a thermal waterproof liner. Great, versatile pants. Jacket: The Tourmaster Transition series jacket which is waterproof and has lots of pockets; best of all it has zippered vents all over for hot weather. It also has a zip-in thermal liner. Dan Gibbons recommended a heated vest for really cold weather…….it actually plugs into the bike. I used that on the coldest part of the trip and it worked great. Socks- since the motorcycle boots are a bit heavy, blisters sometimes result. I got some great socks called 'Tech Sox' which are padded in all of the right places, wick away moisture...very comfortable. Those I found on a website called 'heridessherides.com'. Helmet—went a bit wrong here. I got the Shark Evoline helmet, which is a great, versatile modular helmet. The jaw-piece folds up so that you can wear just the plastic face shield. The face shield also folds up, and it has a built-in sunshield. This can be either a full-face or open face helmet which is great. Only problem is it is built for a perfectly round head shape, and if your head is slightly oval it just doesn’t work. I found this out on a previous trip we did along the Blue Ridge Parkway and I got a big goose egg on my forehead, so I sold that helmet and got the HJC Sy-Max II modular helmet, which I love (the only thing is---in cold weather I would recommend that you use a chin curtain as a lot of air gets up inside this helmet.) Chris also has Sidi waterproof boots which have worked great for the just-completed part of our trip. He of the round head shape loves his Shark helmet. He has Firstgear Kilimjaro Pants and jacket.<br />After riding from Mammoth through the heat, we decided to switch out some of our gear, especially with the trip to Baja and rainy, humid Central America coming up. We went to motorcyclehelmets.com, a retail store in Fullerton, and found great mesh jackets, Joe Rocket Brand, on sale for $75.00...can't go wrong there. They have a removable waterproof liner, and work great in the hot weather. We also shipped our motorcycle boots home as they were very, very hot in the summer weather and are now using Gore-Tex hiking boots. Chris did get his mesh pants so we are good to go to leave for Baja on Wednesday.<br />Tomorrow the bike goes in for service, and Chris will change the back tire to get us through the rough roads of Baja.<br />Regarding packing--- many of my women friends have asked about this, and are aghast that I can pack in my Zega bag that goes into the pannier, and the BMW duffel we each have, which is basically full of sleeping bags, etc. I got the small zip cubes from Eagle Creek and pack my different types of clothes---shorts and t-shirts in one, sox etc in another, etc. They compress your clothes and you can organize by color so you don't have to root through your duffel looking for something. Chris has his own system: he rolls everything and puts rubber bands around them to compress them. A pain in the neck but his bag is much thinner than mine!No Boundaries Bikers, Chris + Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07386612679047576050noreply@blogger.com1